How was your Christmas? I spent mine at home with my family. We shared sumptuous lunch and dinner, slept in the afternoon (best! haha) and visited my Lolo and cousins before the day ended. While others ended up exhausting themselves, I experienced the opposite. I had a boring yet relaxing Christmas.

Instead of sharing photos and stories of my quiet and boring Christmas, let me share one of the many things that made my 2013.

Books!

One of the main reasons why I always have a wrecked wallet

Not in the photo
The Fault in our Stars by John Green
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Young Blood 4

Aside from flat shoes, bags and clothes, these books have taken away a significant amount of my hard earned salary. They were my everyday commuting companions, partner in bed (heehee), source of both sadness and happiness and one of the reasons why I still have something to blog .. other than my Beautiful Sunday series.

All books were purchased from my personal money, except John Green's Looking for Alaska. If I sum the expenditures, I could have already purchased a nice set of my much coveted pearl earrings, weekend stay in Tagaytay, new mobile phone to as much as a promo fare ticket to Hong Kong, Macau or Malaysia. Now this gives me some feelings of regret?!? Haha Yes or yes?

Setting aside the expenditures, my personal target is to finish a book in a month. This pile of books is my shouting evidence that I made it. I might be unsuccessful in other things but with my reading target, I was able to exceed my personal expectation. The only thing I failed to accomplish is to blog and review each. Blame my laziness and dissatisfaction to a few. I still made reviews with unsatisfactory ratings but the rest received nothing but my appreciation. A few of the books I will never forget are the following

The Fault in our Stars by John Green - This is a must read for all the hopeless romantics. John Green is just so good in weaving words that can create those heartfelt emotions.

One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern - As always, Cecelia Ahern never failed to make me believe in magical experiences. Everyone is bound to experience one in their lifetime.

Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite by Paul Arden - I liked this than his more famous book, It's not how good you are. It's how good you want to be. He shared tips on how people who don't often think out of the box can generate creative and successful ideas.

Life on the Refrigerator Door by Alice Kuipers - The book didn't receive great reviews. Surprisingly, I love the book. The unpredictable ending gave me tears.

Train Man by Hitori Nakano - Silly, funny and entertaining. The story could fit a script for a romantic comedy film or TV series.

Every Day by David Levithan - My first read from David Levithan. He shares John Green's talent of creating stories that capture the heart.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - The book has all the elements that makes a perfect read. Surprise of surprises, I have another sentiments for the book. For some reason, I was able to predict the book's ending and this quite frustrated me.

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini - This would make it as my best book for 2013. I got a discounted and dilapidated copy from BookSale. It was a decision I never regretted despite the screaming empty wallet. It was the best purchase I made for Php 180. The entire story was sad and serious. I have so many reasons to dislike it, but I ended up considering it as one of my all time favourites. It has all the elements of a great read.

For 2014, I intend to sustain the same target. I hope to finish at least 12 books next year. While I still prefer my paperbacks, I would love to utilise all the e-books stored in my iPad. It can save me enough  money and space inside my bag. My only problem with e-books is that I can't read them during my commuting hours. I can't take out my iPad inside the jeepney that passes through Quiapo and Recto Avenue. If I read inside the train, I will gain sharp glances from fellow passengers. They will think of me as someone who just wants to brag her Apple device. If I read in bed, my eyes get easily exhausted with the built-in light. On weekends, I always end up sleeping during the lazy afternoons.

Whether in print or electronic, my love for reading will remain. I'm looking forward to discover more titles and authors to inspire and keep me company.

In my wishful thinking … maybe I can write one someday… Fine, I need someone to slap and return me back to reality :)