Month in Review: December

I hope everyone had a great holiday season! I'm in the post-Christmas dumps, but still have a few days left of break and I am hoping to get back into a routine for the New Year. I was toying between doing a Year in Review or just a Month in Review, but decided on the latter to make it more specific. This post would be just TOO long otherwise. However, I will sprinkle in some yearly stats and discussions here and there. Here's what happened in December:

What I Read:

The Song of Achilles by: Madeline Miller (re-read): 5/5 stars
Broken Things by: Lauren Oliver: 3/5 stars

I know, I know, not a lot of books this month either. BUT I am taking a YA fiction course this year and I have a glorious reading list of some iconic YA series! Right now I'm re-reading the Twilight saga, gosh I haven't touched these books since I was 10, so beware of some Twilight-related posts soon!

Favourite book: The Song of Achilles was a re-read and I am still in love with it. I had to revisit it after loving Circe!

Overall, I read 55 books this year, completing my goodreads challenge of 50 books. My goal was drastically smaller than in previous years, because I didn't want to rush through books just for the sake of finishing them. My favourite book of the year was Maus by: Art Spiegelman. It was so different from anything else I have ever read and it definitely stuck with me.

What I Blogged:

I didn't get up to much blogging; only two posts! I took an unplanned break for the holidays but I am back on track and am hoping to post a lot more reviews! I did post my Book Wish-List for when I go on a book-buying spree with gift cards I got for Christmas. Go check it out and let me know what books you think I should totally get!

Overall, I am happy with my blogging schedule this year. I think that two posts a week is just too much for me and I am comfortable with posting on Friday's. It keeps my content fresh and doesn't make me rush through it!

Favourite Blog Posts:

Cee discusses Valid Feelings when You're Grieving 

Olivia-Savannah asks if she has Favourite Authors or Favourite Books?

Life Stuff:

Christmas came and went. I got a lot of cozy presents that I am looking forward to enjoying once these dreary months of January and February kick in. I'm hopeful that this semester will have more enjoyable courses rather than my previous one.

The month had ups and downs. I got quite anxious with all of the social gatherings Christmas involves, but my New Year's Resolution is to tackle the anxiety once and for all and finally seek help for it. Wish me luck!

The year was hit and miss as well. Second year hit me like a ton of bricks, and I definitely am happy that I am halfway through. However I did make some important life steps, such as passing my road test, and, just recently, getting a tattoo! I have an outline of a sunset on my forearm for my love of The Outsiders. I'm really happy with it.

My goal for this year is to stop bottling up my anxiety, and talk to people about it. I also want to not stress myself out with a lot of posting, and again shorten my reading challenge. Hopefully by the end of 2019, I will be a better version of myself!

How was your December and your 2018? Do you have any hopes for the New Year?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

My Winter Reading List: What Should I Get for Christmas?

Every Christmas I get a huge influx of Chapters gift cards and go on a huge book-buying binge. I feel like I read more during the month of January than any other month! While I intend to use a chunk of the money for books I need for school, my regular tbr is also not going to be ignored. I've narrowed down my main choices, and I'd like your opinions! I'll probably do a book haul featuring my picks. What books should I absolutely get for Christmas?

1. Two Dark Reigns by: Kendare Blake
I read the first two books in the Three Dark Crowns series in September and it's a really awesome story! I can't believe I have waited this long to finally pay attention to the third.

2. On the Come Up by: Angie Thomas
This is being released early February so it's perfect for winter reading! However, I'm not exactly sure if I'll love it just as much as I loved THUG. If you have read an ARC, how was it?

3. My Lady Jane by: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton and Jodi Meadows
This is an older release that I have had my eye on for FOREVER. Now's the time to finally pick it up.

4. Heretics Anonymous by: Katie Henry
This looks like such a great read about religion. I genuinely think that I would love this book. If you have read it, was it amazing?

5. The Silence of the Girls by: Pat Barker
Since I love my Trojan War retellings, this one is from the perspectives of the lesser-known women in the war. I think it's looks really cool, although I haven't seen much hype about it.

6. Fruit of the Drunken Tree by: Ingrid Rojas Contreras
I think I first heard of this book when the author wrote a beautiful article about her childhood on Buzzfeed. It looks like it's got some harsh content, but also promising.

7. A Reaper at the Gates by: Sabaa Tahir
I know, this instalment in the Ember trilogy has been out for some time. However I've been on the fence because I didn't really love the second book. Ugh, it's unfortunate, but Ember fans, convince me!

Those are the main books on my list! What are you looking to read in the New Year?

Emily @ Paperback Princess

Circe by: Madeline Miller

Genre: Fiction, Mythology
Published: April 10, 2018 by: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 393
Rating: 5/5 stars

Circe was born to the God Helios, but, unlike her powerful father and siblings, she is mousy and quiet, an outcast amongst the titans. However when Circe discovers that she possesses the power of witchcraft, she begins to use that power to help the mortals that she has grown to love. When Zeus becomes threatened, Circe is banished to an island, where she comes across many famous mythological beasts and heroes, notably Odysseus on his way back to Ithaca. But when Circe comes to face one of the most vicious Olympians, she must choose between the godly world in which her powers thrive, or the mortal world in which she feels she truly belongs.

I would be happily content in just reading Madeline Miller books for the rest of my life. Seriously though, when I found out that Miller was writing another book after I finished The Song of Achilles, I knew it would be amazing. I absolutely love Greek mythology with all of my heart and she gives me everything I could ever want in mythology books.

*Funny anecdote about The Song of Achilles, I was at Indigo yesterday with my dad and he took me over to where TSoA was on a shelf and said he thought I might like it. DAD IF ONLY YOU KNEW.

Lol, anyways, Circe was a beautifully written story with the incredible imagery that always draws me to Miller's writing. This book was particularly special because it had a lot of feminist undertones to it. Circe is fiercely independent, and watching her grow into this powerful woman was amazing.

I really enjoyed the integration of a number of mythological figures, but her interactions with Odysseus were by far my favourite. It was a great nod to The Song of Achilles, but this book truly does stand on its own. Circe is an amazing character that you can't help but root for.

Overall, this is a book that I will re-read time and time again. Now to wait patiently for Miller's next book :)

Have you read Circe? What did you think?

Emily @ Paperback Princess