inner bookworm: my to-be-read list

Once again, I've spotted a tag I couldn't resist on The Perpetual Page-Turner's blog.  This one is all about the TBR: to-be-read list.  

How do you keep track of your TBR pile?

My TBR includes a hip-high pile of books in the corner of my room, a list in the front of my interactive notebook at school (where I model what I expect the kids' notebooks to look like - at the end of last semester, each student shared an excerpt from what he/she is currently reading and I think everyone's TBR list grew), as well as an Amazon wishlist and a growing list on Goodreads.  

Is your TBR mostly print or ebook?

Obviously the physical pile is print, and I usually pull up my Goodreads TBR list while browsing the shelves at the public library.  Usually I buy eBooks when I want to read a brand-new book, like Amy Poehler's memoir Yes Please, or when the library doesn't have the next book in a series (we're a rural small town, so the "NEW BOOKS" display at the library usually contains books that were published in 2010).

How do you determine what to read next?

I have a very loose system of alternating between MG/YA books, books written for adults, and nonfiction books about teaching.  I'm also something of a seasonal reader - I read Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane in October because I wanted something a little bit creepy for Halloween, I went through a major funny lady memoir phase earlier this year, and the end of summer and Christmas break are always YA sprees so I have lots of book recommendations for kiddos when the new semester starts.

A book that has been on your TBR the longest:

Looking at my Amazon wish list, I added The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan back in April 2012.  I just haven't been in a let's-read-about-food nonfiction mood, I guess, but I do still want to read it.

A book you recently added to your TBR pile:

I just added Girl at the End of the World by Elizabeth Esther to my Goodreads list.  It's about how she grew up in a fundamentalist Christian sect and found the courage to leave it as an adult.  I've always been a little bit fascinated by fundamentalists because when I was in elementary school my best friend's family joined a new church and promptly pulled their children out of public school, and because my own grandmother raised me with some beliefs that tended in that direction and scared me away from Christianity for a while.

I picked up Talking to Girls About Duran Duran by Rolling Stone music critic (and fellow Wahoo) Rob Sheffield at the local book sale - it's a coming-of-age memoir against the backdrop of 80's music, so I think I will love it.  I got bitten by the memoir bug last year and I don't see that changing in 2015!

A book on your TBR solely for its beautiful cover:

The Innocents by Francesca Segal - the only reason I clicked on it in Goodreads was because the cover reminded me of a BBC drama.  The description sounds interesting, but not something I'd ordinarily seek out to read!

A book on your TBR you never plan on reading:

I have a lot of classics on my list that I would like to read just to be able to share that cultural knowledge, but I'm not sure I ever really will - I mean, does anyone actually read Les Miserables or Anna Karenina?  I'm probably never going to read the Lord of the Rings books, either.  Take away my nerd card if you must.

An unpublished book on your TBR you’re most excited:

Maggie Stiefvater's next Raven Cycle book - she's been dropping hints on Tumblr as she writes and it is driving me crazy.

A book on your TBR that basically everyone has read but you:

Judging from the side-eye I got in several of my college classes, I went to the one high school in the world that doesn't assign A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

A book on your TBR that everyone recommends to you:

Wonder has been on my list for a while and has so much buzz, especially in the world of English teachers.  I'm just waiting for it to come out in paperback because my students are much more likely to borrow paperbacks than hardcovers - if I think there's a remote chance a book will end up in my classroom library I get the paperback.

How many books are on your Goodreads TBR shelf?

715. I used to use Amazon as my to-read tracker, so there are a lot of books on there that could probably be added to the Goodreads list.

How do you keep track of the books you want to read?

style challenge: hey there, delilah...

Last week, Audrey's Putting Me Together Style Challenge was to wear a bright color.  Even though I tend to wear more neutrals in winter, I love color, so the challenge for me was just picking which one to wear!

Cardigan: Old Navy (similar)  Necklace: Lia Sophia  Tee: Target  

Pants: Wal-Mart (similar)  Shoes: Sam & Libby for Target

I consider coral one of my "power colors:" it flatters my complexion, I often receive compliments when I wear coral pieces, and I feel happy when I look at it.  When I follow my usual "formula," for work outfits, I like to pair a colorful cardigan and plain pants with a dressier top, but I was inspired by this outfit seen on Pinterest to try a plain white tee (hence the title of this post... excuse my four year old reference) and teal necklace instead.  I'd also usually wear black shoes with these pants, so I swapped those out for some springier Sam & Libby flats with a cute bow.  Wearing a bright color on a rainy winter day really did lift my mood - I felt great yesterday!

Do you think what you wear affects how you feel?

Also Linking Up With:

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat

Style Sessions at Style Elixir

Style to Inspire with Rhea Et Cetera
Style Me Wednesday at Shopping My Closet

clicks of note.

get your week off to a colorful start...

SWOON.

• 100 Layer Cake shows off rustic Nashville nuptials.
• At Elizabeth Anne Designs, a Seattle garden wedding.
• SMP features a fairytale-quality Michigan wedding.

SMILE.

• What do you think of Jordan's 52 dinner party goal?
• Joy shares a gift idea for friends expecting baby #2.
• Kelly's tips for sticking to a workout plan are on point.

FLASHBACK.

• In last year's Sunday Social, I dished about my beauty routine, rounded up dazzling blue wardrobe updates and my favorite looks from the Grammy Awards, recapped my January in entertainment.  I also attended the sweetest blended family wedding.
• Two years ago, Sunday Social involved some deep thinking, and I listed my classic style staples, rounded up wedding dresses with beautiful full skirts, shared a review of our Blurb wedding album, and went to B's Super Bowl party (with cookie cupcakes).
• Three years ago I shared round-ups featuring inspiration for adding warm neutral coffee and nougat shades to your wardrobe, home decor, and to a wedding (with pops of pastel pink!).

sunday simplicity: something to hope for...

Cyn Kain Photography via The Bride's Cafe

“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something 

to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”

― George Washington Burnap

clicks of note: give me your heart, I won't let go...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• Thanks to Pandora I've added Joe Brooks' "Someday (OK)" to my playlist.  I think fans of Jason Mraz and Ed Sheeran will love this one.  Also, the lyric "waking up on a Monday, treatin' it like a Sunday" is incredibly appropriate for my life today except for the part where I accidentally scheduled a dentist appointment on a holiday.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• 100 Layer Cake shares an elegant outdoor wedding.
• At Snippet and Ink, an airstream camp wedding!
• SMP features a gorgeous merlot inspiration shoot.
• Wedding Thingz features beautiful wedding tops.

SMILE.

• OMG Y'ALL THE ROYALS ARE ON INSTAGRAM.
• January is National Soup Month - here's my favorite.
• Bonnie has rounded up 2015's stargazing opportunities.
• NYT's 50 places to visit in 2015, with cinemagraphs.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year's Sunday Social was about Top 3's.  I rounded up my favorite cranberry-hued wardrobe updates (spoiler alert: this color will never go out of style), collected inspiration for an elegant black, white, and blush celebration, put together ideas for a living room makeover, recapped my January in Instagram.
• Two years ago, I shone the spotlight on a few of my favorite Instagrammers, rounded up inspiration for a red amaryllis wedding, and listed my entertainment favorites from the month.

 

sunday simplicity.

Lauren Fair Photography via Ruffled

“There could have been no two hearts so open, 

no tastes so similar, no feelings so in unison”

― from Persuasion by Jane Austen

style challenge: the coziest dress

The lovely Audrey over at Putting Me Together has come up with an awesome idea for a style challenge to help us all get back to basics and work our closets.  One of my goals for this year is to continue streamlining my wardrobe by getting rid of worn-out and ill-fitting pieces and investing in classic pieces.  This week's challenge is a basic one: wear a dress!

Old Navy fleece dress | Target v-neck cardigan | Merona riding boots

It sounds simple, but would I have worn a dress this week (the temperature in Virginia is in the thirties and below this week) without the challenge?  Probably not - can you tell how cold and dark it is when I get home from work from this picture?  Here's the Old Navy fleece dress I featured in this month's favorite things.  It really is extremely comfortable!  I paired it with a skinny belt, tights, my mustard cardigan, and my Target Kasia riding boots. My locket was a gift from my sister-in-law.  This outfit makes me feel really trendy and ladylike while also keeping me super cozy!

Do you wear dresses in the winter?

Also Linking Up With:

Friday's Fab Favorites at Style Elixir

The Skirtista Diaries at Rhea Et Cetera
I Feel Pretty at Get Your Pretty On
Fashion Link Up at Lisa a la Mode

currently pinning.

I decided to use one of Helene's winter blogging prompts today: my current favorite Pins from Pinterest! Here are four pins that I am in love with at the moment...

Style: A Gift to Myself - My First Stitch Fix

Several of my blogger friends have posted about their experiences with Stitch Fix, and I decided 2015 is time to take the fashion plunge!  In case you're still fuzzy about the Stitch Fix phenomenon, it's an online service that provides users with personal styling services.  So fancy!  After Christmas, I felt like it was time to do something nice for myself.  I'm usually very hesitant to spend money on myself, especially on clothes, but you know what?  I'm turning 30 this year and I'm still wearing clothes I bought during my first year teaching.  It's okay to upgrade!

The first step to joining Stitch Fix is filling out a personal Style Profile with information about your age, size and shape, style and modesty preferences, budget, and wardrobe needs. Users can also include information about what clothing, jewelry, and accessory categories to avoid along with any fabrics or materials to leave out.  In my profile, I said that I like a healthy mix of pants and dresses, I'd occasionally like to incorporate a few "adventurous" pieces, and that my style is a blend of bohemian, classic, casual, and preppy.

When completing the Style Profile, Stitch Fix users can add a link to a Pinterest profile. After a few Stitch Fix reviews I'd read on various blogs I knew this would help my stylist get a better idea of the kinds of pieces that would be perfect for my wardrobe.

When my Fix arrived, it included a personalized note from my stylist, Alyssa.  Per my note, she focused on classic, work appropriate pieces.  The note came with suggestions on how to wear the five pieces included in my Fix.

At first glance, the pieces were definitely my style, but hmmm... that's a lot of black.

Alyssa's picks for me were the Renee C Kirkwood Mini Dot Crew Neck Sweater, the 41Hawthorn Benson 3/4 Ruched Sleeve Blazer, the Margaret M Emer High Waisted Cropped Trouser, the 41Hawthorn Moni Stud Detailed 3/4 Sleeve Blouse, and the 41Hawthorn Jordanne A-line Skirt.  I liked that the pieces seemed really easy to mix and match with each other, and that the styling suggestions Alyssa provided included a lot of items I already have - straight leg jeans, leopard print shoes, a sheath dress, flowy tops, a striped tee, and booties.

Here's the Benson 3/4 Ruched Sleeve Blazer ($78) over my favorite Old Navy dress and GroopDealz bubble necklace.  A quick Google search reveals that it has also been made in burgundy, teal, navy, and gray - this seems to be the case with a lot of Stitch Fix items. Unfortunately, a lot of the items in my Fix seemed to run small - this blazer wouldn't button! I liked the ruching, but did not like the Judy Jetson vibe I got from the shoulder pads.  Additionally, I already have a similar jersey-material black blazer from Old Navy.

The Kirkwood Mini Dot Crew Neck Sweater ($48) is definitely my style, but the sleeves were a bit too long - I would probably end up cuffing them.  The biggest problem I had with this sweater was how thin the material is, more like a t-shirt - I would always have to wear a dark tank top underneath for modesty.  I did try it with my herringbone vest, jeans, and boots, and it was so cute I was almost convinced, but here's the deal:  Virginia is cold in the winter; if I wear a sweater, it needs to be a sweater.

I really liked the Emer High Waisted Cropped Trouser ($98) - I'm petite (5'2") and the length was perfect with ballet flats (mine are from Payless).  Unfortunately, the fabric seemed a little too fussy for my middle school workplace and with their elastic waist, they did not pass the bend test.  Also, $98 for a pair of pants?  Not happening on a teacher budget!  I am still in search of the perfect pair of straight-leg black pants that are work appropriate, and I'm hoping to find a pair with belt loops.

Here's my keeper: the Moni Stud Detailed 3/4 Sleeve Blouse ($58).  It's not something I would have chosen for myself - the studs would definitely scare me off it I saw this on a store rack or online - but when I tried it on, I liked the Sargent Pepper vibe from the studs and that the sleeves are a little puffed at the shoulder - so pretty.  I prefer 3/4 blouses, and black will be really versatile.  This seems to be one of Stitch Fix's most popular pieces, with bloggers modeling the same style in emerald, cobalt, mint, and even horseshoe print!

Mr. Q really liked the Jordanne A-Line Skirt ($68), and I liked how soft the material was, but unfortunately it wasn't a great fit and the length was a little on the short side for work.  As far as 14-year-old boys are concerned, I don't have knees.  I love the color and would love to find something similar to add to my closet.

Since the blogs I've read have led me to believe that Fixes get better each time, I've already scheduled my next Fix for February!  I added "Romantic" to my list of styles and included a note about the dress code for teachers at the school wear I work.

Here's how the pricing for Stitch Fix works: to sign up, users pay a $20 styling fee.  The styling fee is credited toward any items from your fix that you keep.  If you buy all 5 items, you get a 25% discount.  For me, since $58 is more than I would usually pay for a blouse, I thought of the price as being $20 to pay Alyssa and cover the shipping, and $38 for the blouse.  Any returns go in a prepaid Priority Mail bag within three business days.

Overall I'm really satisfied with my first Stitch Fix experience - I got to try on fancy clothes without leaving my house, and I liked my new blouse so much I wore it that weekend for a night out with friends.

If you'd like to try Stitch Fix, you can sign up here - please note that this link contains a referral code to help me earn credit toward my future Fixes!

Which of the pieces from my Fix is your favorite?  Have you tried Stitch Fix or any other subscription boxes?

Linking Up:

Manic Monday at More Pieces of Me and The Daily Express

Passion 4 Fashion at Rachel the Hat

Style Sessions at Style Elixir

Style to Inspire with Rhea Et Cetera
Style Me Wednesday at Shopping My Closet

clicks of note: you're moving on the backroads by the rivers of my memories...

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• I've been a fan of The Band Perry since they played Roanoke's Festival in the Park back in 2010.  Their new single has a very traditional sound - Glen Campbell actually made this song popular in the 1970s, but TBP gives it a bluegrass twist.  I'm linking up with Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• Loving this reading nook project at Apartment Therapy.
• A garden fete with a rich color pallete (Snippet and Ink)
• More rich colors at this Southern Wedding in Texas.
• The cutest anniversary session from SMP (with dogs!)

SMILE.

• Audrey's first style challenge for 2015 is one we can all do.
• A fun looking thrift store art project from Honestly WTF.
• Jimmy Fallon could have dated Nicole Kidman - hilarious.
• Lily Pulitzer's bright, cheery patterns are coming to Target.

LEARN.

• Elite Daily's resolutions you actually need for 2015.
• Helene has 30 winter blog post topics if you're feeling stuck.
• From the New York Times: can we make ourselves fall in love?
• Interesting: Wikipedia's top searches from each day in 2014.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I chose my favorite styles from the Golden Globes along with hair and makeup, continued to work through Lara Casey's goal setting series by reflecting on what didn't work in 2013,
• Two years ago, Sunday Social was all about blogging.  I picked my favorite Golden Globes looks, collected ideas for bridal portraits, and shared my January blog loves.
• Three years ago I rounded up side braid hairstyles.

sunday simplicity.

Hello, Love

“Happiness is only real when shared” - Jon Krakauer

My January {Fab} Favorites

Disclaimer:  Amazon links contain an affiliate code.  Thank you for supporting Beyond the Aisle!

1. Marc Jacobs Salty Pretzel Stud Earrings - These were my special Christmas gift from Mr. Q this year.  I'd had them on my Pinterest forever, but apparently they'd gotten really popular and he had to order from a store in London, England to get the rose gold - which, to me, makes them even more special.  I had a pretzel (and beer cheese, let's be honest) obsession in 2014 that I don't see stopping any time soon.  They're a great conversation piece - I wore them on a teacher workday and got a lot of "are your earrings pretzels?!?!"

2. Xhileration French Terry Lounge Pants - My mom got me these pajama pants for Christmas and they are the greatest - they are styled like jogging pants but made of super soft jersey.  I pretty much put these on every single day when I get home from work (sorry, Mr. Q.)

3. Orange Circle Studio 2015 Wall Calendar by Katie Daisy - I've seen several of Katie Daisy's lovely watercolors online (her Etsy shop is full of awesome), so when I saw a whole wall calendar of her work with nice big boxes for writing I knew it would be perfect for the new year.  It includes quotes from Shakespeare, Rumi, and Emerson among others and it's so cheerful!

4. Old Navy Fleece Dress - My love of sweatpants material really knows no bounds and this dress is my own personal heaven.  I wore it with tights, boots, and a cardigan to a baby shower and no one called me out on basically being in sweats.

5. Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater - Finally got around to the newest book in my favorite YA series.  This one's got a lot of material from Blue's point of view, as well as Adam's, which I appreciated because I missed his voice in The Dream Thieves.  I'm hoping that the fourth book will have more chapters from Gansey's perspective.  

6. Bath and Body Works Cinnamon Caramel Swirl 3-Wick Candle - Another Christmas gift from my mom, this candle is the current key to creating cozy in my house.  Be careful, though - with all three wicks lit, it doesn't take long for a whole room to smell like the inside of a cinnamon bun, and it can be a little overwhelmingly spicy.

clicks of note: happy 2015.

get your week off to a colorful start...

LISTEN.

• I heard Ed Sheeran's new song "Thinking Out Loud" on my weekend drive to - or maybe it was from - Charlottesville, came home and watched the video, and I'm in love.  Can't wait to hear everyone else's picks for Musical Mondays at My So-Called Chaos.

SWOON.

• Thanks to Domestic Imperfection I want a DIY stone wall.
• Ruffled rounds up the best ceremony details from 2014.
• Can't get over this cute elopement from Snippet and Ink.
• A romantic Virginia wedding shoot from Style Me Pretty.

SMILE.

• January desktops: Sugar Paper, Cardstore, Oh So Lovely.
• Positivity-boosting tricks I can get behind (mini party time!)
• These famous rock songs have hidden meanings (vampires!)
• Geek joy: so excited to watch Agent Carter on Tuesday night!

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I stared Lara Casey's goal-setting series by reflecting on challenges and gratitude and what worked in 2013, wrote about my organization goals for 2014, recapped my winter in entertainment, rounded up some favorite Instagrammers, pulled together radiant orchid fashion inspiration and ideas for a radiant orchid winter wedding, and showed off my favorite things for January.
• Two years ago I featured white amaryllis wedding ideas, kicked off the new year Sunday Social style, wrote about expecting great things from 2013 and ways to show compassion, and rounded up ideas for a cozy-glam neutral winter wedding.
• Three years ago I rounded up pretty ideas for decorating art journals.

2014 end of year book survey

The Perpetual Page-Turner has become one of my favorite blogs about books and reading this year, so I couldn't resist Jamie's End of Year Book Survey after finally meeting my Goodreads reading challenge goal for the year (45 books) on December 31st!

Number Of Books You Read: 45

Number of Re-Reads: I don't count those toward my total but I reread Maggie Stiefvater's The Raven Boys, Frances Temple's The Ramsay Scallop, Jordan Sonnenblick's Girls, Drums, and Dangerous Pie, Patrick Ness' A Monster Calls and S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. If I Stay by Gayle Forman is a reread that I do count because I'd totally forgotten the plot!

Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy

1. Best Book You Read In 2014?

I loved Outlander - the combination of time travel, romance, and historical fiction was pretty much perfect for me.  Claire is such an amazing main character - she is fiesty, independent, SMART, and loyal, and I just love her to pieces.  And I think I fell in love with Jamie right along with her - he is definitely my favorite fictional crush from 2014.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

I really expected Amy Poehler's Yes, Please to live up to the precedent set by Tina Fey and Mindy Kaling, but for me, it didn't.  The tone just seemed off to me - not as funny as Tina's book, not as best-friendy as Mindy's, maybe just a little bit too abrasive.

3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read in 2014? 

Gone Girl - I didn't enjoy it, but man, did it keep me reading to see what would happen, and each of the twists was a major shock to me.  It was already very critically successful by the time I read it and I was surprised it was so graphic and just flat-out dark.  I felt like I needed a shower after reading it.

 4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did) In 2014?

As an English teacher, pushing books is my job!  My book talks on Legend and Cinder were both successful and a few of my girls gave The Scorpio Races a try when I used it in a lesson on figurative language.  I also convinced one of my coworkers to read A Year of Biblical Womanhood and I think I got several of my college bible study ladies into it as well.

 5. Best series you started in 2014? Best Sequel of 2014? Best Series Ender of 2014?

I'm really loving the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, which are YA science fiction fairy tale retellings with cyborgs and sattelites and human-wolf hybrids - Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress have all been fantastic and I can't wait to read Fairest and Winter.  The best sequel was The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater, which actually centered around my least favorite character from The Raven Boys and totally made it work.  My favorite series ender was Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi.  I loved how noble and mature both main characters were in the end.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2014?

Sally Green - I read her first book, Half Bad, after reading a recommendation on io9 - I trust Charlie Jane's opinion when it comes to good reads.  Her take on a magical world divided between good and evil witches - and, to make comparisons to two of my other favorite YA fantasy series, basically what would happen if Voldemort had a son or Jace Wayland had been raised by the Inquisitor instead of sent to live with the Lightwoods - was really creative.  Half Bad was my favorite debut of 2014 and I look forward to reading Half Wild when it is released in March!

7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

Since I stick mainly to YA, fantasy, and female main characters/narrators, The Art of Racing in the Rain was totally different for me - it's definitely an adult novel because of some of the conflict, the main human character is a male Formula One racecar driver, and the narrator is a dog.

 8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

Wild. I felt like I was right there hiking the Pacific Coast Trail with Cheryl Strayed.

 9. Book You Read In 2014 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

Probably the Lunar Chronicles books so that I can remember the plot when Fairest comes out!

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2014?

I think Bossypants has a great cover - Tina Fey with man arms definitely made me giggle the first time I saw it.  The Year of Biblical Womanhood's cover is definitely quirky - Rachel Held Evans with her head covered sitting on the roof of a colorful house.  Cinder's cover art was definitely what drew me to read The Lunar Chronicles.  But I think my favorite has to be The Fault In Our Stars - that cover has become iconic and my students like to doodle it, Instagram it, and wear it on t-shirts, so it reminds me not just of the book and how wonderful John Green is, but of how great middle schoolers are.

11. Most memorable character of 2014?

How do I choose in a year that has included Claire and Jamie Fraser, Aziraphale, Crowley, Maxim De Winter, Captain Thorne, the Monkey King, and the very real person of Cheryl Strayed.  I think the most memorable will be Enzo from The Art of Racing in the Rain - the dog who has learned as much as he can about the human world, deeply loves his human family, and longs to return as a man after his inevitable death.

 12. Most beautifully written book read in 2014?

 Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane was absolutely haunting.

13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2014?

Wild.  I have to be able to root for at least one character to enjoy a book, and Cheryl Strayed was not very likable at first - and it was almost worse knowing she was a real person. However, by the time I was finished the book I had nothing but respect for her and for the way she chose to dramatically take back her life after falling into a downward spiral.

 14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2014 to finally read? 

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.  I am pretty sure that literally every other fantasy geek in the world has already read it, because it's even older than I thought it was when I picked it up (it was published in 1991).

 15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2014?

“In that moment, Blue was a little in love with all of them.  Their magic. Their quest. Their awfulness and strangeness.  Her raven boys.” ― The Dream Thieves

16.Shortest and Longest Book You Read In 2013?

Shortest: Bluebonnet Bride by Colleen Coble (99 pages)

Longest: Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (947 pages)

 17. Book That Shocked You The Most

Definitely Gone Girl - I had totally bought Amy's original story so when the truth started to reveal itself my mind was blown.

18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

I am so ready for Gansey and Blue from The Raven Cycle to be in love... Maggie Stiefvater is such a tease with the psychic flash-forwards Blue sometimes has.  I don't see any way a relationship between those two could end well (I mean, literally, Gansey will probably die if Blue kisses him) but I don't care, I ship it.

19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Jamie Fraser taking in a French street urchin/pickpocket and re-naming him Fergus in Dragonfly in Amber.  You can't help but love Fergus.

20. Favorite Book You Read in 2014 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

The Dream Thieves basically proves that Maggie Stiefvater can do no wrong and had the same fantastic worldbuilding that started in The Raven Boys; the sense of being inside a dream or caught in a magic spell.  Somehow it was completely plausible while reading that Ronan could pluck a baby raven named Chainsaw from a dream or that a rich boy could fill a Virginia field with sports cars - and the truth about his mother truly broke my heart.

21. Best Book You Read In 2014 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

Legend, Prodigu, and Champion by Marie Lu were recommended by our school librarian, who knew I'd loved The Hunger Games and Divergent.  She and I believe that the Legend series has stronger characters and a much more satisfying ending.

22. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? made me want to be Mindy Kaling's best friend.

23. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2014?

The Fault In Our Stars definitely turned on the tears - at least I was expecting it.

24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier - I completely understand why it's my mom's favorite book now - while reading, I could picture everything about Manderley, from the flowers in the vases to the letters in the cubbies of Rebecca's desk.  Manderley is practically a character in the book.

25. Hidden Gem Of The Year?

I wouldn't have picked up Everneath by Brodi Ashton if not for a student recommendation, and I got really sucked into the story.  It actually reminded me a lot of Carrie Jones' Need series.

26. Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

I'm actually feeling pretty frustrated, on behalf of the characters, after reading Dragonfly in Amber - I'm going to have to read the third book to find out what happens!

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2014? 

My Life as a Teacup - Kristin is so adorable and geeky.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2014? 

I really worked hard on my review of The Nesting Place for BookLook Bloggers, and I look forward to doing more long-form reviews about a variety of genres.

3. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2014?

I loved the Geek Girl tag!

9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

This was the year of falling in love with John and Hank Green and their YouTube channel - I know I was late to the party on this one but now I don't miss a Tuesday or Friday!  I've really gotten into the blogs The Mary Sue, which covers the intersection of feminism and geek culture, and Racebending.  I think that following both of those sites makes me a more aware English teacher and writer.

10.  Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I reached my goal of reading 45 books this year - barely.  I read a short memoir recommended by my students (A Child Called It) and scrambled to finish Dragonfly in Amber on New Year's Eve.

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2014 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2015?

I have to read the next Raven Cycle book, Blue Lily, Lily Blue, ASAP!

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2015 (non-debut)?

Cassandra Clare's Lady Midnight will be the first Dark Artifices book and I'm sure I'll be along for the ride.

3. 2015 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen sounds pretty awesome - characters with magical powers plus a caste system, and apparently very strong writing.

 4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2015?

Fairest and Winter by Marie Lu.

5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2015?

Create a real haven for my geeky side - this may or may not mean starting a separate blog.

Here it is, the full lineup of books I read in 2014: