Fiftyfifty.me Challenge: January Recap

I’ve completed Month 1 of the Fiftyfifty.me challenge! The goal is to read 50 books and watch 50 movies in 2012. Here’s a recap of my January progress.

Books

Bitter in the Mouth

How Did You Get This Number

Crazy Sexy Diet

Movies

X-Men: First Class

The Artist

Beginners

I Am

Young Adult

The Help

Favorite Book of the Month

My favorite book this month was How Did You Get This Number by Sloane Crosley. This collection of essays could have been subtitled, “Boyfriends, Bridesmaids, and Bears—Oh My!” Seriously, there are bears. I really enjoyed Crosley’s previous book, I Was Told There’d Be Cake, because she has this funny everygirl charm that makes me want to be her friend.

How Did You Get This Number follows Crosley’s misadventures with OCD roommates, apathetic ghosts, snarky frenemies, cheating exes, and other oddballs. For her 30th birthday, she spins a globe and decides to vacation wherever her finger lands. She ends up in Portugal getting wasted with a bunch of circus clowns. What more could you ask for in a book?

Favorite Movie of the Month

My favorite movie this month was Beginners. It’s the story of a 75-year-old man with terminal cancer who finally decides to come out as a homosexual. His courage to be true to himself while facing his imminent death inspires his son to give love another chance in his life. I saw a lot of wonderful movies in January, some even Oscar-worthy, but the feeling I got from watching Beginners will stay with me for a long time. I love the idea that it’s never too late to find happiness.

What books and movies did you enjoy in January?

The Editor’s Toolkit

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9 Comments

  1. Cara on February 3, 2012 at 6:19 am

    I am so jealous of the movies you’ve seen, I’ve only seen part of the Help (long story) but really want to see The Artist and Beginners. Loved “How Did you Get this Number,” it was such a fun book of outrageous stories!



  2. Tinfoil Tiaras on February 1, 2012 at 6:53 pm

    Out of your movie list I’ve only seen “The Help” and absolutely loved it. I just watched “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” last night and I thought it was amazing, so moving and the character development was excellent. I’m enjoying the book “Rules of Civility” by Amor Towles currently!



    • Sage on February 2, 2012 at 5:56 pm

      Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is on my to-watch list. That kid in the movie is supposed to be fantastic.



  3. H&K Style Journey on February 1, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    What a cool challenge! The Beginners sounds like a great movie, thanks for the info. I read 4 books in January and one of them was The Hunger Games. I jumped on the bandwagon because everyone was raving about how good the series was. I have to say, I am hooked! I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I managed to watch Planet of the Apes (the new one), which was the hubby’s choice. I actually kind of liked it, lol! Heather



    • Sage on February 2, 2012 at 5:55 pm

      I have the audiobook for The Hunger Games. I need to start it soon if I want to finish before the movie comes out. 🙂



  4. Fhu on January 31, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    I admire your industry. And I like the premise of “Beginners” (for obvious reason); haven’t seen it yet.

    You mentioned in your comment that you don’t have a lot of friends IRL. I find that almost impossible to believe. You have such a charming personality; you’re wise and witty; and you’re fun to be around. I’d want to be your friend in any context.



    • Sage on February 2, 2012 at 5:54 pm

      Aw, thanks, Ally. But it’s true–I have maybe 2-3 real life friends, but none are really close. I don’t have anyone I could call up and say, “Hey, come over and we’ll order pizza and watch a rom com!” I think I might do a post about how difficult it is (at least for me) to make friends as an adult.



  5. xvavaveganx on January 31, 2012 at 8:24 am

    You are off to a great start! Thanks for the review on that book, I really want to check it out now! 🙂 I really need to start reading more!



    • Sage on February 2, 2012 at 5:50 pm

      Sloane Crosley is a great writer. Her stories are so fun to read because she gets herself into these crazy situations.