The year is feeling old, old, and I am looking at all the posts I need to post to wrap up the end of this year. The season of introspection is upon us. Let’s dive head in.
I would like to all remind you of a reading challenge I accepted last January. Here is the original post so you can refresh your memory: https://caseykins.com/2016/01/15/a-reading-challenge/. I read all books but one and then gave up completely. Why, you ask? The one I didn’t read is a classic I never made time for. It’s because I pondered a million classics and none of them seemed to be something I wanted to delve into. I have made time for all the classics I care about, and slogging through something I was sure would be depressing just seemed like too tall an order. I don’t know. I stopped enjoying the challenge when I thought too much about it, so I decided that reading should not ever be anything except enjoying and I gave up.
All other books, though, I have blogged and completed. You can find the reviews for them using the search box on the left, if you want.
Here is what I ended up with:
- A book you bought long ago, but still haven’t read – The Darkest Part of the Forest, by Holly Black
- A book with a character who is similar to you – Emily Climbs, by L. M. Montgomery
- A non-fiction book on something you’ve always wanted to know more about – Steering The Craft, by Ursula K. LeGuin
- A book by a female author – Lizzy and Jane, by Katherine Reay
- A book you never got to read in 2015 – The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey, by Rinker Buck
- A book that will be a complete mindfuck – Fragile Things, by Neil Gaiman
- A book filled to the rim with magic – Daughter of Witches, Patricia C. Wrede
- A book you’re scared to read when it’s dark out – The Dream Thieves, by Maggie Stiefvater
- A book of which you liked the movie, but haven’t read the novel – Pitch Perfect, by Mickey Rapkin
- A book that makes you want to visit the place it’s set – Blue Lily, Lily Blue, by Maggie Stiefvater
- A book that’s on fire – Mine Till Midnight, by Lisa Kleypas
- A book that makes you want to be a villain – Silver on the Road, by Laura Anne Gilman
- A classic you never made time for – Never Read (I’m a delinquent)
- A book that shows a different point of view – Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape, by Peggy Orenstein
- A book with short stories – A Knot In The Grain, by Robin McKinley
- A book that involves a lot of mystery – The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater
- A book about a person who inspires you – My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business, by Dick Van Dyke
- A book that makes you want to be a hero – The Sword of Damar, by Robin McKinley
- A graphic novel – The Graveyard Book part 1, by Neil Gaiman
- A book of poetry – Good Poems, American Places, by Garrison Keillor
- A book by an unfamiliar author – Assassination Vacation, by Sarah Vowel
- A book published in 2016 – The Raven King, by Maggie Stiefvater
- A book with a dark and mysterious cover – Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
- A book from a random recommendationalist – Witches of Lychford, by Paul Cornell
- A book with a surprising love element – Shakespeare’s Wife, by Germaine Grier
- A book with lots of mystical creatures – English Fairy Tales, by Joseph Jacobs
- A book that reminds you of another season – Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
- A book no one wants you to read – My American Duchess, by Eloisa James
- A book you own that is the most beautiful thing you’ve seen – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Illustrated Edition, by J. K. Rowling
- A book that makes you a complete mess – Emily’s Quest, by L. M. Montgomery
- A book you started but never finished – Aspects of the Novel, by E. M. Forster
In other Christmas news, I was feeling grateful yesterday that the kitten has never tried to climb the tree. And then I came home last night to find that she had pulled several of my favorites off the branches and had strewn them around the living room. Luckily they weren’t the ones with extreme sentimental value, and only one was worse for the wear, but I’m seriously going to have to think about anti-cat measures. Chasing her away only works when I’m at home to supervise. Jennyanydots: the reason we can’t have nice things.
Christmas jam is probably in the works this weekend, too. I’m giving it out as presents this year, so that’s all I’ll say. Flavors a tasty, tasty mystery.
We are racing toward the finish line. I hope your season is looking as festive as mine is.
Casey E. Hamilton 