Favorite Books of 2020

Hope you all are continuing to have a wonderful holiday season! I, for one, am just happy that the "main event" is over and even though I have some work to do, I'm looking forward to a few days of just being curled up, drinking my cocoa bombs and reading by the tree a few days longer! 

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I'm not very good at picking favorites so I've decided to pick one across several categories. But first, since I'm always curious about my reading habits and how they may change, I've included some stats/numbers:

I've read 56 books so far this year, beating my Goodreads goal of 50. 

27 from the library, 14 from Netgalley, and the rest I either owned or borrowed from Kindle Unlimited. 

46 out of 56 were e-books. I read mostly women (48), and 20% were BIPOC authors. 

I read the most in April, finishing 9, and the least in January and March (ha) finishing only 3 each. 

Since I'm a visual person, here's a chart of the books I read by category: 

And now for the favorites! I tried to keep this list to only the books I read from July-now, since I made a mid-year list as well. 

Biggest Disappointment

I know I'm in the minority with this one, but I did not like Queenie. I think I had built it up in my head too much (and was on the holds list fo-ev-er).

Biggest Surprise
I didn't know anything about this book going in, which is quite unlike me, but I was absolutely delighted by the characters, the themes,... and I certainly didn't think I would like a Western!

Favorite Non-Fiction

I've read Lindy West before and didn't really like her writing style, but decided to give her another chance and I'm so glad I did! This one literally had me laughing out loud in parts (even when she was trashing some of my favorite movies!)

Favorite Memoir

Again... laughing out loud and nodding my head. I've never read something that spoke to me (or about me?) so authentically. Looking forward to more of Mia Mercado's essays!

Favorite Debut

This one shocked me almost as much as The Silent Patient last year. Definitely looking forward to more from this author!

Favorite Thriller / Books Of The Year?

This one was a tie and these may just be my absolute favorites of the year, though I really enjoyed the others on this post as well. But Colleen Hoover was already a favorite author of mine, and Courtney Summers is my favorite debut author of the year, so this comes as no real surprise! 

Favorite Romance

I really enjoyed how this story played out- it was a bit of a slow burn but I loved how it ended. I would be interested in a follow-up as to how things worked out, but I'll take more from the author in general as well.

Favorite YA/Middle Grade

This had SO MUCH going on right beneath the surface. The cover was almost cutesy so I wasn't expecting that but was pulled right in with Zoey and Fuschia and their world. I would have never picked this up if it wasn't for Netgalley either, so thanks Netgalley!

Favorite Literary/Contemporary

I may need to look up the difference between these two, but since in my head they're the same, I'm lumping them together. Anyway, I was surprised to realize that I only gave this one 3 stars and may need to update that because I remember thinking about it long after I turned the last page and may even continue with the series. Speaking of which... 

Favorite in a Series I May Actually Continue

I don't like series for the most part- I liked finishing a story and being done with it. The most I'll read is a trilogy (though even that has only happened once, with The Hunger Games). However I didn't realize this was a series when I started, and I really liked strong detective Bella and her relationship with her partner.

Newest Favorite Character

Uuuuggghhh... all the feels! I loved this strong character and how she knows who she is and does what she needs to in order to show it to those around her!

Favorite Book To Film Adaptation You Saw This Year

There were only 3 in the second half of the year (Confess, I Have Always Lived in the Castle, and The Flight Attendant)... favorite for the second half of the year was Confess, but favorite of the year was still Little Fires Everywhere.

The Most Beautiful Book You Bought or Received This Year

Most beautiful of the year is still those with gold foiling (I'm looking at you, American Marriage!), but most recently has to be A Holiday By Gaslight by Mimi Matthews- I love the cozy Victorian feel!

New Release You Haven’t Read Yet But Want To
I'm hoping I receive this from my library soon!

What Books Do You Need To Read by the End of the Year

I just found a short story series on Kindle Unlimited yesterday and it features one of my favorite authors, Rainbow Rowell! So I'm definitely planning on reading The Faraway series this season!

What were some of your favorite reads this year?

Linking up with Steph, Jana, and Jana/That Artsy Reader Girl!

Winter 2020 TBR

Here we are, in the last season of 2020 (finally!). I can hardly believe it, it has been such a loooong year and I'm excited to see it go! Before getting into what I'll be reading this season, here's a look at how I did with my Fall TBR: 

George - Alex Gino (For Banned Books Week - Sept 20)

Beartown - Fredrik Backman

Such A Fun Age - Kiley Reid

Queenie - Candice Carty-Williams

... I couldn't get my hands on A Long Way Home - Saroo Riley (For my non-fiction goal); it was not available at my library or Paperback Swap. I probably should have checked that before adding it to my Fall TBR, but it's an older book so I didn't think getting it would be an issue! So instead a read a autobiographical comic called Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe. You can see my review of it here. 

Not sure I have much of an excuse for the others I didn't read especially since I already own them! It goes without saying that I probably shouldn't continue making these lists since I'm such a mood reader, but lists are fun so I'll just keep making them and see how I do at the end of the season! 

One that I really, truly want to read this year is Little Women. It just feels like a winter book to me and I've been meaning to read it for years! Fingers crossed I'm "feeling" it this season! Some of these are holiday books I purchased at the end of the season last year (with a BN gift card I got for Christmas). A few are Netgalley ones that have been on my shelf for years (oops) that have a winterish vibe. And then there are a few for Book Challenge By Erin which runs from Jan. 1 - Apr 30. 

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott

You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas - Augusten Burroughs

It Started With Christmas - Jenny Hale

Read a book you have been meaning to re-read: Interpreter of Maladies- Jhumpa Lahiri

Read the first book of a series you have never read before: Never Never- Colleen Hoover

Read a book with a mostly green and/or pink color cover art: Emergency Contact- Mary H.K. Choi

Read a book with a male relationship word in the title: Wayward Son (Simon Snow #2) - Rainbow Rowell

Read a book set in a place that's on your bucket list of places to visit: Sharp Edge of a Snowflake- Sif Sigmarsdottir (Iceland)

Read a book that reminds you of 2020: The Forgotten Hours- Katrin Schumann

Read a book written by an LGBTQIA+ author or have an LGBTQIA+ theme: Autoboyography- Christina Lauren

Read a book with the name of a bird in the title, or the word bird/birds in the title: Bird Box- Josh Malerman

Read a book where the protagonist has a questionable profession or questionable way of life (an addict, a computer hacker, a vigilante, for example): Astrid Sees All- Natalie Standiford (fortune teller)

What are you hoping to read this season? 

November Reads

I can't get over the fact that it's December. And I feel like I'm already behind on my holiday reads because um, I haven't started any yet. BUT, I met my Goodreads goal! So that was exciting. Fun fact- three of these are/have been turned into TV/film, and I love that! I almost always try to read the book before it becomes a show or movie. (Alternately, I almost never read the book after watching since I already know the story... just another weird quirk I suppose!) Here's what I read last month to round out my reading goal. 

Confess - Colleen Hoover: 4 Stars

library e-book

Trigger warnings: Addiction, sexual assault

The prologue gut-punched me right in the feels. But then when we fast forward, I found her to be a bit...quirky for her age, hardly ever going out and at a job she obviously didn't enjoy, I was confused, wondering how her life has gone so off-track. She moves to Texas and runs in to a guy who knows her, but never reveals why or how, or even tells her that he knows who she is! But he wasn't a bad guy. He was a bit odd, but I was kind of always rooting for him. There was a part towards the end about him "deserving her" that pissed me off, like what is she, a prize? Aside from that though, I really enjoyed this NA romance, the twists (another smaller gut punch), the confessions (the dedication states that these are real confessions written anonymously by readers, so I thought that was really interesting), and the art.

And I found that there's a series on Amazon Prime so looking forward to watching that adaption soon. 

"It’s amazing how you don’t realize just how alone and scared you were until you have someone by your side to support you."

The Flight Attendant - Chris Bohjalian: 3 Stars

library e-book

Talk about a slow burn! I hadn't even finished reading this book when I decided it wasn't making it above three stars because it took forever to even get to the halfway point. The entire first half is all description on how the MC is an unreliable narrator, and I did not need 170 pages to tell me that! It immediately pulled me in, as our protagonist wakes up in a foreign hotel room next to a corpse (that isn't a spoiler- it's in the description), so obviously I wanted to know what happened, but the getting there took too long. The ending did deliver quite a twist, but it seemed very rushed and convoluted- there were still too many questions left unanswered. Also, the epilogue didn't fit AT ALL. 

TBH, I only picked this up because I saw that there was going to be an HBO Max series with Kaley Cuoco (Penny!) and I wanted to read it beforehand. I've been watching the HBO Max adaption, and I don't think I like it. They tried to make it "cheeky?" Also, the amount the protagonist drinks is downright nauseating. I mean, I knew that already, but watching it in action actually makes me a bit queasy. I'm curious to see where it goes... is anyone else watching this? 

We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson: 2 Stars

library e-book

This has been on my TBR for years and was such a weird little book, but I guess that's to be expected from a Shirley Jackson novel. And I guess this is considered "gothic?" If so, I don't think I like gothic. But I finished it, which is more than I can say than The Haunting of Hill House. We find out who put the arsenic in the sugar bowl (again not a spoiler, it's in the description) but WHY? And the title- are these girls alive or dead or in limbo? Also this was a personal pet peeve but Merricat is supposed to be 18 but acts more like a 14-year old, and is treated like someone younger than 18 by everyone as well. 

Another one I finally read so I could watch the Netflix adaptation, which added an unnecessary assault scene, and was just as off-putting as the book. Based on all of the "OMG THISWASTHEBESTBOOKEVAAAHHH!!!" I feel like I missed something... 

Queenie - Candice Carty-Williams: 3 Stars

library e-book

2.5? 

Maybe I should have read Bridget Jones Diary (I mean, I saw the movie) and Americanah so I could understand the comparison but I was disappointed with this, probably because there was a lot of hype around it and my expectations were way off- I was thinking lighthearted/funny, and this was not. In fact, I liked the Corgis (minus Cassandra) more than I liked her. I just read Kristen (Seeyouinaporridge) review though, and I did not realize that happened in the beginning...so. I just kinda thought she was slutty and made a lot of 20-something-stupid-decisions. She seemed really spineless, just letting things happen to her and I really just wanted her to wake UP and stop acting a damn fool. (And not losing her job after literally doing no work, coming in late/not at all, and having a workplace affair would never happen IRL, just sayin'.)

“The road to recovery is not linear. It’s not straight. It’s a bumpy path, with lots of twists and turns. But you’re on the right track.”

Book Stats (previously /now)
Total number read: 51
Netgalley: 13 / 14 - no change
Owned: 5 /7 - no change
Non-Fiction: 6 / 7 - no change
WOC: 11 /12
Given Away: 37 / 38
 

Currently Reading: Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema- Lindy West

On Deck: The 12 Dates of Christmas - Jenny Bayliss and Mind the Gap, Dash and Lily (Dash and Lily #3)  - Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

What are you reading?
Linking up with Steph and Jana!

November Purchases

It has been quite a while since I've listed my purchases, and I've been shopping quite a bit recently so I thought I'd share! I bought a little bit of everything the past few months, from stocking stuffers and Christmas presents to organizational helpers and items for my home workspace. Let's jump right in, shall we?

The first three items are all wine related, since my friends and I really like wine in winter, especially reds! I found this cute elephant wine stopper that I believe someone else shared earlier this year, a purse-size red wine stain remover to take on the go, and these red wine drops for my friend who now only drinks organic wine because the sulfites in regular ones give her migraines. This supposedly removes the sulfites and tannin found in red wine - I hope it works! 

The middle row are Christmas presents for my nieces: a wireless keyboard and mouse combo, a cute The Child onesie for my pregnant niece, and a long cardigan from Amazon. 

The last row are presents for my coworkers: Ramen socks and a ramen bowl/chopstick set from Boxlunch, and a Rocketbook for my new boss. He's in to new technologies, and this  reuseable, paperless notebook looks like something he could really use!  

BBW Candle Restock! They had a Buy 3 Get 3 Free sale, so I got Vanilla Birch, Black Tie, 2 Fireside (one for my apartment, one for Blue), Gather, and Fresh Balsam. I already had a Marshmallow Fireside from last year, so that will probably be the first one lit! 

These items are just for me! adhesive dots I was inspired by The Home Edit and all of their fun and inventive space savers, so I purchased this twin pack of plastic cereal containers, a lazy susan for my spices, and an in-cabinet tiered shelving unit for my cans so I can see them all better. These small changes have made a huge difference- everything is easier to find and so much more organized!

I purchased a few items for my home workspace as well. I believe Adrienne mentioned these adhesive dots in an earlier post, so I got them to hang one of my small corkboards without ruining my wall! My hardwood floors are being saved from my office chair with my new plastic mat, and I got these sheet protectors for one of my work manuals that I use all the time. 

And just for funsies (and because I wanted free shipping), I found this Reset 2020 pin, and Jingle Bells Taco Bells ugly Christmas sweater! I love it and can't wait to wear it! I also found a plain black hoodie for $12 on Amazon, and perfect timing too because the zipper broke on my current one since I wear it all the time.

Of course, I still have a few more gifts to purchase, but I think I'm nearly done. Phew!

What have you bought recently? Are you done Christmas shopping?

Linking up with Tanya!

TTT: Non-Bookish Hobbies

Today's topic is "Characters I Would Name A Pet After," but I'm actually writing about a topic that I didn't get a chance to participate in two weeks ago: My Non-Bookish hobbies. 

Exploring/Traveling: I (used to) love to explore new places and travel near and far! I usually took at least 2 vacations a year- one around my birthday in December and another around March/April. They weren't always far- sometimes it was just a weekend getaway or day trip, but I miss it. My last vacation was Jamaica last December. This year we were supposed to go to Iceland but alas... we did make it to Vermont though! That was new, and so much fun since our friend has a house there and was able to show us around! 

Blogging: I've been blogging here for 11 years, but definitely more consistently in the last oh... 6 years? I love writing and sharing, and reading others blogs! I've also met a lot of great people through blogging (IRL!). it's just great seeing so many different perspectives and lifestyles and I love what they share in general. 

Planning and Organizing: This should probably be broken up into two categories, but they seem too similarly related. Planning... in my planner. Meal planning, monthly planning, trip planning... I love making plans and having things to look forward to. As for organizing, I mean specifically in my house- or your house if you'll let me! I'm always researching new organization tools or ways of thinking (The Home Edit really spoke to me!). I've also been known to, um, "update" a fridge or closet or shelf if I'm in your house... 

This was my last home addition- a shelving unit in my cabinet so I could see cans easier... thanks Home Edit :) 

Binging TV Shows: Blue and I often go into "Hibernation Season" right around now every year, but this year has been The Year of the Binge for real. I don't even know how many shows we binged, but definitely ALL of The Sopranos (6 seasons- I had never seen it), ALL of Wentworth (8 seasons? Whaaa?!), Emily in Paris, Love Life, High Fidelity, Dead To Me, Little Fires Everywhere, Upload... and so many more, I can't even remember. We just started The Undoing this weekend, and I still need to watch Cobra Kai and The Mandolorian, among others (I'm sure).

Drinking... Craft Beer! I enjoy craft beer and I love checking out new breweries with friends. Recently my friends and I found a trivia night at a new brewery and it was so much fun! Now it's getting a bit cold out, but hopefully I'll still find some new brews and do an at-home tasting! If you are also a beer aficionado, you can find me on Untappd: @Lildesiqua

Eating... or Dining at New Restaurants: I mean I do like eating, but not in like, an unhealthy way (unless there are carbs involved. In which case I've been known to eat an entire box of pasta in one sitting, given enough time and stretchy pants). But I like trying new foods and new restaurants, especially local ones that can become favorites. They don't have to be fancy either- this was a new hot dog joint we'd heard about and finally decided t check out even though we could't eat indoors at the time- in the car works too! 

Seeing Musicals and Concerts: Definitely concerts more than musicals because they're more accessible (and cheaper), but I truly love both. But as much as I miss Broadway, I know I won't be heading there even when they do eventually open their doors again :(  

This was the last live show I saw- a showing of Star Wars with a live orchestra in February. 

Ok now these last three were definitely a stretch. I don't do any of them consistently. In fact, I've had the same jigsaw puzzle sitting on my table since last winter. So maybe I should just call these "seasonal" hobbies? I definitely do all of them more in fall/winter than the rest of the year! 

Baking: I used to love backing, and now I just do it on occasion. I don't even like sweets, but sometimes I like to bake treats for others. These are black bottom chocolate chip cheesecakes. They're super easy to make- here's the recipe if you'd like to try them out!  

Scrapbooking: I found an album I'd bought a few years ago, bought some scrapbooking supplies (washi tape, stickers, background paper), got some photos printed, and made about 5 pages.... last year. Haven't touched it since. A work in progress?! 

Puzzles: I've literally had this guy sitting around since last winter, but maybe I'll finish it this year?! 

What are some of your non-bookish hobbies? 

Do we have any in common?

Linking up with Jana! 

10 on the 12th: Thanksgiving

Today I'm linking up (late) with Leslie and answering 10 questions about Thanksgiving. My family is still trying to figure out just how we're going to celebrate this year, amid a recent rise in Covid cases in our area. My mom hasn't even been inside my apartment since March, let alone eat inside a restaurant, so this will be interesting. Some of these may be repeats from the Monthly Musings post, but I still wanted to answer all the questions! 

Will you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade? Football? 

Usually I do watch the Macy's Day Parade. For the last few years I've wanted to go watch the balloons being blown up the night before, but that hasn't happened yet and certainly won't be happening this year either. The NYC Mayor said that, 

"It will not be the same parade we're used to. It will be a different kind of event. They're reinventing the event for this moment in history," said de Blasio. "You will be able to feel the spirit and the joy of that day on television. Online. Not a live parade but something that will really give us that warmth and that great feeling that we have on Thanksgiving Day." {via}

I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I guess I'll find out on Thanksgiving! Sometimes I'll watch football, depending on how's playing. Usually there are movies at night, like The Family Stone. 

Who does the cooking? Fix anything ahead of time? 

If we don't eat at a restaurant, we order in. I've made Thanksgiving exactly once, and it was terrible! I didn't take the turkey out in time so it was still frozen on Thanksgiving Day and I didn't know that they were insides and long story short, we didn't wind up eating until 9pm! So now we go out or order in!

What time do you eat the big meal?

Whenever it arrives?! Usually late afternoon, around 4pm.

Do you set a formal table or keep things more casual? 

We keep things very casual since it's only me and my mom.

Is the food placed on the table or served buffet style?

Regardless or where we eat, it's usually placed on the table. 

Ham or turkey? What’s for dessert? Who carves the meat? 

TURKEY! Since it's takeout or restaurant, some chef somewhere cuts the meat lol, and there isn't a wishbone but if there was I would most certainly wish on it! I love pumpkin pie for dessert.

Does your family have a Thanksgiving tradition? 

We say grace before eating on Thanksgiving, and list some things we're grateful for that year. We don't stay up or go out for Black Friday- I'm more of an online or Cyber Monday shopper! 

Yay or nay to leftovers? Favorite leftover recipe? 

I love leftovers on any day, but ESPECIALLY Thanksgiving! Usually I just make a sandwich with all the fixins', but I would love to try this Turkey Empanada recipe one day- maybe this will be the year! 

What will everyone wear? Dress up or comfy? 

Jeans and sweaters for us! 

For what are you most thankful this year?

My health, my family, and my friends. And having a job, especially one that allows me to work remote at least part of the time. 

How are you celebrating Thanksgiving this year?

Linking up with Leslie! 

October Reads

I have been having a really hard time focusing on reading lately. I mean, I had 2 DNFs, and I don't think that has happened to me all year. November doesn't seem to be going much better either. Also, October just seemed to fly by. Here is what I managed to get through. 

Upright Women Wanted - Sarah Gailey: 4 Stars

library e-book

I don't even remember requesting this Western novella, but it was great! Set in the near-future America, Esther is a stowaway who has "hidden herself away in the Librarian’s book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her—a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend," whom she was also in love with. She joins them to try to "fix" herself but finds that they are not at all what they seem. I don't think I've ever read a Western before, but I loved the character and world-building, the action shoot-em-up scenes (done by women), and the touch of romance. I also thought it was the perfect length. 

"Keep fighting. It will be hard, and it will be awful, and it will be worth it. Don’t give up, even when it feels like dying. Don’t give up. This is only the beginning."

The Rule Of One - Ashley and Lauren Saunders: 3.5 Stars

Kindle Unlimited

This dystopian story was well written, but a little too realistic. In a not too distant future, the U.S. starts microchipping its inhabitants, building walls around the country (huh...) and enforcing the "Rule of One"- meaning one child per family. The Director of this initiative has twin girls, so he has developed an elaborate system: the one non-microchipped one follow the micro-chipped one's daily activities and they switch off daily until one day someone in an authoritative position finds out. The girls take off with their father's directions to safe houses all the way to Canada, where they will be safe. But will they make it? 

This fast paced novel kept me interested throughout, and I'll continue reading the series. This came recommended to me by Blue, and I agree with her when she said that the alternate narratives between the twins was superfluous- it added absolutely nothing to the story until the very end. 

Head Over Heels - Hannah Orenstein: 3 Stars

Netgalley

Once I started skimming the overly-technical gymnastics terminology, this got much easier for me to get into. I wanted a bit more from Jasmine and her relationship with Dmitri once they married. I hated how Ryan refused to listen to Avery about how she was treated as a young gymnast by this "superstar" trainer until he saw the one he treated his current gymnasts. I also didn't like how Avery yoy-yoed Ryan around during their budding relationship. While this gave a nod to a serious topic, I think it just barely skimmed the surface rather than fully delving into it head-on which seemed lame. All that aside I will admit that the relationship between Dimitri and Avery felt icy and completely realistic on all fronts. 

DNF:

Woman Last Seen In her Thirties - Camille Pagan: I couldn't connect, but this may have been a timing issue on my part vs. the actual story. I put it down for now, but may pick it back up. 

Solutions and Other Problems - Allie Brosh: The latest from the author of Hyperbole and a Half (which I enjoyed), I just didn't find this graphic novel to be as funny as the first, and I was looking for funny. This just seemed a bit absurd and nonsensical. But again, may try giving it another shot. I placed it back on my holds list. 

Book Stats (previously /now)
Total number read: 47
Netgalley: 13 / 14
Owned: 5 /7 - no change
Non-Fiction: 6 / 7 - no change
WOC: 10 / 11 - no change
Given Away: 29 / 37
 

Currently Reading: The Flight Attendant - Chris Bohjalian

On Deck: Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers and We Have Always Lived in the 
Castle by Shirley Jackson
What are you reading?
Linking up with Steph and Jana!

Monthly Musings and What's In My Nightstand

1. Favorite Thanksgiving traditions?

My mom and I have rarely celebrated a "normal" Thanksgiving. There were years where we went to the movies, had Chinese take out, stayed at a hotel and had the buffet, etc. When I had serious boyfriends I often went to celebrate with their families because I just wanted "normal!" More recently my mom and I were taking the two hour train ride up to the cemetery to visit my grandma's grave because her birthday falls right around this time, but we're definitely not going this year. In fact, I'm not sure what we're going to do this year! 

2. Favorite Thanksgiving dish?

I don't have a favorite dish- the entire meal is a favorite of mine! 

3. Do you watch the football game?

I sometimes watch the game on TV, as I am useless and just in the way in the kitchen!

4. Talking turkey- white meat or dark meat?

White meat only please!

5. Do you call it stuffing or dressing?

It's stuffing... and raisins and dried cranberries or whatever don't belong in it!

6. What are 3 things you're thankful for this year?

My health, my family, and my friends. And having a job, especially one that allows me to work remote at least part of the time. 

7. Pumpkin, apple or pecan pie?

Pumpkin pie! It's the dish I always offer to bring. (And I use the classic recipe off the Libby's can!)

8. Do you put your Christmas tree up before or after Thanksgiving?

The tree doesn't go up until December 6th at the earliest. 

9. Are you a Black Friday shopper?

Definitely not! I'll save my sanity for Cyber Monday! 

10. Do you sit at the table for Thanksgiving dinner or eat more casually?

I guess it depends on what I was doing that year, but whenever I visit others for Thanksgiving they always eat at the table. 

What's In My... Nighstand! 

I don't have an end table, but a round nesting table in my living room. I love them because it's two tables in the same space, and they were free- I actually found them curbside a few years ago! I use the bigger one to hold seasonal decorations, and the smaller one usually has a magazine that I've been meaning to read for several months, my Kindle, and my two remotes. 

Since I'm pretty minimalist in terms of what I keep on my living room table, I added what I keep on and in my nightstand. (Thanks fr the idea Kelly!)  This was given to me for free when I purchased my bed, dining room table and chairs, and bar all from the same person- she was moving and said "just take it" so I did! 

Some things you will NOT see on my nightstand are books or a lamp. I use my bed for sleeping only; I don't have a TV in my bedroom and I don't lounge around in bed (that's what the couches are for!). I also don't need a lamp because the main light switch is right next to my bed! 

On Top:

Alarm Clock- My alarm clock is super old and the plastic top is broken, and I don't even use it as an alarm clock anymore but I like being able to see the time,... and now that I'm realizing how crappy it sounds I think I'll just head over to Amazon and get a new one!  

(Plastic) Cup of Water- I hardly ever actually drink the water during the night, but I like having it there.

Phone + Charger - I use my phone as my alarm clock and charge it overnight. 

In The Drawer:

Eye Mask- I think I've only used this once? It was cute and came with a gel insert that can be warmed up or put in the freezer... I should really use this again! 

"Current" Journal and Pen- Current in quotes because the last time I actually wrote in it was two years ago. But it's there in case the urge ever strikes again! 

In the Cabinet: Old Journals + extra PJ's

What's your favorite part of Thanksgiving?  

Linking up Patty, Holly, Ashley and Adrienne!