January Favorites

First month of the year is pretty much down! It’s time to recap the month in a pretty fun way – by talking about my favorite things.

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Listening

“God, Your Mama, and Me” – Florida Georgia Line and The Backstreet Boys

“Hallelujah” – Pentatonix

Hamilton, The Hamilton Mixtape

TLM playlists – I have 1 for the novel itself and 1 each for each of the main characters

My writing music: Mumford & Sons, Of Mice and Men

Reading

Articles and Blog Posts:

Why ‘1984’ is a 2017 Must-Read – New York Times article

How to Get Your Dream Job in Book Publishing – Cooks & Books

Books

Written in My Own Hearts Blood: This is the most recent book in the Outlander series, a series about a WWII nurse who accidentally travels back to the 18th century in Scotland and eventually makes the choice to stay with the man she falls in love with there. Starz is making the TV version, which is so, so good. You should be aware that these are long books – I’m talking 700-1500 pages. I’m listening to this on Audible, which is great because I get motion sickness and can’t read on trains, busses, and cars, so it’s perfect for commuting and traveling around the city.

The Sympathizer: In 2017, I’m taking Modern Mrs. Darcy’s book challenge for reading for growth, and so far I’m glad I’m doing that as it has taken me to this book. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2016 and for good reason. To quote Amazon: “With the pace and suspense of a thriller and prose that has been compared to Graham Greene and Saul Bellow, The Sympathizer is a sweeping epic of love and betrayal. The narrator, a communist double agent, is a “man of two minds,” a half-French, half-Vietnamese army captain who arranges to come to America after the Fall of Saigon, and while building a new life with other Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles is secretly reporting back to his communist superiors in Vietnam. The Sympathizer is a blistering exploration of identity and America, a gripping espionage novel, and a powerful story of love and friendship” (The Sympathizer).

Elizabeth of York: This biography is about King Henry VIII’s mother who was the daughter, sister, niece, wife, and mother of kings. I’ve been into The War of the Roses over the past few years and have read a lot about it; basically, two families of who were cousins fought over the right to rule England. It was resolved when Elizabeth married King Henry VII, as they were each a member of one of the warring families. I’ve read a lot about many of the different members of these families, but not anything that centered on Elizabeth. So far, I’m really enjoying it! I definitely recommend it to other history nerds.

Welcome to My Bookshelf | My All-Time Favorite Books | The 5 Books That Changed My Life

Wearing (Clothes, etc.)

J. Crew toothpick jeans | Madewell 9″ high rise skinny jeans | Madewell pullover sweater | J. Crew. v-neck oversized sweater| Riding boots (cheaper version) | Bean boots | Madewell v-necks (short-sleeve, long-sleeve) | Fossil Riley watch

All-Time Faves: Clothes, Shoes, etc.

Wearing (Beauty)

Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation | BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl | Naked 2 Palette | Amazing Cosmetics Color Corrector (I have the green and light peach combo) | ColourPop Ultramatte Lip Set – The Good Times | ColourPop Highlighter in Smoke ‘n Whistles | Sephora Collection Instant Moisturizer

Winter Beauty Staples | Everyday Makeup

Watching

Sherlock, Outlander, The Bachelor, The Man in the High Castle, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

What have been your favorite things in January?