hazel llanes

Initially I was going to do one of those “year in review” posts where I highlight all the great films, albums, and books I consumed in 2012, but I realized that a) the only movie I remember watching before the month of December is Moonrise Kingdom and b) I was mostly out of the loop music-wise this year and didn’t bother keeping track of new releases.

Something I did do a lot of, though, was read. I finished more books in the past twelve months than any other year, which I credit largely to the e-reader I got the previous christmas. You could rehash the old argument that “e-books are destroying books” but nothing has pushed me to read more than that magical device (now excuse me while I caress its cold rectangular anti-glare electronic paper display).

Anyway, here are some titles that I enjoyed the past year.

• Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
• Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland
• The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer

That last image I uploaded isn’t the real cover for Cinder, but I much preferred Goni Montes’ illustration for the prequel to the actual cover and really, how could you not read the book after seeing his work? It’s a badass cyborg girl in a snowy landscape!!

Some goals I have for 2013 are to read more non-fiction and classics, and to write more of anything. Seriously. I read so much that’s it’s embarassing how little I do any writing. Hopefully this will be the year I change that.

Some photos from a recent trip to the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, which is open all year round.

I couldn’t stay still long enough to have any of the insects land on my finger, but this huge owl butterfly did land of my sister’s handbag.

Labor Day means hanging out in the backyard with the dog, eating maple walnut ice cream, and watching the National Geographic channel all night with my dad.

Universal Studios, Hollywood

Last week was incredible.

Stayed with my cousins at Moreno Valley, ate at In-N-Out Burger, explored Vegas, went swimming, visited Hoover Dam, ate at Jollibee, had funnel cake at Santa Monica pier, saw some paintings at Getty Center, did more swimming, walked around Hollywood, rode every ride at Universal Studios, then saw The Dark Knight Rises.

In short, I got to spend an entire week with the best people at some of the most stunning places in the country.

I can’t wait to go back.

L’Amoreaux Park

From my backyard.