Thursday, February 1, 2018

January Wrap-Up





January Snapshots

















1. What even happened last month? What day is it? I spent most of November, all of December, and almost all of January working on a massive work project. I got no holidays, no weekends, just work eight hours a day, every day. I turned in the project at the end of January and felt so proud of myself! Then the project was promptly rejected and sent back to me. Guess what I get to spend the next few months redoing? Yeah. Go me. Winning at life. Thank the deity of your choice that antidepressants exist. I’m going to need buckets of them.








2. At least nothing started on fire in January! That’s actually a big improvement over December.









3. Also, I think I saw Sasquatch. Or maybe it was a furry tree. Or maybe I was freezing to death. These things are confusing. January was so cold, guys! I tried to go jogging at least 3 times a week, even if I had to jog in snow. One day while I was running, I saw something big and brown moving through the trees near my path. It was so freakin’ cold outside that I didn’t stop to check if I’d accidentally discovered Sasquatch or something.

(Random tangent: I saw a commercial for a place that claims it can freeze the fat off your body. I’m skeptical. I spent a month running in below-freezing temperatures. I’m still fat.)








4. I’m trying really hard at #bookstagram. Am I one of the cool kids yet? Probably not. I’m still learning how to take photos that aren’t blurry. I am mildly obsessed with looking at everybody else’s photos and clicking the ❤ button. You guys are ridiculously talented. I’m envious.









5. A lot of you read my 2017 Reading Stats post (thank you) and asked about how I track my reading. In 2018, I’m using the spreadsheet made by Sophie @ Portal in the Pages. It’s free to download, and she explains how to use it here.











Wayward Googlers


Cait @ Paper Fury sometimes posts the amusing Google searches that led people to her blog. Today, I’m stealing her idea. The searches that bring people to Read All The Things! aren’t nearly as hilarious as the ones that bring people to Paper Fury, but I have gotten some strange searches recently. Here are a few unfortunate souls who probably didn’t find what they were Googling for.


“Mr. Fox Band-Aids.” I hope this is referring to Fantastic Mr. Fox and not just some dude named Mr. Fox. That would be peculiar. 

“What problem does Connor face in Unwind?” This sounds like a homework question. Connor’s problem is that you didn’t do your assigned reading.

“A life had been ruined. What was it?” Is the answer “my life”? Is this a Jeopardy question? 

“Well that escalated quickly book.” I know! I went to Walmart to get dog treats and accidentally walked past the book aisle. Suddenly my basket was full of books. When it comes to books, things always escalate quickly. We just have to accept it. 

“I can’t change where I come from or where I’ve been.” I think I shouted this exact phrase as I ran away from the book aisle at Walmart. 

“What Happened to Lani Garver resolution.” Another homework question? You can easily find the answer by reading the last few pages of What Happened to Lani Garver. 

“du an thanh ha a.” Either someone died on the keyboard, or this isn’t English. Google suggested this translation:

I believe we've uncovered something nefarious.









Books I Read in January


I read 8 books in January and gave up on 1.




The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night – Jen Campbell
Ararat – Christopher Golden
This Monstrous Thing – Mackenzi Lee
How to Survive a Summer – Nick White (DNF)
The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories – Ken Liu
The Dumb House – John Burnside
The Last One – Alexandra Oliva
Lungs Full of Noise – Tessa Mellas









Best Books Of January




1. This Monstrous Thing – Mackenzi Lee
3. The Dumb House – John Burnside









Most-Viewed January Reviews













Most-Viewed January Non-Reviews











All The Things!


Distance I’ve sloppily jogged so far in 2018: 24 miles (38.6k)

Number of unread books on my TBR shelf = 61 books

I’m currently reading = Bird Box by Josh Malerman











What did you do in January?
















55 comments:

  1. Great pics! Sorry about your work project, though - that sucks!!

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  2. OMG I FORGOT I STARTED A 2018 READING EXCEL. I HAVE NOT TOUCHED IT SINCE IT'S CREATION.

    And I 100% believe that you saw big foot AJ. I'm also impressed by your dedication to running. It's been a struggle for me to even leave my house for work.

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    1. Haha, I forget my Spreadsheet, too. I have to keep it on my computer’s desktop so I remember to update it.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  3. Love the pics. Hope your next go at the work project isn't as painful. I used to watch a show where they investigated Big Foot Sightings. You should totally go on that!!! I would never keep up with that excel worksheet but I love all the stats. Have a great February!

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  4. You had a great reading month. Taking pictures is harder than you think. I could improve.

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  5. I loved Elizabeth Is Missing...enjoy your February!

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  6. Good for you jogging in the snow, you'll be fast if Sasquatch makes an appearance. Before you run away try to get a picture for Instagram :) Hopefully you will have better luck with your work project this month. Have a great day.

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    1. Haha, yes, if I ever see a Sasquatch, I promise I will put it on Instagram instead of running away.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  7. Sorry, I am laughing so hard from the wayward googlers, that I need to wipe my tears. That was awesome! Good job with the jogging! (You did 24 more miles than me) Your tree picture almost makes me like snow (almost). I thought your Instagram picture was good. I really suck at bookstagramming, but I do admire other people's talent.

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    1. Poor wayward Googlers. They come here for important information and never find it.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  8. Hope things get better for you at work. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself.

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  9. You take great pictures! You are definitely one of the cool kids. That sucks about your work project. I probably would have spent the afternoon planning how I was going to quit my job if that was me. It looks like you had a great reading month. Have a great February!

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  10. I can understand why “How I Survived a Summer” would be a poor reading choice in a CO January :). Bummer about your work project.

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    1. Yeah, it was probably not the best winter book. Also, the narrator annoyed me.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  11. Ooh I love the pics. I like lights on a snowy tree, and that nighttime shot is awesome! Sorry to hear about the project- that sucks, frankly!

    Sasquatch was probably cold too and in a hurry so probably just as well you didn't stop.

    I need to read The LAst One, and maybe Bird Box too cause I've heard it's freaky.

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    1. Thanks! I wouldn’t be surprised if Sasquatch was just as cold as me. Running in the snow isn’t fun for anybody.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  12. Bummer...sorry about the work project. I hope you do well on the next project! I think I need to do some google searches on my post, but how do you determine what words people use when they are searching your blog? How do you do it? I hope you have a fantastic February!

    Here’s my Monthly Wrap Up!

    Ronyell @ Rabbit Ears Book Blog


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    1. To find Google searches on a Blogger blog, you click Stats, scroll down to Traffic Sources, and click More. On the next page, scroll down to Search Keywords. If anyone found your blog through a search engine, the search terms they used will be there.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

      Delete
  13. Reading 8 books and working all those days and hours is a huge achievement. All the best with those Instagram photos, a mission in itself! Hope the weather warms up for you.

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  14. That totally sucks that all that work was in vain and it got rejected. Ugh. Sounds like a total nightmare. Maybe that was a Sasquatch. That's fascinating and scary at the same time!

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  15. Fingers crossed you can bounce that work project back again soon?
    I got 16 books read, but didn't have a project or jog 24 miles!!

    Here's my reading roundup

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    Replies
    1. I wish I could read 16 books. I’d get through my TBR a lot faster.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  16. OMG, the project got kicked right back to you? Did you sink to the floor, weeping, raising your arms and wailing, "Whhhyyyyyyyy????!!!" Oh god, I hope so. It's such a wonderful visual and I'd love to think someone would actually react in such a way. I've discovered that bookstagram basically just makes me feel like crap about my own creativity (which is apparently sorely lacking) and photography skills. I admire and appreciate the photos but they also make me feel sad and slighty stabby. I've heard good things about Bird Box!
    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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    Replies
    1. Haha, that basically is how I reacted to the rejection. I cried on the floor and then my mom yelled at me because I wasn’t watching the State of the Union speech with her. It was a very strange night.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  17. Certainly hope the project is accepted! So frustrating. Emma Is Missing is sitting on my stacks, I think! I lose track of them.

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  18. Aww, I’m so sorry about your work project! That sucks :(
    I admire your dedication though to jogging even in the snow! We’re only a month into 2018 and my ‘get fit’ resolutions is already wavering, and the worst we’ve had here is a bit of rain. I definitely haven’t encountered any sasquatches anyway! :)
    Have a great February! :)

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    Replies
    1. Other than the jogging, my ‘get healthy’ resolution isn’t going well, either. I ate mashed potatoes for dinner last night.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  19. You had a great month and totally impressed by the jogging miles. I am an on-again-off-again runner and trying to be more consistent. This cold weather doesn't help! I will have to check out your review for Elizabeth is Missing. Have a wonderful February!

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    1. Thanks! I’m trying to be really good about jogging three times a week, even when I don’t feel like it. So far, it’s going okay.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  20. Oh wow I am SO sorry about work, damn. That is a mess. I hope this time around goes a bit easier on you. I love your pictures, by the way! And yay for nothing catching on fire! I love you yelling at the kids for not doing their homework bwhahaha.

    Bird Box looks good, I am curious to hear your thoughts! And This Monstrous Thing and The Last One are both books I am anxious to read- so I am glad to see that you liked at this one of them- and that at least The Last One wasn't the DNF :D

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    1. I’m always thrilled when I go a whole month without anything catching on fire.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  21. I was supposed to read This Monstrous Thing for Halloween, who knows what happened but hopefully this year I do. I've heard so many good things about it -- about Mackenzie's writing in general, so I'm really excited to pick it up. I started the audio version of Bird Box I think 2 years ago, and omg it was so creeepyyyyyy. I definitely need to give it another go since I was really enjoying it. (I fell into a slump lol)

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  22. I've been tracking my books read in 2018 much more closely based on your inspiration---thanks for that! Sorry for your frustrating project---I hope it works out for you this time. :-(

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. I am very intense about tracking my reading stats. I feel like I track EVERYTHING.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  23. Oh so great to see This Monstrous Thing as your january favorite. I still have that on my shelf so I'm glad to hear it is good. You don't hear that one mentioned very often compared to her newer work.

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  24. Love those snapshots :) I can't believe your project was sent back to you :( I hope it works out this time.
    Don't worry, I totally suck at bookstagram xD I am convinced I just "don't got it" :D
    I'll have to go read your Elizabeth is Missing review. I loved that book!

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    1. Yeah, I don’t think bookstagram will ever be my thing. Some people are so talented at it!

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  25. Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear about your project! That's just awful! Here's hoping it's easier the second time around. *hugs* And living right by Tahoe we get lots of Sasquatch sightings lol. But my bestie said something years ago that's sooooo true....she said there's always the one not smart one in the group. And that one would have already been caught by now. LMAO. Her husband still believes they exist though.....so....... ;)
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

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    1. Haha, yeah, there probably aren’t any Sasquatches in Colorado. People around here love guns and hunting. A stupid Sasquatch would’ve been shot by now.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  26. *Major hugs* I'm sorry about your work project. I totally suck at bookstagram and I have to edit my little one's hands out of the pictures all the time. I totally giggled at the Sasquatch sighting. Major props to you for continuing to jog despite the weather! Seriously, you are awesome.

    Hope February is a great month for you!

    Tina @ As Told By Tina

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    1. Thanks! I don’t have any kids, but I have had to move dogs out of my bookstagram photos.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  27. I envy your ability to run in snow. I did it once in December but felt too scared by the slippy factor. Sorry about your project - hopefully, this version will go well.

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    1. Thanks! Running in the snow is scary. I’m always worried about the slipperiness too.

      Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  28. Clearly your blog is so very educational that all of the homework questions ever written can find their answer amongst it's posts! ;) Lol.

    #WrapUpRoundUp

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  29. So sorry about that project frustration--how heartbreaking! I am happy though that nothing was set on fire and that you haven't stopped your exercising, even in January.

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  30. It hasn't been so cold down here in Aus! It's been a ice summer. Love your croissant/book pic! Great job! Happy reading!

    Naomi @ Naomi’s Reading Palace

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