Book Love

Personally, I'm not a fan of Singles Awareness Day, but I am a fan of books. So this year my bookshelf and I are celebrating together, and I thought I'd give three special novels some extra lovin'. (I did a vlog for this, actually, but I'm really sick and look like a monster, so I scrapped it.)

This is my all-time favorite book. My copy is yellowed and dog-eared and falling apart (which is why I also have two backups), yet I can't bear to part with it. I first read it in 5th or 6th grade, so it's been with me for a long time. Back then, I was really into Christian fiction; these days I tend to stay clear, but I keep coming back to this book. The message in it transcends religion and personal beliefs, and really empowered me to do something with my life. The story is heartbreaking yet uplifting, the characters feel like people I've known my entire life, and the ending gives me warm fuzzies. I've read this book at least thirty or forty times since I first picked it up, and I've passed it off on nearly everyone I know. So if any book should get some extra attention, it's this one.

I first read this back in 2009, when I was living in Ireland. The cover was initially what caught my eye, but as soon as I read the first page, I knew I couldn't leave the library without it (since then I've made sure to get my own copy). From what I hear, it's a book you either love or you hate - there's no middle ground. It's narrated by Death, and you find out in the first few pages exactly how it's going to end. The thing is, by the time you get to the end, you've forgotten. I bawled like a baby while I read this (more than once, too). It's an incredible story that surpasses any age barriers; I'm convinced anyone could read it and love it.

If you follow LTWF, you know this has been our book of the month for more than one month (mostly because we forgot to change it, but also because this book is just so fantastic). I also raved about it here last month. I'd heard nothing but good things about the book before it came out, but I wasn't prepared to love it as much as I did. It easily catapulted its way into my top five books of all time, where I'm sure it will remain forever more. It's cute, charming, light-hearted, and all-around lovely. The characters are likable, the romance is spot-on, and it's set in Paris. I mean, how could you not like it?

So, happy Singles Awareness Day, bookshelf! We've been together a long time now, and we're still going strong. Maybe your gift to me this year could be some new reading material? I've got a long list of books I need to acquire, and I'm sure you'd love to have them as well. Keep me posted!

XoXo,

Sammy

Things I'm Thankful For Thursday

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. A lot. I'd make a longer list, but it would be lengthy and boring, and nobody would read it. So I thought I'd narrow it down and share with you just a few things I'm feeling especially thankful for.

1. I'm thankful for taking chances.
Isn't there a saying about how you never really get anywhere in life if you don't risk going? I'm sure I paraphrased that horribly, but you know what I mean. You have to take risks if you ever want to succeed, is what it boils down to. And I took a lot of risks this year, all of which paid off. You know why? Because I learned something about myself, and the things I'm capable of. I accepted an internship in a new city, in an unfamiliar part of the country. People still tell me I'm crazy for randomly moving in with Ajah without really knowing her; the two of us admit it was an insane move. But you know what? It was the best decision I've ever made. Not only did I get the internship of my dreams, but I made new friends, gained a sister, and now have a second family that is stuck with me for life.

Also, looking back, I can finally say with certainty that I am thankful for my time in Ireland. Regardless of the assault that really has changed the way I look at things, it was an experience I needed to have. I learned that I can be on my own and not flounder. I learned that I am stronger than I thought. And those are important life lessons to have.

2. I'm thankful for being a writer.
And not just the writing part of it. The last year or so I've really dug my fingers into the publishing world and connected with writers and agents and publishers. My knowledge has grown exponentially, and I still learn something new every day. When things in this industry go awry, like the SPEAK debacle I mentioned a few entries back, I was humbled and honored to be amongst such a tight-knit community. Writing has introduced me to some of my closest friends, and I will always be thankful for them. To everyone at Plagiarism Haven and LTWF, you mean the world to me. I couldn't have grown as a writer, or a person, without you.

3. I am thankful for the friends I still have, and the new ones I've gained.
I didn't realize this until recently, but some of my closest friends I've known for a decade or more. And while that makes me feel old, it's also really awesome to think that I've found the people who will remain in my life until I'm old and saggy. My very best friend lives in NYC now, and I've only gotten to see her once a year (twice, if I'm lucky) since we started college. But every time I talk to her, it reminds me how thankful I am to have her in my life. And in a few short months I'll be living in the same city, and the distance we've had to deal with for so long won't be a problem anymore!

Similarly, Michael and I are still friends. We've weathered just about everything the universe could throw at us, but today our relationship is good. It's solid. And I am proud of that.

But this year I really tried to reach out and make new friends, while also strengthening the ones I already had. PH and LTWF have both helped with that, yet another reason why I will forever be eternally grateful. The Madison Review has been a part of my life since I transferred to Madison in 2008, but I didn't really hang out with the staff outside of events until this year. And what did I gain from that? A whole new set of friends that are even more awesome than I could've imagined.

4. I can't have an 'I'm Thankful' list without mentioning my family.
My parents are the most supportive people I know. Even when they disagree with me, they stand behind my decisions. They trust me to do the right thing, and that is a gift I treasure. Someday, when I have my first book deal, I will dedicate that book to them, and everything they've done for me. They are my rock, and I'd be lost without them.

As for my siblings, I think I really have a lot to be grateful for this year when it comes to them. My sister and I have always had a rocky relationship, and the last few years have been spent rebuilding it. This year, for the first time, I really felt like I had a sister I could talk to. Our relationship is finally the one I'd always hoped for, and that means more to me than you'll ever know. And my brother was a real surprise this year. He called me this summer with all these great plans he had for the rest of his time in college, and what he wanted to do afterward, but what really got me was when he said it was because he wanted to be like me. He wanted to follow his dreams and be excited about something. He gave me the gift of feeling like I'd really accomplished my goal in life - to be a good rolemodel for my siblings. I get teary-eyed just thinking about it.

So while there are many more things I'm thankful for, these are the most important. These things mean something. And I won't soon forget it.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!