February 2015: Recap + On My Shelves
My birthday is in February, which is one of the only reasons I like the month. For being so short, February always feels long and dreary! Maybe it's because of the weather? And I can't even really complain - I'm in Georgia.
1. Birthday Beauties from Nick - My husband absolutely spoiled me with my birthday present this year - Folio Society editions of three of my all-time favorite books EVER. I've loved Anne of Green Gables (and L.M. Montgomery in general) since I was a little girl, and I think everyone probably knows about my obsession with Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice. And adding Little Women to the stack? Heaven.
2. My First FoxyDori - Two of my favorite people in the world gave me Etsy gift cards for my birthday so that I could buy something I've become obsessed with recently: a Midori-style traveler's notebook from FoxyDori! I first discovered them through Instagram, and I'd been coveting one ever since. I've got a post coming up soon where I'll share what it is and how I'm using it! I'm determined to get more of you using one.
3. Sweet Surprise from Ellice - The lovely and generous Ellice sent me the sweetest birthday surprise - a custom print from Shaileyann Designs of my favorite Liza Palmer quote from Girl Before a Mirror and some adorable craftedvan bookmarks! Plus, I'm crazy about the "You're Sweeter Than a Peach" card, too. My blogging friends absolutely spoiled me this year - see the "What I Acquired" section for more birthday presents I loved.
4. Movie Buying Spree - I have no idea why, but I bought an awful lot of movies in February! Some movies I loved in theaters finally came out, Movie Stop had a few sales (and I had some trade-in credit), I got sucked in to the "Customers Who Bought This, Also Bought..." on Amazon. Yes, I'm guilty as charged on that one. I can't wait to find the time for a movie weekend in my pajamas. It's going to be epic.
Read 14 Books | Favorites:
The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas
The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas
Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay
Challenge Progress:
3 Fantasy for Flights of Fantasy Challenge
2 Re-Reads for The Re-Read Challenge
1 Diverse Read for Dive into Diversity
3 Series for A Series a Month
"As we grew up, my sisters played with dollhouses and dreamed of futures beside successful husbands,
whereas I became gripped by the past. The stories and struggles of olden days worked their way
from the crepe paper pages of old books and under the seal of my skin."
The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Howard Creel
"This is the story of a girl who fooled a thousand boys, a boy who fooled an entire country,
a partnership that would change the fate of the realms,
and a power to challenge the greatest tyrant the world had ever known. Expect magic."
The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas
“We will never accomplish anything worthwhile in life
if we require the guarantee of success at the onset.”
if we require the guarantee of success at the onset.”
The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas
[Most Popular]
Review: I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
Discussion/Feature: What Happens When I Re-Read
My favorite posts in February were my two posts that were also most popular! Rather than repeat myself below, I highlighted a few other favorites. And check out my guest post about my favorite Audrey Hepburn movie!
[Personal Favorite]
Overall: #SoRatherBeYoung: Spies & Tiger Eyes (and Estelle's post!)
Review: The Sevenwaters Series by Juliet Marillier
Discussion/Feature: Favorite Factor 2.0
1. On Book Reviews & Criticism by Leila from Bookshelves of Doom - I loved this discussion about critical reviews. I've always hated the idea that a critical review = a negative review. For me, the most helpful reviews often identify the strengths and weaknesses of a book. And there are some great points made in this post!
2. Finding Yourself in YA Contemporary by Laura from Scribbles & Wanderlust - Laura's discussion about how she relates to different characters from contemporary reads was so thought provoking! I started thinking about what characters I relate to and why. And I loved the point about how books can remind us we're not alone.
3. Why I recommend books that use the f-word. by Anne from Modern Mrs. Darcy - I keep telling myself I don't need to include a post from Anne in every recap, but I can't help myself. I've read some of my favorite discussions on her blog - and I love all the comments, too! This post is something that's been on my mind lately.
4. Top Ten Favorite Heroines by Judith & Ellis from Paper Riot - I should have known that Judith and Ellis would dominate a post about badass heroines! I loved everything about this post: the graphics, the quotes and the reasons they chose each heroine. I second everyone they picked (except the two I have yet to meet)!
5. On the Acquisition of Books by Alexa from Alexa Loves Books - I'm so glad I decided to do The Picky Pledge with Alexa. We're only two months in, and it's already changed my reading habits (for the better!). So, it's not surprise that I loved Alexa's reflections on her book acquiring habits. Plus, her gifs are totally on point!
Favorite Song: "Mine" by Phoebe Ryan from Mine (Single)
I think my favorite thing about Spotify is how much new-to-me music I've discovered.
This song was in one of the "New Music Tuesday" playlists, and I've had it on repeat ever since!
Kingsman (2014) starring Colin Firth, Taron Egerton and Samuel L. Jackson - While I've always loved Colin Firth, I didn't really have any desire to watch Kingsman. But I knew Nick wanted to see it, so I figured why not... Y'all, I loved it (and have a major crush on Taron Egerton now). But one warning: I hated the vulgar joke at the end.
The DUFF (2015) starring Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell and Bella Thorne - After my husband picked Kingsman, I figured it we should go see a movie of my choice. I'd say I felt that he was the only adult male there, but I totally saw him laughing. It was everything I love about teen movies, and I'll totally be buying it once it's out!
Birthday Gift Card Purchases: Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt, The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead, Mr. Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham, The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead, The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell and Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
Bought: Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting, The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas, I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios and The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Gift from Kelly: Annotated Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Gift from Estelle: Charlie's Glass Slippers by Holly McQueen, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry + awesome goodies!
Review: The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin & Samantha Norman; The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase
Kindle (Bought / Review): The DUFF by Kody Keplinger; The Royal We by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan
The duff (book, not the movie) is sooooo good. I haven't seen the movie yet, but the book oh the book! I'm a feb baby as well. I STILL need to see kingsmen (STOP IT AUTOCORRECT). I need my sexy british accent fix.
ReplyDeletePHEW what a big post! But it was a big month -- happy birthday, by the way!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for including me. I'm glad you liked the post! Normally I don't do discussion posts on my blog, so seeing that you liked it means a lot.
Love all the Austen gifts you received! Especially that card game. Might have to surf the web for that one...
I've been eyeing Siege Winter. You liked it? What did you enjoy the most?
You got so many beautiful things in February, H, and I love it! I especially love the Folio Society books - they're seriously gorgeous, and I feel like I've been dreaming of owning one of them for a long, long time now. Also, loved reading the posts you've linked to (and thanks for linking to mine)!
ReplyDeleteI am curious about your Foxidori post! I sometimes also go on a DVD buying spree, looks like you got some great things there - I love The 100.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading :)