My 12 Favorite Books of 2024

Happy Monday! I was looking back at all the books I read this past year and decided to pick a favorite book from each month to share. I read over 200 books this year, so picking just one favorite book each month was tricky. Please note that some of the books were not published in 2024. Some were published years ago, and some will be published in 2025. Please feel free to share your favorite books in the comments. I'd love to add some new ones to my never-ending TBR list.

Anyway, here are my twelve favorite books of 2024.

That's So New York: Short (and Very Short) Stories about the Greatest City on Earth by Dan Saltzstein

An illustrated book that features short stories by writers, anecdotes from locals, and Q&As with New Yorkers. The illustrations were excellent. If you're looking for a funny, light read, then you should definitely check this book out.

The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren

A boy accidentally sends an email to a girl he doesn't know, leading to an unexpected relationship. This fun, romance short story is perfect for Valentine's Day. The book's first part is written in email format, so if you enjoy epistolary novellas, you're in for a treat.

A Little Drop of Courage by Hayley Kaye

This little book was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. It is filled with encouraging words and great illustrations, perfect for anyone who needs a boost of inspiration and hope.

What's the Point of Art by D.K. Publishing

This children's art history book was great. It included illustrations and stories about famous artists. The book also discussed different eras of art, from cave paintings to modern art. It is perfect for children interested in art and great for people of all ages.

The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo

I'm a fan of Kate DiCamillo and absolutely love fairy tales, so I was excited to read this story. The Puppets of Spelhorst is about five friends: a king, a wolf, a girl, a boy, and an owl. An old sea captain has stuck them in a trunk, and they wonder what their fate will be and whether they will remain together. 

Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York by Roz Chast

Yes! Another illustrated book about New York. I love Roz Chast's work and was excited to read this graphic novel about my favorite city. The book combines personal stories and comics and feels like a guide to New York City. While reading it, I experienced a few bouts of nostalgia. 

The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman

The Bookstore Wedding is the second short story in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories series. It takes place five years after the events of the first book, The Bookstore Sisters, and follows the Gibson sisters, Isabel and Sophie. Isabel is still with Johnny Lenox, and they are trying to plan their wedding again for the fourth time. The story touches on themes like family, love, and sisterhood. 

Load in Nine Times: Poems by Frank X. Walker

This was an incredibly powerful collection of poetry. Frank X. Walker reimagined the experiences of Black Civil War soldiers, including his own ancestors. I stopped reading multiple times to research some of the names and events mentioned in the book. The timelines and additional notes at the end of the book were very useful.

Snowed In & Snuggle Weather by Elise Kennedy

This was such a fun best-friends-to-lover romance story. Max and Josie have been best friends for years. Josie has been in love with Max for forever. Max moved back to town after breaking up with his fiancée. One day, they are snowed in overnight, and they both begin to contemplate their feelings for one another. And, of course, they are both too scared to confess their feelings. 

Hero's Prize by Janie Crouch

Hero's Prize is the third book in Janie Crouch's Linear Tactical: Oak Creek series. This series follows the second generation of the Linear Tactical heroes. In Hero's Prize, the story follows extreme sports star Colton Harrison and Ella O'Conner. Colton is back after a deadly accident and wonders what his next steps are for his future. Ella has had a crush on Colton for years but never acted on it. After Colton finds out about Ella's crush, he realizes he wants to be with her. There are a few bumps along the way, and a stalker is added to the mix, which made the story even more interesting.

Atlantic Ghosts: Tales from the Haunted Coast by Bee Stanton

This collection of supernatural folklore is perfect for Halloween (and any day of the year). Some stories involve ghosts, hauntings, and other legends around Atlantic Canada. The stories are accompanied by 24 pen-and-ink illustrations. I loved the stories and did some research on some that interested me. 

Second Down Scrooge by Lisa Suzanne

I love a good Christmas romance story, and Second Down Scrooge did not disappoint. This was a really great second-chance, sports-themed romance. If you are familiar with Lisa's Vegas Aces series, you may remember the incident between Austin and Kelly. Austin betrayed Kelly's best friend and her boyfriend, which caused Kelly to not trust him. Austin also used people and tried to sabotage them to advance his career. Basically, Austin was a very selfish man. However, in this book, Austin wants to change his ways. He wants to be better for his daughter and have a relationship with Kelly. I love a good redemption story, and this novella definitely has that. 

What was your favorite book you read in 2024?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. Celebrating Christmas with my family. On Christmas Eve, we went over to Mami's.  My older brother, little sister, and their significant others were there, too. I held baby Vivi almost the entire time we were there. It was nice seeing the boys play with their little cousin, Amir. We enjoyed great food and music. Then we exchanged gifts. 

2. Christmas Day was low-key, and I loved it. The boys woke John and me up to open their presents. Raphael wasn't feeling well, but you honestly couldn't tell because he was still running around. We stayed in our pajamas all day long, and it was glorious.

3. A new favorite: Copper Cow Coffee Churro Ground Coffee. I got a bag of this coffee in the Festive Feast Breakfast Gift Set, and I'm so glad I decided to buy it. I don't usually drink ground coffee, but this coffee is amazing. I added Chobani Cinnamon Coffee Cake Creamer, and it was perfection. 10/10 recommend this coffee.

4. I'm currently reading Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey and am loving it. This instalove short story is about a single mother named Evie and a farmer named Luke. There's a little misunderstanding that is quickly resolved. This short story is part of the Under the Mistletoe collection, and I can't wait to read the next stories.

5. I'm currently listening to the Love Playlist under Apple Music's Find Your Mood section. I've already found some great new-to-me songs and some old songs I haven't listened to in a while. I'm currently on a Michael Bublé kick and was excited that the first song played was Bublé's cover of My Valentine.

6. I may have found my word for 2025—in fact, I have found two words. However, I'm still undecided whether to choose only one. I also ordered a few things from Ali Edwards' 2025 One Little Word collection and can't wait to set up my album.

7. We have all been sleeping in for the past few days. Most of us have gotten sick, so the extra sleep was much needed. 

8. Comfort food and treats. My diet has consisted of soup and Christmas treats like cookies and hot chocolate for the past few days. I've also been making lots of smoothies and drinking tons of water.

9. I bought a couple of things from the Christmas clearance section at Target and can't wait to use them. I bought two tiny star Christmas garlands in metallic white and metallic silver. I plan to use them in my art journal.

10. This past week, I've been decluttering, donating, and recycling. It felt good to clear out space. I'm always surprised at how much we accumulate throughout the year(s). 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Winter 2024 Bucket List

Happy Monday! Winter is officially here! Fall tried to make a last stand about a week ago or so. It was strange that it was in the 70s, just a week ago. However, I'm actually a little excited about winter this year. Christmas will be here soon, and I can't wait to spend it with my family. It's Capricorn season, and I look forward to celebrating my birthday next month. 

I spent the first day of winter reflecting on fall, thinking about everything I'd like to do during winter, and making my winter bucket list. Although I didn't share my winter bucket list on the first day of winter, it was still fun to make one. Some of the things on my bucket list are the usual things I love to do every year, but there are a few new things on my list. So before I continue to ramble, let's get to the good part and check out my winter 2024 bucket list. 

• Donate clothing and other things we no longer use or need

• Watch a new (or new-to-me) holiday movie

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Complete 1 crafty class
• Complete 1 unfinished project from 2024

• Finish my Savannah/Tybee Island mini-album

• Publish a photo essay

• Publish 2 personal essays on the blog

• Pick a new word for 2025

• Make new goals for 2025
• Participate in a blog hop

• Submit a piece to an online publication

• Try a simmer pot recipe
• Make my own simmer pot mix

• Go for a walk on the Silver Comet Trail

• Check out a local holiday lights display

• Participate in a book challenge

• Make a meal using the crockpot

• Try a new recipe in our air fryer

• Go somewhere new with my family

• Bake cookies

• Try a new hot chocolate recipe

• Go on a date night
• Go to a holiday market
• Read 3 winter and/or holiday-themed books
• Read a book from a book club
• Go to a new-to-me coffee shop
• Go to a new-to-me bakery or donut shop

What's on your winter bucket list?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Eugene Zhyvchik on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Sunday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up. It's been a couple of weeks since I shared a happy list, so I'm going to share a few things from those weeks that made me happy. 

1. A new favorite: Frosted Marshmallow Hot Cocoa. Pop them in the fridge or freezer. You're welcome.

2. I'm in a full-blown holiday romance book kick. I'm devouring the novella Second Down Scrooge by Lisa Suzanne. This is a pro football, second chance, single parents holiday romance. 

3. I am done with holiday shopping. Well, I only have one other thing to buy, but I'm considering it to be done.  

4. I have never tried a chocolate orange, but I really wanted to this year. I bought a couple of Terry's Chocolate Oranges and was surprised at the taste. It was good; however, I would only buy this kind of treat during the holidays.

5. Being inspired by Misty Granade and her matchbooks. This matchbook made me want to work on some collages and even try my hand at making an art matchbook

6. New art supplies. I have been taking advantage of the deals at Michaels and buying Liquitex acrylic gouache.

7. We celebrated Gabriel's birthday. Since his birthday was on a weekday, we went to Urban Air over the weekend. Then, on the day of his birthday, we let him choose what he wanted for dinner, cut his cake, and gave him some gifts. I can't believe he's 13! I now have two teenagers! 

8. This Human of New York post. "This marriage is dead. It has to die. But I have no problem building a new marriage with my wife." I admire this man's honesty. 

9. I made gifts for Raphael's teachers and love how they turned out. I bought some glass cups and decorated them with some cold-transfer stickers. They were pretty easy to put on. I added some Ghiradelli mini squares and a card. I may make some more for Teacher Appreciation Week.

10. School break has begun, and I'm so excited to have the next two weeks off work. I'm ready to relax and get some much-needed rest.

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Subtle Little Whispers from the Universe

Dear Universe,

After feeling unsettled for the past few weeks, I feel so much more hopeful. I now know what I don't want and am much closer to deciding which route I want my career to go. For the past few weeks, it appears you've been trying to tell me something. There have been little hints, little sprinkles of clues that I've noticed throughout the days. For instance, I've seen many more job postings or volunteer positions for the two fields that interest me. I've been noticing many more things related to the career(s) that interest me. I've also been having vivid, recurring dreams of two different paths. Yes, two different paths, but both paths are promising. I've also noticed the number "2". 

After a couple of rough days in one week, I questioned why I was taking so long to get to the next phase of my plan. It didn't hit me until recently that I realized I had become used to my current work. The what-ifs are terrifying to think of. Although my interests have changed, and I would like to move to a different position, I realized that I am so used to the routine that I have. I'm sure you know I'm not big on changes, but this change would be beneficial. You know that old saying "Old habits...".

But, Universe, those rough days appeared to be the breaking point because, oddly, they inspired and encouraged me to take a massive step in my personal growth. I like to think that you're sending me these little whispers. The job postings, volunteer positions, encouraging talks with my coworkers and mentors, recurring dreams, and numbers may have been subtle little whispers from you, but those rough days seemed more like a scream. And I want you to know that I hear you loud and clear. 

Sincerely,

The woman who is finally closer to making a decision.

This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale - an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Whisper."

Photo by Baraa Jalahej on Unsplash

If You and I Had Coffee

If you and I had coffee...

We'd meet at a small, new-to-us local coffee shop. We'd order some seasonal drinks and pastries. While waiting for our treats, we'd probably decide to stay inside for a bit and then walk around the area.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I recently went to the Smyrna Handmade Holiday Market and had a blast. I loved supporting so many of the small businesses that were at the market. I bought cookies and some mini pies from two of my go-to vendors. I also bought several book-themed products like stickers and bookmarks. My favorite finds were a couple of simmer pot mixes. I've been on a simmer pot kick, and for months now, I have been trying to find a local store that sells them. Imagine my surprise and delight in finding a local shop, Aly & Ellie Artisan Co., that sells them.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that we have been enjoying the little joys of the holiday season. This past weekend, we saw Santa and got our pictures taken. Raphael was so excited, and my heart felt like it would burst from sheer happiness. I love hot chocolate, and it's made my heart so happy that the boys will ask me to make some hot chocolate almost every night. I've been listening to holiday music off and on. Some of my favorites are Michael Bublé's cover of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home), Christmas in Hollis by Run-DMC, and Sleigh Ride by The Ronettes.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm looking forward to celebrating Gabriel's birthday. I can't believe he's turning 13. We already have some plans in place to celebrate his day. I can't wait. I'm also looking forward to winter break, spending time with family, and getting some much-needed rest.

If you and I had coffee...

I'd tell you that I'm so glad we were able to catch up. This is a hectic time of year, and I know everyone is busy preparing for the holidays and taking care of other responsibilities. I hope you enjoy the rest of the month. However you choose to celebrate the holidays, I hope it's full of joy, peace, and love. See you next year (yes, I had to say that).

What would you tell me?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week

Happy Saturday! Today, I'm linking up with Charlotte, Lindsay, and Beth for their weekly happy and grateful list link-up.

1. I finally changed my dining room centerpiece and absolutely love how it turned out. I bought the cutest little ceramic house figurines and paired them with some small bottle brush Christmas trees. The ceramic houses even light up.

2. I've enjoyed reading Brittany's newsletter and her newest series, Stackmas. This holiday-themed series features various holiday book lists, songs, movies, recipes, and more for the first 12 days of December.

3. Amy Turn Sharp has been sharing some writing prompts in her newsletter, Warm Hands. I love the idea of a Creative Writing advent calendar. 

4. This poem by Jennae Cecelia. Side note: I love seeing everyone's Spotify and Apple Music year-end recap. I've found some new-to-me artists and songs that I love from these lists.

5. We went to our city's Christmas Tree Lighting and had a good time. It was absolutely cold, but seeing the lights on the tree made up for it. When we got home and settled in for the night, I made everyone some hot chocolate. It was the perfect way to end the night.

6. I just started reading Banned Together, a YA anthology about book banning, the power of books, and the fight for the freedom to read. The collection includes poetry, essays, memoirs, fiction, and other genres. So far, I'm really enjoying this book and will share a full review soon.

7. I ordered a couple of photos on Persnickety Prints and can't wait to get them. It's part of a Christmas gift for Mami. Now, I'm on the hunt for some pretty picture frames.

8. I bought this Festive Feast Breakfast Gift Set and plan to use it one of the days that we're home from school and work break. I'm really looking forward to trying the Runamok's Sparkle Syrup.

9. We took pictures with Santa; it was so much fun. We haven't done this in a couple of years due to Covid. We got an adorable and festive picture frame along with several prints. I can't wait to display our photo. I just need to figure out the best place to put the photo. 

10. It's finally the weekend. I've been looking forward to Friday and the rest of the weekend all week long. 

What made you happy this week?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Target Finds

Happy Wednesday! It's time for another Target Finds! It's the holiday season, and Target has some amazing seasonal products, as usual. I've found so many great things over the past couple of weeks. I mentioned this last month, but I may come back with a second Target Finds post with even more things. Side note: Most items on this small list are holiday-related except for one. 

Men's Holiday Short Sleeve Graphic T-Shirt (Moose)

John really likes Goodfellow and Co.'s T-shirts, so when I saw this cute holiday T-shirt, I knew I had to buy it. I may buy one for myself. The shirt is true to size and is very comfortable. 

Large Over-the-Door Hook

After one of the hooks on our towel organizer broke, we decided to buy one with more hooks. So far, this new over-the-door hook is doing its job. I love that it has more than two hooks and perfectly fits our door. It's also very sturdy and definitely higher quality than our old one.

Citrus Squeezer

When I decided to make candied cranberries, I realized I didn't have a citrus squeezer, so I added one to my grocery list. Honestly, I'm surprised I didn't have one. This citrus squeezer did its job, but it's really heavy. I was actually surprised at how heavy it was. However, I like the size because you'll definitely be able to use it on oranges and other citrus fruits. It's also very easy to clean.

Plaid Faux Shearling Slipper Socks

I absolutely love these slipper socks. They are so comfy and soft and keep my feet warm. However, I wish there were some other non-festive styles since the pair I bought are holiday and Christmas-themed. 

What are some of your favorite Target Finds?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

December Goals

Happy Monday! It's finally December—the last month of the year! The last few months have flown by. I'm so excited that December is finally here, and I'm so excited about the holiday season.

As usual, November was a busy month. It started a little rough, with daylight saving time ending and darkness arriving earlier in the day. Then there were the election results, which I'm still shocked over. We all got sick in November, but luckily, we recovered quickly.

Although November was stressful, it also had some good days. My niece, Vivi, was born a couple of weeks early. She's absolutely adorable. I've been excited about the holidays and baked quite a bit in November. I've also indulged in holiday drinks and treats like Starbucks' Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refreshers, Poppi's Cranberry Fizz soda, gingerbread cookies, and Ghiradelli peppermint hot cocoa chocolates. I've started making all the holiday lists and have crossed so many things off those lists. 

Thanksgiving was a little different this year, but it was still a good one. It was nice to have a low-key holiday. I'm certain we'll stick to our tradition for Christmas, but either way, I'm excited.

This month, I'm giving myself grace. I will focus on enjoying the days leading up to the holidays, and although I still have goals that I'd like to accomplish this month, I won't worry too much if I don't.

Now that I've mentioned my goals, let's recap my November goals and then check out my new goals for December.

Recap of November Goals

• Read 5 books: I read 23 books last month. I read various genres, such as children's books, romance, poetry, short stories, and novellas. My two favorite reads of the month were Bariloche Sector by Lexi C. Foss and Atlantic Ghosts by Bee Stanton. 

• Try 2 new recipes: I made chocolate chip crispy rangers using Yossy Arefi's recipe. These cookies were delicious and are now one of my current favorites. You can find the recipe in her book, Snacking Bakes. I also made candied cranberries using Jacqui Saldaña's recipe. This was so easy to make. I hoped they would be a little more crunchier, but they were still delicious. I loved the sweet and tart combo. I definitely plan to make this again closer to Christmas.

• Work in my sketchbook/art journal: I didn't work in my sketchbook at all. However, I bought some new supplies and am excited to play with them this month. I really miss just playing with my art supplies, and with this small burst of creative energy I have now, I will use it to my advantage.

• Participate in Exhale's November blog hop: I completed the prompt, but due to technical issues, my piece wasn't included in the blog hop. However, you can still read it here.

• Work on one of the Exhale blog hop prompts I didn't finish: Unfortunately, I forgot about this goal. I do, however, have one that I hope to post this month. 

December Goals

• Read 6 books
• Try 1 new recipe
• Work in my sketchbook/art journal
• Participate in Exhale's December blog hop
• Work on the latest Here e-course series session, December Pause

What are your goals for December? How did you do in November?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Fujiphilm on Unsplash