Month in Review: December 2019

Favorite Media

Star Wars has its problems, and Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker wasn’t perfect, but all of the points I wanted the series end to hit were just straight up nailed, and I walked out of the theater immediately intending to re-watch The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi just so I could see Rise of Skywalker again. I went in expecting #savebensolo and came out #bendemption, and for a film series to make me feel this way after 20+ years means that I will always love it in some way (no matter how much criticism it deserves).

Oh my god, y’all, this song is a frigging bop. I usually listen to music through Spotify, but I went straight to YouTube for “RITMO” because I needed to listen to it on repeat ad infinitum—and guess what, I’m still listening. 🤷‍♀️

Stuff I Added to My Queue

• 

• 

• 

• 

Publisher’s Weekly called And I Do Not Forgive You a “deliciously caustic collection” of “wry, feminist stories.” Yes and Yes.

The premise of The Boyfriend Project—a rom-com which starts when three women become friends after they all find out they’re dating the same man—is so unique and interesting!

New Chuck Palahniuk!

Destiny loved A Constellation of Roses so much that I had to add it to my list.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Normally YA books which focus on purity culture, societal pressure, and toxic masculinity do so from a feminine perspective; Not So Pure and Simple does so from a straight male’s.

Qualityland: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy meets 1984.

Redwood and Ponytail is a middle-grade queer falling-in-love story told in verse!!

The book cover to The Regrets is so eye-catching, but the plot is also intriguing. Who can resist a tragic love story?

• 

• 

• 

• 

I’m sure The State of Us is giving everyone YA Red, White & Royal Blue vibes… but is that necessarily a bad thing?

Marie posted “28 of her most anticipated ya contemporary reads for 2020” and oops my finger slipped: A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Sweaters and Stars, It Sounded Better in My Head, Only Mostly Devastated, Recommended for You, and You Say It First.

ICYMI

• 2020 reading challenges in which I may (or may not) participate: Books and Tea, PopSugar, Read Harder, #StartOnYourShelfathon, and Year of the Asian
• Destiny on prioritizing mental health through blogging less
• Marie on how to pace your reading

What were YOU up to in December? Let me know!