Book Buying Frenzy

An innocuous email from Barnes & Noble sparked a book-buying battle that resulted in me adding seven new books to my growing collection.

(One of my purchases isn't pictured. USPS got slow on me!)
Getting each story was like Christmas--in August! For fun, I wanted to share some of my purchases with you (some I've already read and some I haven't!). Click on the pictures to visit their goodreads' pages!

Haven't Read. 

This book deserves a special introduction, simply because I have the honor of knowing the author! Cyrus Keith has been such an encouragement to me as a fellow writer. I've struggled to get my hands on this book for awhile and can't wait to finally read it!

Read.

Haven't Read.

Read.

Read.

Haven't Read.

Read.

Happy reading!

Bookish Nostalgia

Why do the books we read as kids still hold a magic sway over us today?
Maybe it's the familiarity they provide, or maybe they're a physical reminder of simpler days and sweeter times. Either way, there are stacks of books that hold a special place in my heart. Today I'm going to share five of them with you, and a bit about why they're so special.
Ready? Here we go...

"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin, Jr.
I don't know what kid (at least who grew up in the 90's) that didn't read this book and love it. If I ever have kids, this will be a staple on our bookshelf!

"Caps for Sale" by Esphyr Slobodkina
No idea how this book was introduced to me (probably by my wonderful parents). But I loved it as a kid, and I love it now. Such a creative, fun idea for a children's story!

"The Three Robbers" by Tomi Ungerer
This book wasn't originally introduced to me as a book. I actually first watched an animated short of "The Three Robbers," which can be found here. To be honest, I've never read the book, but the animated version is straight from these pages... So I think it counts. Warning. It's kind of a weird story.

"Dealing with Dragons" by Patricia C. Wrede
My dad found this book for me when I was just breaking into chapter books. It's an amazing series for young girls, and I loved it (and still love it) desperately. I dutifully introduced it to my younger sisters.

"Green Rider" by Kristen Britain
The library in my middle school was a magical place. There were so many books packed into the enormous space. I could've spent all of homeroom there. It was among these shelves that I discovered two of my pre-teenage-hood favorites, "Green Rider" being one of them (and the book below being the other). Ms. Britain is stilling writing "Green Rider" books today. There's about a 3-6 year gap between them. So, in a way, I've grown up with these books. Which is so cool. I'm eagerly anticipating the next installment!

"Lirael" by Garth Nix
This book terrified and exhilarated me at the same time! Walking dead controled by bells? A dangerous library with monsters sealed inside rooms? An outcast girl becoming friends with a talking "disreputable" dog? Yes, please! I still love this book to this day. Though I don't get scared quite so easily.
Do you have any childhood favorites that are near and dear to your heart? Give them a shoutout in the comments!

Books, books, books!

Announcement to Hogwarts, Panem, Narnia, and Middle Earth!

I've gone through my long-forgotten Goodreads To-Read list. Anyone who hasn't done this, I highly recommend doing so. After a book slump (an embarrassingly long book slump), I finally have things to read.

LOTS of things.

In fact, I just requested seven books from the library. My level of excitement competes with ten-year-old Emily going to see the first LOTR movie with her dad in theaters. And that was quite a bit of excitement, let me assure you.

Not only will I have glorious books, but I will also get some inspiration for Bucket List Item #14. Which means I also have to complete #13... I'm not a fan of painting furniture, okay? I tend to procrastinate. A lot.

Ahem.

Want to know my reading plans? Of course the little Goodreads widget to your right will keep you up to date, but in case you're looking for books of your own, here's a few examples of what I'll be feasting on (literally, haha. Get it?) for the next few days (click pictures to go to the goodreads page):

Happy reading!

The Book & The Glasses

I know I've kept you marvelous readers in suspense the last few days.

Has she finished her book?

Or hasn't she?

Dun, dun, dun...

Okay, probably not. You guys forgot, no doubt--but I didn't!

In fact, I did something I didn't think possible. I wrote 11,129 words in one day. And finished my sixth book!!!

That gif's level of excitement doesn't even cover it.

Of course, now the "real" work begins (though that depends on which you consider more difficult: writing or editing). But I'm okay with that. Why? Because I've already got another book idea I want to pursue! The sooner I get Wishes, Maybe and These Wicked Waters agent-ready, the sooner I can start on Book Number Seven!

I also recall, a few posts ago, mentioning a certain something that begins with a "G." Hmm, what could it be? OH, YES--GLASSES! And you guys thought I'd forgotten. Well, the joke's on you! Below I've got two pictures. On the left is what I like to call The Artsy Writer. And on the right is 22 Year Old Posing Like a High Schooler. Enjoy!

Got Magic?

This week I rescued a boy from drowning in a half-frozen river, soared above the streets of Manhattan, and returned to the arms of my husband after six months away...

Hold on a second. One, I'm a horrible swimmer. Two, I can barely walk without falling, let alone fly. And three, I'm 100% single without any prospects of a fiance, let alone husband!

So how exactly did I do all those things this week?

I read a book.

                                   

Books may be physically composed of paper and ink, but they are truly made up of magic. They act as a transportation device, hurling you into the minds of different character, forcing you to wage battles against impossible foes, placing you at the head of a rebellion.

                                                 

Seriously, magic.

Which is why when I heard people say that they don't like reading (after I get over my initial horror and shock), I ignore them. They just haven't found the right book yet.

Luckily I have. In fact, I've got a huge stack of books from the library waiting for me. The only thing holding me back from reading is NaNoWriMo, but more on that later. As in Thursday.

To quote Stephen King, "Books are uniquely portable magic."

Vlog #2: A Writer & Her Books