Year in Review

     With only 9 1/2 hours left of 2016, I thought I'd post a year in review. I'll do another post on my Bullet Journal later on, but here's my knitting/reading year in review. By the way, my final book count was 29, not my goal, but pretty good.

Final counts for 2016 less reading since I doubt I'll finish anything else in 5 days. I won't lie, I'm kinda sad that the majority of my knitting was commissions. I'm hoping to remedy that in 2017! Happy new year everyone! Here's to a grand 2017! . . #operationsockdrawer #knitstagram #knittersofinstagram #knitting #bulletjournal #projectsweaterchest #bujo

A photo posted by Jordyn (@jordyndayne9.6.98) on Dec 26, 2016 at 8:14pm PST

Bookish Christmas

     The holidays are over, and we are now awaiting the arrival of 2017. I thought I'd share the book related things I got for Christmas (Or bought with Christmas money). My wonderful Mom bought me the book I'd been wanting since it was announced, Heartless by Marissa Meyer, and I decided to round out my series' with my Christmas money. I bought Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor since I only had Dreams of Gods and Monsters. And I also bought Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon since I had books 3-5.

     I bought A Game of Thrones and A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin and Pandemonium and Requiem by Lauren Oliver. The Delirium trilogy is one of my favorites and I was kinda disappointed when I couldn't find books 2 and 3 at Hasting's closing sale.

      The book on top in the first photo is Fleece Navidad by Maggie Sefton, I was reading it from the library before we moved, but my current library doesn't have any of Maggie Sefton's books, and my E-Library has all but this one. 

(I bought all of my books used to get more for my money, but I also don't mind having well loved books.)

     Did you get any books for the holidays? I'd love to hear what you received and how you're enjoying them!

Finished Reading Friday

     This week, I finished reading A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas. I don't even know what to say, or how to say it... This book... ALL THE FEELS. Seldom have I read a book or series that has just plain ripped out my soul and held it hostage. The characters were so wonderfully developed, you can just see and feel the surroundings at the Spring Court, and you feel like you're part of the family with Lucien, Tamlin, and Feyre. I'm hoping that the second and third books, A Court of Mist and Fury and A Court of Wings and Ruin are just as good, if not better. I highly recommend this book, if you're wanting a heart wrenching, suspenseful fantasy book, this one is it.

Work in Progress Wednesday

     This last couple of weeks, I have finally finished all of my commission knitting and got to start something for myself. I knit another pair of Monster Pants, a matching hat and a ponytail hat (which are all the rage right now in case you didn't know.) I can't get the camera to pick up the absolute gorgeousness (Word?)

Cozy Neighborhood

of the hat, which is "Pam" by Brazen Stitchery in case you were wondering. So I'll include a photo of the yarn. I've been working on a pair of vanilla socks for a friend and an Owl Cardigan by Mari Chiba for me. I also have the Downeast by Alicia Plummer, the Cozy Neighborhood by Joji Locatelli, and the Serenity by Joji Locatelli going. The Cozy Neighborhood is a Christmas gift for Grace, and the Serenity is also for Grace. I'm hoping to get lots of selfish knitting done in the new year!

Downeast

Serenity

Owls Cardigan (or Ginny's Cardigan)

    I also just received a Knit Picks order! A skein of Stroll Handpainted in "Coffee Shop" and "Gemstone," three skeins of Stroll Tonal in "Heartfelt," four interchangeable cords (2-40" & 2-60"), and a 40" size 1(2.25mm) fixed circular (Not shown). I'm hoping to knit two at a time socks in the new year.

What I'm Reading Tuesday

So I'll admit, this week, I've pushed most of my current reads to the side because two books have my full attention. One actually has my heart, in a ripped my heart out and is holding it hostage kind of way. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas. I don't even know what to say except TAMLIN. Oh my goodness, this book has made me laugh, sigh, cringe, cry, hope, and want to throw the book across the room. I'm on chapter 37 (38? 39?) and am quite hesitant to finish because I don't know that I want the book to end. Yes, I know there's A Court of Mist and Fury, and soon to be A Court of Wings and Ruin, but this story was the beginning, the groundwork for the whole story, and I am relishing each and every page.

A photo posted by A Book and Some Needles (@abookandsomeneedles) on Dec 17, 2016 at 8:53pm PST

I also got Heartless by Marissa Meyer for Christmas, and I opened it about an hour after unwrapping it! I am LOVING it! I know that Catherine is supposed to be the Queen of Hearts, but this character is more like Alice. She's having tea parties with the hatter and the hare, her comrade is Cheshire, she plays Flamingo Croquet and she says things like “Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” Maybe she's supposed to be a mix of the two, but it is quite confusing.

     That's all I've got for this week. I should have a Finished Reading Friday and possibly a book review this week as well. What are you all reading? Let me know in the comments!