rate 2012 + resolutions?

We here rate books all the time. I figured though since it's 2013 and we're all looking forward to a fresh new year ahead, I would ask you guys two things:

1. If you could rate your entire 2012 from 1 to 10 (1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest) what would you rate it? You can elaborate on why you rated it that way, but I guess I'm just curious.

2. Do you have any new year's resolutions? And do you firmly believe you would keep it?

I would rate 2012 with an 8. An 8 is awesome, I think. There's plenty of room to grow and improve, but overall, it was a happy time. Compared to 2011 (which I will rate as a 5.5) that is a huge step up. I am most definitely looking forward to this year. And as far as resolutions go, mine would be to blog more. I love blogging. I can't quit it. I hate it when I have a blogging slump. So my goal is to inspire myself even more to continue on here. Try something new. Write more. Write better. Learn basic photography. Comment on people's posts. And of course, be happy.

Cheers to the new year!

The Bell Jar + Seattle

Since I haven't yet found the 'perfect' next book to cure this incredibly annoying reading slump disease, I decided to reread a book I read and liked a lot. Now I'm only a few chapters in this book, but reading it makes me realize that this really must be one of my favorites. It's a very depressing book to read, but it's such a great and realistic work nonetheless. I highly recommend you read it at least once if you haven't already. 

In other news, I am currently in Seattle, Washington for a mini vacation. I'm only here until Friday so I thought I'd ask you guys if you're from here - or have visited here before - if there are certain bookstores I MUST visit. 

Also, I am curious to know what you LAST read and what you are currently reading at the moment. Let me know! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and have a great new year ahead!

Instagram. I caved.

I got it. After saying no to getting an Instagram account, I caved. Add me and follow me. I post pretty random photos - some book related and some not. If you have an account, leave it down below.

username - JILLMRAY

:) I hope you all are having an awesome holiday!

used books and where they come from.

One of my favorite things to do, being a reader, is to go book shopping. I don't do it often though, and when I do, I usually buy online now. A few days ago, though I went to a used bookstore around my area. I was trying to look for a specific gift for someone, and while I was perusing through the titles, I found one book that was exactly what I wanted.

I opened it, and this was what fell on the floor. 

An old receipt from BORDERS! I'm sure most of you remember Borders. It used to be one of my favorite places - until they closed all their stores in the U.S. Anyway, this receipt dates back to November 13, 2008. Same month. Different year.

And it got me wondering about whoever it was that originally bought and owned this book. Why did they sell it at a used bookstore? Was it because they didn't like it? Was it because they didn't have a use for it anymore? It was a Field Guide to Professional Digital Photography book, and it made me wonder also, where are they now? What happened to their interest in Photography? Are they actually professional now? Or what? 

Maybe it sounds stupid that I was thinking all these things, but I couldn't help it. There's just something so intriguing about finding someone else's belongings from a while ago. 

Have you ever found anyone similar to this? And also, if you go to used bookstores, do you ever think about who owned the book/s prior? It may be a silly thought, but it's a thought nonetheless! 

Happy Monday. 

In 2012, I read less than 20 books

Well there we have it. 

2012 is almost over.

I think it's safe now to say that I have read less than 20 books this year.

I never really started counting the number of books I read in a year since 2010, but I know I've always read more than twenty for sure. And no, I don't necessarily care about the number. I do care, though, about the reason behind this inevitable slump. 

I am not sure it's cured quite yet, but I'm writing here and talking about reading and books and commenting on people talking about books... so maybe that's a start! 

That being said, I am so out of the loop. I haven't read one good book in months. I don't know anything about new releases, unexpected must-reads, and highly recommended titles. So please do recommend away. I am open to any genre. It just needs to be something YOU thought was amazing. 

What to Watch this December

Going to the movies is one of my favorite things to do. This December, it looks like I'd have to save up for those tickets! Here are some picks that I want to see myself, and think you should go check out too.

1. Les Miserables - December 25

The trailer for this movie... gives me chills EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I can't wait for this. It looks like it will be such a masterpiece. While the music has always been familiar to me, I recently just saw the play live for the very first time during the Summer of this year, so it's still very much fresh in my mind. I can't wait. Anne Hathaway looks like she will be amazing.

2. This Is 40 - December 21

Okay, so maybe I won't see it, but I might! I can see watching this on a lazy rainy day, with a girl friend, when there's nothing else for us to do. It could be fun and it has Paul Rudd in it, who is usually on point! I like the seemingly light premise, so hey, like I said... maybe.

3. Django Unchained - December 25

Quentin Tarantino's films are always crazy and insane and out there, and they're either a hit or a miss for me. I do want to see this because it has Christoph Waltz in it (who was the main villain in Inglourious Basterds - which is probably one of my favorite movies) as well as Leonardo di Caprio. It seems to have the same dark humor Tarantino films usually have, and I may or may not enjoy it. Seems promising though.

4. The Hobbit - December 14

There are no words.

See you at the movies!

the last book I read.

I bought this book the morning it was released. I was anticipating to get my hands on it since they announced that my favorite author - and probably one of my biggest inspirations - is releasing a new book! I went into this lowering my expectations, knowing very well that I was reading an 'adult' novel. I finished it in about a week, and I was beyond sad for a while knowing I'd have to give it a 2 star rating.

What went wrong?

I think the characters went wrong mainly. There were just too many of them, and none of them were developed well enough for me to care about them. I didn't care if this person died or lived or got hurt or what... I just didn't care. The truth is, while reading this book, I just kept hoping it would end soon.
The plot was alright, but again, it just didn't seem like it was something I should care for.

I have to say the writing as expected is good. Simply put, Rowling knows how to paint a picture in her reader's mind. Or maybe, at least in my mind.

2 stars though, is all I can give for this unfortunately.

living with the worst case of reading slump ever.

I'm wondering if you still have any go-to bookstores around you or at least near your area. Here where I live, there's literally none. I have to drive at least 20 miles just for the nearest big box bookstore. This may not be a big deal for most people, but for me - as I'm sure you all can understand - this is an upsetting thing. I haven't really gone in a bookstore in a very long time where I live, and I truly think the lack of these visits - that used to inspire and motivate me to keep trying new titles and authors - have contributed to my lack of posts here. I miss blogging, I miss talking about books, and I definitely miss reading.

Lately I just have been so uninspired. This is probably the biggest reading slump I have ever had, and I am not a fan of it. 

I know a lot of you can understand that it's a big deal, and may have gone through the same thing. Your thoughts, as always, are more than welcome here. Thanks for listening.