Me in January
January has been an awesome start to 2016, and I see the year getting better and better! I’ve managed to stick to a lot of my resolutions, instead of giving up on them after the first week, and I read a lot of awesome books.
First and foremost, I’ve embarked on a healthy eating endeavour. I’ve been cutting out unhealthy snacks since the 4th, and I’ve only “cheated” a couple of times. There has been a couple of unhealthy meals, but two out of 25+ isn’t bad! I have also decided that I want to transition into veganism. I’m starting slowly, by cutting out meat and milk first. So far, I’ve been really enjoying this new lifestyle. I haven’t eaten meat in two weeks and I think I’m starting to feel physically better. I’m not sure if that’s just a placebo effect though! I’m really looking forward to continuing with this journey.
I also started taking driving lessons. Well, I’ve taken one so far, and I’ve booked more for February and March. I really want to get my license and a car this year, after five years of relying on friends and family to drive me around.
I met up with some friends that I haven’t seen in months, and I’ve met a tonne of new reading buddies so far this year! It’s been great.
The highlight of January, though, was seeing Billy Elliot at Victoria Palace Theatre. It was absolutely incredible. The children, particularly Nat Sweeney, were fantastic, and I loved the entire cast. They were so good! And the set designs and transitions were fascinating. I adored it, and I would go again right now if I could.
Books Read
1. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
2. The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig
3. This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp
4. Sword and Verse by Kathy MacMillan
5. When We Collided by Emery Lord
6. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
7. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
8. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
9. Orleans by Sherri L. Smith
10. Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served by Katie Finn
11. The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
12. Assassin’s Heart by Sarah Ahiers
Total: 12
Book of the Month
Movies & TV
Star Wars: The Force Awakens: I watched it again with my mum, and I still really enjoyed it. Like the prequels, I consider this movie a spin-off/companion movie compared to a legit sequel. Mostly because some very bad things happen that I just do not approve of! *keyboard smash* Also, Kylo Ren is still a laughable villain. But I adore Rey, and I’m shipping Poe/Finn like there’s no tomorrow.
Grey’s Anatomy: I’m now in the middle of season five, which means I’ve almost hit the point where I stopped watching years ago. The brain tumour storyline has just come around. I kind of just want it to be over, partly because I struggle with cancer stories, and also because it’s happening to a character that I am really not a fan of. However, I’m LOVING Mark <3 he’s adorable. I don’t ship him with Lexie, but I love them both individually so I can deal. I also adore Alex, but not so much this season for some reason. Christina is getting some great scenes as well.
The 100: IT’S BACK!!! I’ve been waiting MONTHS for this, and it’s finally here! I can’t believe it. So far, I’m loving this season. Of course. And the book community is as well, apparently! Bellamy, Clarke, Octavia, Lincoln, Raven… I adore them all. I’ve been going into work on Fridays as a complete zombie because I can’t sleep after an episode. I’ve started doing posts after each episode because it’s something that I used to do for Spartacus, and I’ve missed talking about shows like this.
Step Up: I haven’t rewatched this in forever, but I saw the main actors on that Lip Sync Battle show, and Jenna was AMAZING. So I then wanted to rewatch Step Up to drool over the amazing dance moves. That I totally can’t replicate in any way, shape, or form.
Making A Murderer: I’ve only seen the first episode but I’m intrigued. I’ve had a couple of discussions about this show with people and I’m not sure what to think so far. Must. Watch. More!
Everest: This is about a team who climbs Everest, and I initially picked it up because of Jake Gyllenhaal. But after watching it I can honestly say that it’s a terrifyingly good movie.
Cowspiracy: Because of the whole vegan thing. And I want to watch more documentaries this year!
Sh*d*wh*nt*rs: I’ve asterisked it because I don’t want to give this show any publicity. Oops. I watched the pilot and it’s as awful as I expected it to be, so I won’t be continuing. Tatum is, I think, so I’ll read her tweets and laugh myself to sleep.
Challenges
Around the World: So far in 2016 I have visited four continents, six countries, and eight states. Not too shabby considering I visited five continents in 2015! Still to go are Africa, South America, and Antarctica.
A Series A Month: 1/12. I’m on track! I marathoned the Red Queen series in the middle of the month. I have some ideas of what is going to be my February series, but I’ll have to decide for sure in a couple of weeks.
Debut Author Challenge: 4/12. I’m storming ahead! This is thanks to the publishers, who have been kind enough to let me read ARCs of a lot of 2016 debuts. I have a few others lined up for February, so I may well have reached seven by March!
Classics Challenge: 1/10. I’m aiming to read ten classics this year, and I’ve read The Color Purple. Not bad! I want to give either Jane Eyre or The Lord of the Flies a go in February.
Looking Forward
February is probably one of my least favourite months of the year. It’s when I usually get into a really bad reading slump and I start to lose all motivation. To conquer this, I’m creating lists and scheduling the blog as far ahead as possible so that I don’t have that pressure looming over me. The Love-a-thon is coming up in a few weeks, which I’m really looking forward to. And, of course, I have more driving lessons coming up. I have eight hours books for February, and I hope to make a lot of progress. Next week, I’m off to the launch of Rebel of the Sands in London, and I cannot wait! I met Alwyn at a book event last year, and it’ll be so nice to see her again, especially now that she’s a published author and her book is finally out!
I was really looking forward to another TMI adaptation and I’m not saying I’m disappointed but I’m not really impressed either. I can see why you don’t like the show. The pilot wasn’t great and the dialogue is really cheesy and cringe-worthy sometimes. I mean yes I’ll admit, there’s a lot wrong with the show. The third episode was a little better imo but there’s still room for improvement. I’m not giving up yet. I mean, I’m watching Stitchers as well which isn’t the best show either when it comes to plot and dialogue. I guess I’m a very patient person? (lol nope scratch that)
Good luck going vegan! It’s something I would like to try sometime but I don’t see myself going vegan all the way. I’ve been eating less meat lately and I’m feeling quite good about that. Also good luck with your driving lessons! You can do it! It’s scary and difficult at first but you’ll get the hang of it.