Happy new year!
I hope everyone had a happy and safe new years eve. I’m fortunate to have two amazing friends who live across the street from us and one of them put on a gangsta party last night. *Shout out to Susan who helped me with that one on tsu!* Everyone looked awesome. There was a Flavor Flav, Tupac, and Notorious B.I.G. I am not a gangster by any means and my attempt at being such turned into more of Tara from Sons of Anarchy. Which is a different gangster than what everyone else was. HaHa! It could’ve had something to do with the curly hair, leather jacket, and biker boots.
This past year has been insane. Between the Mr. being gone for training for four months, having my childhood pet of 18 years (who’s traveled across the country with me five times), pass away unexpectantly during that time frame, going from part-time at my job to full-time, then moving three hours away because of the Mr’s job relocation… yeah, it’s been crazy. I had a goal to read 250 books. I mean, that should have been easy since in 2013 I read 234. However, this year I only made it as far as 148. (If you want to see the list of books I read during 2014, go here) I’m not going to lie and say that I’m not slightly bummed by not hitting my goal, but 148 is still a lot and considering everything that was thrown my way this year, that’s still pretty impressive. This year I’m going lower with my number and will be shooting for 175 books.
I don’t think I really have a blogger resolution, or a life resolution. I never do those things because I never ever follow through. I tried to quit swearing once, I made it about 10 minutes until I stubbed my toe. However, what I will be trying to achieve this year is reading through my personal stack of books. I will still read new and up-and-coming books but they will not be the majority of what I will read and review. I really need to start showing my older books some love and give them a moment in the spotlight.
I’m excited to see what this year will bring book-wise. I’m hoping that New Adult will continue to grow and become more diverse and have more sub-genres to it instead of just romance. I look forward to reading more from some of my favorite authors and continuing on with some of my favorite series. What I’m most looking forward to though is coming across new books and authors. There’s just something about being one of the first people to read this debut author’s work that is just amazing. There are no expectations, no inkling of what you’re going to get, and I always find myself pleasantly surprised.
I can’t wait to continue on this blogging journey. I really enjoy reading books, having them take me to another world, and then sharing that world with you guys. It’s amazing how connected we all are in the book blogging community even though we haven’t met. I’m always the quiet one in the corner at functions and even though I’m still sort of the same way online, I have come across some awesome people due to blogging. Hopefully this year I can build more friendships and maybe go to some book functions now that I’ve moved to a more urban area. I think it would be awesome if I could find some other bloggers who are in my area to meet up and chat with. So if any of you are in SoCal somewhere, send me a message. Who knows, we could be neighbors and not even know it.
Okay, this is getting pretty long. I just want to wish everyone a very happy new year and thank you all for making the past 4 years amazing. Without all the support, comments, and twitter & facebook chats, I probably would have thrown in the towel and gone off to read a book in the corner. So thank you for being awesome!
*If there’s anything that you would like to see more from me on the blog (challenges, ramblings of a book sniffer, interviews, giveaways, ARC reviews, something totally different, etc.) make sure to leave it in the comment section or send me a message. I’m always looking to improve BSA and any insight is always appreciated.
Happy New Year and happy reading
Happy new year, Brandi. 🙂
Happy New Year! I also need to read some of the books that have been on my shelves for years. I always go for the new, shiny ones, but those oldies should be a good reading experience as well. 🙂
Happy new year, Veronica! I know, I tend to be the same way. I buy a request a new book from the library and the second I get it I drop everything else to read it. I seriously need to work on that 😉
Gosh, it’s been so long since I’ve gotten to visit your blog, you’ve changed your layout! I love it. I love the header, the different fonts here, and the background texture. The color scheme. o.o apologies for the long absence!
That party sounds like so much fun. I’d love to see some pics of the costumes, but oh well, it’s New Year’s! Like Vegas, no one tells.
I’m so sorry to hear the news about your pet. Though mine hasn’t traveled across the country with me or been with me quite that long, I also recently found out that my cat disappeared. It’s painful and sad; please let me know if there’s anything I can do for you. And in the same year as moving and getting more hours at work! Woah, your year was hectic. I applaud you for reaching 148 books even with all that happening! Good luck with the 175 this year :D.
“I don’t think I really have a blogger resolution, or a life resolution. I never do those things because I never ever follow through. I tried to quit swearing once, I made it about 10 minutes until I stubbed my toe.” — hahaha. Me too. I’m terrible at these things. But I’ll still create them. We’ll see if I follow through…
“However, what I will be trying to achieve this year is reading through my personal stack of books.” — Huzzah 🙂 :). I’m going to reply to your comment on my blog re: this soon.
“I’m hoping that New Adult will continue to grow and become more diverse and have more sub-genres to it instead of just romance.” — Some positive things to look forward to if Sarah J Maas wrote a New Adult fantasy. If others follow her lead, might be more to find in the coming year?
“What I’m most looking forward to though is coming across new books and authors. There’s just something about being one of the first people to read this debut author’s work that is just amazing.” — Agreed. Sometimes I look forward to a debut author’s work more than someone whose work I’ve found pleasurable but not SUPER DUPER exciting, you know? There’s so much potential in the debut…
“So if any of you are in SoCal somewhere, send me a message. Who knows, we could be neighbors and not even know it.” — Ahh, 🙁 I never got back on the socal get together, huh? And now I’m no longer there… good luck with going to more bookish events & I hope you get to meet more bloggers!
🙂 Happy New Year!
It has been a long time. If the blog is new to you than it’s been a heck of a lot longer than I thought. I noticed that you’ve changed your blog as well. I’m digging the sophisticated design. I totally forgot about the time you were trying to do a SoCal get together in LA. Now it wouldn’t be that bad for me to sneak in along the coast line but before I’d have had to drive straight down the 10 to get there and that would have sucked horribly. Too bad you’re no longer in the area, it would be nice to meet up with a fellow blogger.
Happy new year, Christina.
Thanks for stopping by my New Years post! I love finding new authors as well and have always found some favorite debuts. It’s one reading challenge I actually do every single year too. I hope this year is a happy one for you!