My Winter Reading List + 2016 Book Goal

What a great reading year 2015 was! According to Goodreads, I read 82 books and 23,089 pages. The longest book I read was Winter at 824 pages, the shortest was Zombillenium: Gretchen at 48, and the most popular book I read was Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief. 

Of all the books I read, these eight were my favorite! As you can see, most are YA fantasy (my favorite genre), but I did branch out quite a bit last year into contemporary, literary fiction, graphic novels, and even some non-fiction. These aren't in any particular order, though my two absolute favorite novels of the year were Winter and Lois Lane: Fallout. 

♥ Winter

♥ Lois Lane: Fallout

♥ Ms. Marvel, Volume 1

♥ Station Eleven

♥ A Darker Shade of Magic

♥ A Court of Thorns and Roses

♥ A Little Something Different

♥ The Winner's Curse

As you read this, physical copies of these books sit on a shelf, unopened, heartbroken that I haven't read them yet. I can hear them weeping. Some are yelling at me. It's rather disturbing. So this year, one of my reading goals is to read all of the unread books. Let's be real, there's more than just these 12 sitting on my shelf, but these are the one I really, really want to get to. 

♥ The Archived
♥ The Girl at Midnight
♥ Everything Everything
♥ Just Ella
♥ Illuminae
♥ Alias Hook
♥ Of Metal and Wishes
♥ Six of Crows
♥ Black Widow: Forever Red
♥ Undressing Mr. Darcy
♥ Magonia
♥ The Invention of Hugo Cabret

But my main reading goal of the year: READ 60 BOOKS!  

What's your reading goal for the year?

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My 2016 Resolutions

Like everyone else in the world, I'm amazed that it's already 2016! Why does the fall season go by so much faster than the others? It's my favorite and it's the prettiest in my opinion, so of course that means it flies by in a blur. And now it's a whole new year! I feel like I need something to look forward to, so I'm hoping to plan a trip somewhere (Boston maybe?) this year. 

It seems my resolutions get shorter and shorter. In 2015, I had three resolutions and now this year I only have two. 

2015 Resolutions

Exercise more

Finish my novel

Make more friends & hang out with people more

2015 was a fantastic year! Because of NaNoWriMo, I wrote the first draft of a new novel. It wasn't the story I had in my when I wrote my resolutions, but I'm just happy I finally finished the first draft of something. Hooray! 

I exercised a good amount during the first half of the year, but the free membership to a gym via work expired in July. But I did get a Fitbit in October and I try to hit my 6k step goal every day. So progress! I like to think I reached out to people more because I got to meet some really wonderful people in 2015 (hey Kristin, Jess, Kristin, and Marissa!) and hung out with my besties a ton. 

2016 Resolutions

Finish the two novels I'm working on

A writer's work is never done! I want to edit the first draft of my NaNoWriMo novel, which means adding new scenes, introducing new characters, and including a subplot. I'm also currently writing a fairytale retelling, which I'm in love with and I really want to finish the first draft by March. Then onto editing that too. #writerslife

Find an exercise I enjoy

Every year I say I want to lose weight and I still do, but I think I've always gone about it the wrong way. I jump right back into jogging on the treadmill and lifting weights and expect to see results when I always find it boring. This year, I want to experiment more with exercise. I want to try new things and genuinely find an exercise I like. I'm really hoping to find a good kickboxing class near me! 

Do you create a word for the year? My 2016 word is CREATE! 

In 2016, I want to write write write as much as possible! 

Do you have any goals for 2016? Do you have a word for the year?

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Outfit: What A Hoot

If I could wear owl print everything, I would! I have several owl necklaces (the one I'm wearing here is from Efy Tal and it was a gift from Martina), owl brooches, a mini owl statue, and now this owl t-shirt. Owls are just so cute! Is there an animal that speaks to you or that you like collecting? 

I've always liked the color burgundy, but in the past year the amount of wine-colored clothing in my closet seems to have exploded. I have a coat, a dress, a new sweater, this cardigan, and this super soft infinity scarf. And since my current Fitbit Charge is damaged (it still works, but the rubber is coming apart), I'm getting a new one in...yep, the color burgundy!

Cardigan: Old Navy: Scarf: Old Navy (in black) | Top: Modcloth (only $11!)

Bag: Target | Jeans: American Eagle | Shoes: Keds

What's one color you have in adundance in your closet?

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Watch | Read | Listen {January 2016}

Hello 2016! I don't know about you, but I'm excited for a whole new year of movies, books, and music. Sadly, there's only one movie that really interests this month, but there are a bunch of books. The two that I really, really want are Passenger and Truthwitch. 

MOVIES

The 5th Wave

Four waves of increasingly deadly alien attacks have left most of Earth decimated and the population dwindled to almost nothing. Cassie (Chloe Grace Moretz) is on the run and desperate to find her younger brother. As the 5th wave comes, Cassie teams up with a young man named Evan (Alex Roe) who may be her final hope. {Watch the trailer.} The book is amazing, so I'm hoping the movie is too! (January 15)

Synchronicity

A mind-bending sci-fi noir about daring physicist Jim Beale (Chad McKnight) who has invented a machine that can fold space and time, but a ruthless corporate tycoon (Michael Ironside) will stop at nothing to get it. Jim travels back in time in order to stop a conspiracy, but uncovers a surprising truth about the machine and his future. {Watch the trailer.} This looks crazy interesting. (January 22)

Kung Fu Panda 3

When Po's (voiced by Jack Black) long-lost panda father reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet new panda characters, but when a villain begins to sweep across China to defeat all Kung Fu masters, Po must train his lovable new friends to become martial artists masters. {Watch the trailer.} Love these movies! (January 29)

Other movies coming out:

• Diablo (Jan 8)
• The Forest (Jan 8)
• 400 Days (Jan 12)
• Bands of Robbers (Jan 15)
• Norm of the North (Jan 15)
• All Mistakes Buried (Jan 22)
• The Boy (Jan 22)
• Mohave (Jan 22)
• Terminus (Jan 22)
• Fifty Shades of Mr. Black (Jan 29)

BOOKS & MUSIC

• Passanger by Alexandra Bracken -- In one devastating night, violin prodigy Etta Spencer loses everything she knows and loves. Thrust into an unfamiliar world by a stranger with a dangerous agenda, Etta is certain of only one thing: she has traveled not just miles but years from home. (January 5)
• Truthwitch by Susan Dennard -- In the Witchlands, there are almost as many types of magic as there are ways to get in trouble. Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lie. It’s a powerful magic that many would kill to have on their side. Iseult, a Threadwitch, can see the invisible ties that bind and entangle the lives around her. Safi and Iseult just want to be free to live their own lives, but war is coming to the Witchlands. (January 5)
• Spark Joy by Marie Kondo -- In Spark Joy, Kondo presents an in-depth, illustrated manual on how to declutter and organize specific items throughout the house, from kitchen and bathroom items to work-related papers and hobby collections. (January 5)
• The Only Pirate at the Party by Lindsey Stirling -- Electronic and dancing violinist Lindsey Stirling shares her unconventional journey in an inspiring memoir filled with the energy, persistence, and humor that have helped her successfully pursue a passion outside the box. (January 12)
• American Housewife by Helen Ellis -- A sharp, funny, delightfully unhinged collection of stories set in the dark world of domesticity, American Housewife features murderous ladies who lunch, celebrity treasure hunters, and the best bra fitter south of the Mason Dixon line. (January 12)
• Orphan X by Gregg Hurwitz -- Evan Smoak is a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He's also a man with a dangerous past. Chosen as a child, he was trained to be an assassin. He was Orphan X. Evan broke with the program, using everything he learned to disappear. (January 19)
• The Siren by Kiera Cass -- Years ago, Kahlen was rescued from drowning by the Ocean. To repay her debt, she has served as a Siren ever since, using her voice to lure countless strangers to their deaths. She spends her days on land, watching ordinary people and longing for the day when she will live freely among them again. (Note: it was previously published and has been re-released for some reason.) (January 26)

Panic at the Disco's Death of a Bachelor (Jan 15) | Bloc Party's Hymns (Jan 29)

Sia's This Is Acting (Jan 29)

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Favorite Things & Ch-Ch-Changes!

{The Marvels by Brian Selznick, Efy Tal Owl Necklace, Read More Brooch, Life Is Tough Hoop, 

Mulan Funko Pop, Frostbeard Winterfell Candle & Beauty and the Beast Pop-Up Book}

I was already to start editing my NaNoWriMo novel come January 1st, but I came up with another novel idea and have been writing it nearly every day this week! It's a fairytale retelling -- as if there aren't enough of those, right? -- but when a fun idea comes your way, you just have to write it out, and I really, really love this story idea!

I know some really wonderful girls! I got so many cool gifts! One of the gifts my friend Avra gave me was this Beauty and the Beast pop-up book! Isn't it beautiful? I can't even imagine the amount of thought and talent that must go into creating one of these books.

I also got The Marvels from Brittany, a Life Is Tough Hoop from Naomi, and an adorable owl necklace from Martina! 

♥ A few fun links:

♥ Love this cute comic about resolutions.

♥ 5 affirmations for 2016.

♥ 3 ways to complete your New Year's Resolutions at home.

♥ Top posts for growing your blog.

♥ 12 perfect classic black pumps.

♥ Being more with less in 2016.

♥ How to set a clothing budget and stick to it.

♥ 12 ways to be happier in the new year.

♥ Twirling Page's favorite bookstagrammers.

♥ How to make extra money (by doing stuff you already do).

♥ 3 ways to get ready for 2016.

♥ Swap friends: Rissie, Such A Novel Idea, The Knotted Home, Below See Level & Nom Elizabeth.

♥ Fashion faves: lace dress, lace and floral top, mini satchel, lace burgundy dress, marbled dress, red scalloped dress, star print blouse, cat print dress, gray striped dress & hot air balloon sweater. 

♥ ♥ ♥

BLOG CHANGES COMING IN 2016!

I've had this blog for over four years now and during that time I've posted five times a week almost the entire time with only a few breaks. *pats self on back* Even when I went from being in grad school to currently working part-time, there have only been a few times when it got to be too much, and that's when I took a day or two off. 

Blogging still hasn't become overwhelming, but in 2016 I've decided to take things slower, so I'll only be posting three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The main reason? I want to focus more on putting out quality content over quantity. AND I want to focus on my writing. I want to edit my NaNoWriMo novel and I want to write my new novel idea. 

So here's to an exciting and creative 2016!

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