Friday, November 23, 2012

A pile of new and undiscovered worlds;

At any point in time, I usually have at least two books on my bedside table waiting to be read. When I finish one, I switch it out for another and buy a new book to take its place. Sounds like a good system, right? I'm never overwhelmed. Never have much to choose from at any given time. I can easily finish a series and move on to the next. Except... I have recently rediscovered my love for Barnes and Noble. I realize that probably sounds weird, but I live in a very small town where the biggest store around and pretty much the only place to buy anything, let alone a book, is Walmart. The nearest B&N is about 40 minutes away, so you can probably imagine the number of opportunities I am able to shoot over there for a visit, especially since I don't drive. However, after wandering through their aisles for the first time a few weeks ago, I have since begged my parents to take me back. Twice. And each time I go, I come home with 4-5 new books. Each. Time. So now my incredibly perfect system is of no use, due to the mound of new and undiscovered worlds currently sitting atop my nightstand. And they are all INCREDIBLY AMAZING BOOKS, too. So it has become awfully hard to choose which one(s) to read next. Here is what I have accumulated so far:
  • City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
  • The Maze Runner by James Dashner
  • The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner trilogy) by James Dashner
  • Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
  • Silence (Hush, Hush) by Becca Fitzpatrick
  • Finale (Hush, Hush) by Becca Fitzpatrick
  • Looking for Alaska by John Green
  • Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
  • Fallen by Lauren Kate
  • As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott
  • Perfect (Pretty Little Liars: Volume 3) by Sara Shepard
  • Unbelievable (Pretty Little Liars: Volume 4) by Sara Shepard
  • Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Which is far too many for my book-loving mind to comprehend. Also, if that weren't enough, my birthday and Christmas are coming up as well, so I foresee a major growth in this pile's future. What can I say, I love buying books. And, as much as it addles my previous book-reading system, I am kind of okay with that.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my family. My best friend Kayla. For the long, sticky summer nights out that are spent on long walks with my siblings. For Ghost Hunters, which is pretty much the best show ever. For the moments when I have laughed so hard I've cried. For the hushed sounds of a library or bookstore. For inside jokes. Fuzzy socks. Being able to sleep in after a long week of school and work. For long afternoons spent inside a good book. I am thankful for smiles. For being blessed with the opportunity of growing up in the circumstances that I have; with a mother and father who work to give their children everything they can and much, much more. I am thankful for the moments I have danced in the rain or sang a song at the top of my lungs, for being carefree. I am thankful for the books, TV shows and movies that have changed my life; whether they were something that taught me a lesson or that I simply enjoyed. Or both. I am thankful for the people and pets that have walked into my life and changed it, even though they are now gone. I am thankful for trampolines, picnics, and nights beneath the stars. For good moods and long weekends. For the prospect of taking a vacation, even if I can't afford it. I am thankful for pinky promises and raindrops beating against my window as I am falling asleep. For being able to express myself in the words and worlds and characters that I create. For secret forts and hideouts and chocolate. For amazing, breathtaking views and kindhearted people that wouldn't think twice about helping someone in need. I am thankful for meaningful conversations that help me to realize the things that I have been missing or trying to ignore. For people who take time out of their day to listen to the complaints of a loved one. Or even a stranger. I am thankful for hugs, which are used to express a wide variety of things; from friendship to kindness to compassion to love. I am thankful for high school, which taught me a lot about life and proved that I was not a grown up, not even a little bit. I am thankful for true friends. For the people at my church. For the kids in my daycare, who teach me new things on a daily basis. I am thankful for my rabbit, Louis. For my guinea pig Charlotte. And Zoe. And Darcy and Chloe and Westley. And all the others. For the fact that, even though we are all at completely different stages in our life, my siblings and I have remained close throughout the years and would gladly wake up at ungodly hours if it meant one of us needed the other. I am thankful for the time I have been given in this life, and I am thankful for everything that has yet to come my way. Lastly, I am thankful for each and every morning, throughout my entire 22 years of living, where I have been able to wake up and realize that the day is new and I can make the most of it—no matter what had happened the day before. That I have people in my life that love me, and whom I love back equally, who will be there no matter what. I am thankful for my mistakes, which have shaped me into the person that I am and who I have yet to be. For all of this, I am thankful.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Road Trip Wednesday #1 (155):

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing-or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic is: What was the best book you read in October?