December Wrap Up // 2020
Happy 2021, friends!!
Wow, I can’t believe I can actually say that. I think we can all agree that 2020 was quite truly the year from hell, and I personally could not be more grateful that it’s over.
I know I haven’t been super active here recently, and for that I apologize. In all honesty, I’ve been in a huge slump. I’m not sure if it’s just a media burnout or a bit of seasonal depression, but I just don’t have the motivation to do anything. Nothing sounds like fun – not reading, not watching TV, not even listening to music. It’s been getting a bit better, but it’s definitely effected my desire to blog and thus the lack of content recently.
However, I am so excited to say that things are looking up! I actually just accepted a job offer staring in January, and I could not be more ecstatic. It’s for a media agency in the midwest, and it’s exactly what I want to be doing with my career (at this stage) so I’m really, really looking forward to starting!
On that same note, I’m writing this post from my brand new computer! I made my first ~big girl~ purchase and was able to buy myself a new iMac (my laptop, as beloved as she is, might be in her final stages…). I can’t wait to use it to do ALL the fun things, like blog, binge Youtube, and even get back into my favorite black hole – Sims!!
Anyways, I’m going to chronicle the very sad media month that was December. This will by far be the most anticlimactic wrap up, but I hope ya love it nonetheless.
Wow, was this month a sad reading month.
How the King of Elfhame Learned to Hate Stories: I bought this on a whim from Target because the illustration is just SO gorgeous, and then proceeded to read it in two hours. It was fun to dive back into this word and renewed my hope that Holly Black gives us more content in this world (looking at you, Taryn!).
The Bridgerton Books: If you haven’t guessed, yes, I did binge Bridgerton, and then yes, I did proceed to read all the books. Gonna expose myself here and say that I’ve never read a historical romance, so this was truly a journey. I loved it.
I might’ve slacked off on the reading, but I watched some good television.
The Resident: A rewatch in preparation for the new season in January. Oh my goodness, do I love this show. I used to watch Greys, but the insanity of the plot and ridiculousness of the characters turned me off. The Resident has instead taken over my heart as #1 medical drama. The main characters, the relationships, the chaotic hospital setting, the DRAMA. Ig you haven’t watched this yet, please, god, do.
The Queens Gambit: I finally gave this one a shot and it did NOT disappoint. I was shocked at how much I loved this show, which I shouldn’t have been given the hype. Somehow, Netflix has managed to make chess interesting. They’ve officially taken over the world.
Bridgerton: My BOYS. I had no idea what Bridgerton was until it dropped on Christmas day and I saw people talking about it on Twitter. Since I’m in the word slump, I figured why not? I ate this sh*t up in two days and then read all the books. Love love LOVE. I cannot wait for my sweet (but also absolutely infuriating) Anthony’s season.
Evermore: Listen, I adore Taylor Swift, but I don’t think I’ll ever forgive her for dropping this at 11 PM (my time) on a Thursday night when I had to be up at 7 AM the next morning. Of course, I had to stay up to listen to the whole thing and was heavily sleep deprived the next morning, but oh well. Taylor is an icon and there is truly nothing else to say. (But if you are curious, my top three are Gold Rush, Ivy and Champaign Problems!).
Fingers Crossed: I haven’t listened to any podcasts this month, but this morning I did listen to a Fingers Crossed episode about 2021 goals and loved it. I’ve followed Kristee Vetter loosely for a few years now – I feel like we’re in similar positions in life (establishing meaningful careers, trying out new things, finding healthier ways to live, etc) so I enjoyed listening to these two talk about meaningful goal setting and their 2021 ambitions.
I did a lot of my “misc.” in the introduction, so not too too much to share.
I did cut my hair short, which was a heat-of-the-moment decision that I’m pretty happy with! It’s not buzzed or anything that wild, but is an inch or two above my shoulders. As I told my friend, I’m not sure if it’s objectively the best look for me, but I feel a bit more like myself, so I think I’m going to keep it for a few months!
I’ve also decided to revert back to my original blog style. While I do like the themed headers and graphics, I miss the pastels of my summer theme, so am going to go back to using those and establishing a more cohesive brand (in case you were curious!).
Otherwise, doing pretty well (slump aside). I’m psyched to start my new job and get rolling on that (and have a stable income, yay!). I had a lovely Christmas and New Year and am excited to see what 2021 will bring.
Catch me slacking all month on blog hopping! I know I said I was going to try and be better, and I stand by that. But hey, when you’re slumping, you’re slumping.
There were a couple of posts that I did love this month, though!
CW @ The Quiet Pond shared 20 Diverse and Modern Retellings of Old Classics.
Krysta @ Pages Unbound spoke on being Okay with Not Being Paid to Book Blog.
Finn from Evidently Bookish gave a Brief Introduction to Publishing Monopolization.
Again, since I’m in a slump, honestly nothing sounds like “I have to read this NOW!”. I’m hoping as the month goes on, this suddenly changes, but I’m subscribing to the whole “don’t force yourself to read” mentality for now.
However, these are the books I’d ideally get to this month!
I’m also hoping to get back into working out this month, and spend time finding ways to be active that I actually enjoy. I’m also hoping to post at least once a week, so stay on the lookout for more of me!
How have you been? What books do you hope to get to this month?
I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to this new year, and I’ll catch ya soon!
15 Comments
Tasya @ The Literary Huntress
My mom loved Bridgerton! I really want to watch it, but since reading more regency romance is actually one of my reading goal this year, I figure I would like to read the books first. I’m also starting a new job this month (tomorrow, actually!) so good luck for both of us!
erin
Aw congrats on your new job, that’s amazing!! Hope you have a lovely first day ♥ I love that your mom loved Bridgerton, so did mine! 😅 I think the books and the show are such different vibes so I’ll be eager to hear your thoughts on both!! (:
Morgan
Ahh, I’m sorry that you were in a slump, I relate to that big time. Here’s to hoping that January will be better! And congrats on your new job, it’s really exciting!
I also watched The Queen’s Gambit last month and wow! It was phenomenal. Really disturbing but an amazing mini-series. And evermore!! I love that album and my favourites match yours!!
erin
Thank you! ♥ YES wasn’t The Queens Gambit amazing?! I adored it so much more than I was expecting! So happy that you loved it!!!
erin @ Reading On A Star
amazing wrap up as always!! hope you have a great month girl.
Ali
I am SO excited to see that you have entered the world of historical romance 😄 I only read the first Bridgerton book, but I’m slowly working through the rest of them. HOW did you finish the whole series in one month?! That’s an accomplishment in itself. I only got into historical romance last year, but the genre is everything I never knew I wanted or needed in my life! I hope you feel a bit better in January, Erin!
erin
WHO WOULD’VE THOUGHT honestly like historical romance has terrified me for years bc of how massive the genre and its fanbase are, but now I’m hooked. YES truly everything we will ever need!! Let me know when you finish the series bc I’m so eager to talk to people and hear what they think about each book!! ♥
TheGeekishBrunette
Good luck with your job!
My sister just started the audiobook for The Duke and I. She really enjoyed the show. Hope January goes well for you!
erin
Ohhh I hope she loves it! I wonder how it would be listening on audio…maybe I’ll give it a try next time I reread! Thank you, sending lots of good vibes your way this new year! ♥
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ilsa
EEEK! I LOVED BRIDGETON. I definitely loved the first 5 episodes more than the last 3 (not sure why but the vibes were immaculate in the first few episodes of the series). i want society to bring back bridgerton dresses they look so feminine and pretty!! also courting sounds SO FUN i would also like to dance at balls and have witty conversations with a handsome man. *sigh* AND AHH THE QUEENS GAMBIT. I’m so obsessed with Beth Harmon and Benny Watts. everytime i think of benny i have a breakdown about how emotionally attatched I am to his character and i soooo wish he had more screen time. Aside from Benny, the show was so well-proudced and the chess scenes were SURPRISNGLY HOOKING and full of tension. also beth harmon’s outfits and hair and face >>>> okay i was supposed to read the cardan novella last year,,, but it did not happen but i’m so looking forward to reading it soon!
erin
RIGHT okay totally agree – I think it was interesting how they packed SO much story into only like 8 episodes?? SAME OH MY GOODNESS YES I love to find a fellow Benny Watts stand he was SO under-appreciated, I just wanted to shake Beth every time she turned him down like how could you hurt him?! We got so much good content this fall, honestly!! Aw I can’t wait to hear what you think about the Cardan novella! Tbh he wasn’t my absolute favorite in the books but love how VE Schwab gives us another side of him in his novella, I hope you love it!!! ♥♥
emme
Honestly Bridgerton was incredible!! I watched it on a whim because Nicola (Penelope) was in my fave show Derry Girls and I’m so glad I did because I loved it! I’m reading book 1 currently and am really enjoying it, especially because I’ve never read any historical romance either?! They honestly got the characters so accurate in the show! I’m not sure if to carry on the book series after though or if I want to discover what happens with the show?!
Sorry you were in a bit of a slump though and hopefully January and 2021 will be better <3.
Also I can't wait for Concrete Rose! Not sure if I'll get to it straight away but I'm so excited for to read it because I absolutely love Angie Thomas.
erin
Nicola was such a star in Bridgerton honestly I adored her character and I can’t wait to see her story unfold in the show!! Totally get that, I was also on the fence bc I knew reading the books would spoil the show but ugh I just needed to know what happened with everyone!! Both ways are def good choices though (: Ohhhh I hope you love Concrete Roses, I’m also so hype for it!! ♥♥
Ruby Rae Reads
Ah no Erin, I hope you get out of your slump and start feeling better. I’ve been there and it’s just,, tiring. So sending all the love. I also read Elfhame in December and ugh so easy to fly through and those illustrations are so gorgeous I CANNOT!!! I also am ashamed to admit that I haven’t listened to Evermore yet, it’s on my to-do list but I just haven’t gotten around to finishing it yet. Waiting for the right moment hehe. Hope your January is going so much better, happy new year <3<3