A Month/Year In Review: December 2013

I can't believe it's already the end of December! This is going to be quite a long post. First, I'm going to try to pick my top thirteen books of the year (not in order because no). Then I'll have my regular AMiR highlights. Then who knows?

Top Thirteen Books I Read in 2013

(In no particular order)

1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Amazing characters, world building, suspense, plot, everything.

Made me remember how much I love epic fantasy and how little of the genre I've read recently.

2. This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

This book just understood.

Mostly character driven and would mostly be enjoyed by those who've felt similarly.

3. Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Amazing prose, lovely characters, intriguing concept.

Also one of the most physically beautiful books ever.

4. Crewel by Gennifer Albin

Interesting, new concept. Well-written characters. Really enjoyed it.

It was a can't-stand-the-wait-for-book-2 type book.

5. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Perfect for all fangirls/boys, especially Potterheads.

Well-written, relate-able, one of my top reads ever. 

6. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys

Reminded me of how much I love historical fiction.

Amazing characters, great character-driven plot, well-written historical fiction.

One of my top reads ever.

7. Once We Were by Kat Zhang

Amazing prose, unique concept, well-written characters.

Left me needing book 3.

8. Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Lots of action. Great characters. One of my favorite heroines.

Zombies! Daniel! <3 Couldn't wait for book 2.

9. You Knew Me When by Emily Liebert

Character driven. Not YA. Well written. Invested in characters.

Made me cry and laugh. Makes you want to hug your best friend.

10. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Love the concept. Love the setting.

Intriguing characters. Great plot. Lovely book, inside and out.

11. Fire & Flood by Victoria Scott

(This doesn't come out until next year, but I just finished reading it.)

Fast paced. Amazing main AND supporting characters. 

Everything The Hunger Games wasn't (and more).

Also, Pandoras!

12. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan

Cute. Quick read. Great for holidays.

13. Prodigy by Marie Lu

Much better than Legend.

Intense. Action packed. Plot twists. Well-written plot and characters.

Honorable Mention: 

Sekret by Lindsay Smith (ARC), Altered by Gennifer Albin, What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Top Five Movies/TV Shows I Watched in 2013

(In no particular order)

1. Orphan Black (BBC America)

Fast paced. Intriguing. Clones.

Fantastic and extremely talented cast.

2. Frozen

Cute. Inspirational. Amazing soundtrack.

Unexpected ending. Exceeded expectations.

3. Graceland (USA Network)

(I am admittedly a few episodes behind.)

Great cast. Interesting characters.

Great mix of talents, agencies, and plots.

4. Catching Fire

Better than the books (I'm not a fan of THG books as a whole).

Well done. For the most part, outstanding cast.

Cinna! Johanna! Finnick! Haymitch! 'Nuf said.

5. Fringe (Fox)

Amazing series finale. Sad that it's over.

Fantastic well-rounded, diverse cast and characters.

Honorable Mentions:

NCIS:LA, Psych: The Musical and Psych's 100th episode, Elementary

5 Blog Related Things

1) Cal and I kicked off the What's In the Snow? event!

2) I reviewed a picture book for the first time ever

3) I'm almost done with the new blog. Just a few things I need to fix/edit/add before the new year.

4) I got back into the blogging spirit

5) Preparing to wrap up my time at this URL

5 Personal Things

1) Caught up on some shows; started watching some other shows

2) Started practicing typography (send me quotes if you'd like!)

3) Started planning a huge fundraising project

4) Got more bruises from dance than I could ever care for

5) I kind of can't remember much, but my aunt visited!

I suppose that's it for now. I hope you all had a wonderful month and year! Happy Holidays! The next time I post, it'll be about my move to a new blog URL! Make sure you stop by and check it out. (Actually, I'll have to post my What's In the Snow? post, so after that post!)

A Month in Review: October 2013

Hey everyone! It's been a while since I've posted something of substance hasn't it? I'm super sorry, but I'm still on hiatus! Once I get back though, I plan on scheduling a bunch of stuff (I currently have 5 drafts, plus a few upcoming blog tours, and then reviews of anything I've read or watched since the beginning of the hiatus), so stick with me a bit longer! But either way, here's a look at what happened this month!

5 Blog Related Things
1) I was nominated for the Liebster Award (which I have yet to post about).
2) I hosted my first giveaway!
3) I figured out a potential new blog name.
4) 3 month blogoversary!!
5) I decided to go on hiatus.

5 Things Relating to Books
1) I've received SO many new books. I'm already running out of room (and time)!
2) I spent wayy too much money on new books.
3) My parents decided to let me go to the Fierce Reads signing in Nov.
4) I breezed through Unremembered.
5) I STILL haven't finished my tour books. O.o

5 Things Relating to TV/Music
1) I admitted to myself, once and for all, that NCIS:LA is now better than NCIS.
2) I finally watched the Rings of Akhaten. One more episode closer to being caught up!
3) I decided that I was going to start watching Breaking Bad...someday.
4) Continued to fall in love with Snow Patrol.
5) Am still eagerly awaiting The Wanted's new album!

5 Personal Things
1) Decided to attempt NaNo this year
2) Still freaking out about my MUN conference.
3) A few really cool, awesome authors started to follow me on Twitter!!!
4) Began to plan a cool blog event with Cal.

Here are some great posts you may have missed this month!
NCIS:LA Review Bundle
TAIT: Online Friends and Why They Rock
Hiatus Announcement!
This Song Will Save Your Life Review
My Song, Determination (Is a Good Thing)
50 Random Facts About Me Tag
3 Month Blogoversary!

How was your month? What would you like to see on this blog once I resume blogging again?

A Month in Review: September 2013

This month has felt like both the longest and the shortest month ever. Anywho!

4 Blog-related Things
1) I figured out how to make nicer blockquotes, which you won't see until my review of A Darkness Strange and Lovely, but!
2) 10 GFC followers! (It's not much, but it's something.)
3) Finally got around to my first set of "graphics," which is hearts for my ratings. You'll see them in my ADS+L review as well!
4) I actually reviewed something other than books.

5 Things Relating to Books
1) I went to my second book signing ever!
2) I won some awesome books, so I have a ton of books to read! (There's still more coming too!)
3) I was approved for 2 (!!!) books on Netgalley for the first time.
4) I fell into a slight reading slump and then got out of it.
5) Finished This Song Will Save Your Life in 2 days.

5 Things Relating to TV/Music:
1) I discovered Elenowen. (Thanks, Taylor!)
2) Fall shows are back! (Although I have yet to watch the new episodes.)
3) Discovered some cool indie and whatever genre music (thanks to This Song).
4) I finally got around to listening to a bit of Passion Pit (not enough to judge)
5) I continue to count down to the 50th Anniversary of DW

5 Personal Things:
1) School started. Yuck.
2) Dance also started. Cool.
3) I found out that I'm also doing jazz for dance competition. And I've never taken jazz before. What
4) I made so many awesome new blogging friends!!! (Notably: NOVA, Crystal, Meredith, Kayla, Stacie, and Momina.)
5) I got rid of my Tumblr obsession (at last!).

How was your month? What exciting things happened to you?

(Also, would you like me to include anything else in these posts?)

A Month in Review: August 2013

It's September 1st! Which means that if I'd received my Hogwarts letter, I'd be at Hogwarts already. But whatever.

So let's take a look at how my August went!

First, 5 things relating to this blog!

1. The blog really came to life.
2. A bunch of reviews! (Covert Affairs, Graceland, Something Strange and Deadly, Out of the Easy, The Civil Wars, Sea of Monsters movie, and You Knew Me When)
3. A bunch of features were introduced! (This is going to be a feature as well! It'll basically consist of a bunch of lists that highlight the month (the number isn't set to 5).)
4. I participated in Susan Dennard's book club/discussion!
5. I signed up for an audiobook tour!

Next, 5 things relating to books!

1. I read Something Strange and Deadly
2. I also read Out of the Easy
3. I also read and fell in love with The Hybrid Chronicles
4. I got back into the reading spirit
5. I won some books/ARCs for (almost) the first time!

5 things relating to my personal life!

1. I went to Canada
2. I had my (first) dance audition
3. I went to The Wanted's GMA concert!
4. I finished my summer reading assignments
5. My friend Haley and I decided to write something (probably a musical) together!

5 things relating to movies/music/musicals!

1. I fell in love with Next to Normal
2. I sorta enjoyed Sea of Monsters
3. I continued to fall in love with Snow Patrol
4. I also continued to fall in love with Kinky Boots
5. I enjoyed Sara Bareilles' new album!

That's about it for this month! Again, this will likely become a monthly feature. :) Let me know your "5 things relating to..." as well (feel free to change them to suit your blog).

(Also, sorry I was too lazy to link stuff.)

Thanks for stopping by!

Jessica <3