2013: Reflections in Words and Books

2014, you are 10 days old. Your New Year "smell" has already worn off for some people as they fall back into old habits and break those resolutions that seemed so doable only two weeks ago. But I'm more reflection than resolution, so here are some reflections from 2013:

~~I started writing "the book."
~~I got a tattoo (much to the chagrin of my parents--Sorry, Mom and Dad). 
~~I went back to high school (to work in a high school, I should say. And the one I graduated from, which makes me smile & think "You got me, God"  every day that I walk through those doors). 
~~I started running regularly & can run 3 miles without dying (okay--maybe I die just a little...)
~~I read some GREAT books. 
~~I met some AMAZING authors (RJ Palacio! Veronica Roth! Sara Dessen!)
~~I attended two Fightin' Texas Aggie football games, which one 
turned out to be Johnny Manziel's last game at Kyle Field and the other was his last game as an Aggie.


2013, you weren't too shabby...

Please don't mistake my reflections as bragging. This was not a perfect year (is there such a thing?). 2013 brought struggles along with its triumphs. And I can say that these struggles have taught me to rely more on Jesus and less on myself; it's not about the "Amianne Plan" but about the JESUS PLAN for my life. This is what I know is true. This is what I struggle with daily. The struggle is REAL. 

Rather than make specific resolutions for 2014, I'm just going to move in the direction of forward rather than backward or remain stagnant. I got some good things going in 2013, so the plan is to just keep moving forward and let Jesus guide the way. The theme for 2014 is MORE...
  • MORE writing 
  • MORE reading
  • MORE running
  • MORE living 
That's the plan. 

For the last two years, I have posted a list of my favorite books as a way to reflect on my reading life. You can see these lists here and here.  So without further ado, here's my...

TOP 10 BEST PICTURE BOOKS OF 2013 (in no particular order):











Click here to see them on Goodreads.

TOP 10 BEST NOVELS Of 2013 (in no particular order):









Click here to see them on Goodreads.

Unfortunately, I did not reach my reading goal of 2013. I set a goal to read 100 books, and I read 83 according to Goodreads. I think I read more, but I did not do a good job in posting my books this year. So here's to doing a better job in 2014, in which I hope to read 114 books. Join me in the Goodreads challenge!


Honestly, I have one big goal for 2014. Please put your ear close to the screen...Are you listening? It's to finish "the damn book." ** She says in a shaky whisper voice.** That's the goal. And it's FREAKING ME OUT. Because right now, I'm paralyzed. I haven't written anything in a month. A. MONTH. I've got ideas. I think about it all the time. But I can't bring myself to type the words. Because I'm scared. 
  • Of rejection. 
  • Of failure.
  • Of wasting precious time.
  • Of myself. 
  • Of EVERYTHING.

So here's to 2014: A year where I conquer some BIG. UGLY. FEAR. in my life. I know we are not all striving to reach the same goals, but I think we are all fighting the same thing--FEAR. I hope 2014 is the year that we conquer it.


Comments

  1. Write it Amianne! Write it! We will love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love reading your blog. You have a way with words. Write your story. I predict it will get excellent reviews on good reads:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I can't wait for "the damn book"!!!!!! Love this blog!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am constantly waiting to read your blogs so I cannot wait to read your book!

    ReplyDelete

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