Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Hi everybody, and welcome to a new Top Ten Tuesday!
Today’s a Thankgiving freebie and though we don’t celebrate this holiday in Belgium, I do like taking the time to stand still and think about all the things we have to be thankful for. Especially in difficult years like the one we just had, it’s still nice to focus on the good for a change.
So as every year, I of course want to point out that naturally, I am most thankful for my husband, friends and family AND their health. It is what matters most and I can’t stress enough how much I love them and how much they matter. But I don’t want to get too sentimental in this blog post, so I’m focusing more on the little, perhaps superficial, things that made me happy. So here we go!
Did you know that Dalmatians are known as the clowns of the dog community? They have short attention spans and ALWAYS need to play (and when I say always, I mean ALL DAY LONG). Our Pixel definitely hits all those characteristics. But even though she is a handful she brings so much love and joy into our lives, and I couldn’t image life without her anymore. And I’ve been thankful for that playful and energetic personality of hers even more so during the dark Corona days of 2020, when I was home alone driving myself crazy worrying, because she was always there to play with me or there for hugs (in between playing, naturally) and took my mind of my worries.
The fact that I have almost doubled my reading in 2020 compared to other years is saying something right? When things get tough, I turn to books, and luckily, I read some books that were so great and really managed to get me outside of my head and into a different world for a while.
Some of my absolute favorite reads were Leigh Bardugo’s Ninth House (I am SO, SO, SO looking forward to more in this world), Sarah J. Maas’ House of Earth and Blood (I cried the entire last third of the book), Margaret Rogerson’s Sorcery of Thorns (badass librarians, sentient books and sassy sorcerers, I mean this book almost felt like it was written just for me) and TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea (found families and all the feels made this HANDS DOWN MY FAVE 2020 READ).
I know, I know, I rave about Annette Marie and her books pretty much all the time. And yet, I need to mention her again in this post, because I’m so thankful to her for writing these amazing series (two of which came to ASTOUNDING finales this year), for releasing multiple books a year and spoiling me and other fans with short waits AND for announcing a new series featuring my favorite Spellbound character (which will be released in September 2021 only, but it’s okay because it’ll be well worth the wait)!
Special shoutout to audiobooks, because they have changed my reading habits so drastically and I couldn’t imagine life without them anymore. When I go to work every day, they are the perfect way to spend the daily commute, as they ease my driving anxiety (I hate driving) and get me to unwind after a long working day. And when I wasn’t at work (referencing my half a year of Corona-induced technical unemployment this year), they were my companions during my Pixel walks to help reduce stress and worries.
As you may know from my monthly wrap-ups, I LIVE for music. And I felt like this year there have been so many amazing releases. Though I’ve had to do without going to any live shows (I feel like there’s nothing quite as energizing or motivating as a good live music performance), I am thankful that there has been so many songs released that had the power to keep me going. I’m especially thinking about songs by Stray Kids, Dreamcatcher and SuperM, which I feel have been on repeat the most.
Oh, The Umbrella Academy, how I love thee so. Even if I didn’t watch that much TV this year, The Umbrella Academy was a show that stood out. When all the Corona madness was getting me down, The Umbrella Academy made me laugh, so I’m thankful.
I may say I didn’t watch a lot of TV, but I do feel like I watched quite a few kdramas. I’m thankful to Netflix for featuring more and more kdramas, as well as Viki, where I have a subscription for all my kdrama needs. My favorite dramas I watched this year were definitely Crash Landing On You and Hotel del Luna. And my rewatch of Romance is a Bonus Book (still a fave).
I’ve been using this free online design tool for years now and I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned just how thankful I am for it. Nearly every graphic I make for this blog is made by using Canva. I love spending time on it, and playing around with different designs. And I love that, even though I still use the free version, there is actually so much I can still do with it. It’s been my little miracle worker, so thank you Canva!
And of course, I’m thankful for this blog and most of all this wonderful bookish community. It brings me a lot of joy to come home to sweet, bookish, fangirling comments and to be able to share my thoughts with you all on all things bookish and beyond!
Extra shoutout to pizza for always being the right amount of comfort (read: cheese) that I need. And for being delivered right to my doorstep, which was extra appreciated this year.
Tell Me:
What are you extra thankful for in 2020?
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PS: I’m (still) having some technical difficulties with my comments. I apologize for the inconvenience but I could really use your help in the next few weeks, especially if your comments are not coming through. Check this post for more info: https://www.lindseyh.be/2020/09/technical-difficulties-i-need-your-help-with-my-commenting-issues-please
Thank you!
I’m literally starting Sorcery of Thorns tonight for my book club! I’m so excited to read it after hearing how much you love it. We’ve had a few duds the past few months in book club so I’m jazzed! I hope you have a lovely rest of your week, Lindsey!
Ah that’s awesome, I really hope you’ll love the book as much as I did! Have a great week too!
Books, blogging and music! All favorites of mine as well. 🙂
They are the best for sure 🙂
You have a Dalmatian? How cool!
And yes pizza!!!!
She is adorable for sure 🙂
And pizza is always a good idea!
An inspiring list and I love your presentation. https://pmprescott.blogspot.com/2020/11/time-to-count-blessings.html
Thanks so much!
I love how the first few books you’ve chosen to feature are three of my favorites too. And of course Annette Marie! I’m so glad I started reading her books because of you. Definitely gotta continue in December and next year!
I’m so glad you love those books too. I’m already itching for re-reads haha 🙂 And I’m so happy you liked the Spellbound series so far! Hope you’ll enjoy the rest of the series as well.
Everyone needs to give a shout out to pizza from time to time! Your dalmatian sounds so sweet, and you’ve reminded me that I really need to give Annette Marie’s books a try and I need to cross The House in the Cerulean Sea off my TBR. Great list!
Haha pizza definitely deserves all the shoutouts! My dog is the sweetest for sure 🙂 Oh, I hope you’ll enjoy Annette Marie’s books and The House in the Cerulean Sea if you decide to give them a try!
LOL, I’m always thankful for pizza! I’m thankful for books, too, and the escape they provide!
Pizza and books are definitely the best 🙂
Wow, you’ve read a lot this year! That’s wonderful.
My post.
It definitely is wonderful!
Pizza is pretty great! It’s a food that all members of my family can agree on. I also love that it’s relatively cheap and easily available. Now I want pizza for breakfast …
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Haha sorry I made you crave pizza 😉 But it is pretty awesome indeed 🙂
Hi there Lindsey! We have two Labradors and I remember when they were young… good grief they could have me tired! They are 11 years old now and the male is STILL very playful.
Love your list and agree with most of them. Except Canva. I just don’t get it!! I’ve never been good with graphics. But one thing I am very thankful for, is great friends. My one friend is a graphic designer and she promised to help me with Canva. She actually did my whole blog design. She still wants to do a couple of things. Holidays are just around the corner!
Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.
Elza is grateful for
Oh yes, I can imagine labradors being super playful as well! I’m not sure if Pixel will get calmer as she grows older, but if your labrador is still very playful at 11 years old I don’t think she will calm down a lot either 🙂
That’s so nice of your friend! I do love Canva, but it definitely took some getting used to. But it’s awesome that your friend did your whole blog design with it!
Hope you’ll have a great Thanksgiving!
Your dog is adorable!
I think so too 🙂
Pixel seems like an awesome dog! Give her a head pat from us (if she likes them). 🙂
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
Thanks! She is awesome and loves head pats 🙂
Aww Pixel 🙂 I am also so grateful for books this year, I’m on track to have my best reading year ever, so even if 2020 will not be the best year ever for anything else, at least I have that! I’m also so glad I discovered audiobooks last year because like you they’ve been great company for me whilst I’ve been walking my dog this year!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2020/11/24/top-ten-tuesday-291/
Yes, me too! 2020 may have sucked, but if there is a bright side it’s that I got so much reading in and smashed my goals 🙂 Audiobooks are amazing, I can’t imagine not having an audiobook waiting for me at any given time.
Yes, that’s definitely one of few bright spots in this otherwise awful year for me too! I can’t believe I ever went without them now, they’ve become such an integral part of my reading.
Dogs are amazing companions and mood lifter in these somber times Lindsay! And I so love Canva too!
They are indeed! And Canva is for sure such an awesome tool.
I’m definitely thankful for music, books, my cat, blogging, and Canva – it really is an awesome tool.
-lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Canva is indeed so awesome, and I can’t believe how much is still possible with the free version!
I love audio books! I’ve done such total turn around over the years. I never used to think they were for me, but when I really gave them a try I was hooked. Now I almost always have an audiobook going.
Same! I was so hesitant about audiobooks and now I can’t imagine not having an audiobook waiting for me 🙂
Great list, Lindsey. I’m thankful for many of these as well. 🙂
Thanks!
Pixel is seriously the cutest!
Also yes to canva! I use it for the blog too and you can do so many different things in so many different styles.
She is adorable 🙂 Canva is indeed so amazing, and I love how many options it has, even for free!
Such a lovely list! I’ve never been more grateful for books than I have been this year. <3
Fun fact about The Umbrella Academy… my daughter is a film student at a school here in Texas and she got to work the set when they filmed the JFK scenes. 😉
Thanks! Oh, same! Books have been such a help.
That’s so cool about your daughter! Must have been an amazing experience and an unforgettable memory 🙂