Image From January
So. Much. Snow. This. Month. Just wait for THIS story.
January In One Word
5 Things That Happened In January:
1. My adorable niece Genevieve turned TWO. My nephew (from a different sister) also turned two — he and Genevieve were born one day a part. My baby sister turned 19…I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS. Lots of birthdays!!
2. We had so much snow so far this winter (an abnormally large amount) and I HATE IT NOW. The last snowstorm we had caused my 25 minute ride home to turn into almost 4 1/2 hours. It was insane. That picture above was me sitting on a road that was pretty much a parking lot and reading!
3. I went to ALA & met some awesome authors, publishing people, bloggers and got some fab books!
4. I redesigned this blog because I got bored one Sunday and didn’t want to tackle things on my to-do list. So, all you people reading from a feed, come visit to see it! I will have cookies prepared upon your arrival.
5. I was sick for like almost 2 weeks. Literally, the first day of January was when I felt it so 2014 started out with me being miserable, sleeping a lot and just generally hating life haha.
6 Songs That Were Most Popular On My Ipod This Month:
I put all my Monthly Rewinds In a Spotify playlist so you can listen to them here now ! I also have a January playlist filled with other AWESOME songs that wouldn’t fit on here — seriously THIS MONTH KILLED ME because so many good ones. I have a VERY eclectic taste in music so you are bound to find something!
1. For 12 by Other Lives:
2. The Struggle by Grizfolk
3. Carousel by Town of Saints (I know they were on my New To The Queue post but I seriously HAD to put them on here because I love this song)
4. Another Love by Tim Odell
5. Looking For Someone by East India Youth
6. Weighty Ghost by Wintersleep
Honorable Mentions: Afraid by The Neighborhood, Coming Of Age by Foster The People, Habits by Tove Lo, Australia (Don’t Ever Let Her Go) by Satellite Stories, Kidnap Me by Cruiser, So High by Ghost Loft
Also, you should check out music I added to my queue in this post!
Follow my January playlist
Top 2 Books I Read This Month:
I’ve not had a mind-blowing reading month honestly. So just FYI these are not 4 or 5 star reads for me (even though i don’t do stars on here — wanted to give you a frame of reference). More like 3 or 3.5 which is still good/I LIKED it but not typically what my TOP are when I answer this.
1. Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
2. Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor
Most Popular Review This Month
This makes me so happy because I LOOOOVED this book so much! Check out my review for The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson.
Most Popular 5 Blog Posts Overall This Month
1. The Ebb and Flow of My Bookshelves — I loved your array of answers and habits!
2. My bookish resolutions for 2014— You guys seriously helped motivate me with your responses and encouragement!
3. My Reading Wishlist : I had fun writing this list of things I want authors to write. Somebody please get on these things!!
4. How Unemployment Has Changed My Life As A Reader: Loved your support on this one! <3
5. Hey Stranger! I Like Books!! : In which I confess something that some of you LIKE and some of you DON’T like!
3 New Obsessions In January
3 Things I’m Looking Forward To In February
3. Hopefully unveiling my secret project because I think at this point I need accountability.
Favorite Quote From A Book I Read In January
“Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible. It’s learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.” — Divergent by Veronica Roth
5 Posts I Starred In My Reader That You Should Check Out
1. How To Tame (Organize) Your Goodreads: This post from Hannah is the best thing EVER! I have 6+ years of Goodreads clutter and I’ve been able to tackle it thanks to this post. MUST READ.
2. Laying Foundations When You Want To Build Walls: I so struggle with this. I definitely bare the scars of some bad friends and being treated like crap so it’s so easy for me to want to build walls. I don’t mean to but it’s just so hard. Especially when I think I’m making progress and then I find out otherwise. I needed this food for thought. Maybe certain walls need to be in place for certain people..but certainly not to everyone.
3. When Your Goals Change: This was such a good reminder for me. I so often feel like a failure when I give up on my goals but it really IS okay for them to change because sometimes I might be more into something and think it’s important but then life happens and priorities and interests shift. It’s OKAY. Always new goals to have. Ones that align with where I’m at right now.
4. On Bad Reviews (On Why You Barely See The On Here) — I loved this honest post from Anna. She’s a blogger I’ve known since the beginning and I’ve always known her stance, for herself, on negative reviews but I was glad to see her talk about it. The thing I love about the blogging community is everyone does their own thing. I love reading constructive negative reviews and I write them when I have to but, for me, I’m okay when a blogger decides to only talk about books they like. It’s whatever tone you decide you want and sometimes I feel like bloggers who don’t write negative reviews get crap about it which saddens me because it doesn’t ALWAYS mean the blogger likes everything they read — sometimes they just don’t want to talk about them/want their site to be a place where they can talk about books they loved. I loved Anna’s well articulated thoughts on why they aren’t for her and I think it gives food for thought for others early in their blogging careers who are trying to figure out what
5. Ginger’s list of 20-somethings in books: Love this list from Ginger! I’ve read Raw Blue and Holier Than Thou and have heard of 3 others but I’m excited to dig into this list! I trust her opinion and this is a fab list!
What sort of things were noteworthy for you in January? New obsessions? Any new song recs?? Best books you read this month? Great posts I missed on your blog? Tell me! 🙂
Liz says
Oh, winter. Southeast Iowa is so weird in terms of snow–we get some, but we also get a lot of Missouri’s warmth, so it doesn’t tend to stick around too long. We’re expecting some this week and I am so not amused. Really we get more sneet–stuff that’s a snow/sleet hybrid, and that’s super dangerous. Glad you’re staying safe and warm and enjoying lots of family time!
Laura@BunnyTales says
I’m north of the QCA… it stays. I won’t see the ground again till March… or April! 🙁
ashley says
Those mousepads kill me. Let’s see January. I left 70 degrees 12 degrees. I went to some weird book conference. And oh..yeah. I met you. I GUESS THAT IS COOL IRL FRAND.
But really, January wasn’t too rough, and if you need someone to keep you accountable. I AM WATCHIN YOU
Alexa S. says
Those mouse pads are seriously cute! You’re kind of making me want one, even though I don’t even use a mouse here at home. Also, down with snow and cold! I’ve had enough of this weather, and am looking forward to the brighter, sunnier, warmer weather that’s supposed to head our way (and soon, I hope). AND, lastly, I will most likely see you at Dark Days so YAY!
Laura@BunnyTales says
So. Done. With. Winter!! But seriously, how does one just one bored Sunday make such a FAB blog design?? NICE!! I read Divergent in January too. Looking forward to hearing how you like Landline!!
Kelly says
Love love love Wintersleep! They’re local to this area, so I’ve seen them live a couple times and they’re AWESOME!
We’ve had more snow this January than I remember ever having all winter since I moved to NS 9 years a go. We had a blizzard two weeks ago that dropped like 30CM, then a snow storm last week that dropped another 25CM and they’re calling for another 20-30CM next Wednesday! I bought winter wiper blades, so I’m ready! Bring it on mother nature!
I’m loving your new, clean design! It’s so simple, but so elegant at the same time 🙂
Leah says
WHERE ARE MY COOKIES, JAMIE??
So I kind of hate/love you for giving my a new etsy shop to obsess over. Why can’t I quit you, etsy! Really though, I’m definitely due for a new mousepad…I can totally justify this, right?
Haha we had so much snow here that we actually closed the bookstore early – and that has only happened three other times in the 15 years it’s been around! Happy day for me, not-so-happy drive home. 4.5 hours though, yikes. Hopefully your Kindle was charged!
February is my version of your January. So many birthdays this month – two this week!
When I went over my January reviews I noticed I had a pretty lackluster reading month too. There were two good books, but the rest were either okay or SO bad.
🙂 Fingers crossed that you’ll hear back about the job!!
April says
LoL at the traffic picture. I’ve had that happen to me before. Once coming home from work I got stuck on rt 33 for 8 hours. I barely had any gas, no cell reception and I didn’t have a book with me. It was torture!! I’m sick of the snow now too. After Christmas it’s not pretty anymore. Bring on Spring. And they are calling for more crap this week. I’m Done!!! lol
I”m going to have to check out those posts you shared. Especially the taming your goodreads. :o)
Stormy says
I want that elephant mousepad, even though I am a touchpad convert when it comes to my laptop!
That picture/snow story reminded me why I will remain firmly in the south. Hopefully. Maybe. Texas has it’s faults but weather like that is not one of them.
alice-jane says
Your commute sounded horrible! At least you got home safe and sound while getting some reading done, right? #hopefuloptimist Also, I’m glad to hear that you’re feeling better since feeling sick is always horrible.
Loving the quote that you picked from Divergent and I think it’s an apt quote for me at this point in my life! Thanks for sharing it! ^^ Also, the elephant mousepads that you bought are totally adorable! While I’m used to using my touchpad on my laptop, I kinda want to buy a mouse so I can buy the mousepad, hahaha.
I’m looking forward to reading the Impossible Knife of Memory since I’ve heard so many great things about it! I hope you get the job, too, Jaime! *sends well wishes*
Jamie says
Yes! That is exactly how I tried to think of it 1) home safe and 2) yay reading time! But once I was wayyyy past hungry and at like the 3 hour mark and had to pee I was like okayyyy let me out!!!
Shannon N. says
Oh man. I feel your pain when stuck on the road. I live in Seattle and we don’t usually get a lot of snow. But one year we got a freak ice/snow storm right at commute time. I got on the freeway right as they shut it down and got stuck for 9 hours. O.o Luckily I didn’t run out of gas!! I wish I had a Kindle back then – lol!
Jamie says
Oh my goodness!! That’s crazy! I was sooo happy I had filled up the day before bc I was at almost empty. I saw sooo many cars stranded 🙁
Emmah says
I finally read “The Book Thief” and OMG it was so good! I also read “Fangirl”, which I loved. I’m now about halfway through the 6th HP book. Can’t believe there’s only one more to go after I finish this one ):
You should totally check out Gabrielle Aplin’s music! Her CD isn’t available in the US yet ): (which bums me out, ’cause I WANT IT) You should be able to find her songs “Please Don’t Say You Love Me” and “Panic Cord” online though! They’re my favorites.
Jamie says
Oooh I follow her YT channel but didn’t realize she has a cd out! Thanks!!
Trina says
I’m going to the Dark Days event in TN! I’ve never been to an author event because no one I read ever comes around here (or I am not aware). I’m so excited!
Jamie says
Ohhh yay! This will be a fun one for your first author event!! I hope you have fun!
tabithasbookblog says
You’re going to Dark Days in NYC too?! AH. So exciting.. Maybe I’ll see you there! 92Y’s usually busy, but you know. Maybe.
Sarah says
Wow! I Literally just spent like 30 dollars on itunes because of your amazing music taste!
Thanks for helping me find some amazing songs!
mrsqbookaddict01 says
I read Maybe One Day this month as well, and LOVED it! This crazy winter has me so thankful to be on maternity leave.
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) says
I so love the new look of your blog … it’s so pretty! Love the balloon. 🙂 And I still can’t believe your 4.5 hour commute that day! Yowzas. I once went to my MIL’s and had to drive home in a blizzard, which made my 45 minute drive 2.5 hours and I thought THAT was bad. I was so thankful for my audiobook that day …
I love that elephant mousepad! Want! My mouse seems lonely now …
And I’m already opening your chicken, butternut squash, quinoa recipe because even though I’m stuffed from Super Bowl foods, I need that in my life.
Great recap!
Jessica Lawlor says
Thank you, thank you, for linking to me in here! I always get a little thrill when you include me in this roundup! 🙂
Um…and please unveil your secret project. I can’t wait to hear about it! And I promise, I will push you to make it happen!
xox
PS- Thanks for the awesome vacation reads recommendations. I’ve read 4 books in 2014 so far, and since I think I read all of 4 books in 2013, this is a huge win!
prettybooks says
I love your new design, Jamie!
Terri @ Starlight Book Reviews says
Pretty redesign! I’ve always loved the simple and clean look of your site.
Wasn’t Ginger’s list great? I’d only read 2 books on there and I’m so excited to investigate more!
Secret project WHAT?? The people want to know! 😀