18 Things I Learned in 2019

Sunday was my 19th birthday. I'm almost starting a new decade. :) I decided to borrow Brooklyne Elysse's idea and write a post about 18 things I learned in 2019--my 18th year.

1. The Unknown is worth stepping into.

I hate stepping out of my comfort zone. I hate not knowing. I hate being unsure. This year, I had to face a lot of Unknowns because I became an adult. And I learned that it's worth it to step out of your comfort zone. It's worth it to do stuff you wouldn't normally do. It's worth it to have a new experience. It's worth it to trust God and follow Him.

2. Fear will cripple your life if you let it. 

Fear costs so much. I have lived my life in one constant cycle of fear of many different things. But I don't need to. Over & over God tells me to have courage & faith. And in His strength, I'm trying so hard to do that. I know He rules everything, that His way is best, & that all will turn for good. And I strive to always remember and believe it. And so often, what you fear is much less worse than you expected. 

3. Surrender is beautiful.

Surrender is so hard to do. I'm a desperately proud person. But this year God taught me the value of surrendering. When I surrender to God, He uses me in ways I never dreamed of. He fulfils my deepest longings, my wildest dreams. My most cherished plans and aspirations are safe in His hand, and I know He's got even better things for me. When I surrender my self, my dreams, my plans, my ideas, He always gives me much more than I gave up.

4. Invest in your friendships.

People may not invest in it. People may ignore you. People may use you and give you nothing in return. But oh, the value of a Godly friendship. The value of creating a strong, beautiful relationship. It's worth the pain and the effort. Be there for people. Love them. Show them & tell them that you love them. Give them compliments. Be involved in their lives. It's oh-so-worth it in the end. 

5. Watch your words. 

I tend to blurt things out without thinking. I get offended quickly and retort. And then I regret it. You can never be too careful what you say. Learn to speak slowly, listen more, let God control your tongue. It will remove many problems & heartaches. 

6. The little things are still sins.

They may seem harmless enough. Just a bitter thought. A sharp word. A complaint. A rebellious moment. But they are still sins. They are still to be rooted out of our lives. 

7. Being Christlike is the best kind of beauty. 

I aspire to be beautiful & was always miserable & self-deprecatory because I am not. But I have finally learned that true beauty is to let Jesus shine through you. It's not the outside that counts; it's the inside. The inside will wreck the most beautiful outside, or beautify the plainest outside.  

8. Pride is a great burden. 

I am very proud & have always been so. This year I realized what a toll it was taking on me. It made me unhappy, bitter, miserable, discontented. It cost me far more than I wanted to pay. I have no real reason for pride, 'save in the death of Christ my God.'

9. Bitterness hurts yourself & the people you love best.

Bitterness never hurts the person who hurt you. It only wrecks your life & that of those you love most. It is of no use. It is a sin. It is a poison. It is something that I am trying hard to rid my life of. Because it too has done its fair share of making my life miserable. 

10. Let it go. 

It'll do no good to stew. It'll do no good to hash it out again. It will only make you angrier and more bitter. Let it go. Turn it over to God. Leave it in His hands. Turn the other cheek. Refuse anger. It's so, so worth it. I wish I'd learned this earlier--and easier. Accept other people's opinions (I'm talking of non-doctrinal/moralistic ones here). Step out & away from the argument. Don't drag it out. Let it go. And forgive. Freely & completely.  

10. Dedication & perseverance pays off.

It's hard to do. It costs time & effort. It's hard work. But man, does it ever make life better. It's a thousand times worth it. Laziness costs so much more than you're willing to pay in the long run. 

12. Schedules, to-do lists, & planners (& outlines) can be your best friends. 

It's so worth taking the time to make a list or schedule. It saves so much time. It saves your memory. It saves you from beating yourself up. It's absolutely worth making as detailed as possible. Also TIMERS. They can be lifesavers. 

11. Choices catch up with you sooner or later.

Taking the easy way out. Going with the flow. Putting things off. Avoiding the hard work. You will pay. You will be horrified & distressed at the results. Bad choices are repaid with interest. Thank God, good choices are repaid with interest too. 

13. When you fall down, you need to forgive yourself, pick yourself up, and try again. 

It'll do no good to beat yourself up. It'll waste time to sit there moping & groaning. You'll never succeed if you give up. Get up. Try again. Baby steps. Childlike faith. Keep persevering. 

14. It's oh-so-worth-it to be open & real & vulnerable.

By sharing what you are learning, by being a real person, by declining all pedestals, you can encourage a struggling sister or brother so much. God rewards those who encourage others. Blessing others will bless you in return. 

15. People-pleasing is absolutely crippling. 

You'll never please everyone. You are not supposed to please them. The only one who counts is God. You can't deceive Him. If you please Him you'll end up pleasing those who love Him. They're really the only people you want to please, and that's the best way to do it. Follow Christ & you will be truly happy. 

16. God can use you as you are if you let Him. 

I don't have to be perfect. I don't have to be anything special. I just have to let Him have control of me. I just need to obey Him. He will do the rest. 

17. Choose love. 

Choose love when they hurt you. Choose love when they offend you. Choose love when others choose hate. Choose love when others mock. Choose love when others walk away. God is love. Show His love. It's hard. It's a daily sacrifice. But your reward will be great. 

18. God knows best. 

Trusting that makes life so much easier. In all things, great or small, He has a perfect plan which will be executed at the right time. Wait. Just wait.

~ / / ~ 

This was a hard year in many ways. But I grew. I learned. It was a year worth living. I look forwards to this year, the last of my teen years. I'm eager to see what God will teach me this year.

The Smashing & Dashing 2019 Character Awards

I saw this tag on Kate’s blog and immediately knew I had to steal it!!! It’s all about characters, and we all know how much I love characters. 😉 

The Rules: 

• Answer the 15 questions below, using characters from books you read in 2019  (They don’t have to be new releases this year, just new to you.)  

• Link back to Cait’s original post.

That was easy... now for the questions! (This will be hard.)

1. Most Relatable Character: 

The one that comes to mind is Levi from “Bridgers” by Angie Thompson. I related to his fear a lot. I also will give a shoutout to the characters in The Tales of Tarsurella by Livy Lynn Jarmusch because I related to a lot of their struggles—especially Addison.

2. Most Pure Animal Companion: 

I’m not quite sure what this means...! If it means my favourite animal character, then it’s Crusoe from “The Dog Crusoe & His Master” by R.M. Ballantyne. I love dogs :) in theory, not in practise haha.  

3. Fiercest Fighter: 

Hmmm, I’m going to say Erling from “Erling the Bold” by R.M. Ballantyne. I love how Erling is a fierce & experienced Viking but gentle and loving. 

4. Am Surprised That I Loved You??: 

Pick from “Until We All Find Home” by Heather Wood. He started off as an awful guy and ended my favourite character in the whole book! 

5. Best Sassmaster: 

First that comes to mind is Cara from “Beloved” by Kaitlyn Krispense. She made me laugh so hard... so did her brothers. They were all hilarious!!!

6. Best Antihero: 

Hmmm... Tony from “Enemy Brothers” by Constance Savery. Tony had some behaviour problems... but he was amazing and I loved him so, so much. <33 

7. The Best Friends Of All: 

Dym from “Enemy Brothers” by Constance Savery. There’s a reason why he’s my favourite character ever. He would be an amazing friend and brother to have. I love Dym so much!!! 

8. Best Villain To HATE: 

Huh. That’s hard. I tend to like villains somehow! Umm... the murderer from “That Affair Next Door.” He was such a horrible man but I loved him so much at first! 

9. Award For Best vs. Worst YA Parents: 

I don’t really read YA. So I’ll just go with any parents. 

• worst: I’ll go with Grace’s parents in “Sufficient Grace” by Jessica Greyson. Her father was so nasty to her and her mother was just spineless! 

• best: Oh dear. That’s hard. Um... I think Jancsi’s parents from “The Singing Tree” by Kate Seredy. The father was AMAZING and I loved the mother... oh yes, I think they were the best. 

10. Ship Of All Ships In 2019: 

Brent & Emily from “The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott” by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick. I love shipping these two so much that I don’t even want the romance to progress—just have them start courting! XD 

11. Most Precious Must Be Protected: 

Periwinkle from “The Dark House on the Moss” by Constance Savery. She was so sweet and little and brave... I love how Louis took care of her. <3

12. Honestly Surprised You’re Still Alive: 

Mitch from “I Don’t Dance” by Jesseca Wheaton. I’m surprised someone didn’t strangle him long ago—or pound him. XD 

13. Award For Making The Worst Decisions: 

Edward Waverley from “Waverley” by Sir Walter Scott. He just made a bunch of stupid decisions and got himself into several scrapes. It’s actually odd that you like him so much. XD 

14. Most In Need Of A Nap: 

Mortimer from “Enemy Brothers” by Constance Savery. He was such a hardworking, exhausted, kind-hearted fellow. I loved him :) I feel like Richard was like that too...

15. Want To Read More About You: 

I don’t love sequels. But I would have loved more about Laura & Almanzo from “The First Four Years.” ;) Ok, so this is a reread. But. It’s the only book that fits this category!  

So there you are!! I hope you enjoyed :) I tag anyone who wants to do it!! 

A Letter to my Book "Broken"

I am stealing this idea from Hailey Rose (who stole this from someone else lol). 

Dear Broken, 

You were so totally not supposed to happen. I was supposed to be listening to my Scottish folk songs playlist and spin stories about the songs in my head. We were driving home from church one Sunday night at the end of August. And as we passed a city, I saw a man and a woman walking along the side of the highway. People on the highway always intrigue me. This time, it triggered a memory. A memory of a young man, standing alone on the highway in the night, asking for a lift. 

On a whim, I pulled out my phone and began to write his story, intending to pull the couple's story in too. 

You began with a big young man named Zach, who was walking down the wrong path and whose father had thrown him out of the house in consequence. He was bold and sarcastic and hard, but he loved his little sister. He was picked up by some Christian brothers... 

That's where I stopped, because we arrived home. By now, I'd fallen in love with you. Two of my writer friends, Kassie & Ryana Lynn, sprinted and wrote every night, and I decided to join in and work on you. 

I had just read Faith Potts' Freedom and Kaitlyn Krispense's Beloved. The message of suicide prevention had touched me, and I randomly decided that my guy intended to suicide. I expected this to be a quick story of salvation. But as I wrote out the scene where he was presented with the Gospel... I found that he wasn't ready to be saved. His story wasn't over yet.

Around this time I also decided that I'd change his name. Kate's main character's name's meaning was important for the story and I decided I'd like that for you, too. So I renamed him Nathaniel (God has given), nicknamed Nathan (he gave). Later on, I discovered that he was part French-Canadian, and I changed his name to the French version--Nathanaël. Which ended up a good reason, because in French, the name "Nathan" is incorporated in the name "Nathanaël." (In other words, the "Nathan" part of Nathanaël is pronounced the same as the name "Nathan." Since you are a bilingual book I'm sure you'll understand, but I hope that our English readers understand too. xP)

From this tiny, 1k story, you began to grow. Thanks to a challenge Brooklyne gave me, I wrote at least 100 words in you every day. Kass & Ry are literally your godmothers--they fangirled so hard, gave me so much encouragement, and helped me figure out so many things. By NaNo 2019, you were at 20k and I expected you to end soon. I decided to finish you during NaNo and then write other flash fictions.

Ha. Haaa. You had very different plans, my dear.  

Writing you was a journey such as I never expected. You were so not what I expected you to be. You kept twisting. When I thought you were ending, you marched on. You ran into places and I ran after you, wondering why on earth you'd decided to add that. (I did put my foot down once. But I suspect you were intending to do that all along). You morphed a lot, and kept throwing information at me. Since I only pantsed you, I was always finding out contrary or new information that meant I had to change a lot of the beginning of the story. It also meant I had to do a lot of wandering from one plot point to another. And it meant that I found myself with a 70k novel on my hands that I had to divide into chapters. 

This has been a year of "firsts" in my writings, but you really have a lot of firsts. You were my first book where I added chapter titles. (Not fun). You were the first of my writings to make me tear up as I wrote--multiple times. I thought your older (and considerably smaller) brother, Chords, was the darkest of all my books. You were determined to usurp that place and ended up much darker than I ever thought. (But you never reached the poetic level of Chords, so don't brag). Your MC was the most similar-to-me character I've ever written--which made me realize some of my flaws. You were the first book where I wrote romance between a married couple--even if it was just tiny. You were the first book where I actually rewrote and changed some major stuff. You were also the first book to have people I barely knew help me write you. You forced me to do research. Writing you was an emotional journey, but so worth it.  

You were also the book to reach the milestones I'd dreamed of and despaired of reaching for years. You hit the prestigious 50,000 words and merely laughed. We had a lot of ground left to cover. You dragged me on through the ever-more-glittery numbers of 60k, 70k, and 80k before you finally decide to end at 84k. EIGHTY-FOUR THOUSAND WORDS. I remember seeing that a friend had reached 70,000 in her novel and going "wow.... I will never reach that. How amazing!!"  

You were also the book that won me NaNo. One of my biggest writing dreams. Oh, I was so happy that day. I was too happy to even scream or dance around. I could only grin, clasp my hands, and feel a huge happiness. I'll never forget it. 

Oh, yes, you weren't easy to write. But you were so worth it.  

You reinforced what God has taught so much this year in my writing. When I surrender my dreams to him, He gives me far more than I ever hoped for.   

Four years ago, writing out little stories of under 10k--light, slapstick, happy stories--I never guessed I'd tackle the themes of suicide, drunkenness, and intense hatred & bitterness. I never saw it coming. But I'm so grateful God gave me you to write. Maybe you'll never help a suicidal person. I know I probably made mistakes writing you. But maybe--just maybe--you will. And even if you don't--I hope and pray that you can be an encouragement to someone. To show that God can always use our pain for His glory. To show that there is always hope. And I hope that you show someone that we can't just stand there and talk; we have to get up and do something. There are several small themes in you. I hope at least one of them can touch someone.  

I did my best. The rest is in God's hands. I don't know what He intends to do with you, but I surrender you to Him and I pray He uses you. And I know He can use you for His glory. 

Love,  

Your author 

P.S. Please stop ending me sequel ideas. I do not want to write a sequel. And one can only write so many short story sequels. Besides, knowing your deceiving character *squints* they'll probably end up novellas, if they don't end up full-blown novels.  

P.P.S. Also I'm not pleased with you for suddenly requesting a cover change. Don't you see I have enough things to do with fussing over you all the time?? 

My 2019 Bookish Recap

Well, friends, 2019 is just done... and I'm going to do a bookish recap. This may be long... xP

I'm stealing half of this idea from Victoria, half from Sarah, and half from Lindsey. ;P

*all images from Google* 

~ My Top 10 Favourite Books of the Year ~

(These are new reads and most are not part of a series. There are a couple who are but since I did not read other books in the series this year, I included them here.) 

1. Enemy Brothers. (10/10 hearts)

Oh my heart. This book covered so many of my favourite things. Sibling relationship. Beautiful prose. Excitement. Tender love. A RAF officer. World War Two. Midshipmen. England. Humour. Pathos. Drama. Choosing the right though it's hard to do. I love this book so, so much. Dym is my favourite character ever and I love him so much. Here are two reviews all about this amazing book: Mary H's and mine. 





2. The Singing Tree. (9/10 hearts)

I was sad to find that this is the sequel instead of the first book, like I thought it was, but I'm so glad I read it. This is about the opposite side of the war as Rilla (Hungary belonged to Austria and was obliged to fight with Germany) and I loved seeing the opposite side. <33 My review: here. 






3. The Elements of Style. (9/10 hearts)

This book is a GEM. Writers, you 100% need this. Speakers, you 100% need this. Actually, anyone who writes or talks English in any amount should read this. It is hilarious, sharp, clear, concise (and I'm breaking the rule of brevity right now...) and 100% worth reading. See my review. 






4. Fighting the Flames. (8/10 hearts)

My first Ballantyne. <33 So, so glad I discovered this author. He's like Henty, but more humorous and a Christian! I love how he shares the Gospel in each of his books. this book was a fantastic view of the firefighters of 1800 England. Such heroes!! My review: here.

5. Bridgers. (8/10 hearts)

It's been too long since I read this (yeah, I know, I read it this year, But it's seriously so good.) A beautiful redemptive arc, excellent humour, amazing characters, and a lovely friendship, all topped by an important lesson told oh-so-well. My review...





6. O to be Like Thee. (8/10 hearts)

Oh me. This book wasn't quite what I expected, but I think it was better. It was beautiful. And I cried. More than once. Go read it, because it's 100% worthwhile. My review: “O to be Like Thee.”







7. The Princess at the Chalet School. (7/10 hearts)

The first two books of this series I have read many times and I have literally loved them to pieces. Now I don't even dare read my copies anymore. :( But this one is soooo good too!!! Here's my review: “The Princess at the Chalet School.”







8. The Reb & the Redcoats. (7/10 hearts)

Whaaaat?! you expected this list to be complete without several Constance Savery books?! ;P This was my second Savery book and I loved it! So sweet and funny!! My review: “The Reb & the Redcoats.”

9. The Dark House on the Moss. (8/10 hearts)

Yesssssss. My third Savery book, and only made me love her more. I love this one so. so. so much. A touch of mystery, a touch of romance, some wonderful characters (MORVILLE <33) and such a sweet sibling relationship!!! Unfortunately I do not yet have a review up but I hope to in the new year! 

10. Prisoners of Geography (8/10 hearts) 

I read this one in French. But I'm sure it's just as good in English, since it was originally written in that language. This was such an informative, humorous, well-written book and I learned a lot from it, besides enjoying the sarcasm! My review... Prisoners of Geography.

~ My Top 10 Favourite Rereads of the Year ~ 

1. Little Women. (10/10 hearts)

I read this book every year, and each time I somehow love it more. It is beautiful. So full of little nuggets of truth & help; so full of love & hope & trust; so full of beauty & pathos; so full of amazing characters & real life situations. It is my second-favourite novel (^^ EB is my favourite) for a very good reason. <33 Read my review here. 





2. Basic Principles of Speech (1946 EDITION). (10/10 hearts)

This is perhaps the most obscure book in the world... I can't even find a synopsis for it. And that is SUCH a pity. I think more teens need to read this book. Especially writers. Not only does it teach now to express oneself well in writing, it also gives lots of common-sense advice about normal life. Read my review here. 





3. Daniel Boone, Wilderness Scout. (10/10 hearts)

Such a very good book!! Nonfiction at its best. It's easy to understand, yet detailed; full of information, but never boring; reads both like a novel and like a biography; well written; and very fair to both Indians and settlers. Highly recommended! Read my review here. 

4. Rilla of Ingleside. (9/10 hearts)

 I haven't read this books in SO long, and this year I read it in French and in English. I was deeply touched both times. I have read many, many war books, but none ever touched me like this one (yes, not even EB). The one that got closest was The Singing Tree. This book made me realize how terrible WWI was for people. And yet it had some hilarious moments (Susan + Cousin Sophia, anyone??). Read my review here. 




5. Jack & Jill. (9/10 hearts)

OK, OK, so I have a lot of rereads on here. But oldies are sometimes the best! I reread this for the first time this year and loved it just as much as the first time I read it (one year ago? two years ago??). It is hilarious, but sweet and full of lovely sibling relationships and wise words. <33 My review here.







6. Little Men. (9/10 hearts)

Ah, yes. Very different from Little Women, and yet almost as good! This one has more funny escapades and fewer lessons than LW, but it also mingled grief and joy, beauty & drama, amazing characters and real-life wisdom. My review is here. 






7. From Anna. (n/a)

I've read this book several times, but I love it. It's a Christmas story to me, because it ends at Christmas (such a lovely ending!!). I relate to Anna in more than one way, and I think that may be one reason why I love it. But it's also just so well written & beautiful. My review: “From Anna.”







8. Rose in Bloom. (8/10 hearts)

This list would not be complete without lottttts of Louisa May Alcott. ;) I love the first book in this series, but the second is even better. <33 So full of good lessons. My review: “Rose in Bloom.”






9. The Railway Children. (9/10 hearts)

OH MY HEART. I love this book SO MUCH. I've reread this about once a year and each time I fall more in love. <33 It is so sweet and funny and a bit mysterious.... Review here: “The Railway Children.”







10. Mr. Pipes & the British Hymn Makers. (n/a)
 



Oh, how I do love this book. So English. So full of poetry. So funny. Mixing biography and story so well. <333 Review: “Mr. Pipes & the British Hymn Makers.”

~ My Favourite Series of the Year~ 

(This one has both new reads & rereads.)

1. The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott. (new)

 

These books were totally unlike anything I have ever read, but oh, I love them so much. And so does everybody else, so that proves that these really are awesome. My reviews: 

1. “Red Rover, Red Rover.” 
2. “Plan to Fail.” 
3. “Bad Things, Small Packages.” 
4. “Tutor, Nanny, Spit-Up, Spy.” 
5. “A-Spying We Will Go.” 
6. “Once Upon a Dime.”

2. The Tales of Tarsurella. (new)

 

I loved these from the very first and adored each book. Almost fantasy, but very real; perfectly fairytale-ish at time, yet full of excitement; with amazing characters and terrifying villains. My reviews: 

1. “The Coronation.”
2. “The Rebellion.”
3. “The Wedding.”

3. The Anne of Green Gables Series. (reread)

I hadn't read books 5-8 in years, but this year I reread them in French and in English. <33 Such an amazing series.... My reviews:

1. “Anne of Green Gables.” 
2. “Anne of Avonlea.” 
3. “Anne of the Island.” 
4. “Anne of Windy Poplars.” 
5. “Anne's House of Dreams.” Recommended Ages: 18+
6. “Anne of Ingleside.” 
7. “Rainbow Valley.” 
8. “Rilla of Ingleside.” 

4. The Little House on the Prairie Series. (reread)

Again, a series that I hadn't read for a couple years. I found that I loved them even more as a young woman than I did as a child. My reviews:

1. “Little House in the Big Woods.” 
2. “Farmer Boy.” 
3. “Little House on the Prairie.”
4. “On the Banks of Plum Creek.” 
5. “By the Shores of Silver Lake.” 
6. “The Long Winter.” 
7. “Little Town on the Prairie.” 
8. “These Happy Golden Years.” 
9. “The First Four Years.”

5. The Little Women Series. (reread)

*looks around for someone to howl with over the mismatching covers* 

Ahhhhh. I've known the first book all my life. I discovered the second when I was a preteen, and the third when I was an young teenager. I love these books. They're an amazing series. My reviews...

1. “Little Women.”
2. “Little Men.”
3. “Jo's Boys.”

6. The Winnie-the-Pooh Series. (reread)

 

I don't know how many times I listened to these with one ear while doing other stuff. they sound even more clever and hilarious when you listen to them! 

1. “Winnie-the-Pooh.” 
2. “The House at Pooh Corner.” 
3. "When We Were Very Young."
4. "Now We Are Six."

7. The Malory Towers Series. (reread)

 

 

I haven't read these in years... but this year I binged them and they were so fun to reread!! 

1. “First Term at Malory Towers.” 
2. “Second Form at Malory Towers.” 
3. “Third Year at Malory Towers.” 
4. “Upper Fourth at Malory Towers.” 
5. “In the Fifth at Malory Towers.” 
6. “Last Term at Malory Towers.” 

Favourite Christian Book: Three People by Isabella Alden.

Favourite Contemporary: Beloved by Kaitlyn Krispense.

Favourite Romance: The Rebellion by Livy Lynn Jarmusch.

Favourite Nonfiction: Basic Principles of Speech by William Trrufant Foster & Lew Sarrett.

Favourite Historical Fiction: Enemy Brothers by Constance Savery. 

Favourite Fantasy: Beautiful Blue World by Suzanne LaFleur. 

Favourite Mystery: The Window at the White Cat by Mary Roberts Rinehart.

Favourite Dystopian: Echoes by Miranda Marie.

Favourite Middle-Grade/Juvenile Fiction Book: Sarah, Plain & Tall by Patricia MacLachlan.

Favourite Action Book: Once Upon a Dime by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick.

Favourite Comedy: Paddington Marches On by Michael Bond. 
*these are all new reads* 

~ Bookish Recap Tag ~

(yes, I know, this was a 2018 tag, but it still works for 2019 and I want to use it so). 

// How many books did you read this year? (Exact if you know, or approximate if not.) 
546 books & short stories (341 new, 205 reread). Plus a few of those books were read two or three times (Emily Abbott, anyone?) 

// Did you set a reading challenge for yourself and, if so, did you meet it? 
 Yes! I aimed for 250, then decided to do my ultimate dream and aim for 365. Then I raised my goal for 410, and then to 475. I never dreamed to reach 500!!!

// What was your most read genre this year? Least read? 

Most read was Historical Fiction (272 books). Least read was Poetry (3 books).

// What's five of your least favourite books from this year? 

1. A Father for Christmas. 
2. Alice's Journey West.
3. Small Town Christmas.
4. Entertaining Angels.
5. Pieces of the Past. 

// What new favourite author did you discover? (Not necessarily that the author is 'new,' but that they became new to you this year.) 
Constance Savery!!!!!! She was an author in the 1940s. I discovered Enemy Brothers while shopping a book sale. Latermy sister found The Reb & the Redcoats on Amazon and I bought it and loved it. And finally, a friend gave me a PDF copy of The Dark House on the Moss and we buddy-read it. <33 Guys, she is an amazing author!!! 

// What's five of your favourite book covers from the year? 

This could either be books that came out this year or books that I read this year, right?? So I’m going to do both. xD 

Books read this year...

Books released this year... (and also read this year xP)  

// How many books did you purchase for yourself this year? (Exact if you know, approximate if not.) 

61 books, 15 print and 46 ebooks. :[] Yeah, next year the goal is to buy no more books besides birthday presents. 

// What's the longest book you read this year? 

Very likely Basic Principles of Speech. 590 pages!! BUT SO WORTH IT. 

// What's the shortest book you read this year? 

I'm not sure, but I think there was an Isabella Alden one of 10 pages or less. Shorter than 24 I count as a short story, and I read over 40 of those. xP 

// What's your reading goal for next year? 

I don’t think I’ll set a number goal for 2020. I’ll be doing college and I don’t want to stress myself. I have a list of books I want to read and review this year, but I won’t let myself stress over it. I'll just see what I can get done. But I do hope to read 100. 

 ~ / / ~

Tell me about your bookish 2019!