I always do my story wrap-ups for a year in January because up until about 11:30PM every Dec. 31st I'm delusional that I can get another story added to the list. That worked for movies this year, but while I got reallllllly close with one more book I didn't quite make it. But what I did do is read more books than the last few years!
Here I give a list of everything I read but then longer thoughts on my favorites. If you want to know what I thought of the others, you can check out my Goodreads account HERE. I didn't do any full reviews on my blog this year, but I gave some more detailed thoughts over there if you want to check it out! And if you want to compare this list to the previous years, here are the links for 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016.
If I cried during it, it is underlined. If it has an asterisk (*) then I listened to an audiobook version.
New-to-me novels:
Nineteen Steps - by Millie Bobby Brown & Kathleen McGurl The Outsiders - by S. E. Hinton The Queen of Attolia - by Megan Whalen Turner * My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry - by Fredrik Backman The Labors of Hercules Beal - by Gary D. Schmidt * The King of Attolia - by Megan Whalen Turner * The Incorrigible Children of Asthon Place: The Long-Lost Home - by Maryrose Wood Dear America: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall: The Diary of Bess Brennan, The Perkins School for the Blind - by Barry Denenberg Life of Pi - by Yann Martel Mañanaland - by Pam Muñoz Ryan * Conspiracy of Kings - by Megan Whalen Turner * Keeper of the Lost Cities: Lodestar - by Shannon Messenger I Capture the Castle - by Dodie Smith Keeper of the Lost Cities: Nightfall - by Shannon Messenger Leroy Nicker Saddles Up - by Kate DiCamillo Thick as Thieves - by Megan Whalen Turner * My Plain Jane - by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Asthon, and Jodi Meadows * (started on audio, finished with a physical copy) Keeper of the Lost Cities: Flashback - by Shannon Messenger
Total: 18
Graphic novels:
Keeper of the Lost Cities The Graphic Novel Part 1: Volume 1 - by Celina Frenn, Shannon Messenger, and Gabriella Chianello
Total: 1
Novel rereads:
All the Crooked Saints - by Maggie Steifvater Anne of the Island - by L. M. Montgomery
Total: 2
Play rereads:
La casa de Bernarda Alba - by Federico García Lorca
Total: 1
Grand total: 22
My 10 Favorite New-To-Me Novels of 2024:
1. Life of Pi - by Yann Martel. This changed the way I see life. This books is stark and cold and lonely all while remembering the warmth of Pondicherry and struggling to survive. Pi has to change everything about himself to do that all while holding on to who he truly is. The sections in this book broke me in different ways, and are a masterclass in storytelling.
2. Mañanaland - by Pam Muñoz Ryan. The stakes change in this story is insane. It starts with wanting to be on a futbol team and ends with a journey and aiming towards the greater good. Stories that make the characters's goals go from internal to external are a true window into humanity. Plus there's a cute dog and cute cat and lullabies.
JUST NOW did I see the people in the trees. Talk about a gorgeous cover.
3. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry - by Fredrik Backman. I've seen this in the library for YEARS and ACK it's just as gut punching as I hoped it would be. Death and grief and identity all from a child's perspective but the focus is trying to find truth in fairytales. So as a writer it's basically everything I love. I also have some theories for coded things so I want to reread it and see how that pans out from the beginning now that I'm thinking of it.
4. I Capture the Castle - by Dodie Smith. This book is one of those that is so unsatisfying at first but once I thought about it I realized WHOA, THAT'S GENIUS. One of the most human portrayals of love and life and really Casandra captures quite more than just the castle that she lives in. I'm still mad about it and still will sing its praises to the hills.
5. The Outsiders - by S. E. Hinton. I got this courtesy of Hamlette and it was the perfect accompaniment to my spring break. Aka, good way to release emotions through crying. It's rough and tumble yet the way the characters care about each other?? The lengths that Soda Pop and Darry will go for Ponyboy? The desperation that Jonnycakes feels?
This edition also feels so good. It's smooth and lovely.
6. The Labors of Hercules Beal - by Gary D. Schmidt. Herc must be protected at all costs. He's still struggling with trauma but he's trying to do well in school and to get birds to say his name and run on the sand with his dog. And here's all this pressure to be like a Greek hero yet Herc examines what that title "hero" really means. The way that Gary D. Schmidt connects his stories is JUST PLAIN CRUEL. Thanks to Samantha for bearing with me and all of my angry texts.
7. The Queen of Attolia - by Megan Whalen Turner. Samantha, Sarah Seele, and Megan the Nutmeg had to drag me through this one, but I actually really liked it? It takes sneaky to another level because instead of trying to hide all the actions the characters full on tell you? Which is so shocking that I don't have to read through the lines? I don't know, I just had fun with this one, okay?
8. Thick as Thieves - by Megan Whalen Turner. "Found friends story but make it road trip" is a gross oversimplification, but I think it works. This book also took one of my least favorite characters from a previous book and made him likable.
9. Flashback - by Shannon Messenger. This one is on this list because I read certain chapters OVER and OVER again. It got a little obsessive. I think a goal for 2025 is for me to finish this series but I also don't want it to be over.
10. The Long-Lost Home - by Maryrose Wood. This one was fairly cute. Though I was only ever on planes while reading it, not hot air balloons, it was a good travel companion.
Thank you so much for reading about my reading journey this year! The books with the reward of "I actually changed my life and how I do things because of this" were Life of Pi and I Capture the Castle. Do you guys read any books that changed your lives this year? Have you read any of these? If so, how would you describe my top ten?
Friends! Neighbors! Maids a milking! Lords a leaping! Readers!
I hope you're all having a lovely winter solstice and having a festive season! I've been on break from school for about 10 days now and have finally started to relax. One way that I've been slowly doing that is noodling around on filling out a tag that Hamlette bestowed upon me! Thank you, Hamlette!
At first I was dubious I'd seen enough Christmas movies to qualify but I've actually seen SO MANY, so let's do this.
The Rules:
Fill out the prompts (expound as much or as little as you like)
Tag some friends (however many or few you feel like)
Have fun (this is mandatory)
The Questions:
1. A favorite funny Christmas movie:
Elf (2003). I aspire to be Buddy. He's so pure and sweet and deserves all the maple syrup he wants.
As a writer, the parts about coming up with a story are a HOOT because the struggle is real.
And I'm missing Bob Newhart now. </3
2. A favorite poignant Christmas movie:
For the answer we all expect: It's a Wonderful Life (1946). I think of this as the best movie ever made. Not just best Christmas movie or best black and white movie or best "old" movie. Best movie, period. It captures a desperation and a duty and how much each and every person is worth in this world. It wouldn't be the same without them.
Jimmy Stewart, need we say more?
For the answer that no one will expect: Beyond Tomorrow (1940). This was ADORABLE but also talks about life and death and cautions against forgetting who you are in the search for success.
No CGI for the win.
3. A favorite romantic Christmas movie:
The Shop Around the Corner (1940). This movie and Pride & Prejudice are to blame for why I think enemies-to-lovers is a spectacular device when done correctly.
JIMMY STEWART, NEED WE SAY MORE??
It's actually got such a serious side and I'm here for it! I wrote all about it one year, HERE.
4. A favorite feel-good Christmas movie:
Home Alone (1990). I just got to see this on the big screen yesterday and it was buckets of fun. I've always been sort of "meh" about this movie, thinking it was just for laughs but no, it's so much more. It's got such a solid storyline about family and responsibility. My little sister is very much like Kevin so I feel for her.
Kevin is so much braver than I am. I'm still scared of grocery stores.
The least "feel-good" part is the infamous section where everyone is getting hurt. I have a hard time watching that, but the rest is a delight.
5. A favorite movie adaptation of A Christmas Carol:
See, I used to make fun of the Muppets version because I thought it was ridiculous. My sister and I watched it in July a couple years ago which I thought was ridiculous, too. Now I see it's brilliant and I totally want to watch it again. And I also would be here for Muppet adaptations of classic literature. I mean, I can't really complain when I haven't seen Treasure Island, but still!
Source I'd pay to see all of the above. It applies for classics, too.
The first adaptation of A Christmas Carol I ever saw was the Patrick Stewart version and thought I haven't seen it since that one still sticks with me and is the one that I compare every other version to.
The one I watch most often is Scrooged (1988). I have a friend named Frank who I always feel like the Carol Kane to his Bill Murray.
Manic pixie dream girl?
Okay, to actually decide, I'll go with Scrooge (1970) because "Thank You Very Much" is one of my favorite songs.
6. A Christmas movie you watch any time of year:
Guys, I'm SUCH a stickler for watching Christmas movies only at Christmas. See above question with the whole reason I was doubting Muppets.
However, Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) has, as my sister pointed out, every season. It was kind of an old Hollywood device but I don't care because I get to see so many awesome costumes. So I'll watch it at Halloween, too.
I love how Tootie chose the biggest chair when she could've sat on someone's lap. Power move.
I recently got to see this on the big screen, too! It was a JOY. The dialogue is so witty, the family dynamics are the most realistic in all of cinema, and I cried in a spot I've never cried before. The friend I went with was also an old movie buff and we were living it up.
7. A Christmas movie that surprised you:
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) just surprised me that it was just as disturbing and unhinged as I remembered and maybe even more so. I thought I'd played it up in my head to be more than it was, but no, I was just as stunned. It's a cool concept and I'm glad so many people like it, but me, being the literalist that I am, get stuck on certain things. The group I was watching it with was probably really annoyed that I kept complaining about Jack Skeloton having eyelids but HE'S MADE OF BONE?? I didn't get to see the end because of a costume fitting and I don't really remember it so more surprises lurk there.
Whoever came up with this shot is genius.
I also was surprised that Fred Astaire was purposely unlikable in Holiday Inn (1942)? That was before his hero/leading man era?
I'm totally with Bing on this one.
8. A favorite "but is it really a Christmas movie?" movie:
Little Women (1994). For years it seems like I watched this on Christmas with my sisters so that's what I associate this version with.
Having done this scene as one of these characters I feel it even more, now. Any guesses about which one I was?
9. The oldest Christmas movie you've seen:
For exact OLDEST chronologically, I'm going to have to snag Hamlette's answer, too, with The Thin Man (1934). When I think about it I realize, yeah, that's Christmas, but for some reason it feels more like New Years. So I'm more apt to watch it around New Years than Christmas, but who am I kidding, I'm still watching Christmas movies until Epiphany.
We will never been Myrna Loy fashion fab.
Other than that, I have a couple from 1940, but I've already mentioned them.
10. The newest Christmas movie you've seen:
Godmothered (2020). It felt like it was trying to be Elf (2003) too much? Looking through pictures for this, I guess I remember what happens but not what it looks like.
Pretty dress take 2?
Thanks for the tag, Hamlette! Because I'm trying catching up from my school-induced hiatus I don't know who's done this, but I'll tag:
I was amazed at how many of these movies I've reviewed! Now it's bothering me that I haven't reviewed all of them, so let me know which ones you think I should tackle.
I have some other Christmas post ideas in the works but I'd like to talk about what you guys what to read! I either want to compare:
Home Alone (1990) to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
OR
Love Actually (2003) to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989).
One of those probably seems more common sense than the other but maybe that's the fun in it...
Thank you so much for reading! What are some of your favorite Christmas movies? Have you ever seen a Christmas movie (new or old) on the big screen of a movie theater?
August slipped away...and now we're into September! Because I have the day off from school I thought I'd share a post I've been working on. Because it's too hot to be outside. See above.
How was everyone's August? Any new stories experienced to report? I went to the movie theater for the first time in 2024 and read quite a few books as well as worked on my own creative endeavors.
Speaking of creative endeavors, one of my favorite ways to celebrate being in a fandom is to watch the fan videos that people have made.
A fan video / fan edit is when someone puts the story to a song. (I usually use the term fan video/fan vid but I will through fan edit in there occasionally)
It's creative and it's fantastic, so I'm going to share some of my favorites with you today.
But there's a catch: this started as just a Top 10 Fan Vids, but halfway through (1-5) I realized they were all already Taylor Swift songs, so I decided to stick with it. So this is my top 10 fan videos made with Taylor Swift songs.
I don't consider myself a "Swiftie" because I don't know all the intrigue and meanings, but I think she writes some of the best poetry in the industry. Which happen to go very well with some of my favorite stories.
You will also notice that strangely enough, none of these edits were Gilmore Girls edits. That's because Gilmore Girls is the epitome of Taylor Swift and Taylor Swift is the epitome of Gilmore Girls, so that would be a whole post in and of itself.
A few quick notes:
-SPOILERS: The nature of fan videos usually captures the story from beginning to end, so there are the ends of all these stories in the songs. I have put the name of the movie/tv show first so that if you haven't seen it you can scroll on by and go to the next one. I know some people who like to get into fandoms by watching the videos without caring about the spoilers, so if that's your jam, be my guest. Otherwise I'd recommend experiencing the full story yourself before getting the treat of the 3 minutes version.
-There are occasional words that mark the songs explicit on streaming services. I don't think that detracts from the stories told here at all, but I just thought I'd prepare any of you guys by marking it with an asterisk (*) if it includes that.
- I’m just smiling ridiculously the entire time while watching so what more of a recommendation do you need? I like that the hopefulness of "Daylight" mirrors the dark resignation that both characters feel in "Second Chances." I should probably mention that these two are one of my comfort couples and I was here in season 2 all for them.
I love how well it lines up from // I'd be a fearless leader // to // I'm so sick of running as fast as I can //. Y’all it’s just so fun to have this song accompanying the “you’re a man when I tell you you’re a man.” It captures the fun but also the trials of the series.
// Salt air, and the rust on your door // is so perfect because it's a road trip movie.
// Your back beneath the sun // with her looking down on him
// Will you call when you're back at school? // "Why is it that I feel like a schoolboy?"
// You weren't mine to lose // with her running away and then his heartbreak? Take notes, peeps.
Other comments:
I originally forgot to take notes because I was just stunned by the perfection of it all. Also I just love the filter.
Wine is perfect because it's Italy. And I love that it's also kind of the grandma? Her whole story is that she once had a summer with the love of her life and now she's trying to find him. The match up for the tone is brilliant.
I really want to rewatch this now. Which is what a good fan vid should do.
// The more that you say the less I know // is so perfect for the initial language barrier
// Like you were a trophy or a champion ring // being the corn and the coin as a commentary on value
// They count me out time and time again // being her father and her tribe pushing her aside
// I come back stronger than a 90’s trend // is a punch of nostalgia because it’s from the 90s.
Other comments:
The vibes are just immaculate. This feels like fall and a blanket and general coziness.
Okay, just, the poetry of this song?? And, historical inaccuracies aside, the incredible art that is this film?? Y’all, I haven’t watched this movie in YEARS but this edit gives me the shivers.
// Sucker punching walls // cursed you as I sleep-talked // Mary first shows up after he’s said he won’t be married off to any of them.
// Took the battle underground // how petty Mary got was the emotional turmoil and intrigue
// My hand was the one you reached for // all throughout the great war // just makes my heart flutter and do all the silly things
// Tears on the letter // <3
// You drew up some good faith treaties // “God knows I wish the best for you”
// Somewhere in the haste I got the sense I’d been betrayed // Lavinia in the background. Just her whole presence in this video gives it a melancholy that I adore
// All that bloodshed, crimson clover // Matthew punching the creep, mwahaha
// But diesel is desire, you were playin' with fire // "Of course I want you"
// I vowed not to fight anymore // "We're at peace now."
Other comments:
Just the air of tension because their story literally has The Great War? I could put all the lyrics down and tie it to a specific event but I don't need to because this video does it all.
(Again, sorry that it won't embed, but please click the link. You won't regret it! Unless you haven't seen Merlin. Then don't do that.)
Lyrics match-up:
// We line up, weepin' in a sunlit room // How it's the beginning of her false pretenses??
// And if I'm on fire, you'll be made of ashes too // Describes their internal struggles with thinking that they should be equals but circumstances make everything different. Then to top it all off we have actual fire in the video!
// 'Til my dying day // WITH THE POISON IN HIS HAND STOP
// Look at how my tears ricochet // actually. wiping. away. tears.
// You know I didn't want to have to haunt you // THE ACTUAL DIALOGUE.
// 'Cause when I'd fight, you used to tell me I was brave // BEING SEASON ONNNNNNNNEEEEE UGH ABLJDLKSBJLDSJG
// Anywhere I want, just not home // I was prepared for home being the castle. But then it was them riding together. breaking my soul.
"I'm scared." --> // You turned into your worst fears //
// Crossing out the good years // is the most painful lyric of all time, the end.
Other comments:
So, this isn't the only version of this pairing with this song. And I actually watch this song with a ton of other couples and have one of my own in mind, but THIS. THIS IS EXCELLENCE. (and if it seems like I'm using caps lock a lot, let me tell you I've already rewritten this a few times to bring it down)
I didn't really ship them hardcore, but that's what I love about this video, it isn't a couples one. They are foils of each other.
Is this a cover of the song? I can't tell but it's gloriously haunting.
The stone line was working a little hard but I'm here for it.
The soft little "no" from Merlin??
STANDING OVATION. I've watched this so many times and it always cuts me to the core.
// He wanted a bride I was making my own way // is the best summarization of their journey I’ve ever read
// For some it was paradise // captures the dynamics between the sisters
// A slow-motion, love potion // being Laurie's perception but also them just having fun
// I broke his heart cause he was nice // like, literally, this does just as good a job as the musical (which I'm kind of immersed in right now).
// So I peered through a window // A deep portal, time travel // this is how this film is set up. exactly.
// And the life I gave away // this is making me hurt and it usually doesn’t
// We all get some kind of haunted // when Dr. Bhaer playing the piano so we're thinking about Beth? ACK
Other comments:
My first huge disclaimer is that never in my life have I shipped Jo and Laurie. Laurie and Amy are one of my favorite couples of all time, Pr. Bhaer is my darling, etc. But I think this song so perfectly captures this tumultuous time in their lives where they are both lonely and questioning everything.
These two first meet at night so their journey being described as midnight and then having the climax being in the sunshine is the opposite of what you'd expect, but this song demonstrates that so perfectly.
And then with Amy. UGH, IT’S SO GOOD I’M DISGUSTED.
// If you tasted poison you could’ve // spit me out at the first chance // "I can’t interpret your emotional morse code." All the yes. I’m not eloquent enough to say why it pierces me so, but I adore it.
// If I was some paint did it splatter // on a promising grown man // is my favorite line and I love it here because people told both of them to stay away from each other but who was spilling on whom??
// NEVER. WOULD’VE. DANCED. WITH. THE. DEVIL. // is an applause moment
// Memories feel like weapons // always sting but this one even more so because this is what changed it all
// Then you tried to erase us // with the blame being on her almost but also him? GENIUS.
“That was torture. Thank you.” // the pain was heaven //
// Stained glass windows in my mind // being where she has a halo of Enid’s window??
// Why won’t you die // being a perfect mash up of scenes when they are literally talking about death and the threats/risks they pose to each other??
// WOUND. WON’T. CLOSE. // mic drop
Other comments:
So...this is my FAVORITE Taylor Swift song of all time. And all because of this video. When I saw this last summer I then decided that no other Taylor Swift song touches me like this. "Would've could've should've" is always my first request.
Ahem.
To start off, the editing itself is fab. I love the affects put on because it fits the vibe. Other than that? No notes.
// New money, suit and tie // this could be me, but I feel like this is an acknowledgment of how fabulous everyone looks all the time.
// So it's gonna be forever // Or it's gonna go down in flames // MY HEART. it's the ultimatum of this show.
// Got a long list of ex-lovers // this is my sister's only complaint on this vid is that we don’t see the ex-lover
// Breathless or with a nasty scar // is hilarious because it’s her defeating an evil spirit
// I can make all the tables turn // being her calm in the chaos
// omg who is she // is Chang-sung staring with heart eyes + // drunk on jealousy // is Mi-ra
// Don't say I didn't, say I didn't warn ya // is him losing it. as you do.
Other comments:
Am I aware that no other bloggers have seen this? Yes. Does that stop me from trying to make them all watch it? No. There aren't really spoilers, but also without context it could be alarming.
I love the irony of young and restless. Because yes, Man-wol is restless but not young.
The beats and everything are just so stinking SNAZZY.
// Bustling crowds or tired sleepers // you don’t know which is worse // this comment could just be me screaming about it all the time because I dare you to find something that matches up better.
// How ever green our group of friends // don’t think I’ll say that word again // YESSSSSS. ugh, I feel so hollow after this
// She would’ve made such a lovely bride // this DESCRIBES the conflict of the film so well.
// You’ll find the real thing instead // WHICH WAS HER ALL ALONG <3
Other comments:
I see so. many. edits. with this song. And they’re all usually wonderfully accurate, but this one is so unique because it flips everything. The song usually ends on a sad note but this is so hopeful and happy and it makes me want to cry.
From the first lyrics of the song it lines up so well The champagne shot is so iconic in this film and conveys so much heartache and regret which IS THIS SONG.
The grandmother blowing the kiss??? <3333
Also the editing is just glorious.
If you want to see all of those videos in one place, the playlist is HERE.
If you have been here for a hot minute you see how I often have an ulterior motive, mwahaha. Which is the case today which is the newest addition to my YouTube channel.
The video that I have for you today isn't Taylor Swift (I know, sad. I have one in the works, it just wasn't done yet), but there is a slim reason it connects in. Remember how one of the honorable mentions was Enola Holmes? Well, I have my own version.
This is for both movies 1 and 2 and it's a couple pairing with Tewkesbury (again, spoilers, so use your own discretion). I'm way too into it and simultaneously am tired of it because of how much time I spent on it.
I've got 3 Taylor Swift + fandoms videos in my head and one of them actively in the works, but I'd love more suggestions! I definitely didn't cover every album, so if there are fan videos I neglected then please tell me and I'd love to watch them all.
Thanks for reading and watching! How many of these have you seen? Which are your favorites? How would you rank them?
The last month was pretty quiet from me as the summer just sped by (Olympics!) but now that I'm back at school it seems like a good idea to get one last post in before classes get out of control.
The best bite-sized way to experience stories is through Heidi's Inklings!
How it works:
1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt, including a link back to the original post in your post.
2. Leave a link to your post in the comments section of the monthly post and she'll post all your links with the next prompt.
Click HERE to see all of my past entries, and click HERE to see all of the entries for this month! That second link is where she gave the following prompt:
A scene by the ocean in book or film
Because the prompt is for book or film I try to alternate and do a book every other month in between the films but for this month I'm going to break this guideline. The ocean just demands to be represented visually!
My choice is from the 2002 film version of The Count of Monte Cristo.
Mwahaha I just love this poster.
If I had to guess, I'd say this scene happens about 40 minutes into the story. It's about the introduction of new characters so there aren't really spoilers for the ending but without context for why Edmond is there it might be confusing. So continue with your own discretion if you haven't seen this.
Usually what I like to do with scenes from movies is reconstruct it through gifs but I couldn't find any gifs of this scene which is such a pity. Here's the clip of the scene for your full enjoyment!
Now to talk about it! To start off, the cinematography of this movie is incredible and contributes to it being one of my favorite films of all time. This scene in particular has my favorite cinematography of the whole movie! It's the top of the top! I get chills when Edmond is running along the beach, shouting for joy, and slowly we pan over the backs of the pirates in the foreground as Edmond is in the background. It's just EPIC.
My next point is about how iconic Luigi Vampa is. I did not like the book as much of the movie for many reasons, but one of those reasons was Señor Vampa. The book goes into his backstory but you don't need the backstory! Part of what makes him such a thrilling character is the air of mystery that hangs about him. I adore his little smirk after calmly saying "then we slit your throat and are a little short-handed."
Followed by Edmond's diplomacy with "I find smuggling is the life for me and I'd be delighted to kill your friend the maggot." Out of context that is wild but it's SUCH A TIGHT SCRIPT.
Luigi's disappointment that the fight is over so quickly is a hoot. His eye-roll cracks me up.
And of course Jacapo! <3 His loyalty is so fierce and I am here for it.
The final stinger is quoted by my family all the time:
"His name? We shall call him Sátara."
"Sounds fearsome."
"It means driftwood."
Thanks to Heidi for hosting and thanks to all of you for reading! Go check out the other entries HERE!
What are some of your favorite cinematographic moments in film? Do you prefer the book or the movie of The Count of Monte Cristo? Do you prefer characters to remain mysterious or do you want to know all about them? How would you react to escaping from the Chateau d'If?
