New Year, New Books, New Plans

Another year out and a new year in. I know that everyone and their pet candle is writing a “summary of 2017” or “look out 2018!” post….and I’m not even ashamed to be joining in. Why? Because it’s the new year and I honestly can’t think of what else I should blog about. Guys…it’s a new year!

I love looking back at the exciting, growing, beautiful things that God has done. Like the fact that–during my blog hiatus–my Out of Time Series became available again!!!

You can order the paperbacks pretty much everywhere now! Like Amazon! The Book Depository! Barnes and Noble! See all other retailers here. YAAAAAY!

I also love dreaming forward (and then looking back at those dreams and realizing how different the year ends up being.) So, without further ado, here’s a mini-recap. Complete with book talk, movie woes, and bookstagram photos.

I TRAVELED TO:

• 2 different countries (Russia and England)
• 11 different states
• 4 different writing conferences (WordSowers, OYAN, SoCal Christian Writer’s Conference, & ACFW)

FAVORITE MOVIE OF 2017:

COCO was my favorite movie of 2017. I adored every little bit of it and have listened to the soundtrack more times than I can count. It seems like everyone has a different opinion on this movie–some loved it, some thought it was “fine”, and others didn’t like it at all. I think it’s a very to-each-his-own movie and it was certainly in line with all my favorite things.

THE LAST JEDI came in at a close second.I would call myself an average Star Wars fan. I enjoy the movies, but I haven’t read any of the books nor could I tell you names of the planets or the ancestral background of all the characters. 😛 My favorite movies are the original three, but The Last Jedi is now in my list of favorites. It exceeded my expectations in every possible way and I laughed a lot as well as was surprised around every corner. My favorite type of movie.

MOST DISAPPOINTING MOVIES OF 2017:

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 – I just…can’t even talk about it. I’m pretending it doesn’t exist, in fact.

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS – This is, I think, because I read the book first. And I loved it. And the movie just took on a very different temperament than the book and I felt like they didn’t quite capture Poirot’s personality. Still, a lot of people liked the movie and I’m so glad because Agatha Christie deserves all the recognition. I just wish I was one of them. 😛

FUNNIEST BOOK READ IN 2017:

MY LADY JANE–a perfect mixture of history, fantasy, and hilariousness. This is a reimagining of the story of Lady Jane Grey who was queen of England for 9 days.

FAVORITE AUDIOBOOK of 2017:

SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater was gorgeous and brilliant and makes a fantastic audiobook because #accents. I’m not even a horse person but this book has inspired me to go out and capture a flesh-eating horse from the sea. Yup. Now you know you want to read it.

MOST THOUGHT-PROVOKING BOOK READ IN 2017:

THE HATE U GIVE* is one of those books that tackles a hard topic and makes people think. It’s about a black girl who witnesses a white cop shooting her friend. It’s not an easy book to read, and please note that there is mature content in it. But it’s thought-provoking and very eye-opening. I seek out books that make me think or that will reveal to me the perspective of a culture/race/minority/etc that I can only be taught. I’m thankful this one was written.

FAVORITE SERIES READ IN 2017:

THE LORD OF THE RINGS will always be a favorite, but it had been a while since I read them. This year I finished reading them aloud to Mister Ninja and it was glorious. I’m ready to re-read them and rewatch the movies every single week until forever. 😛

TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE* was trilogy that surprised me. It’s probably my favorite contemporary because it’s about three sisters–mainly the middle sister–and I’m the middle sister of three so….perfection.

*some books mentioned above may contain mature content that is important to my more sensitive readers. Please note that my mention of any book in this post does not constitute my endorsement or recommendation.

WHERE WILL I BE IN 2018?

So far, in 2018, I will be at these conferences. This list will be added to and build a bit as the year goes on. 🙂

• Jan 20: Beaulitful Con
• June 21-24: SoCal Christian Writers Conference
• July 19-22: Realm Makers Conference
• Sep 20 – 23: ACFW Conference

BOOKS I SHOULD HAVE READ ALREADY:

These books I really should have read already, but I haven’t because my TBR list will kill me. So I’m giving them a shot in 2018!

RED QUEEN* – This has been on my TBR list since it came out. FOR SHAME! But the last book isn’t out yet so…I don’t feel too bad. I like to read series in one go.

The THRONE OF GLASS SERIES* underwent a similar fate as Red Queen. I’ve actually started this one–and got three books in (enjoying all of them), but then realized the final book wasn’t coming out until 2018!! So now it’s 2018 and I’m going to start the series over, barreling through them all.

A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC SERIES – I am ashamed. I adore the first book, but have yet to finish reading the complete series. *hangs head in shame* SO…that’s at the top of the stack.

THE WINNER’S CURSE TRILOGY – I’ve only ever heard fantastic things about this trilogy, but I have this weird idea in my head that it’s set in the desert and, therefore, must only be read in summer. I have no idea if that’s true, but I’ll probably start it around springtime or so.

*some books mentioned above may contain mature content that is important to my more sensitive readers. Please note that my mention of any book in this post does not constitute my endorsement or recommendation.

NEW RELEASES OF 2018 I CAN’T WAIT FOR:

OLIVIA TWIST by Lorie Langdon – releases March 6 – AHH! AHHHHH! AHHHHH! AHHHHHHHH! That about sums up my feelings regarding how excited I am for this book. AND. I. HAVE. AN. ADVANCED. COPY. So if you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to…. *disappears into fuzzy blanket with book*

RECLAIMING SHILO SNOW by Mary Weber – Releases March 6 – Confession: I’ve already read this brilliant conclusion to the Sofi Snow duology and love it. I hit a point where I could. not. stop. reading. You’ll know when you hit it. 😉

OBSIDIO* by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman – releases March 13 – EEEEP! The conclusion to the Illuminae Files! These books are so creepy and brilliant and weird. I’m so looking forward to this release. It’s like zombies on a space-ship…only throw in scary alien beasts and black holes.

UNBREAKABLE by Sara Ella – releases May 1 – Another one by a sweet friend of mine! Sara’s writing is exquisite and I can’t wait to see how she rounds off this delightful Unblemished series. (No, I haven’t read it yet, but you all know how much I adore her writing!)

MY PLAIN JANE by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows – releases June 26 – A comedy retelling of Jane Eyre? Um…yes please! Because, let’s face it, the true classic is creepy. The world needs this retelling.

FAWKES by Yours Truly – releases July 10 – Oh wait…how did this get in here? *ahem* MY BOOK RELEASES IN JULY! Did you really expect me to skip over it? 😛

A TOUCH OF GOLD by Annie Sullivan – releases August 14 – This is a newish discovery of mine, but Annie Sullivan has penned a reimagining of King Midas and his finger of gold! That story has always fascinated me and I can’t wait to have a whole novel full of it!

*some books mentioned above may contain mature content that is important to my more sensitive readers. Please note that my mention of any book in this post does not constitute my endorsement or recommendation.

2018 MOVIES I CAN’T WAIT FOR:

READY PLAYER ONE – I’m a little wary because the book is so unique and fantastic and the trailers haven’t impressed me yet. But it’ll be fun nonetheless.

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR – Oh goodness. Are we ready? I’m not sure we are. Actually, okay, I am. 😛 BRING IT ON.

THE INCREDIBLES II – To be honest, I’m probably the most excited about this movie. More than any other movie in 2018. *drools* I’ve been waiting! We all have! It has been fourteen years! There are highschoolers who weren’t even born yet when the first movie came out. O.o Wow. After a 14-year wait….I know it will be worth it.

WRITING IN 2018:

What’s a New Year blog post without some writing goals or book updates?

In 2017, I wrote Fawkes and that will be releasing this July! EEEP!!! Did I mention it’s up for pre-order? (Okay, I know I mentioned it once…or at least fifty times. 😛 )

This year I’ll be working on another historical fantasy that will likely release in 2019. Stalk my social media and you’ll probably be getting hints over the next few months. 😉

Okay, your turn. What were some favorites (books, movies, moments, achievments, etc.) from 2017 and what are you looking forward to in 2018?