Looking Forward to 2021!

Happy Wednesday! 

We're so close to the end of this year, so you know what that means! More lists of all the things I'm excited about in the coming year!! All the books and movies and goals and things I'm excited to do in 2021. 

Books I'm Looking Forward to in 2021: 

Shadow by Kara Swanson 

Cover and blurb coming soon. Releases July 21, 2021

Yesterday and Long Ago by Jenni Sauer 

Cover and blurb coming soon. Not sure when it'll be released. 

Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 9 

Cover and blurb coming soon. Releases November 2021 

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by Victoria Schwab 

A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget.

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

Daughter of the Deep by Lina C. Armetago 

A wedding to end a war.

It's been four years since the blood feud between the Branwens and Mathonwys started. Four years of sunken ships and loved ones lost, four years of wounds both seen and unseen. Keira Branwen is no stranger to duty. As the first mate of a legendary pirate ship, blessed by the sea-god Lyr, and heir apparent to her clan, she would sail to the Otherworld and back to keep her family safe.

But when the Council threatens banishment for her people, Keira is faced with a choice; she must either marry her father's alleged killer, the sea-snake Ronan Mathowny, or curse her family to the deep.

But in the Seven Isles of the Deyrnas, secrets sleep just beneath the surface of the water. Her father's death is still shrouded in mystery, and Ronan--her childhood friend, the man she once loved -- is hell-bent on proving his innocence. As enemies become friends and friends become suspects, Keira must wade through the waters of doubt to expose the truth, save her family, and restore her father's legacy.

But Keira soon learns that there are ties thicker than blood, and there is more than one way to sacrifice a life.

Fighting Forward by Hannah Brencher 

Fighting Forward is the empowering anthem you need to take the next small step to a better life. 

At the darkest point of a life-altering depression, Hannah Brencher took a silver marker and labeled a composition book "Fight Song." In that little notebook, she poured hope-filled truths and affirmations, knowing that one day, she--and you--would need a reminder to stay in the fight. Drawn from those glow-in-the-dark words, Fighting Forward is your empowering invitation to show up, claim hope, and take back your life one small win at a time. 

Popular blogger, viral TED Talk speaker, and founder of The World Needs More Love Letters, Hannah shares personal stories of developing daily rhythms and sustainable faith in a culture of hustle. With a heap of hope for those who long to move from anxiety and fear into action steps, the power-ballad essays in this book will encourage you to savor the milestones you've already reached, root yourself in the next small step, welcome healthy routines into your day, and apply grace like sunscreen in the process of your own becoming. 

Fighting Forward champions the truth that each song starts with a single note. With trust and a little time, each note and every small step adds up to a victorious anthem of showing up to this life and staying in the fight to become who God made you to be.

Releases January 5, 2021

Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber 

Releases September 30, 2021 

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.

The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.

Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.

Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.

Releases February 16, 2021

(Gotta add commentary to this one cus while I definitely can't wait to read a book about Nesta and Cassian... where is my Elain-Lucien-Azriel love triangle book?? You know what, just give me a whole standalone about Lucien and I'll be happy. Please!) 

TV shows/Movies I'm excited for: 

Chaos Walking 

This one intrigues me so much!! It looks so good, plus, who doesn't love a good post-apocalyptic story?? 

Raya and the Last Dragon 

I don't really know what to think of this one, but I'm hoping for the best. The animation looks amazing and so pretty. 

Venom: Let There Be Carnage 

Ahhh! I can't wait for more Venom!! 😍

Dune

I think this one will be good too. I haven't seen the original or anything, but my mom loved the original and is so excited about this remake and her excitement has rubbed off on me. 

WandaVision 

This looks like such a trip, I can't wait for this show! I really hope Wanda messes with reality and brings back her brother. Wouldn't that be amazing?? 

Falcon and the Winter Soldier 

Cautiously optimistic that this one will be good. The dynamic between these two will at least be fun to watch. 

LOKI!!! 

Ahhh!! *extreme fangirl freak out* Loki!! I really, really, really hope this one turns out. I want a good, amazing, Loki show so badly! I can't wait for this one to come out!! 

What If...?

This is going to be such a fun one to watch. I love the idea of alternative realities and messing with what we think we know about the MCU. Plus, the animation looks amazing! 😍

Discovery of Witches Season 2

*More freaking out* I can't wait for season 2!! Season 1 was sooo good. I really hope season 2 can live up to the amazingness of season 1! 

Macro Goals:  

• Get my driver's license. This has been a goal of mine for the past two years or so haha But at last it will finally happen this year. My permit expires in May, sooo I kinda gotta get this one done before then. 
• Publish at least one book. Tentatively thinking of publishing Golden Touch around July sometime... Not sure yet, though. Depends on how far I get into writing the rest of the series. :) 
• Graduate with my Bachelor's. I want to finish out my degree strong in December 2021. 
• Get out of my comfort zone. I know this is oddly specific, but I want to do at least 3 things in 2021 that I normally wouldn't do. I want to try new things, branch out and step out of my comfort zone. 
• Spend at least an hour in-depth studying the Bible every week. God showed me and taught me a lot last year. I feel like I'm still processing, but I know for sure that one of my goals for 2021 is to focus more on the actual scriptures. To learn how to test everything against the Word and to become better at my Bible literacy. 

Micro Goals: 

• Possibly write the rest of the Archive series. Since I'm already in the middle of the first draft of book 4, I'm thinking I can accomplish this. Two more books to go and then the series is done! 
• Stay consistent on this blog. I've done well this far, I think I can keep going strong through 2021. I'm going to be praying and seeking God in what more He has for me in terms of what I write on here. 
• Get to 1,500 followers on Instagram. I don't know if this is too lofty of a goal, but hey, let's aim high this year haha I did make it to 1,000 last year, so I like my chances.  
• Get five new followers on this blog. This seems miniscule, but I'm taking my goals small and reachable with this blog. Nothing too crazy. 
• Read at least 20 books (+ read more Indie/self-published books). I didn't reach my book reading goal last year and I didn't read as many indie/self-published books last year as I had wanted to. I plan to change that this year. I want to read at least 5 self-published books, preferably books of my Instagram friends. 

So, yeah, those are a few things I'm looking forward to in 2021. I'm not sure what this next year will hold, but I'm trying my hardest to be as optimistic as I can be and to trust that God has it all under control. He's gone before me and prepared me for whatever unfolds this year. 

What are you looking forward to in 2021? What are some of your goals for the new year?