2013.

 So. I'm not very happy with myself. My plant to post something the first few days of January didn't exactly pan out, but for once I have an excuse. :P Tuesday was my last day to spend with just my sister and her family before coming home, the day after was the last day to spend with friends as well as get things packed up, Thursday we traveled home, Friday we had rehearsal (we also slept in,) Saturday we had to get up early and go to rehearsal, Sunday we had church, etc. So you see... I was quite busy. ;)

 So instead of several blog posts over a span of time, I'm going to make this one big blog post celebrating the year that was 2013, and perhaps later this week I'll write one looking towards the future.

 2013 was the year...

I wrote Baby, It's Cold Outside.
I was Glinda and Auntie Em in Wizard of Oz.
My niece turned one.
I finished writing The Prince's Quest.
I started watching Doctor Who.
My nephew was born.
I was in Les Miserables.
Met my nephew.
I was staff at camp, and got to work with sweet little girls.
I met new people.
I grew closer to those I knew.
I met Leah in person.
Traveled to Kentucky.
I got lots of books.
I started reading 6 sections of the Bible.
Wrote four skits about sailors and pirates.
I went to the Assembly and worshiped the Lord.
I was Mrs. Mops in A Christmas Carol. One of the most wonderful experiences.
Sarah became one of my closest friends.
I auditioned for Willy Wonka, and got the role of Mrs. Gloop
I wrote The Pauper's Masquerade.
I submitted The Pauper's Masquerade to a writing contest.
I received hugs and kisses from my niece and smiles from my nephew.
I received hugs from the other children in my life.
Met up with Leah again and filmed a short film. :D
I spent Christmas together with my family.
I had the best year ever.

I did so many things. Probably more things then listed here! And they were all wonderful. I'm so thankful to the Lord for the year that 2013 was, and I'm thankful to have a wonderful family to spend 2014 with!

 And now, for your morbid curiosity... Here is a list of books I read this year, and to challenge myself... a one sentence summary of what I thought. :P I also have this thing about pretty covers, so I'll say if I liked a cover.

 The Revised Life of Ellie Sweet by Stephanie Morrill - This was an excellent book about a teen writer that I can identify very well with! I like this cover.

By Darkness Hid by Jill Williamson - One of my favorite discoveries of 2013, I love, love, LOVE this book.

The Tide of Unmaking by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper - This ending to one of my favorite series' just tore my feeling all to pieces and left them scattered on the ground.

Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore - This was a very interesting book to fit into the supernatural genre, making me happy because its for the most part biblical accuracy.

Broken Wings by Shannon Dittemore - I had to read the sequel to Angel Eyes, and I liked it quite a lot.

The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux - A book my favorite musical was based on... yes please... thrilling.

Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker - This was the first book I read that made me laugh and cry a few minutes from the other, such a beautiful story! Pretty cover.

It's Complicated by Laura L. Smith - A complicated little book that made you feel for the characters, and hope for the best in the end.

To Darkness Fled by Jill Williamson - I liked the sequel to By Darkness Hid even better than the first, it's so good!

Rock Harbor: Search and Rescue by Colleen Coble - A good start to a middle grade mystery series.

Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale - I've been waiting for a sequel to Princess Academy for years, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this one, and it was worth it! Lovely cover.

Storm by Evan Angler - I like his writing, it's very Lemony Snicket, and I liked this book.

Captives by Jill Williamson - If you can't tell, I love anything by Jill, and this was no exception... can't wait for the next book in the series. Awesome cover.

Divergent by Veronica Roth - I wanted to read this one before it became a movie and exploded, and it was a mostly pleasant experience.

Warp: The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer - I really really liked this book, it was very cool. And the cover (US version) is so so cool.

Angry by Laura L. Smith - Laura sent this to me because she's so crazy sweet, and I was in Les Miserables at the time... and I must say, I enjoyed it greatly, especially with all the Les Mis references. :)

Beloved Enemy by Al Lacy -  As I've said before... one of the most disappointing reads of the year... I was expecting so much more, but I was pretty bored by the end.

Before Midnight by Cameron Dokey - Pretty good for a quick read, could have used some more development though.

Golden by Cameron Dokey - An original concept--a bald Rapunzel--makes for a very interesting book. This particular cover edition is pretty.

Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey - My favorite of her books that I read, this retelling of Mulan made me happy.

Viewers by Scott Hawthorne - Another one of the year's disappointments.

The Destiny of One by Sarah Holman - A rollicking space adventure from a Christian vantage point... great book.

The Destiny of a Few by Sarah Holman - Is it possible to like the second even better than the first? I believe tis.

Swept Away by Mary Connealy - This was the first book I read by this author, and I was pleasantly surprised.

Daughter of Light by Morgan L. Busse - An interesting addition to Christian fantasy, I enjoyed this one.


Burning Sky by Lori Benton - A book filled with exquisite word descriptions, how could I not love it? And the cover... Beautiful.

Anomaly by Krista McGee - I'm so excited that some Christian authors are finally writing Dystopian... this is a really exciting book! The cover is so cool.

From Darkness Won - The explosive finale of The Blood of Kings series left me wanting more.

Perilous by Tamara Hart Heiner - A terrifying book if you think about it... what would you do if you witnessed a crime and were kidnapped for it?

Dark Halo - The final book in the Angel Eyes series was good, just as its predecessors were. Compelling cover.

The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson - I liked this book a lot, and really grew to like many of the characters. Also, the cover is lovely.

The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson - I think this is my favorite book by this author so far... sooo good... but I'm reviewing it tomorrow, so... And the cover is so pretty!

Cave Secrets of the Pterodactyl by Lydia Howe - A very good little book that I think kids everywhere will enjoy.

Edenbrooke - A lovely regency romance with lots of gentlemen and ladies, and and a good ol' story. The cover is also pretty.

 So that's that. Those are the books I read in 2013. Have you read any of these? Are they any you read that you think are particularly good?

 So in short, 2013 was a great year, and I can't wait to see what 2014 holds in store!