Top 5 Wednesday| Reading Goals 2018

Top 5 Wednesday is a book meme that was started by Laini from GingerreadsLaini and is now hosted by Sam over at Thoughts on Tomes.

If you ever want to join the fun, join the Goodreads group- here.

***

It's TWO THOUSAND AND EIGHTEEN folks. 2018. TWENTY-EIGHTEEN.

You know what that means?

I turn 20 this year?
Yes, but no.
I'll still be blogging?
Yes, but still no.
New reading goals?
HELL YEAH!

1. To read 70 books.
Last year, I just about got to my read goal of 60 books. I reached that goal, so now I've got to bump it up by 10.

2. To get my total physical unread books to single digits.
This was my goal last year. It went up in numbers, then I went on a total book buying ban (that I'm still on), purged some books from my shelves and now I'm below 50 books. I can do it.

3. Read more SFF written by women.
This is an easy goal that I always manage to achieve, but want to keep anyway.

4. Read more "classic" authors that I know I enjoy.
I'm talking about authors like Charles Dickens, George Orwell, Angela Carter, James Joyce etc.

5. To read for at least an hour, everyday.
I used to do this all the time when I was in full time secondary education. I had a set time of day when I would disappear for an hour. Its how I ensured I was reading. I want to bring this back.

BLOGMAS| Merry Christmas!

I put Merry Christmas in the title, but if you don't celebrate Christmas I hope that you have a wonderful Monday as we begin our final week of 2017.

I wasn't going to post, then thought 'fuck it'.

I'm going to keep this as short as I can but 2017 has been one hell of a year, am I right?

I'm ending this year worse than I started off.

I've lost many things this year. I've lost friends who I thought would be by my side til the end, I had to give up my cats, I've lost a home, my entire book collection and that's just the beginning.

As I say I've lost all these things, I've also gained a lot too. I've built confidence, met people who are amazing, befriended the funniest of people, learnt what makes me, well, me and I finally feel like we're at the turning point where things will get better, as I strive for better.

I'm spending Christmas on my own this year, partly my fault, and partly on the fault of others, so here is just my small message in the void: Merry Christmas! Let your loved ones know they are loved.

BLOGMAS| The Christmas Eve Book Tag

It's Christmas Eve!? Where has the year gone? What better way to celebrate is with a nice easy tag.

The Christmas Eve tag was created by Sam at Samsnonsense over on Youtube, go check her out. I absolutely love her channel.

1. Christmas Eve morning: what is a book you wake up excited to read? One you anticipate reading or one you read in the past that you want to get back into?

Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy #1)
Robin Hobb

Goodreads

I really really want to finish this series. I anticipate going back into Hobb's world and reading the ENTIRE Elderlings series. I don't know why I keep putting it off. I loved book one!!

2) Christmas Eve breakfast: what are your favorite treats during the holiday season?
This one is tricky because they aren't exactly traditional hand-baked goods. Nope, just give me some ritz, twiglets and Scottish shortbread.
3) Family Time: What is a book that fills you with happiness and love? the warm fuzzies in general?

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer #1)
Laini Taylor

Goodreads

I'm shoving Strange the Dreamer here, not because it's a book that fills me completely with happiness- have you read it?!- but, it is one I adore with all my heart and I get the warm fuzzies for Lazlo Strange.
4) Christmas Carols: What are your favorite Christmas Carols or holiday songs?

I-I-I-I'm dreaming of a White Christmas,
just like the one's I used to know.

5) Anticipation: What is a book release you are very much anticipating?

The State of Sorrow
Melinda Salisbury

Goodreads

Alright, so it's not called "#SorrowBook", but it is one I am highly anticipating in 2018. I read the little sampler given out at YALC and can't wait to see where it goes.

6) You hear sleigh bells on the roof and are so excited you can't sleep!: What is a book that kept you up all night?

Apart from Strange the Dreamer, again, here is a different answer:

A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2)
V.E.Schwab

Goodreads

Honestly, when has there been a Schwab book that hasn't kept me up all night reading? Oh right, the ones she's still writing.

7) It's Christmas morning, and Santa has come!: What is a book on your wishlist that you hope to unwrap?

The Red Knight (The Traitor Son's Cycle #1)
Miles Cameron

Goodreads

I had this a while back, and I am still really interested in reading it. I lost my entire book collection, so I am really trying hard not to splurge and replace every book I've lost.