Last day of Blogmas! MERRY CHRISTMAS! I’ve written about different challenges I’m going to embark on in 2024, so this is more like a summary for easier future references. Like checking in at the Summary of 2024 just how many challenges I manage to do. So let’s go.
Libraries I’m starting a new blog to track the libraries I’m going to visit next year. My goal is visit at least one library in my city or the cities near me in a month. And I will be writing about them in my new blog Infinities Under Roofs.
Reading Challenges I’m doing two: Helmet Reading Challenge 2024 and Summerween Reading Challenge, I wrote about them here. I want to read more than 50 books in 2024 too!
Movie Challenges I’m doing multiple movie challenges next year, one of the main ones would be 100 horror movies in 2024. I’m hoping to also complete some of lists on Letterboxd. I wrote about them here.
Fitness Challenges I’m going to keep the 10K steps a day, workout every morning and have a calorie cap of 2000 calories. I’m also taking fasting more seriously. Read more about this in here. I created a new Instagram account to track my food, so I could be more accountable about my eating. You can follow me at Fuel.Fables.
Finance Challenges I’m looking to become consumer debt free next year, and also save up at least half of the emergency fund (full would be 10K). And would be very nice if I can find me an apartment to buy. Small goals, no biggie. XD
Here they are and here we are. When I decided to do blogmas this year, I thought it was going to be very painful and difficult – to write daily after not writing regularly for so long. But after the first week or so, it became very easy. Like long-dormant muscles that still remember what to do after the initial stiffness. So I am very much looking forward to the year of blogging next year! Thanks for joining me, merry blogmas! ❤
Over 100 days ago I started my own version of the #75HARD challenge I dubbed as #100MediumHard challenge 2023. Here is the first post and here’s the midway update. I was going to name it #100HARD since I’m planning to do 100 days, but then I remembered that I actually did a #100HARD challenge back in 2021 summer, during the covid lockdown. If you are interested, here are links to the 2021 challenge, 25-day update, 50-day, 75-day and finally the grand finale. The lockdown version of me sounded a bit crazy to the me now. XD And I have to say, this time around, it’s not going to be that hard of a challenge. And here are my rules:
30-60 minutes indoor workout 10K steps (indoor or outdoor) Follow a diet Giving up fast food and instant ramen 3 liters of water 25-50 pages of any book, fiction or non-fiction Daily journaling 6 hour of sleep (minimum)
The challenge started out strong. The first 50 days, I managed to do all of it for 39 days. But the second half of it, I struggled a LOT. I could only do it 30 out of 50 days. Most of the misses were drinking water and journaling. But towards the end of October and then November, I’m even slipping with my diet like ordering takeout and eating instant noodles. Mostly it was because I was very stressed about my work cos for a month or so, I wasn’t at all sure if I would lose my job or not. Turned out I didn’t, and all’s well. But still, I realized that I still use food sometimes to cope with stressful situations. But I also think that it would have been a lot worse if I did not even attempt to do this challenge.
I do think this challenge helped me keep up with my journaling and reading. And the habits I wanna keep on doing would most of them. I’m not saying that the challenge went smoothly, but it did do its job which is strengthen the good habits. The point of having good habits is not to fall into despair when I miss one or two on some days, but getting back on track right the next day without moping around.
In a blink of an eye, the first five days of Blogmas is done, I’m trying to finish each five-day chunk with something to look forward to next year, such as challenges. My reading goal for the year 2024 is going to be more than 50 books. And I’ve chosen two reading challenges to tackle:
Helmet Reading Challenge Helmet is the libraries of Helsinki metropolitan area and they organize a reading challenge yearly with 50 reading prompts. Here you can see this year’s challenge. As of today, they haven’t announced next year’s challenge yet. I shall write a longer post for it when they announce the prompts.
Summerween Reading Challenge I recently heard about this reading challenge, where one reads horror or thrillers or fall-inspired books during summer. But I’m going to make it longer and I came up with 56 reading prompts. I may or may not have already chosen 20 books that hits all of those prompts. I was bored one day, okay? 😀 This reading challenge of mine would also last three months, from June to August. Summer is not my favorite season so I want to feel autumn-y when the heat hits. I shall make a longer post for this when it’s closer to summer.
Tomorrow begins a new theme for the next five days! Stay tuned and merry Blogmas!
Forty-four books in, well on my way to 50, it has truly been a great year when it comes to reading. Most of the books are great, in today’s post, I chose ten of them that were my favorites. Some are new books, some classics. The links of the books will lead to Storygraph website. Go let’s go!
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang “Babel” is the definition of a slow-burn epic fantasy where it’s not about the destination but the journey. I’m not going to lie, the beginning is very slow. But I happened to enjoy the magic system of languages and because I also speak Chinese, it’s all the more rewarding to read “Babel”. About half of the book helped put me squarely in the shoes of the leading character and as his way of life is threatened, I was just as reluctant to see change. That level of immersion is rare for me. And when the end began, it went full speed ahead to a glorious crescendo that left me wrecked. Alas, it was a little rushed but by that point, the ending didn’t really matter to me, I already got one hell of a ride. My rating: 5 stars out of 5
Itby Stephen King After all these years, SK still manages to leave me in awe. His earlier works are more raw and brutal and as always, he doesn’t go easy on children. He put them through a ringer. “It” must be one of his more terrifying stories, because in many ways, this wasn’t scary in the literal sense but it’s the existential dread of growing up and losing control and dreams and powers. “It” was also one of the most heart-breaking and touching stories from SK. One can reduce the book to ‘jumpscares’ and that one controversial chapter, “It” was so much more to me. My rating: 4.75 stars out of 5
I’m Glad My Mom Diedby Jennette McCurdy I highly recommend the audiobook, also read by the author. All I can say is, the book lives up to its provocative title. I’m sure it appeals to all of us who have mommy issues. As it is in my case. I have no words to describe how cathartic it was to hear Jennette’s story. I couldn’t help but cheer her on, and I was so happy for her when she finally found her power. I understood the guilt she felt. I wish Jennette all the success and happiness, she truly deserves it. My rating: 5 stars out of 5
Alone With You in the Etherby Olivie Blake Not gonna lie, I got this book whole because of the beautiful title and the fact that I love bees. And yes, I looooooved the story about bees within this story. I don’t usually consume romance but when they hit, they hit me hard and this was one of those stories that hits me hard. It doesn’t shy away from hardship and senselessness in relationships, even when it’s incredibly painful and this short snapshot of the two main characters’ relationship was painfully joyful to witness. My rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Life Ceremonyby Sayaka Murata A weird short story collection filled with memorable and shocking tales with wild and horrific premises but told in a slice-of-life style. I’ve never read anything like this. I’ve read one of Sayaka Murata’s another book ‘Convenience Store Woman’, and it’s safe to say that her voice is one of the most unique out there. I can’t wait to read her other book “Earthlings”. My rating: 5 stars out of 5
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin First thing first, the cover of this book is absolutely stunning. And the story is just as amazing. I love the game creation stories, it was written so well that it made me want to play those games featured in here. The relationship drama was less interesting than the game making and business building aspects but I still love all of the characters. My rating:.4.75 stars out of 5
Animal Farmby George Orwell I guess it makes sense that it’s a classic. I know the premise and the main plot but I actually don’t know how the story ended. I didn’t expect this exact ending and it surprised me pleasantly. Not because it’s a ‘happy ending’ but it was one of those dark endings that also makes sense in many ways. Makes me want to re-read ‘1984’. My rating: 5 stars out of 5
Godkillerby Hannah Kaner Can’t believe this was a debut novel from Hannah Kaner. As someone who loves big books, I have to admire the way the world was built with vivid colors and darkness and all the contrast in between, in just under 300 pages. I’m so happy that there is going to be sequel coming out next year, and the second book is going to be a bit thicker too. 😀 My rating: 4.75 stars out of 5
The Green Bone Sagaby Fonda Lee I’m still in the middle of book three ‘Jade Legacy’ and judging by the way I was bawling my eyes out last night reading, I just know ‘The Green Bone Saga’ is going to be one of my favorites. The names are very challenging to remember, there are also so many of them but I guess it helped that I read the first one as an audiobook and it helps to hear those names first and get familiar with them. My rating: 5 stars out of 5
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat I don’t buy cookbooks that often anymore, and I’m planning to get rid of many of my existing cookbooks. And if I can only have one book about cooking left on my shelf, it would be this one. It’s not necessarily a traditional recipe book, it concentrates way more on the techniques and the science behind good cooking. I feel like this would be the book that would elevate my cooking to the next level. My rating: 5 stars out of 5
That’s all, the favorites of the year! That’s it for today. Merry blogmas!
Libby is definitely the best app I’ve found in the longest time and out of all the places I discovered it through a booktuber Elliot Brooks. It’s basically a library app that works worldwide. I used to use the library a lot when I was young and it kinda stopped when I was in college. I haven’t renewed my library card when they updated the system a couple of times. And this year was literally the first time I heard that you can borrow audiobooks and e-books from the library through Libby. I went to my local library to get a new library card and that day, my bookish world just got a whole lot bigger. Initially I was worried that there would only be mostly Finnish books since that’s where I live. And I don’t read in Finnish. But instead, Helsinki Library through Libby provides over 2000 English audiobooks and over 7000 English e-books from all genres. I was in love, I was obsessed. In addition to the enormous selection of both new and old books, Libby must be the best audiobook app I’ve ever used (better than Audiobook.com’s app and Audible). I was so happy to have found it cos I’ve canceled my audiobook subscriptions to save more money. So what are you waiting for? Go get a library card if you don’t already have one and get Libby! 😀
I know I just mentioned that I canceled subscriptions to save money but there is one book subscription that I can’t make myself cancel – and that’s Illumicrate. I’m one of those who might get a book just because the cover is pretty. And Illumicrate produces the prettiest books I’ve ever seen. They also introduced to me authors I didn’t know before and I credit them to be the reason I’m more into fantasy now. In addition to their regular book-only box, I’m also subscribed to their horror-themed book-box and I’m loving it so far. I know there are many of these book subscription boxes out there, and I’m very jealous of those in the US who get to have the Book of the Month.
I must admit, I’m a recovering Kickstater addict. I used to be obsessed with backing random things on Kickstater, and there had been pleasant surprised and bitter disappointment. But one of the things I’m never disappointed with were books on Kickstater. Ever since the explosive success of Brandon Sanderson’s secret projects on Kickstater, an increasing number of authors had taken to the platform to get support for the version of their book that both the author and the fans truly deserve. One of the best collaborators is Wraithmarked Creative, which focuses on fantasy books. I got my copy of ‘The Sword of Kaigen” through a Wraithmarked Creative Kickstater project and I couldn’t be happier. By the time I’ve got to know the story through audiobooks, I couldn’t find a copy of the physical book anymore, less alone a special hardcover edition perfect for collecting since it has become one of my favorite books of all time.
There they are. How I mainly get my books. I don’t buy books that much anymore, maybe a couple of times per year and I mostly get them from an online store called Adlibris since the selection of English books in stores in Finland is not that big. That’s it for today. Merry Blogmas! 😀
Slap Ass For Motivation 