This first week (+2 days) of the new year has been pretty great. I’m still on break, so I haven’t been doing a whole lot but bumming around, which is fantastic. I’ve worked with my mom twice, but other than that I’ve been content to spend most my days seeing friends and getting a good start on my 2013 goal to read 52 books this year.
I’ve finished three so far, all in the Graceling Realm series: Graceling, Fire, and Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore, which I would highly recommend to fantasy-lovers. Graceling is about a girl named Katsa who lives under the command of her uncle, King Randa of the Middluns. In this realm, on rare occasions, children are born with what is called a Grace, an extreme talent. Katsa is a Graceling, and her Grace is to kill. Catchy, eh? I really couldn’t put the book down, and flew through it in a little over a day. I felt fairly similar with Fire, the prequel to Graceling. Though in the same realm, it had a fresh new kingdom, story, and characters that I just soaked in and I finished that one easily in a day. Bitterblue, the sequel to Graceling, was a little more work for me to get through, but I still liked it nonetheless.
I started Eragon yesterday, the first of the Inheritance Cycle series. It’s a book that I’ve always wanted to read but hadn’t gotten around to. I’ve done that with a lot of books, I’ve realized. I’ve always thought they sounded good and wanted to read them but didn’t have them or have the time, or whatever excuse. For example, I didn’t read the Chronicles of Narnia until 2011, or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory until last year. Just classics that I should’ve read, but didn’t, and want to, but haven’t.
I recently signed up for a Goodreads account. Well, I’ve actually had it for a while, but I haven’t really used it because of one reason or another. I’ve always just listed the books I’ve read (at least the last couple of years) but I think I’m going to start recording them there as well. I like the stats and it keeps all the books I’ve read all in one spot and I can get recommendations from friends and see what they’re reading as well. If any of you have a Goodreads account, I’d love to follow you, or be your friend…or whatever it’s called. 
It’s pretty ridiculous what a good book can do to me. I just curl up in my bed with it and don’t come out until I’m about to pee myself or starve. Okay, maybe not to that full extent. I like to read in my room since it’s the quietest place. I’ll sometimes come out to the living room, where my mom and dad tend to hang out just to be in their presence since I don’t get to see them when I’m away at school.
One of these days I’m going to buy myself a Kindle. I’ve been wanting one for a while now, just can’t get myself to fork over $100 for one. But I just think it’d be convenient to be able to carry with me and a lot of the e-books are much less than the print copies. And the Kindle would be great for long trips (which I tend to take frequently) and in the car in the dark. The one that I want (the paperwhite) has a light which would be perfect for that.I ‘m sure I could come up with some other reasons, but those are the ones that I’m using to justify buying one, haha. One of these days! Maybe after I’ve been working for a while as a treat to myself.
I had to get my driver’s license renewed a few days ago. I don’t know what I was thinking when I went. Actually I take that back; I thought that it was going to be similar to renewing a library card of a liscence plate, where you go in and they give you a new sticker and you slap it on the ID and voila! It’s renewed! So my mom was laughing at my reaction when I found it I had to get my picture taken again. Thankfully I had showered before I went (I was feeling especially bummy that day) but had just thrown my hair back in a sloppy ponytail. Haha, the things I have to learn the hard way. But now I can drive for four more years! Woooooo.
It’s good that you are enjoying the year, especially when you spend some of the time with your mum. I hope you get to achieve your goal. My goal for this year is “x > 111” books. X) I’m trying to beat my schoolmate’s record which she set last year.
I’ve only finished two: Will Grayson, Will Grayson and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I’m currently reading “TCN: The Magician’s Nephew” but I couldn’t find the time to continue reading the book because a lot of quizzes are being hurled at us this week. -___- The books you have read sound really interesting. I think I’ll try reading those too.
I added you as a friend on Goodreads. ^^
I also love to read in my room. It’s probably the most comfortable place to read a book. If I am reading a good book, I would get too caught up on reading and I will not care about the fact that [if ever] there are classes on the following day! Sometimes, I would stop reading at 1AM when my mum would get pissed at me for reading too much.
Congratulations on getting your license renewed! ;3
I would love to start reading more as well. I’m just always so busy but I could probably squeeze it into my schedule somewhere. Kindles are awesome if you like to read because you can just buy the e-books which is definitely more convenient. I think you could get a good deal for Kindle, try http://www.staples.com/Kindle-WiFi-with-Special-Offers/product_984297?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:984297&KPID=984297 and of course bargaining online, it would be easy to find one under $100. Either way, it would be worth the investment. :-)
I love the fact we have to take new pictures of licenses because I try to get it better each time. lol. Glad it went well for you though! ^_^
I love reading but I easily get disturbed with other things. No matter how much I try to hide in quiet places. People always want to annoy me. You know that feeling when you’re reading and someone just suddenly talks to you nonstop? Like ugh, just… shut up.
I usually read Wattpad stories, and novels which my mom usually buys for me. I’m currently reading Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins!
I hope you get to accomplish reading 52 books or more this year, and congrats on your renewed license!
Ohh, now you make me want to read books again, but I don’t always have the time to read a book. Lately is has only been work, eating, cleaning the house and working again.
But no excuses anymore, I do have some time to read before I go to bed? 
I’ll take a look of those books you mentioned in your post, going to the stores anyway!
I have the original Kindle with the keyboard, but Amazon sells a $69 Kindle with the keyboard now. It’s a really good price.
I’ve always wanted to read the Inheritance Cycle and The Chronicles of Narnia (I think I only read a couple books from that), but now the most I read is the stuff I have to read for my literature class…I used to be an avid reader. I don’t know what happened. I remember when I was around 11 or 12 that I’d read A LOT, and I liked to read in bed until I fell asleep.
Oooo good luck on 52 books. I can’t imagine reading a book a week now, when I used to read 5!!!!!
I’ve never heard of Graceling. I’m definitely gonna add that to my list! My very long list …. I love fantasy by the way! I can’t believe you’ve never read Eragon lol it’s like the fantasy of fantasies … And I also can’t believe you missed Narnia and Charlie & Chocolate Factory!
I wanted to sign up for Goodreads but it was too much trouble since I wasn’t reading anymore.
I really want a Kindle! I heard it really helps you read because you don’t have to carry books around! I used to be all for printed word, but life needs to change with the time.
Damn you are two years younger than me and you’re already at getting your license renewed when I don’t even have a license! But no one’s looking at your ID picture so I guess it’s not that bad!
I’ve added you on Goodreads!
Good luck with your goal. Mine’s 36 I think, so I can read 3 a month. I used to read sooo many books each year but as you get older it’s hard to find as much time, isn’t it?
I really want a Kindle too. They seem so handy. But I have an iPad and I use iBooks on there, so I don’t know if a Kindle would be any good for me… I still want one! Haha.
Haha everyone looks terrible on their license photos, don’t worry
haha I’m the same when it comes to good books—I won’t get up unless I’m dying to go use the toilet
Good luck with your goal even though I think you’ll read more than 52
I used to read lots when I was young, and even now I have periods when I read several books within a few days. But there are so many things i want to do in life so sadly the reading happens very rarely these days.
I’m glad to hear that you have been enjoying the new year so far. You’re definitely productive in your own way. Good luck with reading 52 books this year!
The book sounds quite interesting. I would consider it if I had the spare time to read books +__+. Congratulations on finishing off three books so far! You’re on a good start! Hopefully, you won’t get burnt out from reading! Since you’re going to be reading a lot, you might as well invest in the e-reader. It’s worth it considering how you have so many good reasons of buying one.
Your license renewal doesn’t sound as bad as when I had to take my picture. I had a long day of school before getting my picture taken. At least you can still drive regardless.
I remember your Weebly site!! Mostly because you were the only one who had that back then :P. Time really flies by!
Take care!