Misellany January Loves

I cannot believe it's February!  That is a crazy notion.  I actually just spent a better part of my work time this week decorating the library with Valentine heart strings.  It was all very festive.

I have to say, I really like January.  After the crazy-ness that ensues as a result of the holidays, it's nice to have an entire month to calm down a little bit.  As a matter of fact, I calmed down so much that I read like 9 books, which is probably more than I read in November and December combined.

One of my goals this year is to be a better blogger, so here's the beginning of that attempt.  Even if it's not a full review, hopefully I'll be posting something to tickle your book and music tastebuds each week.  So, without further ado, here's a list of some of my favorite books I read in January.

1. Ketchup Clouds - Annabel Piltcher

This was a great book - so great in fact that a review will be coming your way next week.

 2. The Impossible Knife of Memory - Laurie Halse Anderson

This book was everything I didn't know I needed until I read it.  I'm affected by books, but rarely am I as affected by them as I was by this one.

3. Life is Outer Space - Melissa Keil

On my to-read pile since the dawn of time, I swear.  I finally read this over the weekend and I adored it.  Like a Rosie Project for teens. I LOVED it. (P.S. Ignore the weirdness of the US cover and just look at the Australian version.  It's the best one.)

Books I'm looking forward to reading (out but I haven't read yet):

1. Cruel Beauty - Rosamund Hodge

Seriously.  Beauty and the Beast retellings get to me - set it in a dystopian world and I'm yours.

2. No One Else Can Have You - Kathleen Hale

This sounds like a David Lynch novel.  I love everything about the description.  Cannot wait to get my hands on a copy.

3. The Avery Shaw Experiment - Kelly Oram

This book sound hilarious.  Very teen, and hopefully very funny.  Also, a good deal on kindle.

Albums I cannot stop listening to:

1. Pure Heroine - Lorde

I've been sucked in, but this chick's vocals and bass line make me feel like I should be floating in space.  And that's pretty cool. Favorite tracks: Ribs, Team, A World Alone

2. All the Little Lights - Passenger

Passenger is kind of a songwriting god.  I especially love The Wrong Direction and I Hate

Album I cannot wait for:

Pale Sun Rose - Matthew and the Atlas

All I have to say is: this is a lesson in patience.

Until next time,

E

2012 Favorites: Albums

Disclaimer: These aren't albums that were necessarily released in 2012, I just heard them for the first time in 2012 and they have made it to the top of my playlist (in no specific order):

1. Ed Sheeran +

2. The Lumineers The Lumineers

3. Mumford and Sons Babel

4. Michael Kiwanuka Home Again

5. The Vaccines What Did You Expect from The Vaccines

6. Fun. Some Nights

7. Ellie Goulding  Halcyon

8. Yuna Yuna

9. Heyward Howkins Hale and Hearty

10. James Morrison The Awakening