The Year of Reading

For the last four years, I've set a goal of reading 50 books in a year.

2010: I read 44 books. 

2011: I read 43 books. 

2012: I read 37 books.

2013: I read 21 books.

 



Clearly I've been slacking and haven't met my goal. Actually, I've been getting further and further away from it. This year I'm determined to meet my goal. I got about 10 books for Christmas so that'll be a nice start towards my goal of 50. Before I start recapping the books I read this year I figured I would mention the ones I read during 2013:

1. Total Recall: Arnold Schwarzenegger

2. Divergent

3. Insurgent

4. Severe Clear

5. TVD: Stefan's Diaries Book 5: Asylum

6. Mrs. Jeffries & the Mistletoe Mix Up

7. The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

8. The Sinister Signpost: Hardy Boys

9. Delirium

10. Collateral Damage

11. Gone Girl

12. Daniel X: Watch the Skies

13. Pandemonium

14. Requiem

15. Unintended Consequences

16. The Sign of the Crooked Arrow: Hardy Boys

17. The Jungle Pyramid: Hardy Boys

18. The Secret Agent on Flight 101: Hardy Boys

19. The Secret of the Caves: Hardy Boys

20. Allegiant

21. 44 Horrible Dates

 

Out of these books, my favorites were probably...

 

Divergent and Delirium are both the first books in trilogies. I really loved the first books but as both series' went on, I wasn't too thrilled with how they both ended. I'd have to say I was completely bummed about how the Divergent trilogy ended. I can't wait for the movie though! Delirium ended on a better not with me and I'd love to see this book series made into a movie or television series.

So what's the first book I'm reading this year? A book I got for Christmas...

 

I've read all of Tori's other books and enjoyed them. I read her first book sTori Telling at a time in my life when I could relate to her relationship problems so I connected with her. I also loved her as Donna Martin on 90210. I'm about 100 pages in on her latest book and I'm really enjoying it. It's an easy read. Hopefully, I'll hit that 50 book mark this year! So here's to being almost done with book number one.

Saturday Smiles

This is something new.

New Year.

New Things.

Every Saturday, I'm going to try and post five things that made me smile during the week. Often I find myself getting caught up in the small stuff but this year I'm making an effort to be conscious of it. This year is about being happy and finding happiness even in the small things! Want to join me? Go ahead and post your Saturday Smiles!

This week's Saturday Smiles...

1. Having 3 days off work.

2. Getting new tires and an oil change for my car.

3. New furniture.

4. Watching the final season of Designing Women.

5. Finding a tree topper for my beach theme tree. Who cares it's after Christmas!

 

What's making you smile this Saturday?

Believe

I'm a believer.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. You meet people for a reason.

They come into your life and leave your life for a reason.

The timing, the place, the events that bring them in and out.

All meant to be.

I've always been a believer but at times I haven't been a firm believer.

I may not always get the reasoning or the why's but I have to keep believing.

Right now I feel as if I'm getting tested. One of those tests that the universe gives you to see if you really believe.

I'm upset.
I'm sad.
I'm annoyed.
I'm questioning the universe.

I'm going to hold my head up and keep moving forward.

That's all one can really do.

When I feel down, I'm going to remember everything I have to be thankful for. I'm going to remember that I have people who care about me. I have a job. I have a car. I have a roof over my head.

I'm going to believe that good things do happen to good people.

I'm going to believe that the universe is going to help bring me what I'm looking for.

I'm going to believe that happiness will find me in every aspect of my life.

I'm going to believe that I'm going to get everything I want and more.

What about you? Have you ever felt like the universe just keeps testing you in one certain area of your life? Maybe more?