Image From December
Merry Christmas, ya filthy animals!
December In One Word
5 Things That Happened In December:
1. I went on two interviews. I really, really, really want the one job so much. Fingers crossed. I should be hearing back soon!
2. I celebrated Christmas! Such a good time with family.
3. It snowed like 3 times!
4. We had our book club holiday party. GOOD TIMES.
5. I watched the entire Breaking Bad series with Will.
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 December playlist filled with other AWESOME songs that wouldn’t fit on here. I have a VERY eclectic taste in music so you are bound to find something!
1. Air by Tyson Ritter:
2. Hawk Fly Tiger Run – Ofelia —
3. Rocking Chair — Branches
4. House By the Sea — Moddi —
5. Vapour — Vancouver Sleep Clinic
6. Sonsick — San Fermin
Honorable Mention: Happily by One Direction — NO REGRETS. I love the new album. Judge away…don’t care!
Top 3 Books I Read This Month:
1. Pivot Point by Kasie West
2. The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson (Review to come)
3. Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo
Most Popular Review This Month
This was the unanimous pick when I came to Twitter asking what to read out of a stack of books! LOVED IT! Here’s my review of Pivot Point by Kasie West in the event YOU haven’t read this yet!
Most Popular 5 Blog Posts Overall This Month
1. End of Year Reading Blues — Solidarity guys!
2. Top Ten Books On My Winter TBR — I vow to get to these!
3. Favorite new-to-me authors of 2013 : I’m really glad to have discovered these authors this year!
4. My favorite people in publishing share their faves of 2013: Solid recommendations!
5. This Always Seems To Happen : Yep always. Every year. You guys were very clear about how I should rectify this!
3 New Obsessions In December
3 Things I’m Looking Forward To In January
3. A fresh start — I know that it’s all in my head but I really do find the new year to be refreshing and I need this in my soul. I’m ready for the new year.
Favorite Quote From A Book I Read In December
“I really wondered why people were always doing what they didn’t like doing. It seemed like life was a sort of narrowing tunnel. Right when you were born, the tunnel was huge. You could be anything. Then, like, the absolute second after you were born, the tunnel narrowed down to about half that size. You were a boy, and already it was certain you wouldn’t be a mother and it was likely you wouldn’t become a manicurist or a kindergarten teacher. Then you started to grow up and everything you did closed the tunnel in some more. You broke your arm climbing a tree and you ruled out being a baseball pitcher. You failed every math test you ever took and you canceled any hope of ever being a scientist. Like that. On and on through the years until you were stuck. You’d become a baker or a librarian or a bartender. Or an accountant. And there you were. I figured that on the day you died, the tunnel would be so narrow, you’d have squeezed yourself in with so many choices, that you just got squashed.” — Tell The Wolves I’m Gone by Carol Rifka Brunt
5 Posts I Starred In My Reader That You Should Check Out
1. 20 Things You Need To Let Go Of To Be Happy — This isn’t from a blog but Anna shared it with me and probably about 17 of these are things I really struggle with. They are the things that truly DO bring me unhappiness. WORKING ON IT FOR SURE.
2. My top ten worst travel moments— Adventurous Kate is one of my favorite travel blogs. I often find myself very jealous of her and other travel bloggers because I just WANT to be able to travel this much because it feels like they are living the dream. So I loved her candid post about the worst things that happened to her traveling and DAMN some of those were AWFUL. I appreciated knowing, even though the logical part of me being squashed by the dreamer really knew all along, that it’s not all this perfect, crazy fun that travel blogs so often give the impression of.
3. 2013: A Learning Year — Managing Expectations: Love this post so hard! I’ve never read Jessica’s books though I do own the first book but I really respect the hell out of her for writing this and 1) it makes me want to hug all the authors I love and 2) is definitely making me put her book as a priority in 2014. It was candid and very eye-opening for someone who has no idea what the writer’s life is like.
4. The Power of Paying It Forward — What a good reminder of how amazing it is to pay it forward intentionally. In 2014 I vow to be more intentional about paying it forward and showering the world with random acts of genuine kindness.
5. How To Cull Your Books: Love this post from April! Culling my books is the hardest and I did a decent job in 2013 of doing it but I MUST TRY HARDER IN 2014.
What sort of things were noteworthy for you in December? New obsessions? Any new song recs?? Best books you read this month? Great posts I missed on your blog? Tell me! 🙂
ashley says
I’m working on culling this year myself. Reading what I own. Part with what doesn’t hold my heart anymore. Make more room for those that do, etc. Which is something ten years ago I would have laughed at, but I did to remind myself things change and that’s okay. That list of things to let go of I need to work on, too. I really feel like we need to be email penpals sooner or later for snark and rants and love.
Also, fingers extra crossed with extra love for you.
Jamie says
YES I need to work on culling in other areas too — not just books. Especially clothes. I am the worst about hanging on to things “well maybe I’ll wear this again some day” or “maybe I’ll fit into this again” And then I just have like other things I can’t let go of. BLAH.
Jessica Lawlor says
First off, I always LOVE these posts- so much fun to read about your month.
Thank you for including my pay it forward post! 🙂
I love Adventurous Kate’s blog, as well! Through her blog I learned about Young Adventuress (http://youngadventuress.com) which has basically become my new fav. blog ever. I literally think I read the entire thing one night last week catching up.
Happy 2014! xo
Jamie says
Ooh must check that one out! Thank you!
ashley says
There are certain days I have emotional attachment to nothing at all and then other days I have an emotional attachment to everything. It’s hard to fight.
Ashley says
I’m not sure why this attached down here….
Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook says
Wow, December seemed that a busy month. I love that picture. And the Home Alone reference. I hope things turn out well for that job you want. And those Red Velvet Cinnamon Buns look delicious! Seriously yummy.
Jamie says
Thanks 🙂 It ended up being my most liked Instagram picture EVER and that made me so happy haha
They are SO delish. I hope you make them. If not, come visit me and I’ll make Will make them for you 😛
And thank you 🙂
Kim says
Oh, what a fun picture! I am sooooo thrilled to hear you’ve had two job interviews. Fingers crossed for you, Jamie! And I can’t even imagine watching all of Breaking Bad back to back. That is intense!! Here’s to 2014 🙂
Terri @ Starlight Book Reviews says
I hope you get the job! It’s so frustrating to be excited and not know. Just remember that you are AWESOME!
I just read April’s post today and realized that I do have a lot of “classics” that are probably public domain now, so I could get rid of more. It’s such a hard thing to do though! I justify keeping books that I don’t need because I think “one day, I’ll have a house and a library and then this pretty, huge version of ‘The Canterbury Tales’ will be so classy sitting there.” Have I read it? NO. Am I planning to? NO. Do I still have it … yes. *hoarder guilt*
Anna says
Hahahaha that pic of you two crazy kids is so cute — love it!
Kailana says
Fingers crossed you get the job you want!
Candice says
Fingers crossed for you and the job!
And you and Will… so cute! Happy New Year!
Emmah says
I hope you get that job!
And, omg “Happily” by: One Direction. It’s my FAVORITE off their new album… I saw them live back in July haha.
Definitely check out Little Mix’s music! Along with Emeli Sande.
I finished the fifth book in the HP series in December! And I read “Pivot Point” after you raved about it. Along with “Second Chance Summer”.
Kaley @ Books Etc says
Eeeeeeeeee! Keeping my fingers crossed for you. December seems like it was a pretty alright month so let’s hope the trend continues. Here’s to a great January!
Rebecca @ The Library Canary says
Ahhh good luck on the job!!! Prayers and good thoughts headed your way!!! I love that picture of you and Will. Rumchata is delicious!!! I will have to mix it with some fireball whiskey, that’s a great idea. Last comment of the day, I promise! <3
Nova Lee @ Out of Time says
Is it bad that my 2013 was kind of a blur? I wasn’t drinking, I swear! LOL
Anyway, I loved that pic on the top. OMG, it actually made me laugh… out loud.
I have trouble not singing story of my life everywhere I go, even though I kind of used to hate 1D. And I’ve never heard of any of those songs you posted. Is that bad?
You’ve had such an exciting month… makes me feel like I’m boring. HEHE
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
Breaking bad RUINED ME. The ending! It was perfect, but heartbreaking. This TV show was one rollercoaster of feelings. I’m having my fingers crossed that you will get the job!
Christie says
I don’t comment as often as I should – but I do love your blog, your reflections and your reviews.
Missie says
I hope you hear back on the job! And yippee for a fresh start!
Lindsey says
So a few things that I took away from this post … One: UM YES to Happily by One Direction!! My friend introduced me to them this year (behind much?). She got me in early enough that I was allowed to eagerly anticipate the release of Midnight Memories, and I was hooked on that song from the first time I heard it! Two: That favorite line was perfection. That book was recommended to me this year, and while it’s not my typical read, I absolutely loved it. And the beautiful simplicity of that line really got to me. I’ve just started blogging (been following a number of blogs the past year) and I am so happy to have found yours! Adding it to my “Blogs I Read” list pronto!
Much luck for a better 2014. Let’s just say I feel you. (Good riddance to bad rubbish and all that, eh?) 😉
Wendy @ Book Scents says
Best of luck on the job!!! Fingers crossed for you! Also… I watched breaking bad’s first season years and years ago but haven’t watched the rest. obviously i need to check it out!!
Alexa S. says
I loved reading your recap! Yes, December is the month of Christmas for me too — and I’m glad that it seemed to be such a great, fun one for you filled with family and friends.
I’m wishing you all the luck in the world with the job, and I really, really hope you get it! I’m hoping that 2014 is the year of starting fresh (job-wise) for me too. xo
(P.S. I am totally obsessed with the new One Direction album too. It’s so good!)