Annie’s Mid-Year Wrap-Up

 

I set a pretty lofty goal for myself this year: read 50 books and participate in a 2018 reading challenge to motivate myself to find time to read every day.  I’ve read 25 books so far, meaning I’m halfway through the year and halfway through the challenge.  That seems like a success to me.

This has been my best year of reading (so far).  I’ve in part accomplished this by picking up audiobooks, which have revolutionized how I read.  I don’t listen to audio exclusively, but I enjoy putting an audiobook on in the background which I’m doing chores or cooking.

I’ve also made reading a priority this year.  To me, cracking open a good book is a break from daily stressors, and I’ve used this time to decompress and focus on my wellbeing and mental health.  I’ve learned through reading that I am a priority: take time to care for yourself and future you will thank you for it.

This year, I’ve read some of my all-time favorite books.  Here is what I’ve read this year (and click on each title to check out why I chose that rating!)

5 Star Books:
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Sounds Like Me: My Life (So Far) in Song by Sara Bareilles

4 Star Books:
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
The Circle by Dave Eggers
Cruel Crown by Victoria Aveyard
See How They Run by Ally Carter
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter
Caraval by Stephanie Garber
Requiem by Lauren Oliver

3 Star Books:
Sublime Karma by Peyton Garver
Lorna versus Laura by Cynthia Hilston
The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
The Jewel by Amy Ewing
The Black Key by Amy Ewing
Not if I Save You First by Ally Carter

2 Star Books:
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
The White Rose by Amy Ewing

1 Star Books:
none so far!!

Here some of my favorite blog posts from the past six months:

Debunking Common Writing Advice

Books for Each Harry Potter House

How to Support Creators Without Spending Money

Unpopular Opinions

Is Sorority Life Right for You?

This year, I launched my first series, Freshman Files, in which I talk about all the things I wish I’d known going into freshman year

I also started my Youtube channel, Annie Likes Vlogs, and am excited to track its growth and expansion over the next days, months, years, and beyond.  Exploring how YouTube works has given me a new appreciation for all the work YouTubers do to produce their content, and contributing to this community has given me a cool sense of purpose and place.

As you can tell, I launched a new blog theme.  We are now out with the marble and in with summery pastels.  Check back every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to see what colors I’m unveiling next.

 

How has your 2018 been so far?  Have we read any of the same books?  What are your goals this year?

Related Post // My Writing Habits, Current Projects, and a Writing Snipper

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