Reflections of 2019

It's the time of the year for me to take stock of twenty nineteen. I really can't believe it that in a couple of days, I will have to say good by to it.  I always seems to say the same thing around the same time each year but it is a fact that can't be denied and that is 'time flies'.


So, how did I do this year?  What's my report card like?

I surprised myself by posting 60 posts for the year.  I guess keeping it consistent helps in managing the number of posts although I would be quite happy with 50 posts.  Shall we try to keep to 60 posts for next year too?

I read about 40 books this year. Maybe I missed out a book or two but ya, it's around that number.  That means I average about 3 books a month so I think it's about just right.  Taking into consideration my schedule and and my commitment for the year, averaging about 3 books is the best I can do at this point and I am quite at peace with it.  If I can keep this momentum for next year, I would be quite happy with it too.

Favorites of the year...most certainly are the titles by Camilla Lackberg.  I think I read about seven of her titles.  I am also happy to complete my Heroes of Olympus Series and glad to start Trials of Apollo Series too.  These series are written by Rick Riordan.

I also completed a journey I set out two years ago.  It was a difficult journey but one that was filled with much fulfillment and I am so glad I took the road less traveled.  I also hope that this journey will lead me on to different paths but we shall have to wait and see.

I bought only two books this year! This and this. Amazing! Super proud of myself.  I didn't really set out a target but was just seeing how I would fare and I think I fared pretty well...heheh...I also received some books as gifts this year which I am extremely thankful for.

I only set up one pop up stall at a flea market and I have plans for something different next year.  Let me see if I can get it done.

I traveled four times, this, this and this and I didn't post about the latest one.  Looking forward to travelling to a favorite country next year. :)

So, that's about all for this year.  Looking back, I didn't quite like this year but I am thankful for it.

Anyway, good bye twenty nineteen.  Thank you too.

How was your year?

Blessed Christmas 2019

MERRY CHRISTMAS

&

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020

BLESSINGS FOR CHRISTMAS TO YOU 

Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Synopsis :

Aging, self-absorbed rock star Judas Coyne has a thing for the macabre -- his collection includes sketches from infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy, a trepanned skull from the 16th century, a used hangman's noose, Aleister Crowley's childhood chessboard, etc. -- so when his assistant tells him about a ghost for sale on an online auction site, he immediately puts in a bid and purchases it.

The black, heart-shaped box that Coyne receives in the mail not only contains the suit of a dead man but also his vengeance-obsessed spirit. The ghost, it turns out, is the stepfather of a young groupie who committed suicide after the 54-year-old Coyne callously used her up and threw her away. Now, determined to kill Coyne and anyone who aids him, the merciless ghost of Craddock McDermott begins his assault on the rocker's sanity.


This is what I say :

I have been so busy with my final assignments that I am feeling so so so stressed.  I missed my reading as I have not been reading for quite a while.

Incidentally, during my recent gate-away, I didn't really have the opportunity to read either.  This was read quite a while ago and only now that it gets a chance here.  Heart-Shaped Box is a horror and a debut novel of Joe Hill.  For a debut novel, it's not too bad..for a horror, it's not too good.  That maybe because I read too  many horror and are pretty jaded so it has to be a real good horror type of horror to make me sit up and take take note. Otherwise, I might yawn myself to the next title.

However, in this case, I am rather curious as a friend seems to like it so I read on to see where the book will take me.  It took me just round the corner and back.  

Will I read another horror? Yes, I will. Will I read another horror by Joe Hill....maybe not for the time being.

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J Maas

Synopsis :

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.


This is what I say :  

Queen of Shadows which is the forth book in the Throne of Glass Novels is the most intense book so far.  There's just to many important and thrilling moments that made this book my favourite thus far...from the assassination of the King of Assassin, to blowing up the tower that controls magic, to the rescue or assassination of Prince Dorian.

And it is only in this book that I began to seriously pay attention to The Thirteen.  I never thought I would like Manon Blackbeak, the Wing Leader of The Thirteen as I skip parts of previous titles involving her story. My bad.  

Queen of Shadows will be followed by book 5, Empire of Storm.

Can't wait :)

I found this song on youtube that sums up the story of witches in the Throne of Glass universe and while there's some spoiler, I really like this song.  It's rather haunting and sad.

The title of the song is Song of The Witch Kingdom and the writer/singer is Victoria Carbol.  The characters in the youtube videos are cosplayers but yes, I can imagine that's Manon in her red cape and at the far left is Asterin, her Second in command and next to Manon is Sorrel, her Third in command.

Cosmopolitan Getaway (#3 2019)

From last yer's trip

Hot on the heels of my recent gateway to a rather oriental city, this weekend would be a gateaway to a cosmopolitan city just about an hour by fight from where I am.  This will most probably be the last trip of the year. All in all, I didn't travel much this year. Can't be help I guess. I need to channel my finances elsewhere for these couple of years.

Anyway,  I am meeting up some friends whom I have not seen for quite a while so it's a weekend of eating, talking, cooking and I am not sure if I would have the time, hopefully I can read a bit too..

Nevertheless, how can I travel without my beloved books?  There's always the flight time for me to spend some time with them.   And the time spent waiting for flights, that's my reading time too.    

This time round, I am quite keen to travel with an ebook.  Something that has been downloaded into my mobile.phone.  This would mean one less item to carry since I have luggage weight restrictions.

Image from web. Not my design

I am still thinking if it's a good idea.  What do you think?

Update : I nearly called off this trip due to a change of deadline of my assignment submission but all is good and I am good to go.  

See you soon Singapore!