December 2014: Recap + On My Shelves

December 2014: Recap + On My Shelves

• Jan 4, 2015

It's a little crazy to me that I'm saying goodbye to 2014! It's been a year of growth - some welcome and some painful. But I'm thankful for all that December brought with it, and I look forward to seeing what 2015 holds.

1. Butter London on Black Friday - I am utterly obsessed with nail polish, and Butter London is my brand of choice. Because it's expensive, I wait all year for when it's majorly marked down on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I definitely racked up this year and squealed when these finally arrived on my doorstep.

2. The Boy with the Bread - The danger in online shopping for your book-loving friends is that you often discover things that you want to buy yourself. Such is the case with this t-shirt (and the bookmarks below)! When I spotted this shirt, my Peeta-loving heart couldn't resist. I know it's totally nerdy, but isn't it so cute?!

3. Bookmark Beauties - I typically use random items for bookmarks, but I'm breaking that habit now that I have these beauties. The perfect way to save my place! I got: Jane Austen calligraphy quote, L.M. Montgomery quote, and three magnetic bookmarks. You'll also spy a few extra goodies from Pemberley Pond!

4. Pride and Prejudice Mug - My darling Alexa got me this amazing Pride and Prejudice mug! I had a minor freak out when I opened her present. Does she know me well or what?! I'm addicted to drinking tea out of it. (And I'll admit - my favorite tea lately is this silly Peeta blend, which is actually quite delicious.)

5. A Few of My Favorite Things - When I opened my Christmas gift from Cassie, I basically wanted to fly to Jersey so I could hug on her in person. This Starbucks mug (from The Dot Collection) is amazing! There's also stationary, bookmarks and an amazing eye shadow palette. I'm just going sit here and admire my loot...

6. Christmas Eve PJs & New Bunny - Growing up, we always got to open one present on Christmas Eve: new pajamas! I thought the tradition would stop once I got married, but I'm so happy it's continued. Also, I told my mom I wanted a Jellycat bunny one day for future babies, but she decided to get me one for myself. LOVE.

7. Merry Christmas! - I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! I spent the morning with my husband and pup, and then we spent the afternoon with my family. I absolutely love this holiday, the meaning behind it, and being able to spend so much time with the people I love most in the world. 

8. Bookish Handcrafted Card - I'm so in awe of Estelle and her craftiness! Her handcrafted bookish cards are so thoughtful and special, and I couldn't wait to see what book she'd replicate for me. I couldn't have been happier when I saw the result: You Had Me at Hello was one of my favorite adult fiction reads in 2014!

Read 26 Books | Favorites:

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Every Breath by Ellie Marney

Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting

The Pursuit of Happiness by Tara Altebrando

"They always got restless before first frost, giving away their hearts too easily, wanting things they couldn't have, 

getting distracted and clumsy and too easily influenced by the opinions of others. First frost meant letting go, 

so it was always a reason to celebrate. Everything was okay after that."

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

"It's the words we don't say, Lulu, not the ones we do, that linger longest."

Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting

[Most Popular]

Overall: The Re-Read Challenge: Details & Sign-Up

TTT: Top Books I Read in 2014

Review: Jane Austen Cover to Cover by Margaret Sullivan

Discussion/Feature: The Favorite Factor: 2014 Gift Guide

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Overall: 2014 End of the Year Book Survey

TTT: Top Ten Favorite New-to-Me Authors in 2014

Review: My True Love Gave to Me edited by Stephanie Perkins

Discussion/Feature: 2014 Resolution Recap 

1. 5th Annual End of the Year Book Survey created by Jamie from The Perpetual Page-Turner - It's one of the most time-consuming posts I put together all year, but I'm in love with Jamie's End of the Year Book Survey. I posted my answers a few days ago, but I can't wait to explore all the surveys linked up to this post!

2. Ship Shape: Banter, Bicker, Bang by Gillian from Writers of Wrongs - Hate-to-love couples are one of my favorite romantic tropes! Like Gillian, I blame Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice for this obsession. I enjoyed this reminder of why I love it so much - and can't wait to read/watch some of Gillian's recs.

3. Happy New Year! (And a quick look back at 2014.) by Anne from Modern Mrs. Darcy - I only recently discovered this blog (thanks to a friend at work), but I'm such a fan of it now! I know this post was technically published January 1st, but this will be my guide to combing through this blog's past year in posts.

4. Best Austenesque/Jane Austen-inspired Books of 2014 from Austenprose - This was also published January 1st, but I figured it still counts since it's a 2014 recap. I love Austen-inspired books, and I'm frequently checking Austenprose for recommendations. Now, they're all right at my fingertips with this round up!

Favorite Song: "Kings and Queens" by Brooke Fraser on Brutal Romantic

I've loved Brooke Fraser since high school, and I've been dying for a new album from her since it's been 

four years since the last one. While this is a totally different sound for Brooke, I love this new direction!

White Collar, The Finale Season - Nick and I discovered White Collar a few years ago, and it quickly became one of our favorite shows to watch together. The concept makes it so engaging, and we just love all of these characters. We were sad to see it end, but I think we were both pleased with the finale! (Bye, eye candy.)

Unbroken (2014) starring Jack O'Connell - When I read Unbroken a few years ago, I was obsessed. I've literally pushed this book on so many people - it's stayed in my mind like nothing else I've ever read. It's a hard read, especially because it's true, but so worth it. While the book is still better, the movie is incredible, too. 

From My Cousin in Germany | Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

From Friends & Family | The Little House Cookbook by Barbara M. Walker, Clariel by Garth Nix, Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch, Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly, Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows, A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True by Brigid Pasulka, Here's Looking at You by Mhairi McFarlane and The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson

From My Husband | Anne of Green Gables Series by L.M. Montgomery (Gorgeous hardcover Tundra editions!)

Christian Bookstore Sale | Forever With You and Home of Our Hearts by Robin Jones Gunn, The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund, Love's Reckoning, Love's Awakening and Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz

Book Outlet Black Friday (+ One Amazon Purchase!) | Shadowfell, Raven Flight, The Caller, Wildwood Dancing and Cybele's Secret by Juliet Marillier, The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel and You Had Me at Hello by Mhairi McFarlane

Book Outlet Boxing Day | The Romanov Sisters by Helen Rappaport, Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay, Something Real by Heather Demetrios, Plus One by Elizabeth Fama, A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander, Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson, Dicey's Song, A Solitary Blue, The Runner, Come a Stranger, Sons from Afar and Seventeen Against the Dealer by Cynthia Voigt

Book Depository | It's Not Me, It's You by Mhairi McFarlane

From the Author | Monstrous Beauty by Elizabeth Fama (Thank you again!)

For Review | Rebound by Noelle August

Bought & Free for Kindle |  Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, Nowhere but Home by Liza Palmer and Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

NetGalley & Edelweiss | The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy, Love, Lucy by April Lindner, Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave and Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting