I hope you all had a great start into the year 2018, whether it was by celebrating with friends and family or keeping it low-key at home. This year should be all about you doing you, at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself. Before I truly dive into 2018 now, there’s still a tiny summary for December necessary. So, let’s start with what I’ve read and how I’ve either mastered the art of picking up stories I love or how I’ve become ridiculously generous with ratings.
- The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli (4.5 stars)
- Almost Midnight: Two Short Stories by Rainbow Rowell (5 stars)
I had already read Kindred Spirits before (as most of you know, but here was my review!), however I absolutely enjoyed the second short story and especially the illustrations. They are my true weakness. - Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Vol. 1 (2.5 stars)
While the art work was amazing, I got utterly lost with the story sometimes. It felt like there were connecting parts missing inbetween and it therefore didn’t always make sense to me. - Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab (5 stars)
- Lumberjanes: A Terrible Plan, Vol. 3 (3 stars)
I just really missed the old art work for this one. - The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 5 (5 stars)
Forever love this entire storyline, I just wish the wait inbetween volumes wasn’t as long. - Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (5 stars)
It’s such a powerful read and despite me not always loving the flow of words, they were too strong and important to give it anything other than 5 stars. I just want to emphasize that it is very America-centric. - Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel (5 stars)
- Book of Mythicality by Rhett and Link (5 stars)
This is just an amazing treat for all the Good Mythical Morning fans out there. - The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo (5 stars)
- Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman (5 stars)
MY FAVORITE BOOK OF THE ENTIRE YEAR! I will write a detailed review soon, but I literally finished it at 10 PM.
Just like in old times, click on the title to get to the review on the blog (if there is one) and on the cover to get re-directed to Goodreads!
December was alright, I suppose. I did have some really nice times with friends, but mostly I just tried to be done with the Christmas stress and to stop worrying about why December is such a terrible month to apply for jobs. I don’t think anything groundbreaking has happened, and that is okay. 2017 was a weird year in general – I experienced some of the most brilliant moments of my life and learned more about myself than I thought was still possible, but there was also so much bad stuff happening all over the world and it saddens me to think about it. Maybe a little calm is the best for now anyway.
I haven’t talked about Arcadia in a while and I just feel like 2017 was among my worst years in terms of creativity. I honestly really tried to get at least one chapter up before the year ends, but it obviously didn’t happen. However, I did have a couple of epiphanies, which should make the continuation in the new year go more smoothly. I will share new chapters on wattpad as per usual, but am also willing to send out pdf-files if you ask nicely. Just send me an e-mail if you are interested!
ORIGINAL TAGS
BOOKISH STUFF
TV AND MOVIE RELATED
TRAILER POSTS
How was your year? How was your December? How much did you read? Tell me all about it!
Great wrap-up! I cut back on reviews due to the holidays, so Nov. and Dec. were sort of blah for that. I’m hoping for more organization this year. Wishing you all the best in 2018! 😁🎉💖
LikeLike
Thank you!! I think that December was my best month in terms of reviews, just because I finally overcame my extremely long reading slump. However, I did notice that a lot of people were already (rightly) in holiday mode.
I wish you all the best for 2018 as well!!!! 🙂
LikeLike
Call Me By Your Name was my favorite book of the year too!! I was an emotional mess after I read it, and though I didn’t have the same reaction to the movie I still loved it. (And I’m really glad I watched it after reading the book).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right!? The book is just .. I have no words YET! I am so going to write a long-ass review for it in the upcoming days hahaha I still haven’t watched the movie yet, because I, too, wanted to read it first. I am glad you think that was a good decision ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been meaning to write a review for a while now, hopefully I’ll do it in January 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used a majority of my sticky notes to mark everything in the book that I loved, that was quotable or even stuff that bothered me. I hope that it will help, but I am still sure it won’t be an easy task. Good luck with your review! I do hope you will write one someday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks like you had a great month for reading, Kat!! ❤
I'm so happy that you liked Call Me By Your Name, I really need to read this book and then watch the movie. Lately, I've only seen positive reviews on this one, so I'm definitely very excited.
Lovely post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am going to write a very detailed (but not spoilery) review for Call Me by Your Name in the upcoming days! It is definitely my favorite of the year, though. I am looking forward to the movie as well, but I definitely think it’s wiser to read the book first!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wish I could help you on that job front, but being on different continents might make that difficult. Sorry.
December was a good month for me, as was 2017 as a whole. I’m hoping 2018 will be just as good, if not better.
And as for reading, I read a whole lot of books. I’m not sure if I had a favorite this year, but the vast majority of books I read this year, I enjoyed. I hope with the coming year, that also is the case
LikeLike
I don’t think anyone can help me on the job front haha that’s something I’ll have to do on my own.
Did you decide on what our next audiobook will be?
LikeLike
Yeah, I did. And your suggestion is on the short list. I’ll announce my pick Thursday morning on Facebook, though. Or Wednesday night, we’ll see.
LikeLike
Okay
LikeLike
Great recap Kat, and in terms of the books you read I’d say you had a very successful month as well. The Language of Thorns, Our Dark Duet and The Upside of Unrequited are all favourites of mine that I read this year, so I’m glad to see you enjoyed them and rated them highly as well. Also I feel like everything seems to slow down in December, just as everyone prepares for the new year, so good luck for your job searching and good luck with Arcadia for next year as well. 🙂
Again great post. 😀 ❤
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Beth! I really hope to find something by the time February comes around. Otherwise I’ll have to do a serious reevaluation of my application tactics haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s all right, and I’m sure you will find something. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you either way. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
The holidays are messing with my schedule, and I am going to miss all the days off from work, but it will be good to get back on track. I hope your muse returns and good luck with the job search!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, I so hear you! The holidays completely messed with everything, although I did appreciate that the major stuff was mostly on weekends. That was kind of nice.
Thank you so much! I hope that everything you dream of for 2018 will come true!
LikeLike
Yay that you’ve mastered the art of picking up stories you love! And that you read loads this month as well 🙂 I definitely need to catch up on Arcadia when I get the chance 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Muhahaha I have found my talent! I hope I can keep that streak of fabulous books going.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hahaha I hope so too!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You had such a great reading month, what are all of these fabulous ratings?? It is so great you are finding and reading so many books you love. Here’s to hoping it will be the same this month 🙂
I hope you will be able to write more soon, but no pressure! I get the writing’s block, or the feeling like you just can’t do this, haha. I’m sure you will get in touch with your creativity again this year, I can’t wait to read more of your story ❤ ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like there must have been some sort of mistake because the ratings are all way too good, but I just genuinely enjoyed those books.
I hope to get truly back into writing soon as well ❤ thanks for always rooting for me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always!! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person