Books I'm Buying in 2020

Books I'm Buying in 2020

Jan 7, 2020

When I saw today's Top Ten Tuesday topic, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, I couldn't resist sharing my own list. This post is limited to the first half of the year, but I didn't stick to just ten releases. There are so many things coming out this year that I can't wait to read! I primarily focused on new books from favorite authors, though I have lots of new-to-me authors for consideration Goodreads. Let's take a look!

Twelve books I can't wait to read from favorite authors:

1. You Were There Too by Colleen Oakley (January 7) – I loved Oakley's debut and second book, so I'm particularly excited for this release! She's a local author, and I feel like it's been so long since I've read something from her.

2. Headliners by Lucy Parker (January 20) – A new book in one of my favorite series? Yes, please! I discovered the London celebrities series in 2018 and then re-read them all in 2019. I can't wait for this couple!

3. You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (March 3) – Even though I'll wait to get this one from the library, I'm still excited for more from this duo. I enjoyed both both books that I read from them in 2019.

4. House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas (March 3) – I will always be hyped for something from Maas, one of my all-time favorite authors. But I can admit that I'm nervous for this new genre, which isn't one I'm drawn to t

5. A Murderous Relation by Deanna Raybourn (March 10) – This series just keeps getting better! The previous book was my favorite and had a great relationship development, so I'm hoping for more of that in this release.

6. The Honey Don't List by Christina Lauren (March 24) – I haven't loved everything I've read from this duo, but they've all been pretty fun to read. This one sounds right up my alley since it's more romantic comedy than drama.

7. If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane (March 24) – I'm so thrilled that McFarlane seems to be finding more of an audience in the US, though I'm also a little sad to share her. Ha! I've pre-ordered the UK edition already, too.

8. The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez (April 14) – The Friend Zone was one of my favorite books last year, and I was so excited to find out Sloane was getting her own book. This girl needs some happiness in her life!

9. The Switch by Beth O'Leary (April 30 UK / June 9 US) – The Flatshare was one of my top 10 of 2019, and this one sounds like it's going to be just as adorable since the the summary reminds me of the movie The Holiday.

10. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (May 19) – I am equally nervous and excited about this book. I can't describe my level of love for The Hunger Games, so I need this to be excellent. I know Collins can do it!

11. Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers (June 2) – Courting Darkness was also one of my top reads in 2019, and I'm so excited to see how LaFevers wraps up this duology. I'll probably re-read the first one to refresh my memory.

12. The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (June 16) – Ever since The Royal We came out in 2015, I've hoped for a sequel. I adore that book and wanted time with those characters, and I'm finally getting it. AHHH!

And four books on my radar from new-to-me authors:

13. Tweet Cute by Emma Lord (January 21) – This sounds absolutely adorable! I don't read as much YA contemporary as I used to, but this summary was like a siren song for me. I hope it's everything I want it to be!

14. The Stars We Steal by Alexa Donne (February 4) – When I was browsing 2020 releases on Goodreads for this post, I came across this one. A YA retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion set in space? I've got to try it, obviously.

15. The Girl in White Gloves by Kerri Maher (February 25) – It was the tiny print of the cover that sold me: A Novel of Grace Kelly. I've read several Kelly biographies, but never any fiction inspired by her life. I'm intrigued!

16. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner (May 26) – A group of Austen lovers coming together after WWII to try to save her Chawton home and legacy? That feels like it was made for me! This one sounds adorable.

What 2020 releases are you excited to read?

READ POST

2019 End of Year Book Survey

2019 End of Year Book Survey

Jan 6, 2020

Created & Hosted by Jamie from Perpetual Page-Turner

Remember that time I posted my 2018 survey in December 2019? Because I do! I was determined not to let that happen again, and the second week of January feels so respectable in comparison. Now that I've recapped my year in favorites, here's a more in-depth look at the best (and worst) of my book and blogging life in 2019.

1. Number of Books You Read: 210 books 

2. Number of Re-Reads: 64 re-reads

3. Genre You Read the Most From: Contemporary

1. Best book you read in 2019?
As always, I can't choose just one! Here's one for each of the top four genres I read this year:

CONTEMPORARY | Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane

FANTASY | The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

HISTORICAL | Lovely War by Julie Berry

MYSTERY | Miracle Creek by Angie Kim

All of my favorites will be mentioned throughout this post, but here's my top twenty-one books of the year.

A Note: I challenged myself not to repeat any books in the answers below so that I could highlight a greater variety of books. It was difficult, but it helped me avoid using my twenty favorite books for every question!

2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn't?

I was so excited for Unmarriageable by Soniah Kamal. A Pride and Prejudice retelling set in Pakistan sounded right up my alley! I loved the setting, but I struggled to connect to the characters and found the story boring.

3. Most surprising (in a good or bad way) book of 2019?

IN A GOOD WAY | This is definitely The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton. Kelly convinced me to read it even though I'd written Morton off after hating a previous book, and it ended up in my top twenty of 2019!

IN A BAD WAY | I figured a companion novel with the most dynamic secondary character from Next Year in a Havana would be a guaranteed win. Alas, When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton was so disappointing.

4. Book you "pushed" the most people to read in 2019?
There weren't any obvious answers here! I'll go with The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. It wasn't a rave read for me, but I still found myself recommending it to others throughout the year.

5. Best series you started in 2019? Best sequel of 2019? Best series ender of 2019? Best series overall in 2019?

STARTED | Does the first book in a spin-off duology count? It better because Courting Darkness by Robin LaFevers was the first think that came to mind here. I loved re-reading the trilogy and then diving into this perfect addition.

SEQUEL | Definitely China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan. I liked the first book when I read it in 2018 but never felt compelled to continue. But I finally did and was completely hooked! This was so addicting and so much fun.

ENDER | While I'd love more companion books in this series, I don't know if there are plans for any. So, I'll go with The Place on Dalhousie by Melina Marchetta because it was worth the wait to get this beautiful story.

OVERALL | Even though I didn't finish the second book, this one belongs to the Rome series by Kate Quinn! The first, third, and fourth were fantastic reads and totally earned their spot on my favorites of 2019 list.

6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2019?
I don't know who to choose! I recently shared my ten favorite new-to-me authors that I read in 2019, and of all of those I think I'm most excited to read more from Beth O'Leary. The Switch can't get here soon enough!

7. Best book from a genre you don't typically read?
The few things I read that fit this question were just okay. So, instead, I'll go with a genre I do read (fantasy) but a focus that I don't: mythology. Circe by Madeline Miller was creative, gorgeous, and so thought provoking.

8. Most action-packed, thrilling, unputdownable book in 2019?
A Dangerous Collaboration by Deanna Raybourn is the fourth book in her Veronica Speedwell series, and it's been my favorite so far! The isolated setting heightened the tension, and the romantic developments were perfect.

9. Book you read in 2019 that you are most likely to re-read next year?
There are several books on my potential re-read list, but American Royals by Katharine McGee is at the top. This was a fun, dramatic escape – and I can't wait for the sequel. I'll be re-reading before that releases!

10. Most memorable character in 2019?
Is there any answer here besides Daisy Jones from Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid? I was nervous to read this book, but it blew me away. The format, the writing, the voice, the characters – Reid nailed it all.

11. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2019?
Here are four of my favorites: Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery, Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson, Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield, and Enchantée by Gita Trelease. All such different styles!

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2019?
Without a doubt, this goes to Lovely War by Julie Berry. If I had to choose just one favorite read from 2019, it would be this one. I loved it so much that I re-read it via audio as my last book of the year/decade. Perfect decision!

13. Most thought-provoking book in 2019?
I would never have predicted that a thriller/mystery would be my answer, but Miracle Creek by Angie Kim was such a layered read. It sparked so many thoughts on guilt, immigration, motherhood, and more.

14. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2019 to finally read?
I expected to read a few pages of Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (a bestseller in 2017) and decide that it wasn't for me. Instead, I couldn't put it down! I loved this generational saga and all that it taught me about Korea and Japan.

15. Book that shocked you the most?
There were a few contenders for this one, but I've got to hand it to Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson. There were multiple ways it went in a different direction than I expected, and it made it such a great reading experience.

16. Favorite passage/quote from a book you read in 2019?

Two favorites from books that I haven't mentioned anywhere else in this post:

“Food was the people you cooked with, the people you cooked for, the people you ate with, and the people you thought of as you ate. The people who made the meal what it was.” – Love á la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm

“If I am fully known and not rejected by God, how much more ought I to extend grace to my neighbor, whom I know only in part?” – None Like Him by Jen Wilkin

17. Shortest & longest book you read in 2019?
The shortest book I read was 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff at 84 pages. And World Without End by Ken Follett was my longest read at 1,030 pages. And honestly? I could have done without reading either one.

18. OTP of the year?

Tiffy and Leon from The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary just stole my heart! I am alllll about falling in love via Post-It notes. I loved how O'Leary took a premise that should have been so awkward and made it adorable.

19. Favorite non-romantic relationship of the year?

CO-WORKERS | I've got to hand it to Well Met by Jen DeLuca, especially since I had zero desire to read about a Renaissance Fair. The setting and interactions between co-workers ended up being one of my favorite aspects!

FRIENDSHIP | Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson is about three women who become best friends while at West Point. It depicted female friendship, including the way it ebbs and flows over the years, in such a realistic way. 

FAMILY | The first book that came to mind was The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, even though I don't actually love the family. I just found it fascinating to read about this woman and her three adult children.

20. Favorite book you read in 2019 from an author you've read previously?

ADULT | The Firebird was the third book I've read by Susanna Kearsley, and it was my favorite of them all! I enjoyed the other two books I read, but this is the one that sold me on reading more from her backlist.

YOUNG ADULT | I wasn't expecting to love Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills as much as I did. Honestly, I was sold on the cover. But I was so pleasantly surprised by how clever and comforting I found the story inside!

21. Best book you read in 2019 that you read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else?
I'd We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter online, and it sounded like something I'd enjoy. But for whatever reason, I didn't have a strong desire to read it until I saw it recommended by Julie Anna Reads. And I loved it!

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2019?
Do I have a fictional crush on Josh Copeland from The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez? You better believe I do! He was so supportive of the heroine and just so dang dependable. And that ending? He made me cry!

23. Best 2019 debut you read?
Even though it didn't make my top twenty of the year, I really enjoyed Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin. It's always exciting to find a new voice in fantasy, and I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel that comes out this fall.

24. Most vivid world/imagery in a book you read in 2019?
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow is one of the most gorgeous, imaginative books I've read in a long time. Opening doors to other worlds is every reader's fantasy, and it was so creatively done here.

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2019?
I loved everything about The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, including the fact that I read it on the train from London to Paris. It was such a fun rom com – a laugh-out-loud story and my favorite trope, hate to love. 

26. Book that made you cry or nearly cry in 2019?
A handful of books made me cry, but only one made me cry in public. I read Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane while flying home from England, and it was everything I wanted from this favorite author and more.

27. Hidden gem of the year?
The Chance of a Lifetime series by Kate Clayborn were great contemporary romances that definitely qualify as under the radar based on Goodreads! Solid female friendships, developed romances, and just enough drama.

28. Book that crushed your soul?
I struggled with this question and it didn't crush my soul, but the way Hope and Other Punch Lines by Julie Buxbaum explored the aftermath of 9/11 was so affecting. I didn't know so many health problems arose afterward.

29. Most unique book you read in 2019?
Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak had a really unique style and structure. It spans continents and generations, zipping between characters, and shifting where it’s at in time. I almost set it aside 60 pages in but grew to love it. 

30. Book that made you the maddest?
Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave definitely takes the prize here. I read a few too many two-star books in 2019, but this was my only one-star read and one that made me want to rant about all of its problems.

1. New favorite book blog/bookstagram you discovered in 2019?

Although her blog isn't new, I just discovered Everyday Reading this year and love it. I don't necessarily look at it for book recommendations for myself – it's more that I just really enjoy the variety of her content.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2019?
Almost all of my reviews were in Quick Lit posts, but I did write a few full-length reviews. My personal favorite was for Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. And I loved this book so much I read it twice in one year!

3. Favorite bookish related photo you took in 2019?

How vain am I to choose three photos that I'm in? Judge away. Haha! Here's why these are favorites: the first perfectly fit the vision in my head, the second was the best day in Paris, and the third just makes me happy.

4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
I didn't attend any signings/events or do any blog collaborations like I have in the past. I did, however, co-host #FebruaREREAD with Kelly where we spent the entire month of February re-reading. It was amazing!

5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2019?

Going back to England with Kelly! We toured the Cotswolds where I saw the house that inspired Jane Austen's Mansfield Park, visited the best bookstore, bought so many UK editions, and just enjoyed our favorite destination.

6. Most challenging thing about your blogging or reading life this year?

Taking a long break during my first trimester led to an incredibly long review backlog once I finally had the energy to post again. That was a struggle! But I was proud of myself for catching up and finding my blogging mojo again.

7. Most popular post this year on your blog?

Pack Your Bags: 15 Books for All Your Summer Trips had the most views, possibly because that was the last thing I posted before a three-months hiatus. Next was my review of The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez.

8. Post you wished got a little more love?

All of my My Year In {2019} posts have had an abysmal number of views, but I'm chalking it up to the fact that I posted them in that dead time between Christmas and New Years. Maybe they'll make a comeback? One can hope.

9. Best bookish discovery?
It isn't bookish, but I have been loving Microsoft OneNote (on my phone and laptop). I created a notebook for my blog and have so many checklists, book notes, seasonal TBRs, post ideas and more saved there. 

10. Did you complete any reading challenge or goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
I met my Goodreads goal, completed The Picky Pledge Reading Challenge that I created with Alexa, read all the books from #My10toReadin2019 stack, co-hosted #FebruaREREAD and re-read twelve series in 2019.

1. One book you didn't get to in 2019 but will be your number one priority in 2020?

I can't believe I haven't read The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes yet! Even though I wasn't excited about it initially, I heard such great things that I had to go buy a copy soon after it released. And yet it's still sitting on my shelves...

2. Non-debut book you are most anticipating for 2020?

I'll share sixteen anticipated 2020 releases tomorrow, but my top three are House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas, If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane, and The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan.

3. 2020 debut you are most anticipating?

I'm eagerly awaiting The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner. I'm drawn to anything Austen, and this release sounds particularly charming! Tweet Cute by Emma Lord would be a close second because I've heard great things.

4. Series ending you are most anticipating in 2020?

Igniting Darkness by Robin LaFevers is at the top of my list! This was a duology that I didn't even know I needed in my life, but I loved the first so much and can't wait to see how everything ends in the second.

5. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2020?
There are a few goals I've set that I'll write about next week, but I'm also aware that adding a baby to our family in February will affect my plans. Ultimately, I hope to just continue to make time for reading and blogging.

6. A 2020 release you've already read and recommend to everyone?
My first book of 2020 was Headliners by Lucy Parker, the next book in her London Celebrities series. It comes out on January 21, and I loved it so much! This whole series has been excellent, and I highly recommend them if you're a contemporary romance fan.

If you completed the survey, leave a link below.

I'd love to see what made your list for 2019!

READ POST

Quick Lit: December 2019

Quick Lit: December 2019

Jan 3, 2020

December was a pretty lackluster reading month for me overall. I liked most of the books I read, but that's about it. Nothing wowed me, which isn't my favorite way to end the year. Oh well! I finished 11 books, and I'm reviewing nine of them in today's post. The two that aren't included were re-reads – one is mentioned briefly at the end of the post and the other was Lovely War by Julie Berry. It's my favorite read of 2019 and one I'll finally post a full review of in January. If you enjoy this feature, check out other readers' reviews at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

25 DAYS 'TIL CHRISTMAS BY POPPY ALEXANDER – I technically listened to most of this on audio from the library, but I picked up the physical book for the last 70 or so pages because I just needed it to be over already. This one started strong for me – I loved that it was set in England and seemed to be a little more serious than many other Christmas books I've read. Cheesiness tends me to my biggest complaint for this type of read, but this particular book went in the opposite direction. It contained poverty, depression, grief, learning disorders, and more. It started to feel so heavy and slow. And then the ending! Every problem the heroine faced was wrapped up with a bow in the quickest, most convenient way. I initially gave it three stars, but I realized I'm So Over It the more I think about it.

A BREATH OF SNOW AND ASHES BY DIANA GABALDON – This was the last unfinished book in my #My10toReadin19 stack, and it was a challenge to get it done! I've had a rocky relationship with this series overall – simultaneously enjoying the drama while still feeling like so much should have been edited out. But the good has always outweighed the bad for me... until now. The story in this one was better than the previous book, but it was painful to finish. I was reading it for two weeks and couldn't wait to be done. It's time for me to call it quits on this series. Gabaldon does her research, but I don't want read 2-3 more books of this length, with these characters, and this type of story anymore. This one was on par with the rest of the series, but I was only So Okay With It.

10 BLIND DATES BY ASHLEY ELSTON – I didn't realize this was a Christmas book until I saw it popping up on bookstagram! I was excited by the rave reviews and went in with high expectations. This was cute, and the family dynamic was the highlight. The heroine comes from a large Sicilian family, which immediately reminded me of Kelly. The dates themselves were fine (with two particularly funny ones), but the actual romantic conclusion was obvious from the start. I honestly wished that element had been cut entirely. I didn't like the way it was set up and didn't feel it added anything to the story. Just give me all the family bonding and holiday shenanigans, thank you! I So Liked It, but it wasn't the most memorable read for me aside from the family. 

A HOLIDAY BY GASLIGHT BY MIMI MATTHEWS – This randomly ended up on my radar after I saw a tweet about it. The cover was so eye catching! This Victorian romance is a short and sweet novella. It immediately hooked me, reminding me a bit of the relationship in Gaskell's North and South. I loved the premise and am a sucker for a gruff hero with a heart of gold, so that was a win. But I just kept wishing it was a full-length book! The romantic conflict felt like it was resolved too quickly, and I'd been really looking forward to seeing how the characters overcame their differences. Additionally, a storyline with two secondary characters felt like a distraction in such a short book. I So Liked It and felt like it had potential to be a new favorite if there'd been a little more to it. 

UNDER THE MISTLETOE BY MARY BALOGH – I love Mary Balogh, so I had to give this short story collection a try! The first, A Family Christmas, was my favorite. It was very similar to A Christmas Promise, but that didn't bother me too much. The romance in The Best Gift was way too rushed, but I suspended my disbelief and enjoyed the cuteness. The hero was frustrating in Playing House, but dang it if all those kids didn't win me over by the end. The Best Gift was my least favorite – the couple was annoying, and the plot was dumb. And The Star of Bethlehem had a few elements I liked, but the rake's 12-hour reformation and the nativity parallels that everyone missed until the last second were just too much to take. It was uneven, but the anthology averages out to a So Liked It.

TWICE IN A BLUE MOON BY CHRISTINA LAUREN* – Second-chance romances are tricky, and this one didn't win me over. The couple's initial relationship occurred on a very short timeline and was followed by such a long separation that I felt critical of everything about it. They meet as teenagers and are in their 30s before reconnecting, but it was as if they'd been frozen in time until that moment. Real people change! The book spent longer in the past timeline than I would have preferred, and then the romance didn't get a lot of attention in the present until the very end. The characters were pretty forgettable and needed more development because I wasn't invested in them at all. I was So Okay With It, I think. I just expected something funnier or more romantic from this duo!

LOVE LETTERING BY KATE CLAYBORN* – After loving Clayborn's Chance of a Lifetime series, I was thrilled to get a copy of this book for review! I expected to love it immediately, but it took me quite a while to find my footing with the story. The characters felt stiff, and I had a hard time getting a read on them. I didn't understand why they were continuing to spend time together when their interactions were so awkward! The heroine was a hand letterer who made custom planners for her wealthy clientele, an aspect I thought I'd love since I'm a paper nerd. Instead, it felt overly detailed to me. There was just a little too much time spent talking about typography. The pacing was uneven, and I wasn't as invested as I'd hoped to be. I So Liked It by the end, but it wasn't a memorable read for me.

THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE BY DIANA BILLER – I have no idea how this book ended up on my radar, but I was so excited Nick gave me a copy for Christmas! However, I didn't pay enough attention to this summary because I was completely blindsided by the fact there were ghosts in it. Whoops! I'd hoped for more interior design and less ghost hunting, but that's my own fault. There are several genres at play here, but I'd actually categorize it as a historical (or maybe paranormal?) romance. The romance was the focus of the story, including a very unexpected sex scene. But the main characters were charming, had cute banter, and a rich backstory, so I was pretty happy overall. I'm skeptical of the historical accuracy because the characters felt so modern, but I still So Enjoyed It. 

A MATTER OF CLASS BY MARY BALOGH – Although Balogh is one of my favorite historical romance authors, I don't intend to read her entire backlist. But this one intrigued me, and I was thrilled to find a copy on clearance at my local used bookstore. What a score! This is a short story, but Balogh accomplished so much in these 200(ish) pages. The opening had me hooked, and I was immediately sold on the premise. When the first flashback occurred, I was annoyed. Then I realized what was unfolding and came to appreciate those scenes. This was such a delight and my favorite thing I read all month! I don't want to spoil anything so I'll remain vague, but I So Enjoyed It and recommend it to historical romance fans. One scene felt unnecessary to me, but it's a minor nitpick.  

In December, I re-read A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean via audio. I'd planned to continue on to re-read the second book in the series, but I wasn't enjoying this one as much the second time around. It was a bummer! It took me forever to finish listening, but it wasn't the narrator's fault. I just wasn't feeling the hero at all and hated that re-reading was ruining it for me. My rating changed from Enjoyed to So Liked It.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review consideration. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review.

What have you been reading lately?

READ POST

December 2019: Recap + On My Shelves

December 2019: Recap + On My Shelves

Jan 2, 2020

Hello, 2020! I hope y'all had a wonderful and relaxing December. I feel like the month flew by, but we were still able to enjoy the holidays and spend lots of time with family. And now the countdown is on until the new baby arrives!

1. Holiday Traditions – December felt like it passed in a blur, but we still made time for some of our favorite traditions. Here are a few: baking cookies, a drive around our neighborhood to look at lights, reading a Christmas book every night, a Jesse tree advent calendar, and decorating a gingerbread house (or Mario castle, in this case).

2. New Curtains and Coffee Table – I bought new curtains in October but needed them altered, which I finally had done at the end of November. I got them back in the beginning of December, and Nick hung them right away. Having those + a new coffee table changed the whole look of our living room and made it so much cozier.

3. Merry Christmas! – We had several celebrations during the week of Christmas, and it was nice to spend time with our families. We changed a few things this year, and they all worked to make the holidays more relaxing and enjoyable. But the best thing, by far, was our son's delight on Christmas morning. He was so happy and thankful!

4. Planning for 2020 – The quiet, slow days in between Christmas and the New Year are some of my favorites. I went to see a movie by myself, relaxed at home with my boys, worked on my blog and planner, and set goals for 2020. I'm trying something new and using PowerSheets, so I went through the prep work during this time, too.

Read 11 Books | Favorites:

Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh

The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh

“There is an oath upon her,” he said to Arch,
and I realized dimly that he was still speaking in Gaelic, though I understood him clearly.
“She may not kill, save it is for mercy or her life. It is myself who kills for her.”
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon

“Not very romantic, is it? But I don't want you to feel powerless with me.
I value your intelligence and your strength. I'd rather you stood at my side than in my shadow.”
A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews

“After all, there never was a future, only an eternal present moment,
all too often lost because human nature had a tendency to yearn toward the nonexistent future.”
Under the Mistletoe by Mary Balogh

“I don't know why people think permanent denial is better than temporary disappointment.”
Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

“I simply cannot fathom why you are so constantly surprised by the height of my esteem for you.”
The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

December was one of my most prolific blogging months of the whole year, and I loved being able to end 2019 on a productive note. I spent the first half of the month catching up on posts I'd missed during my hiatus. Those included: September 2019 Recap and Quick Lit, October 2019 Recap and Quick Lit, and November 2019 Recap and Quick Lit. It felt great to catch up before 2020 and enter the year with a clean slate.

Once those posts were done, it was time to turn my attention to some fun posts wrapping up the year. The first was one I've done every year since 2012: my top ten new-to-me authors I read in 2019. Then, I took a major leap backward when I realized I'd never posted my 2018 End of Year Survey. I like having them as a record of my reading year, so I didn't want to just skip it. And finally, I wrapped up the month with yearly recap series that I call My Year In: Books, Music, Movies & TV, Beauty, Obsessions, and Adventures.

I only posted on bookstagram once in December, which is just how I like it these days. I shared this potential holiday reading list – a mix of new and rereads – that was inspired by Kelly's holiday hype. In the end, I only read four of the new-to-me books from this stack and didn't love any of them. And now that Christmas is over, I'm not sure that I'll get to any of the rest. Oh well! At least the stack was pretty! • @soobsessedblog

Favorite Christmas Song: "Ribbons & Bows" by Kacey Musgraves
I don't listen to very much Christmas music, except at my son's request.
But we both enjoyed this peppy song from Musgraves' Christmas special!



Favorite Album: Fine Line by Harry Styles
I loved Styles' first album. but I honestly think this one was even better!
I had this on repeat and loved it more with each listen. My favorite song right now is "Falling."

Frozen II (2019) starring Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad and Jonathan Groff – My son hasn't been too interested in the first Frozen movie, but Nick and I both wanted to see this one so we made it a family trip to the theater. We all enjoyed it, though I don't know which one I prefer. Regardless, it was a fun experience! 

The Great British Baking Show: Holidays starring Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, Sandi Toksvig, and Noel Fielding – I wasn't really in the mood to watch any Christmas movies, but I randomly decided to try this on Netflix. It was a low-key way to try the show and had just the right amount of holiday cheer. And it led to...

The Great British Baking Show, Collections 1-3, starring Paul Hollywood, Mary Berry, Mel Giedroyc, and Sue Perkins – After the holiday episodes, I binged the first three seasons of the show. I definitely prefer the original cast, and I can now understand why the Internet is always raving about it. So cozy and comforting!

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) starring Mackenzie Foy, Keira Knightley, Helen Mirren, and Morgan Freeman – I wanted to watch this last year, but not enough to see it in theaters or rent it. I was excited to see it on Netflix, but I lost interest pretty quickly and zoned out. I liked the style of it but not the substance.

Little Women (2019) starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, and Laura Dern – This movie was delightful! It was the best thing I watched all year and will become a lifelong favorite. I was charmed by everything about it and found a new appreciation for Amy March, shockingly. 

Killing Eve, Season 2, starring Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh – This show made my list of 2019 favorites, and I was going to complain in the post that the second season still wasn't on Hulu. Except – I realized it had finally been added. Nick and I binged it and loved every (psycho) second. Oh and Comer are fantastic in it!

Used Bookstore: A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh and The Mitford Murders by Jessica Fellowes

From My Parents: Bibliostyle by Nina Freudenberger

From My Sister: Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, The Lido by Libby Page, The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin, The Tea Planter's Wife by Dinah Jefferies, The Light Over London by Julia Kelly, Innocent Traitor by Alison Weird, The Night Tiger by Yangsze Choo, Dangerous Alliance by Jennieke Cohen, and My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren

From Nick: The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller

From My In Laws: Life and Other Inconveniences by Kristan Higgins, Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra, The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley, Don't You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane, The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary, and Skinnytaste: One & Done by Gina Homolka

From Kelly: Throne of Glass (Collector's Edition) by Sarah J. Maas

Kindle: A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas, The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary, A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan, and The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker

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