#AMonthofFaves2016: The Most Unique, Weird or Most Memorable Book(s) Read This Year

The Most Unique, Weird or Most Memorable Book(s) Read This Year – not necessarily your favorite book because it could be memorable for how bad or how much you liked or disliked the characters.

I'm here! I'm back in the game! Last week was a whoooole bunch of grading, but aside from one class, I've officially closed out the fall semester, so I'm back to blogging. I love today's prompt, so let's dive right in...

Good-Memorable

Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero for its fierce, relatable, quirky main character (and the secondary characters, too).

Toil and Trouble by Mairghread Scott and Kelly and Nichole Matthews for it's unique take on Hamlet and three badass witches. 

Running the Rift by Naomi Benaron for it's heart-rending plot.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig for sexy times in a boat.

Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer for surprising me with more heft than I expected.

Not Great-Memorable

Your Kid's a Brat and It's All Your Fault by Elaine Glickman, and as the title might suggest this one tried humor but landed in more sensational territory.

Ikebana by Yumi Sakugawa was beautifully drawn but ultimately totally confusing.

American Housewife: Stories by Helen Ellis had great promise but fell flat. 

Do tell! Can't wait to see what you all came up with. Don't forget to check out GirlXOXO.com and TravelingWithT.com, too! 

#AMonthofFaves2016: This Is How We Blog

This Is How We Blog #AMonthofFaves2016 – – Essential Computer Programs, Browser Plugins, Websites and / or your blogging routine

My posts for this event may be wayyyyy underwelming. I'm beginning to see a pattern here! 2016 was the year my routine blew up. It was a great year for personal freedom, following my heart, and taking a new direction, but with that, a lot of the old stuff fell off. 

I obviously blog a lot less. I read a lot less. Overall, I'm at peace, so that's all that really matters, but I can't say I've been terribly innovative this year. My planning and organization have reverted to paper. I haven't incorporated any new technology per se. 

The technology that plays the most central role in my life is my podcast app. When I can't read or am having trouble concentrating, when I need to feel engaged but not toooo much, or when I'm out running, I turn to my podcasts!  I have a slew of new ones to try thanks to Heather, but my old favorites are still at the tippy top of my listening list: Note to Self, Lore, and Get Booked! 

Even though I haven't done much in this regard since March doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to your answers! 

#AMonthofFaves2016: Popular Books Worth the Hype

The year started off with a bang, but my reading has been nearly nil since August. I blame it on the election, thankyouverymuch. Looking back at my books read this year there are a lot of winners. Thank goodness this prompt didn't ask specifically for books that are popular NOW.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I REALLY struggled with this in print, but it was just the fast-pasted escapism I needed on audio.

The Vegetarian by Han Kang. So weird, so good, so much to ponder and discuss.

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I need to re-read this quarterly.

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. This is an audiobook winner from the April Readathon. Kaling's self-deprecating humor is just so good. I want to be her friend.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez. I literally want to give this to all my neighbors in hopes of growing some extra empathy in my town.

Check out Tamara and Tanya Patrice's faves, too! Link your own post down below!

 

#AMonthofFaves2016: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things #AMonthofFaves2016 – eg. to eat, drink, wear, smell, see, do, enjoy, best thing I bought, most used gift received etc, favorite concert, outdoor activity, place visited, most squee worthy moment of the year, biggest change.

2016 has been a bit of a beating, hasn't it? It feels a bit weird to be posting at all, and at times I feel guilty for not reading something serious, making calls to representatives, or some such. But we all need a break. Deserve one even. We must recharge to be effective at anything. 

So, my favorite things you ask? 

And don't forget to visit GirlXOXO and Traveling With T when you're done here. 

My planners. I went apeshit crazy with planning this year, and right now, with my multiple teaching gigs winding down, I could not be more thankful for them. I was sitting around grading a few straggler papers this morning and realized I needed to download a lot of what was cluttering up my brain, so I pulled out my Recollections brand personal planner from Michael's. When I got home I made sure all those bits and bobs were also in my big Erin Condren planner, and that way I can't miss anything. Well, I can, but it's less likely. 

My personal planner this very week!

Running programs. I never would've started running without Couch to 5K because I needed a plan with incremental goals to stay motivated. I might not be running now if it wasn't for Couch to 10K. 

My family. Because at the end of the day I get to spend time with my badass mom, my understanding husband, and the greatest little boy around. 

Happy favoriting, friends! Can you believe it's December? Nope, nope, nope.  

Link up your own post below!