(I plan to do a “Currently…” post every other Tuesday. You should join me! Find the origins of the idea HERE.)
Loving
Last Friday I came home to the most amazing surprise — a “congrats on your book deal!” package from my friend Tracey Neithercott. All kinds of wonderful things were included (First & Then, Jelly Bellies, and adorable paper products) but my very, very favorite item is the framed art below. It features a line from Kissing Max Holden and it made my heart incredibly happy. Thank you so very much, Tracey! ❤
Reading
Thicker Than Water by Kelly Fiore, which is fantastic so far. It’s a dark contemporary YA about drug addiction and its impact on a teen girl and her family. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here…
Watching
Over the last two weeks, I binge watched Making a Murderer, which was excellent. Obviously the documentary is biased and I’m still not 100% sure of the accuseds’ guilt, but I feel certain the trials were unjust. This decades-spanning story was both terrifying and utterly captivating. I recommend watching if you’re into true crime and/or criminal justice (or lack thereof).
Listening To
Erin Morenstern’s The Night Circus, and it is magical. I’m not sure how I missed reading it when it was first published in 2011, but I’m so happy to be listening now. It’s narrated by Jim Dale (of Harry Potter audiobook fame) and he’s just as remarkable as the story’s plot and atmosphere and prose.
Thinking About
The weekend I spent on the Chesapeake Bay with these writers…
So thankful for stunning sunrise walks, time dedicated to my revision, and the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by these girls. ❤
Anticipating
The end of my first round of Kissing Max Holden revisions. I’m well on my way, and planning to be done by the end of February. I’m super excited about the changes I’m making — I think Jill and Max are benefiting. 🙂
Wishing
Okay, this is going to sound crazy, but I’m wish for snow — though not for me. (I hate snow. And winter. And being cold.) My daughter wants to sled and make snow angels and have snowball fights very badly, but so far we’ve had a super mild winter. For her sake, I’m hoping we get a few flurries soon.
Making Me Happy
The beach — I’ve missed it since we moved from Florida to Virginia. I feel very lucky to have been able to enjoy these views over the last few days. The Chesapeake Bay is beautiful; even though it was very, very cold, I found seashells and sea glass and even a shark’s tooth!
What’s currently making YOU happy?
Katy Upperman ~ Author 
I hope your daughter gets her snow, too 😉 And those beach pictures are beautiful. Winter may be harsh, but it’s not without its perks.
Truth! It was kind of fun to see the beach in the freezing cold. Totally new perspective. 🙂 Hope you have a wonderful week, Cole!
It’s supposed to snow I think on Friday/Saturday 🙂 at least in Maryland…And I miss the retreat already. Such a wonderful time!
It’s supposed to snow in NoVa this weekend too! I went out and bought a sled today, so it better. 🙂 Thanks for an awesome weekend, lady. Let’s get together again soon!
I suspect you’ll get some snow 😉 I also wanted to say—-welcome to the NIGHT CIRCUS fan club! I LOVE that book and think it would make an amazing Cirque de Soleil. NOT a ballet, not a play, not a movie…but a circus. 🙂 I also am about to start THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS by Anna-Marie McLemore which was pitched as a YA Romeo & Juliet meets Night Circus–and it just was a finalist for the Morris…We’ll see if I agree. i often find books that are overhyped like that not really true to their pitches. 🙂
Oh! I have THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS, too, and I can’t wait to read it. Might be the next book I pick up, actually. We’ll have to compare notes! Hope you have an awesome week, Rachel!
You may get your wish for snow soon! The forecasts are currently all over the place for this weekend, but Northern VA might get anywhere between an inch to a foot (gotta love the accuracy hah).
Your framed art is awesome!!!
Have a great week and stay warm!
I saw that forecast — yikes! I did go out and buy a sled today, so we’re prepared. 🙂 Hope you have an awesome week, Jennifer!
Love the framed quote, that’s so lovely of her to do! We finally did get some snow here, and me and the kidlet had fun tromping in it. And making a tiny snowman, b/c it just wouldn’t pack very well. So I hope you get your wish for your girl’s sake! =)
Me too! We bought carrots today with the express purpose of using one for a snowman’s nose. Hopefully it works out! 🙂 And yes, Tracey was so incredibly thoughtful to send that gift. I love it so much! Have a lovely week, Leandra!
Oh the Night Circus! How I adore it. I have secretly cast Casey Paige to be young Poppet.
Oh my gosh — yes! Her hair! Totally perfect. 🙂
Your writing trip looked so fun, glad you had a good time. The package was lovely. I love the framed quote, what a nice idea.
Will try and send some snow your way. We have a lot here at the moment. Although our snowman making attempts have not gone well. I think it might be too fine to build with!
We’re listening to the Harry Potter books. It’s funny hearing Jim Dale read them, as I am used to Stephen Fry. He’s very good though.
Have a great week Katy!
Don’t send us TOO much snow, Alexa. 😉 Hope you have better snowman luck next time. Have a wonderful week!
The Night Circus is SO fabulous! I hope you enjoy it!
I’m loving it so far! ❤
Tracey is the best! What a wonderful gift. I also love your beach photos! All three of those are just stunning.
Hope your daughter gets her snow day soon. 😀
Tracey is TOTALLY the best. 🙂 And thank you! The Chesapeake Bay is surprisingly picturesque. Have an awesome week, Alice!
I’m jumping back on the Currently bandwagon!
Such a sweet framed print from Tracey! ❤ And I loved seeing all the photos from your writing retreat. Sounds like it was a productive weekend…happy to hear your KISSING MAX HOLDEN edits are going well, too!
Have a great week, Katy! 🙂
Thanks, Kaitlin! We had such a great weekend. It’s so nice to be able to focus on writing with awesome, like-minded people. 🙂 Can’t wait to check out your Currently post… Have a fantastic weekend! ❤
The photos you guys posted from the retreat looked awesome! Sounds like you had a great time 🙂 I also saw the Max & Jillian gift on Instagram. That Tracey, she’s awesome. After watching you and her go back and forth on Twitter, I’ve decided to get back into blogging by joining your currently trend 🙂 So thanks for the inspiration!
I’m so glad you’re jumping in on this week’s Currently post, Liz. I can’t wait to check out your update! Our retreat was a blast, and I actually got a lot done, too. Crossing my fingers that someday you and I can retreat together. 🙂 Have a wonderful rest of the week, lady!
So happy you like the gift! I love that line and how it’s repeated throughout the book. Congrats on finishing your first round of revisions!
Crossing my fingers you get some snow! (And for C, too, not just because if it snows enough for the federal government to close, my company closes, too.)
We our snow! C’s got a day off from school, so I’m sure we’ll be outside playing in a few hours. Lucky girl. 🙂 And yes — the gift you sent is my new favorite thing. You’re the best, Trace! ❤