Today, January 20th, is MY BIRTHDAY. Woohoo! *Throws glitter EVERYWHERE* And because of this momentous occasion, I thought I would reward our blog followers with my most intelligent thoughts and reflections. Oh, and a chance to WIN one of MY FAVORITE books.
The past year went by in a blur for me, and I’m told the years only become more blurry the older one gets. 2014 was rough and so was 2015, so I’m betting on the regression to the mean theory and predicting that my 2016 will be average or better yet, AMAZING.
Reflecting back on my 2015, there are things I wish I would have navigated differently and there are things that I realize are (and have accepted as) part of my person. Like completely withdrawing from the world when I’m experiencing challenges or spending a lot of time mulling over themes and concepts. I’ve read online and in numerous articles that periods of alternating extroversion and introversion are typical of highly creative types and while this information has helped me judge myself less harshly, I’m still learning to cope with this aspect of my personality. So this year, I’ve decided to just roll with my occasional withdrawals from social interaction/social media and not beat myself up about it. Those who know me best and like me enough to understand will still be there when I crawl out of my bouts of extreme introversion.
I’ve also realized how necessary it is for me to reach some kind of left brain/right brain balance on a weekly basis. I know there are recent studies in the Journal of Neuroscience that debunk the theory that people mostly fall into one of those categories because as dynamic individuals we are constantly accessing both sides of our brains, but I did a lot of critical thinking/analysis/research paper writing this past year and completely put my creative side on hold. It wasn’t until this recent winter break that I realized how much that creative side of me would have been beneficial to my more serious projects and my physical/mental stamina. Blogging was one of the first things that fell to the wayside for me last year because I started to view it as a chore instead of a fun outlet. BAD IDEA. I started blogging to begin with because it felt fun, so this year I will try to view blogging through a more fun and creative lens again.
Last year, I also indulged myself in reading books that weren’t up-and-coming or highly anticipated new releases. I think I would like to continue with that this year, so I’m joining the 2016 TBR+Backlist Challenge hosted by the lovely Bekka at Pretty Deadly Reviews.
I also read a lot of Historical Fiction so I will be doing the 2016 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge hosted by Passages to the Past for the second year in a row. I didn’t finish the year off with a bang in this 2015 challenge but it still inspired me to connect with other Historical Fiction bloggers and to write reviews for the HF that I read even if it wasn’t YA.
And here’s a #bloggerconfession from me: I’m always worrying about current/future/former bosses, co-workers, or former/current professors somehow coming across my blogging. I feel like this has inhibited my reviewing personality. But I hate feeling censored, so I’ma get over it this year. *shrugs*
Okay, now for the fun stuff. My gift to YOU on my birthday will be a chance to WIN one of MY FAVORITE books. For the sake of time/space/sanity, not all of my favorites are listed. I’ve just thrown some in here that I would love for others to win and read. Enter the rafflecopter below and ONE WINNER (INTERNATIONAL) will get the choice of one of the books featured below. Good Luck!
A giveaway!! I’m so happy right now!
That’s a hard question, If I could reread one book… I’ll go with one series and that’ll be Addicted series by Krista and Becca Ritchie!
I don’t think I have heard of this series. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for stopping by! ☺
I could only read the first 2 books in the Addicted series. :X Maybe some day I’ll go back to reading it..but I know the main character really annoyed me. 😐
Happy Birthday!!! I hope it was filled with good books and good cake!
I think I would have to go with Cinder by Marissa Meyer.
Thanks, Emma! I’m embarrassed to admit I have not read the Lunar Chronicles yet. I won the series on a blog but just haven’t had the time. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons!
I have heard of this one but it is not on my TBR list yet . Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
wow that is a hard question because If I were to read one thing over and over for the rest of my life, it wouldn’t be one book but a series! I’d read In The Company of Shadows (by Santino Hassell & Ais) over and over! It’s such an awesome story.
Happy Birthday! I’d choose Pride and Prejudice, it’s my favorite romance, I just love Elizabeth and Darcy together, and there are a few funny moments as well, so it’s a great re-read.
the book of unknown americans or we’ll always have paris
pride and prejudice
Happy birthday!!! I’d read On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta!! Seriously check it out if you haven’t already!
Such a difficult question… hmm maybe Fangirl by Rainbow rowell
dammit thats a hard question :O can it be a book series?? i would pick mortal instruments series or maybe the enemy books (even tho i havent read them yet, but its a 6 books series, apocalypse/survival type which i love and cant wait to read) if only one book it would be the fury which is also a book i have but i havent read and its also apocalyptic/survival/zombies and this book is pretty big 😛 thank you for this chance btw fire and flood and the sequel are also one of my favorites books 😛 i read the first one from the library so i dont have a physical copy, and the second one i won in a giveaway but its hardcover and i want fire and flood to match so thats why i havent bought it yet xD
I’m kinda gonna cheat on this one and go with the series – Vampire Academy. Hard to pick just one, so going for a full package. ;D
Happy belated birthday and thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
If I could only read one book for the rest of my life, I would choose James Joyce’s Ulysses. It’s not an entertaining read, but I’m confident that the text would actually bear a lifetime’s scrutiny. It could stimulate fresh ideas during each reading experience…at least IMHO (or my humble guess-timate).
Happy birthday, and thanks for celebrating so generously! I love celebrating birthdays (my own and those of other folks) and am proud to support this public event in your honor. 🙂