Holly's Reading Hollow: 2015

Showing posts with label 2015. Show all posts

Friday, January 1, 2016

2015 Goals Check-In

The difference between the progress made on my reading goals versus my life goals is a stark contrast. 2015 was my busiest year yet. Real life consumed more of my time than fictional life, which is relieving because I wasn't living in the clouds, yet, sad because BOOKS! Because I was so focused on other aspects of my life, when I reevaluated my goals midway, I realized I no longer cared to reach most of the reading goals. And by the end of the year, I didn't not have the time to read as many books as these goals required so... let's start with the reading results shall we? Get those bunched up knickers out of the way.

My 2015 Reading Goals:

Note: The italics include books I was able to apply to challenges.

1. Read 5 of my oldest ebooks (added before 2015) | Incomplete
Collide by Shelly Crane
A Matter of Fate by Heather Lyons
Smash into You by Shelly Crane
On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves

2. Read 5 of the earliest books added to my TBR list | Incomplete
Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Burned by Ellen Hopkins
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

3. Read 5 books I owned before 2015 | Incomplete
The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller by L.B. Simmons
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassie Clare
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

4. Read 3 classics | Incomplete

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

5. Read 5 books that inspired Disney/childhood movies | Didn't start

6. Read 5 historical novels and/or memoirs | Incomplete

Light on a Ground of Darkness by Ted Kooser

7. Finish 5 series I've already begun | Incomplete

The Mortal Instruments
Wolves of Mercy Falls

8. Read 10 new-to-me authors | Complete

A.S. King, Heather Lyons, Ted Kooser, Elizabeth Gilbert, Kat Zhang, Tarryn Fisher, Tracey Garvis-Graves, Ellen Hopkins, Megan McCafferty, Patrick Ness, Andrea Cremer

9. Begin 10 series | Complete

A Matter of Fate, What's Left of Me, Nightshade, Ruby Red, Jessica Darling, Love Me With Lies, Never Never, Collide, Burned, Puddle Jumping

10. Read more Shelly Crane books | Complete

I read to somewhere between 25% and 50% of Collide and Smash into You before dropping them both. As much as I love Shelly Crane's Significance and Wide Awake series, I couldn't handle the sickly sweetness of these two.

11. Read 1 book a week | Incomplete

I read 44 books this year. Still happy I read this many, but I'm looking forward to (hopefully) more next year :)

12. Read X number of books from my TBR pile based on their release dates | Incomplete

This was going to be an all inclusive and overarching goal, but seeing as how this would have required 65 books and I read 44 books this year, I clearly, did not reach this goal.

My 2015 Life Goals:

1. Write my first completed draft | In Progress

Halfway through the year I started my story from scratch, which put me behind on word count, but it allowed the story to progress SO MUCH SMOOTHER. I still ran into some hiccups along the way (lack of motivation, other writing woes, busy semester) so I did not complete my first draft, but it doesn't matter because I still worked really hard on what I did accomplish and I'm excited to continue writing next year!

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

See what I watched in 2015 and what my top 15 movies/TV shows of 2015 were!

3. Hone crafting skills | In Progress

Faltered on wood working and painting, but the creative juices have been in motion!

Altered a bookshelf (added new shelves)
Loom knitted an infinity scarf
Took two graphic design classes - drawing-based and computer-based
Barely tried calligraphy (wasn't good, but I'll keep trying)
Made Christmas snowflake ornaments
Painted my room!

4. Go to my first concert | In Progress

Yeah...about that. I was invited to quite a few concerts by a friend, but none of them peaked my interest enough. I wanted to see Julianne and Derek Hough during their MOVE: Live On Tour; unfortunately I couldn't make it. BUT GUESS WHAT?! I've purchased tickets to see Selena Gomez and Josh Groban in 2016! That counts right?

5. Educate myself and vote when I can | Complete

I voted on a state proposal.

6. Develop a healthy living style | In Progress

Healthy living, I've determined, will always be a give and take for me. Some weeks I am really good at eating a clean diet and exercising when I can find time, while other times I just need all the sweets and bed lounging! For me, it's about the balance, and that's not something I'm going to measure on a complete or incomplete scale.

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

8-11. Personal goals concerning character | In Progress

12. Try new things without fear holding me back | Complete
I went to Italy! Flew across the Atlantic for the first time! Tried limoncello. Ate gelato... and lamb brain. And tried some other new things ;)

Top 15 Films & TV Shows of 2015

My goal for the past couple years has been to watch at least 52 movies, documentaries, or TV shows--one per week-- every year and both years I have exceeded it! If you're curious to know what else I watched in 2015, here's a full list, but the main reason for this post is to share my top 15 movies and TV shows of 2015! A quick run-down of how I do this:

This lists includes things I've watched for the first time; some of these are 2015 releases, some are not.
They are listed in the order I watched them, both on this top 15 list and the master list.
I count TV shows by the season for condensing purposes, but for this post I'm going to shove the seasons into one slot.
I rate any form of media as a reviewer, not a critic. Meaning: I might mention some technical aspects of a movie or book that I really liked/disliked, but I rate them based on my overall enjoyment. My rating scale is as follows:
5 stars - Rarely use them, but when I do, they imply: I loved it and considered it 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 Films & TV Shows of 2015:

Edit: I didn't realize until it was too late that I never included my all-time favorite TV show, Parenthood, to my full list for 2015! Parenthood is a TV show I have watched air on TV for six years now and it's sixth and final season aired during 2015's winter/spring. If you haven't watched it before, it's on Netflix, and I highly recommend giving it a shot!

Now Is Good - 5 stars (Netflix)

It's all about the heartstrings, man. Tug 'em until my eyes are waterfalls. Then I love you. Love the vibes, the storyline, Dakota Fanning's attitude... I love Now Is Good.

Gone Girl - 4.5 stars (College Early DVD-Release)

No, I didn't read the book beforehand. Holy shiz miester I don't even care though because it was SO. Good! It made me all the reveals that much more shocking--although I'm working on the book so don't hate me. Might I add, this year I've discovered I dig creepy. I really dig creepy, messed up, psycho, thrilling characters and stories. I think that says something about myself.

The Good Lie - 4.5 stars (DVD Rental)

My heart is composed of tiny cells that pulse compassion. My heart is in African and I've never even been there. My heart went out to these people and their stories.

Interstellar - 5 stars (College Early DVD-Release)

Mind. Freaking. Blown! According to my science whiz of a brother, Interstellar doesn't even include that complex of space theories or physics or stuff, but to my artsy, wordy mind, this was unbelievable! I wish I could comprehend it all better because space, astronomy, and other life forms are some of my favorite subjects to contemplate and this movie did it for me!

Friends With Benefits - 4.5 stars (Netflix)

I saw it for the first time this year, can you believe it?! And loved it. Justin Timberlake: I like you as an actor. Why haven't I seen you in other movies like this? Mila Kunis: You're also fab. With y'all be the next Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper and make another movie together? Much appreciate.

Still Alice - 4 stars (On a Plane)

Mental illnesses of all kinds need to brought to the forefront of our minds. I'm very proud that attention was brought to Alzheimer's disease with this movie. Julianne Moore does a superb job and I surprisingly enjoyed Kristen Stewart's performance as well.

Chasing Life: Season 1 & 2 - 4.5 stars (Netflix)

I told you. I don't watch TV. But THIS. This is me 100%. Great character development, sensitive issues, emotions galore... WHY FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLLY WOULD ABC FAMILY CANCEL MY NEW FAVORITE SHOW? *La sigh* It was freaking lovely while it lasted.

The Fosters: Season 1 & 2 - 4.5 stars (Netflix and TV airing)

A mild second favorite after Chasing Life. It's bordering the line of too traditional teenage-ABC Family if you know what I mean (do you??) but this one's still airing. We'll see how long I last. I'm not always feel the characters' actions, which can make for a lot of eye-rolley frustration on my end.

Inside Out - 4.5 stars (In Theaters)

It's clever, it's fun, it's comical, it's emotional, it's Disney. Of course I loved it.

Beyond the Lights - 4 stars (Netflix)

Maybe a little cliche, maybe a little predictable, but I enjoyed it nonetheless! Fulfilling story line and character development. It was fun and up my alley!

Bachelornation 2015 - 4 Hilarious stars (TV airing)

If we must get technical, I watched three individual TV shows: The Bachelor Season 19, The Bachelorette Season 11, and Bachelor in Paradise Season 2. But I must bunch them together because they belong bunched. Any separation would give them too much false credibility and I am not willing to take the leap. I was a newbie to The Bachelor and quickly became engrossed in the ridiculousness of it all. I started it on a whim after I saw somewhere that the season was six episodes in and available to watch online. I laughed my butt off and rolled my eyes the entire season and when it all ended, I thought I had my fill. I swear that's what I believed. And then I came back from a trip to Italy in May and my mind wanted to stay in la-la-land so when I heard I was only a week behind... long story short, I had to and now Bachelornation is a part of my Monday routines until further notice. Sorry not sorry.

Bridge of Spies - 4.5 stars (In Theaters)

For all intents and purposes, I had no idea what this movie was about. Tom Hanks. Attorney. Not current-day. Germany. Criminal. That's all I knew. And then I sat in a theater from 11PMish to 1:30AMish and then WOW. For those who don't know, this is based off true events about an attorney (Tom Hanks) defends an accused Russian spy during the Cold War. It was directed and produced by Steven Spielberg, which I didn't know until the end credits rolled in, but those facts alone should tell you it's a must-see! The film is all-encompassing in intensity, emotions, gold star acting and cinematography.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 4.5 stars (In Theaters)

I know it's only been a month, but who hasn't seen this? It's great! JJ Abrams doesn't allow a dull moment to set in ever. It was heartwarming to see the old characters and intriguing to be introduced to the new characters. The graphics are the best of the series (obviously) and I cannot wait to see where Rey, Fin, and Kylo Ren's story lines go.

Joy - 4 stars (In Theaters)

It hasn't received the best reviews from critics, but Jennifer Lawrence's performance is a Golden Globe nomination and I fully support that nomination. And I stand behind the film and David O'Russell's vision because even though many people say the pacing wasn't great in parts, I didn't mind the slow beginning whatsoever. If you're hesitant to watch it, I encourage you!

Mockingjay Part 2 - 4 stars (In Theaters)
It's overrrrrrrrrrrrr. The saga has ended. Bittersweet, that's for sure! "There are worse games to play." Ah, it gets me every time. Certain areas could have been condensed, but I loved it as a whole. I'm not sure I can accurately rank the films in terms of favorite to least favorite. Each film holds a special place in my heart.

Honorable mentions:

Boyhood

Fury

The DUFF

Big Hero 6

The Age of Adeline

The Wolf of Wall Street

Are any of these your favorite too? :)

Thursday, December 31, 2015

My Year in Books: 2015 Reading Stats & Survey

Goodreads inspired me to make a short post about my reading stats for this year, but then I remembered Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner makes a book survey at the end of every year, so this is a culmination of my Goodreads reading stats, the 2015 book survey, and some other stuff I threw in. P.S. I've deleted a lot of the questions from the original 2015 book survey (linked above) because they didn't apply to my reading year. Share your answers with me in the comments!

Book Data:

Number of Books Read: