Tuesday, December 31, 2013

December 2013 Chapter

Welcome to the Read.Write.Repeat. monthly wrap-up.  Every month, I give a quick overview of what books I read, the progress made on the 100 Best Novels goal, a few book-related links, and general blog news.  


December News

What started out as a slow month, quickly accelerated. I hope the holiday season has brought you as much joy as it has to our families. I also hope you got to enjoy some great time reading. I always start with the greatest of intentions, but there is so many seasonal activities, that somehow my books get pushed aside. I am anxious to start the new year and some new books!

If you are still searching for a belated holiday gift for a book lover, make sure you see the list I posted before Christmas. Just think, you could get started on next year's shopping already! I promised I would share with you if I got any books. Shockingly, I just got one this year - Radical by David Platt. Kevin and I both received copies and are anxious to read it together sometime in the next year.

If you missed out on Movie Monday this month, you will definitely want to go back and read my thoughts on Catching Fire. It was, after all, one of the biggest movies this season. I also reviewed 1946 version of The Postman Always Rings Twice, starring Lana Turner. 


Books Read

  1. The End of Your Life Book Club - Will Schwalbe - 12/8
  2. Allegiant - Veronica Roth - 12/8
  3. Tender is the Night - F. Scott Fitzgerald - 12/18
  4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling - 12/21
  5. The Heart of the Matter - Graham Greene - 12/22
  6. My Mother's Funeral - Adriana Páramo - 12/23
Pages Read: 2,038

Favorite Book Read: It's really hard not to say that Harry Potter is my favorite from this month. I am so excited to be reading through the series again, this time with my husband in tow. It's difficult to beat Harry Potter. Still, if anyone can do it, F. Scott Fitzgerald is up to the test.

I have been increasingly impressed with the famous author this year as I reread The Great Gatsby (this time, without the cloud of school assignments fogging my view). I really enjoyed Tender is the Night. Fitzgerald has quickly become one of my favorite authors. His command of language and storytelling stands the test of time. His books truly return as much as you are willing to give. I'm excited to talk more about this on Thursday when I post my review of the book!

100 Best Novels Progress

  • 2 completed this month (Tender is the Night and The Heart of the Matter)
  • 17% complete

Articles

End of the year lists are popping up everywhere. If you are looking for something to read next year, the best books of 2013 are a good place to start. The New York Times offers up their Top Ten, while Buzzfeed stays true to form with a random number (17).

I know the holiday season is coming to a close, but these ideas for random literary kindness are too good to pass up. Let me know if you try one out! 

There are countless books to read and sometimes choosing which ones are worth your time is the hardest part. Buzzfeed shares their opinion on some books that make you a better twenty-something. I'm guessing a lot of these would apply to people of any age.

You know you are a book lover when everything on this list applies to you. #20 gives my husband fits when we travel.

20th Century Fox released the first image of Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne. Gone Girl fans rejoice!

My dad sent me this articleThe headline alone made my day. 

It's no secret that one of things I most look forward to about parenthood (no, I'm not pregnant, Mom) is reading to my kids. I want them reading books with characters they can look up to. This literary heroines are perfect examples.

Speaking of books for kids, I got a good laugh from this list of children's books renamed for college students. #12 is about to become my life.

Since those last two articles probably made you want to go read children's literature again, you need to see these fairy tales for adults. I cannot wait to get a few of these On Reserve. I can only hope they will all be as wonderful as #1

~     ~     ~

As we close out the year together, make sure you stop by every day this week. We're going to kick off 2014 with a bang and you don't want to miss any of it! I promise!

Enjoy your night tonight, whether you choose to party it up or head to bed early. We'll be ringing in the new year with my sister and her fiancé, two people who are very excited about what 2014 holds. Be safe and Happy New Year!

Did you get any books for Christmas?

1 comment:

  1. I grew to respect Fitzgerald, too, after re-reading Gatsby. I have since read it again and loved it even more the third time. Tender is the Night is my favorite of his, though. One of my favorite books, period. So glad to hear that you're a fan as well!

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