Time for an end-of-the-year post where I talk about all the things that have happened this year and all the things I hope for the new year!
2018 has truly been a wild year for me! I got a book deal, I moved to NYC, I got a new job!
I was also lucky this year because I read and watched a lot of amazing things. So I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you all!
Favorites of 2018
Here is a list of my favorite reads (chosen from books I read this year, no necessarily all books that came out this year)
Favorite contemporary: THE SUN IS A STAR
I absolutely adored this unconventional formatting. I have to admit I was very worried about how this book would end because it was careening toward uncertainty and unhappiness, but it all came together in the end and I have to say I don’t think it could have ended any other way!
Favorite Fantasy: THE BELLES
Okay, to be fair, there were A LOT of books that could have fallen into this category, but I have to give it to The Belles. Part of it was because while this story had a lot of recognizable themes, it did not shy away from the hard observations about what our society (and often many fantasies) value when it comes to powerful, beautiful females. I loved that Camellia didn’t fit into an easy mold. She made me uncomfortable sometimes with her choices, but she never hid who she was. She was strong and driven. And at the end of the book she was someone I could respect.
Favorite Sequel: SMOKE IN THE SUN
There were a few sequels that came out this year that I enjoyed, but I gave this to Smoke in the Sun because I always enjoy a sequel that makes me see the characters in a new light and re-examine what I thought I knew from the previous book(s). This sequel definitely did that for me.
Favorite Re-read: TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE
I re-read this series when the movie came out. And I have to say it keeps so well! I adore all the characters and while I also LOVE the movie, the books are a classic in my heart. Also, the very natural Korean moments will always mean something to me because it was one of the first time I read them in a contemporary YA novel!
Here’s a list of my favorite movies this year:
All-Time Fave: CRAZY RICH ASIANS
I mean, this HAS to go to Crazy Rich Asians. This movie meant so much for Asians in media. It was beautiful and vibrant and had moments of unapologetic and unexplained Asian-ness. It didn’t try to cater too much to the western gaze, it just was. And it also touched on issues of Asians from Asia vs Asians from the diaspora and how we see ourselves and our place in the world so differently. This really hit home for me and I am left having to examine how I feel about this topic in a deeper way than I ever have before.
Favorite Romance: TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE
I love that TATBILB is unabashedly just a romance. It’s not trying to be an observation about being Asian or Asian American. It’s just a full on romance about a girl who also happens to be half-Korean. It is also so nostalgic about old movies that I loved growing up. It felt like a throwback to the heyday of John Hughes and 90s/00s teen romantic comedies that made me so excited for experiencing my first love. I am so excited they’re making the sequel to this movie and I will rewatch the first over and over until it comes out!
Favorite Drama: THE HATE U GIVE
I saw this movie twice and I cried both times. I might have cried MORE the second time because I noticed so many more details I didn’t see the first time. It’s a lot to take in because it handles police brutality and the death of a kid. But the movie (and the original book it was based on) handled the topic with such grace and depth. This is a repeat watch for sure!
Unexpected fave: ANT-MAN AND THE WASP
I did not know if I would like this sequel despite the fact that I was very entertained by the original. I know this might be weird of someone who loves fantasy and sci-fi, but I still can’t get over how they communicate with the ants. It just feels so weird! Anyway, this movie was great and it expanded on the events of the original film so well. It also ties well into INFINITY WAR really well and made me more excited for END GAME!
Best Action: BLACK PANTHER
Hands down, BEST Marvel movie ever. I know that there’s a lot of hype around Black Panther but that’s because it is deserved! I realize now that all of my favorite movies are ones where the villain is just as fleshed out as the hero. And they did that with Killmonger SO well. I mean it doesn’t hurt that everyone was beautiful in this movie. It also didn’t hurt that this is the first Marvel movie where all the women could arguably take on the men. So many dynamic and well developed female characters and I am here for it! Throw in amazing action scenes and a fantastic plot and this movie will probably be my favorite single superhero led Marvel movie for a long time!
Best adaptation/remake: LOVE, SIMON
Yes, yes, I know you’re pointing out that so many of the other movies I listed are adaptations, but I HAVE to include Love, Simon and I will put it here! It’s honesty such a sweet and wonderful story. It is also a really great adaptation of the original book. Every character was well cast and I really enjoyed the family dynamic as it played out on the screen. It felt so authentically high school to me, with all the insecurities and quiet moments that feel so important in the moment. I am crossing my fingers for a Leah on the Offbeat movie!
2019 Resolutions!
I wanted to do something I’ve seen other people do. I want to share a list of goals for 2019 (I’m hoping that having it written down will hold me accountable!) 2019 is going to be an interesting year as it will be my debut year! (OMG, I cannot believe WICKED FOX will be out in the world next year! Also, in case you didn’t know GUMIHO was retitled as WICKED FOX!)
Writing/Professional Life
Finish book 2 in my WICKED FOX/GUMIHO duology
Finish writing Middle Grade Work in Progress (WiP)
Get my next Young Adult WiP in good shape
Write more consistently (not necessarily every day, but enough that I feel like I am pushing my writing forward every week)
Keep my eyes on my own paper and don’t compare myself and my journey to others!
Enjoy all things big & small about debut year
Become a Better Editor
Continue developing diverse stories at my job and boost diverse creators
Personal Life
Continue managing my anxiety so debut year doesn’t negatively affect it.
Eat healthier
Exercise more regularly
Continue to develop positive relationships
Show appreciation and gratitude to the friends and family who are there for me (both old and new!)
Recognize when social situations/relationships are creating more negative than positives in my life and work on walking away
Learn that I don’t have to say “yes” all the time
Thank you for coming along on my 2018 journey and I look forward to sharing 2019 (and my debut year) with you all!