Hubby and I had some good times in 2019, with lots of experiences taking place instead of the exchange of material gifts. It's something I love to do and intend to continue throughout our life together. If you've been following for a while, you may recall I talked about travel tradition - we collect magnets when we take trips and gather experiences together.

Today, I want to share our 2018 magnet collection.
































I took a few extra trips, one with one of my sisters to Savannah, one to Phoenix for a work trip, and a Halloween tour with my other sister, but I don't buy magnets for trips without hubby. It's our special collection together. I'm so excited to see where 2019 will take us!

Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge Prompt: A book published in 2019




TW: Violence against children, heavy focus on religion, fat-shaming




When asked to review More Than Bones, I wasn't aware of the faith-driven storyline. But I immediately realized religion would play a big part in the novel, as soon as I opened the book. There are very heavy themes of religion (especially faith vs. logic) and LGBTQ issues, but from the very start of the book there was a judgmental feel to the book, specifically towards weight-related issues, but towards socioeconomic issues as well.



The story focuses on Emily, a medical intern who relocates from the Carolinas to Baltimore to complete her residency at a Catholic hospital. Though her father is a Southern preacher (not Catholic at all), Emily prefers to choose science and logic over religion. New to the area, Emily quickly dives in to friendships with a slew of quirky characters, including her new roommate Norton, and an odd old man named Frank who lives next door. Frank immediately gifts her with a pendant, urging her to not take it off once she wears it close to her heart. Thinking the man old and senile, she wears the pendant briefly and after taking it off a variety of bad things begin happening all around her. But they can't possibly be related, right? I mean, how much power can a simple pendant have?



The premise of the book was enticing to me - I loved the idea of a medical intern storyline mixed in with a magic pendant. But I was turned away as soon as I opened the book to a bible quote prefacing the first chapter. Faith-based books aren't my typical cup of tea, but I figured I'd push on. Then the fat-shaming came, and the judgment of a woman breastfeeding her child (hello, the character is supposed to be a doctor?). Those things within the first few chapters of the book really set up a whole realm of disappointment delving deeper into the story.

I did enjoy, however, that the majority of the characters were LGBTQ, which can be uncommon in a lots of novel. Because of that, though, I expected a much more open-minded character and storyline for other populations, and fat-shaming is really not cool. I think we can all agree on that. I truly disliked Emily's character. She was problematic, judgmental, and unwilling to accept responsibility for her actions. I truly felt she had no redeeming qualities.







The entire novel felt like it wanted to be a southern-style novel, even though it wasn't set in the south - small-town girl with a bit of a superiority complex, lots of morality tests and happenings with an apparent sense of happy endings. And though those typically aren't my favorite types of novels and generally don't house my favorite writing style, but usually they're very light, feel-good books. I never got that vibe from this book. It was too dark at times to be a true light and fluffy southern novel.

There was definitely some mystery wrapped up inside the story that made the urge to continue reading stronger. It's the main reason I kept reading. But I wasn't totally satisfied with the ending. I felt there were too many questions left unanswered.

This was one big eye-roller for me.



Goodreads Rating: ★★★☆☆


















*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions, as always, are 100% my own.

Popsugar 2019 Reading Challenge: A book told from multiple character POVs










TW: Violence against children, domestic violence





Told from multiple perspectives, this novel follows Lisa, single mother of 16 year-old Ava, and Lisa's best friend Meredith. They all have secrets to hide. Lisa is overprotective of Ava, and becomes anxious at the slightest inconvenience. She begins to slowly unravel as clues from her haunted past begin popping back up. Meanwhile, Ava is chatting with an older man online and hiding it from everyone, including her friends. Meredith, who's always calm, collected, and put-together, has secrets of her own. And literally no one is talking to those who are closest to them.


I swear I was so annoyed this entire book. There are always these situations in books, movies, and tv shows where if people just called the cops in the first place, things would be okay (I'm looking at you, Pretty Little Liars). Granted, the story would probably end fairly abruptly.

There's no doubt Pinborough is a talented writer. Her writing will absolutely suck you in to the story and leave you wanting to know what's going to happen next. The way the story was organized reminded me a lot of Liane Moriarity - something's happened, but you have no idea what's going on and you're trying to figure it out the entire story. Unlike Moriarity's novel, though, I didn't feel connected to the characters. For the storyline to have such serious implications for the characters, I felt the character development was truly lacking. There's a lot of backstory for one of the characters, but it doesn't dive deep.








The story gets very deep though, and it's sickening. I'm not sure how I picked up two books in a row involving violence against children, but it's been a rough start to my reading year. The story started out incredibly slow - it took me around 100 pages to finally get into and start reading with a little more urgency. I'll also say the characters are highly unlikeable, I trusted not one of them.

The twists were certainly twisty, though. Every single time I thought I had so cleverly figured something out, I was wrong. Pinborough did a fantastic job of leading my mind exactly where she wanted it to without me realizing that's what she was doing. The writing was very intentional and I felt psychologically drained while reading.

But the first big reveal is sickening, and I could have gone without it being the main point of the storyline. I hated the flashbacks for multiple reasons. I wouldn't read this book a second time.



Goodreads Rating: ★★★☆☆

TW: Gore, violence against children & animals, sexual assault





I've heard some rave reviews about The Chalk Man, and honestly, I selected it from Book of the Month over a year ago and just now got around to reading it (thanks #unreadbotmchallenge). It didn't quite live up to expectations for me.





The book opens with a chapter about a dismembered girl, which is fairly sickening just within those first few pages. After that, I wasn't quite sure what was happening or what the story was about. Granted, the inside jacket flap gives more of an overview of what's happening, but I feel like that ruins some of the story. The mystery was the allure of getting through the next pages.






The group of friends in the pages reminded me very much of It's Losers Club, and the setting also reminded me a lot of Derry, Maine, though this story is set in the UK. I found a lot of parallels and similarities between The Chalk Man and Stephen King's It, which had to have been a heavy influence on this story (if it wasn't, I am bewildered). A group of misfit kids, a band of bullies, bad things mysteriously happening, a 30-year gap in the storyline. There are other similarities between the books (not just the film version of It) that would ruin some of the story if I shared, so I'll leave that out.

I'm not easily disturbed (I mean, I get afraid - but not truly disturbed) by books and stories, but there were parts of this book that truly disturbed me that I wish I would've skipped over. Sickening scenes, really. But what really threw me is so much of the book seemed totally unbelievable to me, and there were too many things left unraveled.

That isn't to say I wouldn't read Tudor's work again (and I'm fairly certain she has a new book releasing this year). In fact, I would definitely read another novel by her. I enjoyed the writing style, and the way the book was organized. It was definitely a thrill-ride. This book just wasn't for me.



Goodreads rating: ★★★☆☆

I've never committed to a "word of the year," but I think if I had to choose one, I would choose happy. Not that I imagine every waking second of the year will be full of happiness. I still have the right to be down and out at times. But instead, I want to do more of what makes me happy and choose the happy in more situations than not. So, in honor of 2019 - here are 19 things that make me happy.

*this list is obviously not exclusive.




1. Books, reading, and bookstores
I'm looking forward to surrounding myself with more books this year, reading more, and visiting more independent bookstores in 2019.



2. Coziness - fuzzy blankets, fuzzy socks, leggings and sweatshirts, candles
If I'm at home, it's likely I'm cocooned in a blanket, dressed in my favorite leggings, fuzzy socks, and my favorite TGT sweatshirt. I also love candles year-round, but when it's cold out - woodsy smells are my go-to, especially a strong pine or fir scent like this one.






3. Floor pillows & beanbags
I'm still on the hunt for next great beanbag or floor pillow that isn't overly expensive. I love chilling in the floor (weird?), but I need the proper "furniture" to do so!



4. Late 90s/Early 00s tv 
Please give me all the X-Files, Buffy, Roswell (thank God for Hulu), but not these garbage remakes they keep trying to bring back. I mean, I'm fine with continuing seasons with the original series/actors - that X-Files continuance made me so happy. But I am not down with this whole Roswell reboot.



5. Lazy days
I love days where I don't have to leave the house. They're few and far between, but they. are. glorious!



6. Coffee
Give me dark roast, blonde roast, and whatever's in between. I love it all, seriously.



7. Diet soda and white cheddar popcorn
Ooh, Smartfood white cheddar popcorn is my favorite, paired with a nice diet soda - it's the perfect junk food combo.



8. Sleeping in and/or nap
Need I say more?



9. Visiting new places
I'm looking forward to traveling more, near and far. And I plan on having hubby right by my side.



10. Spending time with hubby, literally doing anything
We have so much fun together, especially hanging out at home just being goofballs together.



11. Watching TGIT shows with my sister
My sister and I try to get together on Fridays to watch all our TGIT shows, complete with comfy clothes, sweets, and wine.



12. Grabbing lunch or coffee with my sister
My other sister is out of town a lot for work, but from time-to-time, we try to go get some coffee together or grab lunch when she's in town.



13. Eating, in general
I love food, and I don't plan to stop loving it anytime soon. Burritos and Chick-fil-a are my forever favorites.



14. Wireless bras
Wires give me issues, so I go wire-free. Finding the perfect fit is hard to come by, but when I do, it's truly amazing.



15. Fluffy cats
Just look at that fluffball.






16. Comfy sneakers
I love wearing my sneakers on my days off, and I get so many compliments on them usually. I'd prefer my feet not kill me at the end of a long day. Comfort > cute, but you can do both!



17. Good hair days
Bangs are the bane of my existence, but I always end up getting them. But some days my hair looks amazing and it can turn my entire mood around.



18. All things Hufflepuff
I am a proud Hufflepuff and when I find Hufflepuffly things, it makes me so very happy!



19. Harry Potter Funko Pops
The only Pops I collect are Harry Potter ones. My collection is small, but I'm definitely hoping to grow my collection this year (can you believe I don't have a Hermione yet?).




















*I received a candle free from Goose Creek Candle to include in this post. All opinions, as always are 100% my own.