I think it would be fun, especially for my own archival cravings, to recount my favourite escapist things of 2011. I might only leave it at books and music, because I’m finding it hard to remember anything else but that. However, if you are left wondering of anything random that enchanted me this past year please ask away! Let’s also share some things you loved.

Anyway, I really want to talk about books! I hardly read anything new because I am too out of touch of this world so I discovered a couple of beautiful old books this year.

My number one literary crush this year was no one other than Edith Wharton. I started with some ghost stories of her (ghost dogs!) because I felt a craving for them but soon moved on to The Descent of Man, and Other Stories (available at gutenberg, of course) and fell in love with her sharp wit and poignant writing. So naturally one of my main goals in life is now to read all Edith Wharton has ever written. I started with The House of Mirth next, which starred Lily Bart as a terribly flawed heroin; she doesn’t know what she wants, she is extrutiatingly indecisive and spoiled. Naturally this leads her to a gloriously written downfall. I have a weakness for books with flawed characters and a sad ending so this was perfect in my eyes. Wharton’s commentary and writing wasn’t as sharp as in her short stories but this was an amazing read regardless. Next up is The Age of Innocence!