Boyhood | Movie Mini-Review

Rating: 

4.0/5.0 stars

Quick thoughts on Boyhood:

Not much of a plot, or definitely not your standard overarching movie plot. It literally followed 12 years of one boy's life struggles, triumphs, and daily encounters. Incredibly unique concept, especially since it was filmed with the same cast over the twelve years of filming. It wasn't really fast or slow paced; it was simply a true portrayal of life with drama, lulls, and everything in between. If you're in the mood for some action, or even a simple by-the-book movie, this won't fulfill it. With it's unique and indie qualities put into consideration, I highly enjoyed the thought and time that was brought into the making of the cinematic experience. What might be my favorite aspect of the movie is how relatable the references were. The boy is my age at the end of the movie and they made a lot of references from each year with the clothes, music, pop culture, etc. The flashbacks were simply fun to experience along with the lead character. In the most simplistic terms, this is an interesting movie well worth your time if you have the attention or intrigue for it. 

2014 Year In Review

2014 was SUCH A GREAT YEAR. I loved it wholeheartedly, even during all the really tough parts, which this survey doesn't focus too much on so I tacked on some questions that would allow me to express though parts too.

1. What did you do in 2014 that you have never done before?
SO MANY THINGS. Went to not only my first author events but FOUR author events! Graduated. Flew on an airplane (SIX actually) alone. Went to California; Massachusetts, Smokey Mountains. Saw the Pacific Ocean; wild black bears, seals. Successfully navigated a subway station (not without help. That's for next time). Ate authentic Italian, Mexican, Latin, Saudi, and Indian food; homemade ice cream; peace pie. Moved out. Started college. (Insert things that I CAN'T TELL THE WORLD. Teehee!) Went ziplining; white water rafting. I actually started a journal of "firsts" to document my new experiences and these are just the highlights!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Excitedly YES and for sure!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes! My cousin (whom I visited earlier in the year while she was still pregnant) gave birth to her first child! Welcome to the world, Samantha!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Sadly, my grandma died on New Year's Eve. 3:03 AM.

5. Where did you travel?
Poway/San Diego, California; Sterling/Boston, Massachusetts; Kentucky, Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Asheville, North Carolina!

6. What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
Less self-doubt, although that's kind of stupid because I know this is prime time to doubt and question everything! So maybe just less self-criticism.

7. What dates from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
June 2: Graduation day.
August 21: Move in date.
December 31: Grandma's passing.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Graduating with 4.0 GPA, in top 10 of my class, going to away to college on full tuition scholarship, got to see my grandma more/grow closer to her before she past away, actually being able to lose weight and be healthier when I set my mind to it.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Can't say I necessarily had a huge failure. I hit a lot of goals I had been striving for for years now.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
For the first time in a while, no. Since I was 8, I've had injuries and mystery diagnoses that have been the bane of my existence, and in the first time in a while, my issues, for the most part, faded away.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Did I have to buy it? Because the best things I got this year were gifted to me. A Temperpedic mattress pad (glorious!), a huge ass cuddle blanket (so soft!), and BOOKS.

12. Where did most of your money go?
COLLEGE. The fees are RIDIKULLUS. To entertainment such as traveling, movies, books, etc. It was my one last hoo-rah before I have to get serious about life! ;) Oh who am I kidding. I hope my entire life is one big hoo-rah!

13. What did you get really excited about?
Graduating (AMEN!), traveling (AHHHH!!!!), author events, Colleen Hoover, making new friends, starting college, being alive!

14. What song will always remind you of 2014?
All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor. Unfortunately. My best friends LOVED this song and jammed out to in whenever it came on the radio. Which was every 20 minutes.
Gold by James Vincent McMorrow - And the music video is STUNNING. All the feels!!
Let It Go by Everyone Who Ever Sang This Song ;)
Stay With Me - Sam Smith
Boom Clap - Charli XX
What You Wanted - OneRepublic

15. Compared to this time last year, are you...
Happier or sadder? Happier. Less weight on my shoulders. Last year, I was getting ready to go back to school and continue my senior project and felt pressured to know what I wanted out of life and THE STRESS. That's all gone now.
Thinner or fatter? About the same. I gained more weight, but I lost 10 pounds in the last 8 weeks so woot woot!
Richer or poorer? Poorer. I quit the job I hated and then made a big dent in my savings, but I don't think I regret any of it. Especially the job part.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing. I want to write books but I get so unbelievably discouraged at the mere thought of trying. It's pitiful really. My hobbies such as knitting and sketching.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
It didn't take up too much of my time because I've been significantly better at it but not mindlessly browsing the web. I've wheedled out at least 85% of the mindless scrolling through social media I used to do out of boredom, but more recently picked up the habit again.

18. How did you spend Christmas?
I visited my grandma at her nursing home. Read. Had dinner with my family. Read some more. :)

19. What was your favorite TV program?
Parenthood, which has been the case for the past SIX YEARS. I'm so sad I won't be able to say this same answer next year because Parenthood is ending this coming February waaaaah!

20. What were your favorite books of the year?
The Kite Runner, This Star Won't Go Out, Breaking the Rules, Maybe Someday, Cruel Beauty, Where She Went, Just One Day, and MORE.

21. What was your favorite music from this year?
Daughter - discovered this year; loving!
Greg Laswell - discovered this year; loving!
Mat Kearney - discovered in 2013; love his pandora station
Ben Rector - discovered in 2013; love his pandora station
Bon Iver - discovered a few years back; never gets old; he is my go-to!
James Vincent McMorrow - discovered in 2012; new gets old; he is another go-to!

22. What were your favorite films of the year?
I made a post on m top 14 here!

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 18 and didn't do anything remotely 18-celebration-like! I'm a big family person so my parents surprised me by taking me to an awesome Italian (my favorite!) restaurant I had never been to and met up with my aunt and uncle. :)

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If I could have read more in September through November. My reading went AWOL during my first semester. And although I wouldn't replace the memories I made with reading, I wish I could have added more hours into the year to make up for my loss of reading (I only read 3 books for my own enjoyment the entire first semester!)

26. What kept you sane?
Music, my friends, and my family.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.
#1 - It's okay to not have your shit together on every aspect of life. You'll get there.
#2 - The world is at your fingertips; you can do anything you want to do as long as you make it happen <Basically my year motto.
#3 - Take chances! You're only guaranteed today! <Also my year motto.

28. What regrets/disappointments do you have about 2014?
Wasting too much time on little, mind-numbing activities (like surfing the internet) and procrastinating when I could have been writing or working on my "dreams" instead of just drowning in escapism. I also wish I had followed through with more of my plans to meet up with people when I said I wanted to get together with them. I know life gets really busy, but I don't want to keep making empty promises. I feel phony when I do that and I don't mean to.

29. Words or sayings that remind you of 2014:
"Proud of you" "bae" "Ohmigawwwd" "I love your more" "That's debatable" "Bye Felicia!" ^^Things me and my friends say jokingly LOL.

30. Did you have any new favorite foods or drinks?
I started enjoying shrimp more this year. I also really enjoyed the peach pie I had for the first time. I love peaches, why haven't I had them in pie form before?

31. Did you have any new favorite health/hair products?
Not that I can think of.

32. Did you have any new obsessions?
I can't think of any right now, but I know I did. I'm a fangirl for Pete's sake. ;)

33. Did anyone new walk into your life?
Lydie. Sierrey. Anna. Dozens upon DOZENS of friends from my first semester.

34. What was your personal style? In clothes, accessories, room decorations, etc
Casual with flare here and there. Jeans, tank tops, flowy tops and leggings, big sweatshirts, sneakers. Minimal accessories. I always wear hair ties on my wrist. I either wear my hair natural (curly), a high bun, or at night I will braid it before bed. As far as decorations, I love neutrals and blues. I themed my dorm room around those colors and will do the same next year.

Top Ten 2014 Releases I Want to Read In 2015

The original title of this TTT is "Top Ten 2014 Releases I Meant to Read but Didn't Get To" but I don't like that because most of these books are 2014 releases I knew wasn't going to read in 2014 due to time and other books I already wanted to read. So these are the 2014 releases I really want to read this year!

Reading 10 books released in 2014 is actually one of my book goals for 2015 so yay, now I have a list of what I'm going to read!

Review: Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher

Synopsis:
Best friends since they could walk. In love since the age of fourteen. Complete strangers since this morning.
He'll do anything to remember. She'll do anything to forget.

Genre: YA? There were mature topics discussed in this first book, but I don't think it could really be considered NA. And a mixture of contemporary, mystery, suspense, and romance! It's just everything amazing all in one!

Pages: 104

Date published: January 8, 2014

Never stop. 

Never forget. 

Just remember.

Rating: 4 stars
My review:

UPDATE: Okay! I've completely gone crazy! After having time to contemplate the book and its clues, more and more questions are popping into my head and I cannot wrap my mind around what's going on! There is so much more to this plot than I ever imagined that I almost want to say y'all should disregard my review. Just know that this is a great mystery/suspense/romance and if you are into trying to decipher a story word by word, this is totally up your alley! I'm torturing myself trying to make sense of it all and loving it all the same.

ORIGINAL:

What the what?!?

I can't even. What? NO!!!

I just finished Never Never. I can't believe what I just read. This is so different from anything else I've ever read and I loved every second of it! Colleen Hoover, props to you for thinking of this crazy idea, and Tarryn Fisher, for getting the ball rolling. Brilliant.

The plot! Holy shoot the plot was awesome. I don't want to reveal anything about the plot because reading the first chapter sneak peek after knowing nothing about the plot messed with my mind! In the best way possible, of course, and I want you guys to go into the book not knowing what to expect! After the first chapter, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the full story, but was going to have to wait until the paperback came out (because I couldn't buy both paperback and ebook). Gratefully, I won a copy from a fellow CoHort (thank you again, Meredith!) and then devoured it. I loved experiencing all the confusion and curiosity and carefulness of Charlie and Silas as they tried to relearn and put the pieces together. I felt so in tune with Charlie and Silas, as if I too were experiencing the events and emotions with them. Trying to figure out what was going on put me on such an edge. Every time another piece about themselves was discovered, I was anxious, excited, and smiling so much. I found myself rooting for Charlie and Silas, loving them more and more with each bit I was learning about them. Especially with each new tid bit that made their relationship more flawed and complex, things started clicking in place and I was just thinking I LOVE THIS! I love Charlie. I love Silas. (Especially Silas. Can he get any more perfect??) I love Landon (I want him) and Janette. I love Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher...

The reason I'm not giving Never Never 5 stars is because I'm still conflicted on its length. I love the plot and where it's headed, but it's so short that we weren't able to get a complete story. I feel like I am hardly entitled to give it a rating when it isn't complete. It's like rating an excerpt and rating an entire book off of how I liked that one part. Of course, after reading Never Never I discovered that the reason it is so short is because Never Never had to be published in a novella series, due to Tarryn not being contracted with Colleen's publisher. I would have loved to see Never Never as one bind up instead of three separate publications, because like I said, this just wasn't a full book, but I understand the legality of the situation.

Anyway, I love this story so much and there's still so much left to learn (basically everything since nothing was really cleared up in this first installment) about Charlie and Silas, their families, and what the heck happened! There were some elements/motifs that were barely touched up on in this first book (atoning for one's mistakes, serving a purpose outside yourself) that I'm going crazy imagining how they'll play out in the sequels! I know this is just the beginning of what to expect from this series and I cannot wait to read the other books.

Never stop. 

Never forget. 

Just remember.

Available now:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks

Top Ten Most Anticipated New Releases For 2015

Originally this TTT was "Top Ten Most Anticipated Debut Books For 2015" but I typically don't hear of debuts until closer to their release dates or when there is a bunch of rave surrounding them so I'm sharing the new releases I'm most excited to read this year!

The other two 2015 releases I'm excited for and don't have covers yet are:

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

November Nine by Colleen Hoover

What new releases are you excited to read?

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme that was created by The Broke and the Bookish. You can find more TTT lists from book lovers and bloggers by clicking their blog name.

Rethinking My TBR Pile & 2015 Goals

This past year I restructured my TBR list quite a bit. I had over 300 books on the list, a lot of which I added after seeing good ratings for or pretty covers (sue me). ;) It became overwhelming very quickly so I split my TBR list into FOUR separate shelves. I know, that sounds like it would make things so much more complicated, but honestly, it has actually helped me! Let me explain them:

1) To-Read
Named after Goodreads' default bookshelf
Purpose: For all the books I DEFINITELY wanted to read at some point
Criteria: These books must interest me because of the synopsis, author, and/or convincing recommendations from multiple people (friends, family, bloggers, BookTubers, etc)
Current # of books listed: 154

2) Maybe
Named after my indecisiveness/wariness
Purpose: For all the books I wasn't sold on, but didn't want to cast aside right away; to keep in mind
Criteria: These books include ones that crossed my path and peaked my interest for some reason
Current # of books listed: 292

3) Kindle Freebies
Named after the kindle books I downloaded for free (pretty straight forward)
Purpose: To keep straight the dozens upon dozens of free kindle books I binge downloaded when I first got my kindle (as well as freebies I later downloaded).
Criteria: These books include ones a) I know for sure I will read at some point and b) ones I don't know much about but am willing to crack open because, um, they were FREE.
Current # of books listed: 44

4) Classics to Consider
Named after the classics I'm considering reading (super straight forward)
Purpose: To keep track of the classics I've been coming across.
Criteria: These books include classics from authors I have not read before and am not sure if I will like there writing style, but I want to give a try some day and am not sure which of their books I want to try.
Current # of books listed: 25

In the end, what splitting my TBR list into four different shelves has allowed me to do is a) prioritize the books I really want to read and b) not let the "gems" get swept away in the overflow. With that said, I was looking at my TBR list again (does anyone else do that? Just look at the books you can't wait to read in anticipation?) and what did I find? I discovered that...

On my main TBR list I have:

19... 2015 releases

30... 2014 releases

31... 2013 releases

20... 2012 releases

16... 2011 releases

23... 2000 to 2010 releases

11... released before 2000

+ 4 more books without estimated release dates

Last year quite a few of my reading goals revolved around the books' publishing years and after seeing the figures above, I decided I still wanted this aspect to be a part of my reading goals for this year, that way I'm not neglecting books published a few (or many) years back. I already made 10 book goals for 2015, but I don't want to add 7 more on top of that so I'm going to make similar goals to last year's except have them coincide with my other goals. Meaning: I hope I can read past the 53 books I need to read in order to finish my 10 goals so that when I'm done, all the books I've read for the year will also fulfill these added goals. So my coinciding book goals for 2015 are:

Read 10 books released in 2015
Read 15 books released in 2014 
Read 15 books released in 2013
Read 5 books released in 2012
Read 5 books released in 2011
Read 10 books released from 2000-2010
Read 5 books released 2000 releases

65 books in 2015.

I'm not sure how feasible this goal is (I'm going to be a lot busier this year than I have been in the past!) BUT this is best case scenario and I would love to cut my main TBR list by approximately a third so I'm gong to go for it! :) (I figured a third by keeping in mind the books I'll likely move from my maybe, kindle freebies, and classics shelves as well as the books I've yet to discover)

Until next time, happy reading!

Holly

Let's Get Started | My Goals for 2015!

Last year's book and life goals went so well and I'm excited to begin working on my new list of goals! Just as last year, I had 10 book and life goals for 2015!

My Book Goals for 2015:
Disclaimer: Most of the books I plan on reading next year won't overlap in categories but I'm okay if some of them overlap; i.e. in categories #2 and #8

1. Read 5 of my oldest ebooks (added before 2015)

I have an awful time getting to the books on my kindle. I acquire eARCs and purchase older ebooks I've been meaning to get to but then never get to them. Last year I had a similar goal (read 5 ARCs) and didn't meet it, but I have better hopes for this one. i.e. Always You, Thomas & January, Just Remember to Breathe, Maybe One Day, Reason to Breathe, Anathema, On the Island, Breaking Free, Little Women, Stalk Me, etc

2. Read 5 of the earliest books added to my TBR list (in 2012) 

I met this goal last year and wanted to do it again because there are still more books I've been neglecting for a long time. i.e. Back to You, The Body Finder, Sloppy Firsts, My Name is Memory, etc

3. Read 5 books I already own

I acquired 31 books in 2014 and read 10 of them, four of which I read within the last couple weeks of the year. Some of them were odd gifts or cheap pick ups from garage sales so I'm not sure how many of them I'll want to read in the end and, therefore, didn't want to put too much pressure on myself to read them if I am just not feeling them, but there's at least i.e. A Thousand Splendid Suns, Since You've Been Gone, Thin Space, The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller, Home Front, Chasing Hope, Night Road, Everneath, etc

4. Read 3 classics

I've never read a classic willingly, but I want to try some out that I'm actually interested in and get a taste of these world renown authors. i.e. Pride and Prejudice, The Three Musketeers, David Copperfield...

5. Read 5 books that inspired Disney/childhood movies

i.e. The Arabian Nights, Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Tarzan and the Apes, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, etc

6. Read 5 historical novels and/or memoirs

This year I started getting into historical novels and memoirs. Unfortunately I didn't read that many of either, but that's where this goal comes in! I grouped these two categories together because they kind of have to do with similar subjects: both based off or inspired by real events. i.e. A Thousand Splendid Suns, Sold, I Am Malala, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, etc

7. Finish 5 series I've already begun

Particularly: Anna and the French Kiss, The Mortal Instruments, The Lunar Chronicles, Newsoul, Maze Runner, and That Boy

8. Read 10 new-to-me authors

Keep things fresh! i.e. Rainbow Rowell, Priscilla Glenn, A.L. Jackson, Tarryn Fisher, Steph Campbell, Amie Kaufman, Jennifer E. Smith, 

9. Begin 10 series (and maybe binge read them??)

There are so many series I'm missing out on! i.e. The Heroes of Olympus, The Iron Fey, Nightshade, The Darkest Minds, Angelfall, Breathing, Sweet Evil, Ruby Red, The Syrena Legacy, Jessica Darling, Starbound, The Winner's Trilogy, Anathema, The Keatyn Chronicles, Fate, etc

10. Read more Shelly Crane books

I love her Significance and Wide awake series, but I only read two of her books last year. That's a problem that needs fixing! i.e. Smash into You, Collide, Stealing Grace, etc

My Life Goals for 2015:

1. Write my first completed draft

I've started multiple stories, but haven't finished any of them. I struggle with my writing and get discouraged easily, but this year I hope to keep chugging even when it is difficult.

2. Watch 1 new movie/documentary/TV show a week

I added this a list after January for last year's goals and I loved it so I wanted to do it again!

3. Hone crafting skills

Last year I knitted my first scarf, barely started sketching, challenged my design skills by making four Yearbook spreads, helped build a shed, and started making adjustments to my bookcases! Especially recently, the creative energy and inspiration is definitely swirling within me and I must do more with it! I received new knitting, crocheting, sketching, and calligraphy supplies for Christmas, so I plan on using the crap out of those. I also am taking a graphic design (drawing) class next semester, want to finish my bookshelves, and then do more work with wood and paint.

4. Go to my first concert

There were two concerts I wanted to go to last year (Tyler Ward and Bastille) but didn't get to go to either so this is a MUST. X Ambassadors looks promising but we'll see!

5. Educate myself and vote when I can

I didn't register so I wasn't able to vote, but this year I'm determined to make this happen.

6. Develop a healthy living style

Last year my goal was to "get off my butt more", which was an on and off process that picked up the last two months, but this year I want to take it a little bit farther and try to not eat so snacks and sweets so often and exercise at least semi regularly.

7. Consciously appreciate the things and people I have in my life and show that I mean it

Whether this be through reflecting on the good things that happen to me and the people I meet or reminding my family and friends I care and am thankful of them or being patient and thanking strangers.

The rest are a life goals I started last year and want to continue for the rest of my life:

8, 9, 10, & 11? strive to be helpful, honest, kind, and knowledgeable; 

12. try new things without fear holding me back;

Check out The Broke and the Bookish to see what other book bloggers aim to achieve in 2015

What are your goals for 2015?

Related Posts:

My Book Goals Results from 2014  |  My Life Goals Results from 2014

The Results Are In | 10 Book Goals for 2014

I had two sets of goals for this year: book goals and life goals. Both sets of goals went really well this year and I'm excited to share my results! Continue reading for my book goal results and click here for my life goal results.

10 Book Goals:
My main focus this year was to read a variety of books from different points in time whether that be their publishing year or when I first started the series. With so many books on my TBR list, I wanted to give everything a fair shot, instead of just reading i.e. all new releases. (Btw, the publishing year time frames for each of my goals was determined based on how many books in each year I had on my TBR list).

1. Read 5 books published before 2000 - COMPLETED!
-Alice's Adventure's in Wonderland
-Night by Elie Wiesel
-The Color Purple by Alice Walker
-Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
-Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou 
+ The Iliad, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane, Going After Cacciato by Tim O'Brien, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

2. Read 5 books that were published between 2000-2007 - CLOSE, YET SO FAR AWAY
I didn't think I was going to make this one but then a week ago I was like, yeah I can totally read two more books to meet the goal! But within the last 24 hours I have not read more than 9 pages in the last book and I just don't feel motivated to finish it in the next 12 hours. I wish I could say I made this goal since I totally could have but at this point I'm perfectly okay because I accomplished a lot book-wise this year.
-The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
-Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
-The Garden of Eve by K.L. Going
-A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass

3. Read 10 books that were published between 2008-2011 - COMPLETED!
-Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
-Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins 
-The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
-Glitches by Marissa Meyer 
-If I Stay by Gayle Forman
-Where She Went by Gayle Forman
-Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler 
-The Maze Runner by James Dashner
-The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein 
-Seriously, I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres
-It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han 
-We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han
+ The Scorch Trials by James Dashner, Sand Queen by Helen Benedict, Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

4. Read 10 books that were published in 2012 - COMPLETED!
-Cinder by Marissa Meyer
-Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
-Ten Tiny Breaths by K.A. Tucker
-Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
-The Queen's Army by Marissa Meyer
-Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
-Burn for Burn by Jenny Han
-Every Day by David Levithan
-Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
-Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

5. Read 10 books that were published last year - COMPLETED!
-The Other Fish in the Sea by Jenn Cooksey
-Shark Out of Water by Jenn Cooksey
-Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
-Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi
-Just One Year by Gayle Forman
-Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi
-Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout
-The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
-Life Before Legend by Marie Lu
-Prodigy by Marie Lu
+ Crash into You by Katie McGarry, Four Summers by Nyrae Dawn, Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
 

6. Read 10 books that were published this year - COMPLETED!
-Wide Open by Shelly Crane
-A Father's Kiss by Colleen Hoover
-Consequence by Shelly Crane
-This Star Won't Go Out by Esther Grace Earl
-The Little Android by Marissa Meyer
-Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
-Tiger's Promise by Colleen Houck
-Panic by Lauren Oliver
-Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Dodge
-We Were Liars E. Lockhart
+ To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, Dumbledore's Army by J.K. Rowling, Champion by Marie Lu, Red at Night by Katie McGarry, Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover, Take Me On by Katie McGarry, Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry

7. Read 5 ARCs - UNCOMPLETED
-Fields of Elysium by A.B. Whelan... but I only read 25% of it before quitting. I just haven't been excited about the ARCs so I'm not sure if I'll do anything about this next year.


8. Read 5 of the oldest books on my TBR list--added between June 2012 and September 2012 - COMPLETED!
-Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
-Incarnate by Jodi Meadows
-Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick
-Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson
-The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

9. Finish 5 series that I have previously started - COMPLETED!
I finished so many series this year! Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, Covenant by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Legend by Marie Lu, Summer by Jenny Han, The Chemical Garden by Lauren DeStefano, + Selection by Kiera Cass, The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare...

10. Read 2 book jar picks - Quite a few of the books listed above were book jar picks so I'm not going to list them, but yes, I did COMPLETE this goal!

BONUS - On Goodreads, I made a "must read" list for 2014 and I read 24 of the 47 books on that list. Not exactly an ideal result, but that list didn't include all the 2014 releases I was highly anticipating and ended up reading nor the series I continued after beginning one of the books on the list. Also, I'm still happy with the books I did get to this year. :)

Final Results:
8/10 book goals completed!

Considering that this is my first year making book goals for myself, I'm proud of what I accomplished! Although I didn't read as many books as I have in past years (108 books in 2013), these goals were so much more satisfying than reaching a specific number of books. I purposefully didn't make a "total books read" goal this year because I wanted to focus more on these goals than on a set end number, but I did end up reading 85 books, which I think is pretty darn good.

Also, since I started these goals as a Top Ten Tuesday, I'll link back to The Broke and the Bookish.

Watch out for my 2015 reading and life goals post and tell me what goals you completed this year!

Thanks for reading. :)

The Results Are In | 10 Life Goals for 2014

I had two sets of goals for this year: book goals and life goals. Both sets of goals went really well and I'm excited to share my results! Continue reading for my life goal results and click here for my 2014 book goals results.

10 Life Goals for 2014:

I made most of these goals vague (i.e. get off my butt more) because I did not want to base my year off one specific goal (lose 20 pounds) and then feel immense disappointment if I did not reach a specified goal. I wanted them to be things I had complete control over and could achieve at any time (hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly) as long as I set my mind on them.

1. Be honest

This wasn't something I kept track of, but I know I've improved on telling others how I feel when they have hurt me and not being afraid to tell others what I think about a subject, including sticking up for the things I love but others might consider silly or nerdy.

2. Be kind
I don't have much to say about this other than I felt an improvement in my own attitude and I feel better because of it.

3. Confront fears and take chances
These are tricky goals because when I started them, I didn't really have any specific fears (such a public speaking or spiders) in mind when I made it. But some things I had reservations about had to do with independence. I was nervous to drive across the state to unfamiliar places by myself, fly across the country alone, ride on the subway alone, start college (with harder classes and a unknown roommate)... but I did them anyway and loved them all! When I got to college, I pushed myself to meet new people, join clubs and organizations, do crazy things, and I don't regret any of it!

4. Try new hobbies/things

I knitted my first scarf and started sketching and yoga, but not much so I will be continuing! I actually started journaling my "firsts" which included new foods (Latin, Indian, authentic Mexican, chirros, etc) new experiences (mani-pedi, riding on a subway, white water rafting, going to California), and milestones (started college). 

5. Go on an adventure
I went to my first author events (Ruta Sepetys, Marissa Meyer, Joelle Charbonneau, and Sarah J Maas!), flew across the country to visit cousins, went skinny dipping (teehee!), traveled to Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Caroline where I did a whole bunch of fun things including white water rafting, ziplining, and wild black bear searching. 


6. Help those in need
I raised $610 for Amazima Ministries' child sponsorship, joined the National Service Fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, and went to North Carolina on an Alternative Break to volunteer at the YMCA! Such great experiences and I'm so happy to have impacted my local and world community in big ways! Oh!! I just remembered I also gave blood for the first time and I loved it! I want to do it multiple times a year from now on!

7. Simplify material possessions
Cleansed by room and closet in June, and then moved out lol.


8. Strive to keep learning
I got into watching documentaries this year and they were so enlightening! I also started my first semester in college, which was a huge transition in my life, and learned an infinite more about myself and the world.


9. Get off my butt more
This was an up and down process of not exercising and eating crap and then exercising and eating healthy food again and again. Throughout the first couple months of the semester I was eating pretty bad, had stopped exercising, was feeling awful, and was beating myself up for it all. But then I reached a point (on October 31 to be exact) when I realized I could not continue living this way. Since then, I've lost 9 pounds, am feeling pretty good, looking pretty good, and not stopping!

10. Watch a new-to-me movie a week
I added this to my list of goals soon after the new year began. All of 2012 and most of 2013 I was in a movie slump and when I came out of it, I wanted to catch up on movies I hadn't seen. This turned into watch a movie/TV show/documentary a week, and I ended the year with a total of 56! Click here to see what my top 14 movies of 2014!

Let me know how you did with the goals you set for yourself this year!
Thanks for reading,

Holly

Top 14 Movies of 2014

As a part of the 10th goal I added to my 2014 life goals (to watch one movie/show a week), I was going to list all the new-to-me movies and shows at the end of the post about my life goals results but thought ehhh that'll be boring. Instead, I'm going to highlight my 14 favorite movies/documentaries/TV series out of the 56 I watched this year!

A brief run-down of how I rate movies:

5 stars - Rarely use them, but when I do they mean what they imply: I think its perfect 

4 stars - Not perfect, but loved it!

3 stars - I enjoyed it.

2 stars - Some aspects were decent.

1 star - Did not enjoy.

My Favorite Movies of 2014

(No particular order)

When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions - 5 stars (Netflix)

Absolutely fascinating and mind blowing! If you love learning about space or simply want to learn about the NASA space missions, this 6-episode series is chalked full of real footage, interviews from NASA employees including astronauts on the missions. Seriously, this TV series is the definition of "mind blowing"!

The Fault in Our Stars - 5 stars (In Theaters)

I started crying practically as soon as the movie began. My fangirl heart could not handle it the sheer beauty of this story. Around the end of the movie when tears were actually acceptable, I was sobbing and you know what the best part was? I forgot to bring TISSUES. So after the movie, a hiccuping Holly went straight to the bathroom to attempt cleaning up the swollen, bloodshot eyes and a snotty face. :P People who in the same theater as me were smirking as I tried to clean up and I wanted to yell, "I heard you crying too!"

TINY: A Story About Living Small - 5 stars (Netflix)

I'm not sure if I could ever live in a tiny home, but the idea of simplifying our material needs to the bare necessity, thus, being able to focus on the things that matter most around us and live a happier life was such a refreshing, reinvigorating concept. I watched this documentary 3 times because I had to share it with family members.

Fried Green Tomatoes - 4.5 stars (DVD)

One of my mum's favorites and when I was spending quality time with my aunt this summer we chose this as one of our movies. So happy we did because it was truly a great story! Kind of like the Titanic in that it's an undeniably great movie.

Stuck in Love - 4 stars (Netflix)

Chose this on a whim as a destresser before finals and the entire time I was reveling in how much I was enjoying it! I loved the cast (Greg Kinnear, Jennifer Connelly, Nat Wolff, Lily Collins, Logan Lerman, and Kristen Bell!!) and the story line! It's extremely relatable to book lovers, writers, and all artists!

White Oleander - 4.5 stars (Amazon)

One of the first movies I watched this year. I tried reading the book a few years ago, thought it was disgusting, but I think I just wasn't ready at the time to handle its mature content. This movie was incredible though! So impacting.

The Spectacular Now - 4.5 stars (Netflix)

So cute and relatable! I loved how special the film was made and how clip used was either the first or second (rarely third) shot! Really speaks for the talent of the cast and crew. 

The Hundred Foot Journey - 4 stars (College Early DVD Release)

This movie is a must see for anyone who loves food. Seriously, the cinematography was beautiful and the way it portrayed the art of food... mmm that was an art in its own category! Some parts were predictable, but I honestly loved it start to finish. 

Mockingjay - 4 stars (In Theaters)

I didn't love it as much as Catching Fire; some scenes were dragged out a bit too far for my liking, but overall I loved the adaptation of the book and cannot wait to see Part 2!

The King's Speech - 4 stars (Netflix)

I love movies about history and especially loved this because I don't know too much about England royalty. That aspect was really intriguing but the acting and cinematography was great!

Divergent - 4.5 stars (In Theaters)

All of my issues with the book had to do with the writing so in a different art form I loved it! Click here to read my full spoiler-free review on the Divergent movie.

The Maze Runner - 4 stars (In Theaters)

My friend Trina from Between Chapters told me how amazing it was and I was kind of skeptical. Based on what I had seen in the trailers, I was excited to see it but didn't know exactly what to expect from it. I was thoroughly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! No complaints here!

In Your Eyes - 4 stars (Netflix)

Finished watching this a few hours ago and it's what ultimately made me decide to do this post. I LOVED the concept of this movie. If you haven't heard of it, it's about two strangers who are linked within their minds since they were kids and can sometimes experience, hear, see, and feel what the other is feeling. They don't fully comprehend what's going on until they're adults. I loved what happened from there, loved the concept of two strangers being linked like that, and kept thinking I wish I had written a book about this!

Thanks for Sharing - 3.5 stars (Netflix)

To be honest, this is not one of the greatest movies out there; the ending was a little flat for all the great material and build up throughout the movie, but it is SO underrated. I cracked up at so many points during this movie and I thought the plot was really interesting. With a grain of salt, I would totally recommend this to everyone.

Honorable mentions:

Monster's University

Good Will Hunting

I Am Legend

How I Live Now

Little Women

Gimme Shelter

Pitch Perfect

Silver Linings Playlist

Vampire Academy

Camp Takota

Curious to know what else I watched in 2014? Here's a full list of all the movies and shows I watched!

Did you have any favorite movies, documentaries, or TV shows this year? Let me know!

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a Happy Christmas and wonderful holiday! :)

Holly

Another post you might like:

Top 14 Books of 2014