This isn’t the most books anyone has read, but it’s a ridiculous amount for me. This past year I’ve tried to read as much as I can, across many genres, all in the spirit of being a better writer (and, let’s face it, to be entertained). I’ve always loved reading, but this year, I rediscovered my passion. Most of these books were read after June, since my original plan was to just read a lot during summer while school was out. Well, school started, and I couldn’t stop reading. I anticipate finishing at least two more books before the year is done. My favorite books were Hillbilly Elegy, Call Me By Your Name, The Poisonwood Bible, Flight Behavior, and cheekily, Hope for the Broken Girl, because I not only read it, I wrote it, and I LOVE it. What were some of the best books you read this year?
Instead of New Year’s resolutions, I always dedicate the new year to a word. Last year’s word was confidence, and it was a life changing year that included clarity, a job change, expanding my comfort zone, and the birth of a novel after a devastating drought of inspiration. I’ve been considering my word for next year, praying and meditating for the past few days on the one that will further my journey. My word for 2019 is FOCUS, and I’m so excited to take my life path to a whole new level. I have end goals in mind on this journey, but my focus is on the journey itself. What can I do now that will get me closer to my desired result? Which small goals can I make that will bring me further down this road? Instead of focusing on the big things I want, my focus is better served by looking at the steps just in front of me and continuously moving forward. And if I slip up, my focus needs to not be on the mistake, but on brushing myself off and moving forward once again. I expect this year will see strides made in my writing and publishing career, and in my overall health. But my focus will be on the small changes I can make along the way.
This is 41. This is lots of laughter, so much love, life done well, dreams coming true, and a peaceful soul, combined with moments of negativity, tears, impatience, discomfort, and fatigue. This is being human for 4 decades and feeling more myself with every year that passes. There’s so much more I want out of life, and yet I love my life. Every year gets better and better, and I feel so lucky to be this rich in love and life. Today has been a very happy birthday, this past year has been one of my best, and I’m excited to see what this new year brings.
The giveaway ends in four days, do you mean March 3? 🙂
Ack! Good catch! Just changed it. 🙂
I figured that’s what you meant 🙂 Glad to be of help.
Reblogged this on Robin of Rockridge's Blog and commented:
I’ll have a review of Crissi Langwell’s A SYMPHONY OF CICADAS up soon. In the mean time you may want to check into her books. In this “reblog” of her book give-away, you may win a copy of one of her novels. Good reading to you!