Am I believer of new year’s resolution? To be honest, I’m not.
For more than two decades, I have not created nor written such. That doesn’t mean I hate them, it’s just that it has never been a habit. 🙂
So for this year, because of The Broke and the Bookish, I would like to give it a try. (Operative word: TRY!) 😀
January 5: Top Ten Resolutions We Have For 2015 (can be bookish, personal resolutions)
I don’t think I can write ten (10) bookish resolutions, so this list will include my plans and hopes and yes, resolutions as a reader, a writer and a blogger. ❤
—Reader—
- To (FINALLY) give Harry Potter series a try.
Please don’t be angry Potter fans. I have nothing against J.K. Rowling or Harry Potter or anyone from this series. It’s not them, it’s me! 😀
- To (HOPEFULLY) read 50 books this year.
I am ashamed that I was not able to finish the PopSugar 2015 Reading Challenge. 😦 I am two books away from wrapping it up with flying colors… but… I failed.
- To read a classic with a happy heart!
I have proven that I am not an old soul when it comes to books, but this year, I hope to read even just one classic. 🙂 (Hey, I read two classics last year! Maybe three?!) But I admit, I am not happy when I read them. So I hope I will be happy to read one next year. Any recommendations? 🙂
- To read more of local books proudly written by Filipinos!
Patriotic as it may seem, I plan to give local writers a try! It’s because out of 159 reads, only 2 are locals. It’s a shame!
- To try new authors!
I’ve done that last year and it proved to be exciting! I have stumbled to new found gems and I hope to discover more gems this year! Again, any recommendations?
—Writer—
- To read more!
A Reading Writer’s tagline is “I read because I write. I write because I read.” So that explains it. 🙂
- To go out and write out of the box.
I have tried a lot of new things this year! Thanks to Writing 101 and 201, this blog has been more diverse and exciting to visit. I want to keep the juices flowing and I hope I can write more without sacrificing quality,
- To write book reviews, more book reviews!
It is a bit of a shame that I have so few reviews here. The writer-part of A Reading Writer is in full force last year but the reader-part isn’t. So I hope to put a balance on it.
—Blogger—
- To blog more consistently. (Weekly features, ahem!)
I tried so hard to blog and to do that, I set weekly features that I can follow. But still, I failed! So this year, I hope to change that. HOPE!
- To follow more, comment more, inspire more, write more!
It’s self-explanatory, right? 🙂
—
How about you?
What are your plans, goals and changes that you would want to do this year?
Can you relate?
I would love to talk to you.
YES, you!
😉
~
Classics? How far back do you need to go? “Pride and Prejudice” is a always a good one, but if the 20th century is okay with you, try “To Kill a Mockingbird” or “Rebecca.” The latter maybe isn’t in the same class as the other two but it’s a great story!
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I actually tried reading Pride and Prejudice, Belinda. Last year. And… I always fell asleep. 😦
Thank you for the recommendations! I think I will read To Kill a Mockingbird this year! 😀
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Definitely give Harry Potter another go. Even if you start at book 3 when things get more adult and more interesting and go from there. I can give you some classics as an idea Emma is great by Jane Austen, The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne, Alice in Wonderland and Alive Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll, The Advetures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, The Virgin and the Gypsy by D.H. Lawrence, or Son’s and Lovers by the same. The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald. And for authors to check out who are new to you one of my fav books but on war The Things We Carried by O’Brien, Ann Brashers The Last Summer, and any Sisterhood of The Travelling pants. The Hush Saga (4 books YA) by Becca Fitzpatruck, check out Jamie McGuire starting with Beautiful Disaster and there is awhilr series of of this. And if you are in for a good romance series Gabriel’s Jnferno (there is 3 books in the series) by Sylvian Reynard. I’ll shut up now. Good luck with your goals!
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Woah! You know a lot of great books, I know because I heard most of them often. 🙂
I have read Alice and Wonderland and The Great Gatsby. 😀 I tried reading Pride and Prejudice and it kinda made me sleep. 🙂
I think I will do try Ann Brashares and O’Brien! 😀 Beautiful Disaster was once on my TBR list but I kinda quit fantasy YA already. 🙂
Thank you for the recommendations my dear! Good luck on your own goals, too! 😀
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Quite an ambitious resolution. Go for it 😊
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Yes, Jacq! I agree. That’s why the operative word is TRY! 😀
How about you? 🙂
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I have a lot I am aiming for but I like to see them as lifestyle solutions for myself and not resolutions.
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Oh! That is a better term, definitely!
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Classics bore me so much hahaha!
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Do you like ebooks or you prefer “real” books??
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I prefer ‘real’ books! But I don’t have budget for buying them so I mostly read ebooks! 😀
How about you, Kat?
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For classics, ebooks lang! Sayang sa pera. Pero for everything else gusto ko din totoong libro 😂 (big fan of book sale and olx)
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Safe sa olx? Haha! 😀
I pray for more book budget next year! 😀
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Once pa lang ako nakapagtry, okay naman! Plus nagbebenta din kasi ako dun lol 😛
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Oh! Anong tinda natin? 😀
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Selling Jennifer Smith books! Binili ko kasi akala ko magugustuhan ko…di pala masyado. 😦
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Awww. Ayon lang. I’ve never read any novel from her. Anong title?
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1- Geography of you and me 2-Statistical probability of love at first sight… Both YA! If interested let me know (oh diba haha) 😀
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Ooooh! I’ve heard good reviews about them. 😀 Parang meron yata akong Statiscal… 😀
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Relate! Even the best classics like Pride and Prejudice put me to sleep! 😀 Now I know I am not alone! 😀
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Excellent goals! And I like the new face of the blog 😀
All the best seeing them get accomplished!
Are you considering only English speaking authors or others? There are a lot of beautiful books out there 🙂
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No. I would love to read even non-English speaking authors (as long as their books are translated in English). I have actually read books written by Japanese and Korean authors. 🙂
Do you have any recommendations? 🙂
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I would read anything from Pablo Neruda (poetry), Gabriel García Márquez (prose) and Czeslaw Milosz (prose, poetry) 🙂
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Oh! Gabriel’s Love in the Time of Cholera is on my TBR! 😀 I believe I have started it already? (SOrry, forgetful me!)
I heard a lot of good reviews for Pablo Neruda, too!
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🙂 Yes, I do love all the Nobel Prize Laureates 😀
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OH! That’s why! What’s not to love! 🙂
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🙂 A proud nerd, through and through 🙂
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Ha! I think I need some of your nerd spirits! Classics are not my thing but from your recommendations, I might love them now!
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I share the same goal, to read a lot more. I hope to read at least 14 or more book this year. I read 7 for 2015, but also started late. Beside reading just continue writing both online and in my journal. Am praying this we be a better year for me.
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Claim that it will be better! 😀
Good luck on your goals! 😀
Thank you for reading and sharing your plans this year. 🙂
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Good luck with your resolutions! I hope that you love Harry Potter! 😉 😀
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Thank you! I hope I would like it. 🙂 Because yes, it has a very very huge fan base!
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I cannot get my head around Harry Potter. I have tried watching it twice and I just can’t stick with it, never mind reading it. But good luck!
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Oh! Glad to know I’m not alone! 😀
I haven’t watched or read any but I will try to read one this year. 🙂
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Let me know what you think! I don’t know why I just don’t get it!
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Alright! I’ll surely let you know.
For me, I am not really fond of magic. 😀
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yes, me too… but I have started my book challenge for 26 books and see from there 🙂
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Oh! That’s great! Good luck! Have a great year!
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I can relate with most of your resolutions. I would like to be happy reading the classics as well but most of the time they just bore me. So far the only classic I’ve really enjoyed has been Of Mice And Men by John Steinbeck. I’ve actually read it more than once. If you haven’t read it yet and like crime and mystery then read it!
If you like crime and mysteries and want to try something new from a Finnish author I can recommend the Maria Kallio series by Leena Lehtolainen. I think they’ve all been translated to English.
I was thinking about doing the popsugar reading challenge for 2016. Are you perhaps doing that this year to redeem for last year? It would be fun to compare the books we find. 😊 I’ve also been trying to reach 50 books in a year for many years and failed every single time. Maybe this year will be different…
I’ve decided to comment more too and be more active as a blogger (and a reader).
Good luck with the resolutions!
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Hi there Irene! Glad to see you here! Thank you for your comment! 🙂
I am thrilled to know your recommendation for Of Mice and MEn!!! I am a crime and mystery lover (yes to James Patterson, Robert Galbraith, Michael Crichton, William Landay, Agatha Christie!), and I will surely want to read that! 😀
I will also check out Maria Kallio. I bet it is good. 🙂
I am still thinking if I will do the POP sugar challenge. 🙂 I participated last year and I am 2 books short! I enjoyed it but looking for a book that will fit the category is quite hard. (I think I cheat or gave myself a bonus category thrice!) 😀
But with a partner, I bet it will be much enjoyable! 😀
Thank you again! Have a great year!
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Quite a handful dearie, all the best in your pursuit. :)… I love the new look of your site. *thumbs up* girl!
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Oh! Thank you! 🙂
I junk some clutter and choose a cleaner theme. I am happy you liked it! 🙂
Thank you for reading!
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Woah! Now that’s a great jump start for the year. I wish you good luck with you plans and goals. I’m sure we could expect nothing but the best from you 🙂 🙂 And oh, it’s a shame that I haven’t read any local books, too. Do you think we have a book for spoken poetry?
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Thank you, Maria! 😀 Your words are like my little teenie weenie treasures! 😀
Let’s love local this year? 😀 And hey, I am quite interested with spoken poetry too! Too bad Sev’s Cafe is now closed. 😦
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You’re always welcome, Rosema. But WHAaaaat?!! Why? When? I didn’t know that… 😦 Are the poets performing somewhere else now?
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Yes. Sadly. 😦 Before I was able to put it in bucket list, because I am really amazed with spoken poetry, it is now closed. 😦 (http://www.spot.ph/entertainment/performing-arts/64747/ultimate-hugot-story-sevs-cafe-closing)
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“Parang kasintahan lang na nakipaghiwalay sa’yo. Masakit.” Geez, I hope they find a new home soon. I want to go there, too. 😦
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Onga e! Hopefully! I really want to experience it myself!
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That makes us two. *fingers crossed*
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Yes! Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
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All the best for your goals! And it’s definitely high time to read Harry Potter! 😀 I’m also thinking of taking up the PopSugar challenge but I’m so bad with challenges! 😛
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Haha! I know, I know. 😀 I will try! 😀 I bet you’ll say Harry Potter is great? 🙂
I failed too, last year! That is why I am thinking a lot now if I’ll join a challenge or not! 😀
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I won’t say it’s great I’ll say it’s the best thing ever! 😀 I’m leaning towards joining and if I find the right books I might make a quick work of it!
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Alright! I believe you! ❤ Cheers to a great year!
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goodluck with the goals and the resolutions! 🙂 I would love to read books by local authors too, but that would be difficult now that I’m not in the country.
I like reading books by Japanese authors translated to English 🙂 Have you tried Banana Yoshimoto, Natsuo Kirino, or Keigo Higashino? The first one is a contemporary author, while the other two are mystery/crime authors 🙂
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Ooooh! I love mysteries and I would surely check them out! I’ve read one Japanese author, it’s Haruki Murakami. 🙂 I bet you heard about him already? He’s quite famous.
Thank you for dropping by! 😀
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Murakami is one of my favourite authors! ❤
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That’s good to know! 😀
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Okay, I’m happy to talk about and give recommendations for classics! What’s your definition of a classic, though? There are modern classics, for example?
Some off the cuff recommendations:
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
I’ll happily give you more, if you let me know what kind of genres you most enjoy? (I looove classics!)
My TTT 🙂
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Oooh! IT is definitely an honor to meet someone who loves classics! 😀
I once TBR-ed The Picture of Dorian Gray! But I never got to start it. 🙂
Thank you for your recommendations.
I actually love mysteries, crimes, whodunit! 🙂
I know you can give me recommendations for that?
Thank you, Wendleberry!
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Trying new authors is always fun, new styles, a new way of showing the new world which we find in the books.
My TTT:
https://silvybooksaremylife.wordpress.com/2016/01/05/top-ten-tuesday-13/
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Yes! That’s how I see it, too! Thank you for dropping by!
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[…] sharing my plans and hopes and yes, resolutions as a reader, a writer and a blogger, I would like to express my heartfelt thank you to all the awesome bloggers and writer that clicked […]
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These are solid resolutions, and I kind of guilty want to copy them 😆 I’ve never been much for the canonical classics either, and while I’m sorry of resigned to it, I kind of want to give at least one concentrated effort. I was an English major and I sometimes think reading the classics under duress soured me to a lot of them unfairly. Good luck with your goals!
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I have no problem if you want to copy them, J! 😀
I understand where you are coming from. As a journalism graduate, classics have bore in classroom before! 😀 But yeah, let’s give them a try!
Thank you and have a great 2016! 😀
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If you like audiobooks, I cannot say enough good things about Jim Dale’s reading of the Harry Potter series! They are simply fabulous & a great way to read through the series fairly quickly. Happy New Year! 🙂
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Oooh! That’s interesting, Carrie! I haven’t tried audiobooks yet so I think I will give it a try this year, too! 🙂
Cheers for a great year ahead! 🙂
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My fav classics are either romances (Wuthering Heights, Age of Innocence) or dystopia (1984, Brave New World). I’ll be reading Beowulf this year as well!
My TTT: http://bookclubbabe.net/2016/01/05/my-top-ten-goals-for-2016/
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Hi there! Thank you for dropping by and for your recommendations! 🙂
I’ve quit dystopia already (because of those YA series that I’ve read) so I think I will check out Wuthering Heights and Age of Innocence. I’ve heard a lot of great reviews about those two! 🙂
With Beowulf, it was one of the book options that my high school had for our book report but I choose a Michael Crichton thriller. I might give it a try! 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
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First off, let me say that I like what you do. I immensely enjoy what you blog. Your style is both spirited and authentic. Your comments are instructive and artful. I think I’d like to imitate your resolution to read more Filipino writing–in addition to your own, that is. I might enjoy Filipino poetry, especially. If you’re interested in a kind of classic, I might be able to advise. I happened to buy two new novels while I was away. They are The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell–sort of a Vatican conspiracy-thriller–and The Well by Catherine Chanter, which looks freakish and I trust will be freakishly good. Don’t know of anything by these writers; the story descriptions drew me in. I’m sure the choices you make in resoluting will be right. As long as you keep crafting here, please. Thank you!
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As always, your words made me smile! So thank you! I really really appreciate your presence here and please know that your posts and your comments are equally brilliant and true! 🙂
Thank you for your interest in Filipino literature. I believe we have a lot of great writers that I have not given a chance yet. I hope to know them soon, this year. 🙂
And thank you for your recommendations! I am a fan of thrillers and mysteries and I am surely taking note of the Fifth Gospel and The Well! You made them sound so creepy! 😀
Again, please receive my heartfelt thanks! 🙂 Have a great year!
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Thank you. If you come across poetry from the Philippines that resonates with you, please let me know. I value your perspective. Yes, the new novels do sound creepy. Good word for them. Even though I’ve been back from a short trip fora couple of days now, it seems I’m still unpacking and finding things (well, looking for things). I hope all your activities go successfully!
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Aww. Thank you! 🙂
I know there are a lot great Filipino poets, though the beauty of their poems really lies with how they use our own language which is Filipino or Tagalog. Our language is actually ‘flowery’ (full of elaborate or literary words and phrases). I am not quite sure but I think when Tagalog poems are translated in English, it is still beautiful yet less flowery. 🙂
Thank you!
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Well done with your 500 btw 😀
Great list – I hope you achieve these. I’m useless with resolutions, it’s like I start breaking them even as I’m thinking them up!
Lots of great classics out there – I second Wendleberry’s above – particularly Howl’s Moving Castle. In fact – they’re all really good (except for the Gilman which I haven’t read so can’t comment upon).
Happy reading.
Lynn 😀
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Thank you, Lynn! 😀
Resolutions are not really my thing and I believe I might break them up sooner or later! 😀
Nonetheless, thank you for the recommendations and for dropping by! I do appreciate it a lot! 😀
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I’m the same way – I want to read more local books this year, too. Most of what I read is either American or European, and I rarely read anything written in my country. I should change that!
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Hi there! 😀 I am glad that we are doing the same thing now! Let’s love local this year. 🙂
What country are you from? 🙂
It was nice knowing you!
Thank you for dropping by!
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Good luck with your resolutions. I’m also trying to comment more and read more classics this year.
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Thank you for reading and for commenting, AJ! I am glad we have the same plans this year! 🙂
Good luck!
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I hope you enjoy Harry once you give it a try. HP is one of the most influential series in my life and I’d hate for you to miss out on all the magic. Good luck with all your goals!
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Aww! I am not a fan of magic that’s why I havem’t read it yet. Nonetheless, I hope it will be a great experience for me! 🙂
Thank you, Alicia!
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Good luck with all your 2016 goals! I hope you enjoy Harry Potter!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/01/05/top-ten-tuesday-38/
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Thank you! 😀 HP has a humongous fan base and I am feeling a bit pressured to like it too. 😀 (That’s in a good way. :))
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[…] am more than happy to receive all the encouraging comments for my new year’s resolution post last Tuesday! What’s best is that I now have a handful of must-read classics to choose from […]
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😆 The only “resolutions” I am trying to do for my blog are the weekly features and I’m planning on blogging about it tomorrow! 😊 You’ll surely hit the goals you set!👍
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Yes! I am thinking about that, too! 😀 I have features for Monday and Tuesday already but the remaining days are still undecided!
I might see some ideas from you! 😀
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Cool! Feel free to “borrow” if you like them!!! 😆
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Sure! I’ll check it out! 😀
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[…] started the year with my resolutions, and little by little I hope to change them into […]
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[…] shared my plans for this year. I guess the most important is the last plan which is To follow more, comment more, […]
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That’s quite a goal and I’m sure you will succeed in fulfilling it. I hate to admit this, but I have not read any of the Harry Potter series nor have I seen any of the movies. I need to at least see the movies! LOL!
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Thank you!!! 😀
And you didn’t know how your confession made me feel awesome!! I AM NOT ALONE! HAHA.
Thank you, PJ! (It’s okay to call you PJ, right?)
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Yes, call me PJ. 🙂 I’m glad you now know you are not alone! LOL!!
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Haha! Yes! I am surely not! 😀
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You and I are probably the few that haven’t read these books. 🙂
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I am so so so sure! 😀
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Hahaha!
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[…] thus, I really have no plans on reading Harry Potter books neither watching its films. Then for my 2016 Resolutions, I wrote that this year I will (finally) give this series I try. And so I […]
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