Dear Sara B. Larson

Dear Sara B. Larson,

Did you know it is Utah Book Month? I did! But only because my sister Suey keeps me informed of such things. On my recent visit to Utah she, my niece, and I went to hunt for a certain read-a-long Utah book. After several visits to different book stores we had no such luck in finding that certain book. I know, isn't it such a disappointment when that happens! But this left the three of us standing in the BYU bookstore staring dejectedly at the YA section, when I said, "Well, find me a different Utah book to read." I opened myself up for what came next. Suey and niece immediately started pulling down books and thrusting them into my arms. With the pile getting high and my arms getting tired, there was no way I could fit all of these books in my carryon, so the agonizing deliberation began. I weeded out ones that didn't catch my fancy, and kept only those they guaranteed I would LOVE. And your DEFY made it into the final four!

The only thing I knew about your book was what the little employee blurb said, "It's like Mulan. But with magic. And not in China." Okay, I like Mulan. I like magic. And coolness can happen outside of China. So that night, as I traveled north on the Front Runner, trying to avoid eye contact with other passengers, I pretended to be enthralled in a book... and I picked yours. I didn't have to pretend long, that is for sure! (Now to give context to what I am about to say, I need to inform you, I am not a fast reader. Nope, it usually takes me weeks to finish a book. The only book I have ever finished in one day is The Hunger Games.) I devoured your story in less than two days!!! Every chance I had, I was tucked into a corner, turning pages as fast as I could! UGH, I loved your book!!!

So now I am going to gush about it...

Oh man, I love a girl that kicks butt!!! I do! And Alexa can kick everyone's trash! It's awesome! She is right up there with Katniss and Tris! Maybe even better because she has to hide who she truly is, and not trust anyone with her secret.

I love Rylan and Damian so equally it's not even funny! Ugh! and your descriptions of them... Dreamy! And they both respect her, and both are so sweet! And Damian!!! Oh but Rylan!!!! ... And the awesome tent awkwardness!!!! I feel like I can't go on with out giving away spoilers... but the romantic tension! Well Done!

I thoroughly enjoyed devouring this book! Thank you for writing it! IGNITE is already on it's way to me. But then I will have to wait for ENDURE! OH, CRUEL REALITY!!! :)

May your creative juices continue to flow so that I may lap them up from the comfort of my couch! (Is that weird?)

Respectfully,

Megs

P.S. After gushing about your book, my dance teammate from college informed me she was your roommate! Small world!

2014 To Read List

First, I know, it's my third post within the same month, of the same year!!! Suey, don't die from shock! And secondly, I really should be doing something else, so naturally I figured I would write a blog post right now. :) I really do put the Pro in procrastination!

Well we all know that the New Year is just days away, and with it the list of goals that shall just be ignored within the week by most of us... because let's be honest we all have Christmas goodies laying around that we are all going to continue  to eat. So I decided to make a list that I actually have interest in and might accomplish. Now I know some of you can read books in days or weeks, but for me, I am lucky to finish a book in a month during the school year... but come summer, librarians, ye be warned!

So here are some of the books I hope to devour this year!

• Finish Book Thief... then finally see the movie!
• Finish Pride and Prejudice... don't judge me
• Through the Ever Night... The only book I asked for Christmas, but instead I got "Flirt Fearlessly: an A to Z Guide on Flirting (More to come on that! Sheesh)
• Into the Still Blue
• Allegiant
• Night Circus
• The 5th Wave
• Ender's Game
• To Kill a Mockingbird... No I have never read it, and I really want to
• Finish Days of Blood and Starlight
• Dreams of Gods and Monsters

Other bookish things I want to do this year...

• Blog more... about books, or movies, or my sad singleness... Whatever
• Encourage a certain someone to continue with her book.... ;)
• Maybe experiment with writing myself... just cause I think it would be fun to try... maybe
• Read... read... read

 Any book you think I really should read that's not on the list?

Finishing a Friend

Do you ever pick up a book and discover a friend? Something you thought would be merely entertaining, turns out to share some of your same thoughts and secret desires? Austenland was like reading a friend, or better yet, looking into a fantasy mirror. Jane being me in having this perfect image of what a romance and a gentleman look like and act like. I often yearn to escape back into a time like that. Austenland would be a theme park I would like to attend. I would love to experience the Regency era first hand, though I wouldn't like actors pretending to court me or fall for me (I would be too naive to fall for them!), but just to keep me company, like a tour guide, except less explicit as one. I am like Jane in being hopelessly hopeful in any budding romance, having practical and fanciful fights within myself. Though I loved reading it, it was sad to be done with it. Like saying goodbye to a good friend. I was happy for Jane and her happy ending, but sad I had to move on with my romanceless life. Though I read Austenland awhile ago, I still remember the reader's remorse sigh that escaped my lips as I finished my friend. So glad I read it, but sad I can never read it again for the first time... But don't you worry, I went and bought my friend, to forever keep company with my other literature friends. Now I will wait patiently for the movie to squeeze its way into my media collection as well. So goodbye Austenland, for now at least...

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Books I Want to Read

1. The Book Thief- I am currently reading it, but I forgot it at my parents’ house three and half hours away, and I WANT to finish reading it… blast that darn repacking forgetfulness!

2. Supernaturally- Just bought it last night… Oh please, yes!

3. The Help- One of those books I want to read before I go see the movie. Thankfully the movie looks interesting, so that is encouraging.

4. Divergent- My roommate read the entire book in one day, and highly recommends it. Ergo, I must read it to confirm its delightfulness.

5. Jane Eyre (again)- This was the first book I read where I felt that internal compelling feeling to find out what is going to happen. That invested feeling in the characters which makes you laugh, cry and get angry and want to throw book across the room (but immediately run to retrieve it to see what happens next). Yep, I want to relive that.

6. Matched- Was recommended by my niece, how can I refuse that?

7. The Fairy Thorn- A novel by my first favorite author from my teenage years that I have not yet read, therefore it is a must.

8. The Outsiders- A friend informed me that to maintain our friendship, I would have to read The Outsiders since it is her favorite book. Also my students read it this year, might as well join in the fun.

9. To Kill a Mockingbird- For some reason this book has been neglected in my life. While most people have read it somewhere in there high school career, my teachers decided to torture me with books like The Heart of Darkness, Grapes of Wrath, and As I Lay Dying. “Classics” that I really have no palate for. (Sorry to those who die in rapture for those books, I mean no offense. But I do feel sorry for you.)

10. The Secret Life of Bees- Again one of those movies that I wanted to read the book first, but it just hasn’t happened yet. Unfortunate, I know.