Category: Great Books

RTW – October’s Best Book

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Road Trip Wednesday is a “Blog Carnival,” where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

This week’s topic: What was the best book you read in October?

An easy question to answer this month because I’ve read a few books in October that, in the end, did not live up to their hype. Perhaps my expectations were too high, or perhaps they just weren’t for me, or perhaps, when compared to the one really AMAZING book I read this month, they just didn’t measure up.

And now you’re probably wondering what that AMAZING book was.

It was FREEFALL, by Mindi Scott.

 
Here’s the Goodreads blurb:

Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend Isaac alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time where Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he’s ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth will soon realize he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . .

There are a few reasons I was excited to read this book. One, I’ve been following Mindi Scott’s journey for a while now. Freefall is her debut and she’s from around the same area that I am, which for some reason makes her feel relatable. Two, Freefall is a “boy book” (in other words, the protagonist is a teenage guy and the plotlines are sort of male-centric, though that’s not to say females won’t be all over it!). I’ve read “boy books” before, of course, but none written by women–I was curious. And three, I love contemporary YA fiction, especially when it’s a little edgy, which Freefall certainly is.

First, I’ll comment on Seth’s voice because… it’s awesome. He swears, he drinks, he thinks too much about sex and not enough about school. He’s dry and funny He can be sort of insensitive, but at the same time, there are instances where he is intuitively sensitive without ever realizing it. He wants to be better, but he doesn’t know how. Seriously, had the name “Mindi Scott” not been printed on the cover, I would have assumed this book had been written by a teenage guy. The voice is that spot-on.

Freefall’s characters are very real. They have real problems and realistic relationships. They’re flawed–all of them, but that’s what made me want root for them. And they have motivations. Motivations that–gasp!–make sense. (This is one of the problems I had with some of the other books I read this month: a character would do something and I’d think–what?!).

And Rosetta and Seth together… I loved their interactions from the very first scene they shared. Their dialogue was natural and witty and it flowed well, plus, I could clearly see the things they grew to like about each other. Their relationship felt legitimate and sincere, not forced for the sake of the novel. I *got* why Seth wanted to be present for Rosetta, and understood why she wanted to be better for him. Oh, and they had a few pretty steamy interactions, too.

So, Freefall was definitely the book I loved best during the month of October. I highly recommend you check it out.

What about you? What was the best book you read this month?

RTW: In the Beginning…

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Road Trip Wednesday is a “Blog Carnival,” where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

 

 

 

This week’s topic: A novel’s opening is like a pick up line. If it’s good, you might take it home. If it’s bad… well. You know. What are your favorite first lines? How do your own WIPs start?

Honestly, I never paid much attention to first lines until I started writing seriously. Now when I’m book shopping, I read the back cover blurb, then the first line before I decide whether or not to buy. When done well, they catch my attention, make me wonder and set the tone for the book. Here are a few of my favorites:

 

If I Stay by Gayle Forman – Everyone thinks it was because of the snow.
 
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater – I remember lying in the snow, a small red spot of warm going cold, surrounded by wolves.
The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson – Gram is worried about me.
 
Looking for Alaska by John Green – The week before I left my family and Florida and the rest of my minor life to go to boarding school in Alabama, my mother insisted on throwing me a going-away party.

And here are the openings from two of my manuscripts:
Loving Max Holden – Riding to school with Max Holden is only slightly less traumatizing than riding the big yellow bus.
 
Where Poppies Bloom (still a WIP, so subject to change) – At first glance, you wouldn’t peg me as the type of girl who hotboxes her bathroom.
 

What about you? What are your favorite novel beginnings?

RTW: Best Book I Read In September

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Road Trip Wednesday is a “Blog Carnival,” where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing or reading-related question and answer it on their own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

Today’s Topic: What’s the best book you read in September?

September was a bit of a slow reading month for me because I started a new WIP. I read Lucy Christopher’s Stolen (which was amazing–I mentioned it in this POST), Kody Keplinger’s The DUFF, and Sophie Jordan’s Firelight. I’m currently in the middle of Julia Hoban’s Willow.

But the best book I read this month, one of the best books I read all year, and now among my top five favorite books EVER was Jandy Nelson’s The Sky is Everywhere. I know, I know. I’m a little late to the game. I remember seeing The Sky is Everywhere mentioned on more than one RTW August book list, but oh my God, I loved it too much not to mention it.

Here’s the Goodreads blurb: Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life—and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.

First, I should admit I’ve become a bit of an impatient reader. When I hit a big block of exposition or background stuff, I usually skim over it so I can get onto the good stuff. Even books I really enjoy usually have parts I hurry through. Not the case with The Sky is Everywhere. I can honestly say that every sentence–every WORD–was crucial and beautifully written. Jandy Nelson’s metaphors were creative and spot on, her descriptions painted total and complete pictures, and her portrayal of grief and the crazy things that sometimes happen to someone immersed in sadness were entirely authentic. 

I always find it fascinating when an author puts a character in confusing or dismal or horrible situations, but still manages to make you wish you WERE that character. Lennie is flawed and selfish and rash, but still, there’s something about her you can cling to. And the rest of the characters… Joe, Toby, Sarah, Lennie’s eccentric family members… they are all individualistic and fully realized. You’ll want them to be a part of your life.

So yes, The Sky is Everywhere is by far the best book of my September. Check it out (and other responses from RTWers!) if you haven’t already!   

Oh, and here’s the trailer. It’s fabulous. 🙂

Friday Five

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It’s a random one today… Five things I’ve been thinking about all week:

1) If You Really Knew Me – MTV’s new reality show (actual reality! not Jersey Shore-like trash!) is so thought-provoking and authentic and heartbreaking. Real teens are featured. Though they’re stereotyped at the opening of the show, as things progress we see that they’re layered and often troubled. Many have had rough childhoods and are carrying more baggage than I am at almost thirty. The show’s message is acceptance and empathy, encouraging teens to “be real,” without the usual preachiness of adult produced “helpful” television. Anyone who writes YA or is considering writing YA should give it a shot for a up-close look at teen issues today.

2) Agents/Querying – Funny how querying can almost be–*gasp*–fun! At least, that is, when you’re getting a decent response to your queries?submissions. My first querying effort with a novel that went nowhere was nothing but discouraging. Though I know the query was well-written and the first pages had voice and conflict, I only got two requests for additional material (both went nowhere) out of about two dozen queries. Yeah… that book, though it still holds a special place in my heart, had a fatal flaw: Lack of compelling hook.

The book I’m querying now (have been since mid-July) has had a much more positive response, for which I’m grateful. Five agents are currently considering it (two of them would be absolute DREAM agents!) and though the waiting game is no fun, I’m in a much more optimistic place.  Even if this particular book doesn’t land me an agent, I know now that I’m moving in the right direction and that makes me think that someday (fingers crossed!) I’m going to get there.

3) Stolen by Lucy Christopher – Oh. My. God. THIS BOOK. So beautiful and genius! Here’s the twisted thing: I read Stolen, about a kidnapping and a crazy, damaged, delusional villain of a man and at the end… I don’t know… I actually wanted the protagonist, Gemma, to end up with him. There was a deeper connection there. A mutual understanding. An intimacy. Yes, it’s so totally wrong, but Lucy Christopher layered these characters so brilliantly that the ending left me just as confused and torn as  Gemma was. I’m passing this one on to my mom and my sister-in-law, just so I’ll have people to talk to about it!

4) Conversely, I read another book this week that I didn’t like much at all. It’s a recent release with an awesome premise that’s gotten all kinds of attention: great blurbs from authors I respect, tons of twitter/blog love, I’ve even seen it in magazine ads. Some of my writing friends have read it and were totally into it. So, yeah, I was all pumped up about buying and reading it. Then I did and I was… disappointed? I found the plot fairly predictable, the dialogue annoying and the voice too snarky. 

I make a point to feature amazing books on this blog (see #3 above!), but when  I read a book I don’t care for, I usually just let it go. I’m not one publicly trash the work of someone else, which is why I don’t do actual book reviews. Still, I’m mentioning this book today because I can’t help but wonder what all of these people are seeing that I’m not. I mean, I know we all have differing tastes, but I was just SO disappointed by this read. Yet, others loved it.

Has this ever happened to you? Do you question the taste of those who thought differently from you? Do you trust their future recommendations?     

5) Preschool – This is writing related… I swear! My beautiful and adorable daughter started preschool last Friday. She cried the first two days when I dropped her off , then (and this is a direct quote from her!) “dried her tears and felt much better.” So, I get four extra quiet hours of writing time a week now! Not much, but I’ll take whatever I can get. I spend those hours at Borders, soaking up the awesomeness of the published books around me. Plus, my daughter is making new friends and coming out of her shell a bit. And that makes me a very happy mama!  

Friday Five: Up-And-Comers!

Today’s Friday Five is a list of intriguing YA books that have either just come out or are coming out in the next few months. Their premises are fresh and compelling, their covers are beautiful, they all boast a romantic element, and several are written by debut authors. All blurbs are from Goodreads, followed by my brief commentary. Feel free to click on the covers for each book’s Amazon link. You may also click on the author’s name to be linked to their website.

1) Nevermore by Kelly Creagh – Debuted just the other day, August 31, 2010

Cheerleader Isobel Lanley is horrified when she is paired with Varen Nethers for an English project, which is due—so unfair—on the day of the rival game. Cold and aloof, sardonic and sharp-tongued, Varen makes it clear he’d rather not have anything to do with her either. But when Isobel discovers strange writing in his journal, she can’t help but give this enigmatic boy with the piercing eyes another look. Soon, Isobel finds herself making excuses to be with Varen. Steadily pulled away from her friends and her possessive boyfriend, Isobel ventures deeper and deeper into the dream world Varen has created through the pages of his notebook, a realm where the terrifying stories of Edgar Allan Poe come to life. As her world begins to unravel around her, Isobel discovers that dreams, like words, hold more power than she ever imagined, and that the most frightening realities are those of the mind. Now she must find a way to reach Varen before he is consumed by the shadows of his own nightmares. His life depends on it.
 
**So much about this book intrigues me; Varen’s description, the good girl/bad boy relationship, the Poe references, and the dark tone of both the blurb and the cover. Looking forward to getting lost in this one!**

2) Firelight by Sophie Jordan – September 7, 2010

**I am so not a fantasy person. Dragons, especially, do nothing for me. Still, I was automatically drawn to Firelight’s cover (stunning!) and what seems to be a life-and-death romance brewing between Jacinda and Will. Firelight seems refreshing and engaging.

’s rebelliousness leads her family to flee into the human world, she struggles to adapt, even as her draki spirit fades. The one thing that revives it is Will, whose family hunts her kind. Jacinda can’t resist getting closer to him, even though she knows she’s risking not only her life but the draki’s most closely guarded secret.Jacinda—the descendants of dragons who can shift between human and dragon forms. But when drakiis special even among the  JacindaWith her rare ability to breathe fire,

3) Freefall by Mindi Scott – October 5, 2010

 Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend Isaac alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time where Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up. Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely. Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he’s ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth will soon realize he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . .

**So many secrets! I love a book with a male main character, especially ones that include romance. Also, I love when YA books tackle real-life issues (here, binge-drinking–among other things, it seems) that some might prefer be swept under the carpet. Very interested to see how Freefall plays out.  

4) Matched by Ally Condi – November 30, 2010

**This is one of the most gorgeous covers I have ever seen. I love books about twisted could-be-real-life societies, and Cassia’s society seems about as twisted as they come. Certain aspects of Matched remind me of Lois Lowry’s The Giver, which is one of my all-time favorite books, so I can’t wait to find out more about Cassia’s world.**

and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion. Matched is a story for right now and storytelling with the resonance of a classic.XanderCassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between

5) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins – December 2, 2010  

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she’s less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris — until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend. But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

**I follow Stephanie Perkins on Twitter and read her blog. Let me tell you, she seems absolutely delightful. And her book… I love a good contemporary romance and Anna happens to be set in France, the most romantic city in the world. This book has gotten some wonderful reviews and some amazing blurbs, which all make me even more eager to read it!**

RTW – The Best Book I Read in August…

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Road Trip Wednesday is a “Blog Carnival,” where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing or reading-related question and answer it on our own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

Today’s topic: The best book you read in August…

I’ve read some truly amazing books over the last month. I’ve taken a bit of a writing vacation (coming to an end September 5th!), so I’ve had a little extra time to devour some awesome YA literature. Here’s what I read in August: The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams, Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements, Forever… by Judy Blume, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, The Summer of Skinny Dipping by Amanda Howells and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.

I’ve blogged about a few of these titles already, but one I haven’t mentioned that has stuck with me is Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler.


From Booklist: “What is the statute of limitations on feeling guilty for cheating on a ghost?” Anna writes in her journal, or rather, writes to Matt, her first true love and her best friend Frankie’s brother. More than a year has passed since Matt’s sudden death, and all that time Anna has kept her brief relationship with Matt a secret from Frankie. Matt had planned to tell his sister but died before he had the opportunity. Now, while on a beach vacation with Frankie’s family, Anna finds herself falling for cute, sensitive Sam against her will—if she can love someone else, does that mean she no longer loves Matt? Anna approaches this issue and other big questions with the insight and maturity that come when a young person loses someone he or she cares deeply about. Anna’s authentic voice and some lyrical writing will satisfy fans of Sarah Dessen, while the mix of romance, drama, and tragedy will be a draw for teen readers of Nicholas Sparks and Jodi Picoult.

What I loved about Twenty Boy Summer was that it didn’t  set out to teach us a lesson about loss and grief, but rather the lesson came organically, bit by bit, as Anna began to let herself feel for the first time since Matt’s death. Anna’s voice is so natural and real, and her relationships with Matt, Sam, and her best friend Frankie felt completely authentic. Nobody in Twenty Boy Summer is perfect, but motivations are clear and that makes the characters endearing. Plus, Anna’s relationship with Sam is so sweet and sexy. This is one of those stories that make you wish you were a teenager again so you might have one of those lovely summer romances that will forever live in a bubble of perfection. Sarah Ockler is incredibly talented and I look forward to reading her future releases.

Thanks to my wonderful CP, Heather Howland, for recommending Twenty Boy Summer. She has awesome taste in books and never hesitates to pass great titles on to me.  🙂

Friday Five: Mockingjay Edition

Apologies for the twice-in-one-week Mockingjay posts, but I just can’t help myself. First, I should say that definite spoilers will be found below. If you haven’t finished reading, please skip this post for now.

Originally I was going to write a bona fide review, but frankly, I suck at reviews. Especially with this book, one that I’ve been anticipating with excitement that’s hard to verbalize, and especially because my thoughts about it are still a bit of a jumbled mess. So, I’m sorting my Mockingjay opinions into talking points in a Friday Five post.

First, let me start by saying that for the last two days every chance I’ve gotten I’ve pretty much been doing this:

Again, SPOILERS BELOW!!!

#1 – Overall, I loved Mockingjay. While I was reading, it was all I could do NOT to flip to the last few pages to see how it ended. Now that I’ve finished reading the book, I’ve read several reviews of differing opinions, all with valid points. Clearly, Mockingjay means different things to different people, and different life experiences seem to weigh in on a lot of the reviews I’ve read. Some hated the violence, others found in realistic. Some hated the ending, many found it poignant. To me, none of that matters as much as the fact that readers all over the country are excited about a (YA!) book. Three people stood in line with me at Borders on Tuesday when I bought my copy. I smiled when I realized all three had their own Mockingjay books in hand.

#2 – Now, to get into more of the specifics! I loved the realism of Mockingjay. Katniss and Peeta somehow managed to make it through TWO Hunger Games, and in the aftermath took very authentic journeys through post traumatic stress. The nightmares, the anger, the confusion, the depression… they never seemed to fit back into the lives they led before the Games. Had Collins chosen to make them super heroes, rising above the ashes, overcoming whatever was thrown their way with grace and ease, I would have been sorely disappointed. The Hunger Games Trilogy is about normal kids who are effected by an oppressive government and unparalleled violence. To show Katniss, Peeta, and even Gale, as mightier than all their adversaries would have been a disservice to the series.

#3 – I loved the subtle romance in Mockingjay. Gale, coming into Katniss’s hospital room after the choking incident and brushing his fingers over her bruises. Katniss, kissing Peeta underground because it’s the only way she knows to show him things are real. Gale, coming to the realization that Katniss is only truly invested in him when he’s hurting. Finnick and Annie. One of Peeta’s final lines, “You love me. Real or not real?” Though I longed for more, I thought Collins handled the romance quite well, especially considering the horrific situations her characters found themselves in the midst of.

#4 – I very much enjoyed learning more about District 13. The way it paralleled what had been happening with the Capital, controlling citizens, regulating food, the domineering President Coin. I thought the way Collin’s initially presented 13 as a new sort of utopia was quite genius, especially considering 13 turned out to be exactly what the rebels were fighting against all along.

#5 – And here’s what I didn’t like… my one and only major gripe with Mockingjay: Katniss didn’t seem to make a choice about who she would spend her future with. Sure, she ended up with Peeta, the boy with the bread, the boy she was destined to be with all along, but I’m not entirely convinced she picked him. He almost seemed like the default; Gale disappeared, Katniss was in the midst of a major depression, and Peeta was just… there. Willing to pick up the pieces, willing to save Katniss once more. While I was reading, I kept thinking of the worst case scenarios for the ending of the book. First, it was that either Gale or Peeta died, leaving Katniss with whoever was leftover. Then, it was that Katniss didn’t pick either, and rode off into the sunset all alone. Then, I decided that the very worst thing that could happen was that the book would end with Katniss’s death and she would never have the opportunity to choose. The reality… I’m not sure if it’s better or worse than my worst case scenarios. It just seemed… to easy. Yes, I’m glad Peeta and Katniss ended up together, but I wish truly Katniss would have been more proactive in her choice.

And there it is, my Friday Five breakdown of Mockingjay. Let me know what you thought of the book in the comments… agree with my thoughts? Disagree? I’d love to hear your opinion!

Road Trip Wednesday

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Road Trip Wednesday is a “Blog Carnival,” where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing – or reading-related question and answer it on our own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

This Week’s Topic:
What would you do to impress the Hunger Game judges?
 

Sadly, I think the Hunger Games judges would be sorely disappointed in my general skillz set. I’m certainly not an outdoorsy girl (unless you count reading in the sun, which accounts for my kickass tan), and I’m freakishly lacking in speed, balance, precision and any other remotely athletic ability. I can, however, swim (so I’m like Finnick? Awesome!), which could probably work to my advantage, depending on the arena.

My most useful talent, I think, would involve food preparation. I can whip up a decent dinner when my pantry and refrigerator become sparse, so I could probably do pretty well with the wild meat, nuts, berries and root vegetables that might be available during the Games. Of course, I’d need someone to shoot or snare that meat, and then someone else to gut it and clean it, and then one other person to make a fire, but once I’m prepped, I’d definitely be the food girl.

Road Trip Wednesday

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So, this is my first time participating in YA Highway’s very excellent Road Trip Wednesday. If you’re unfamiliar, here’s what it is:

Road Trip Wednesday is a “Blog Carnival,” where YA Highway’s contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question and answer it on our own blogs. You can hop from destination to destination and get everybody’s unique take on the topic.

We’d love for you to participate! Just answer the prompt on your own blog and leave a link in the comments – or, if you prefer, you can include your answer in the comments.

This week’s topic is: If you could rewrite the ending of any book, how would you rewrite it and why?

If I could rewrite then ending of any book, it would be Judy Blume’s Forever…

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely LOVED Forever… and frankly, I want to BE Judy Blume, but the ending of her 1975 novel left me feeling sad and a little hopeless. In case you’ve never read it, Forever… is the story of Michael and Katherine, high school seniors who fall convincingly in love, sleep together, and promise each other forever.

In Judy Blume’s ending (((SPOILER ALERT!))) Michael and Katherine break up after a summer of separation. Had I written it, I would have let Michael and Katherine live on in literary teenage bliss Forever… because I’m a hopeless romantic who believes high school love can survive young adulthood and beyond, if it’s honest and genuine. Naïve? Maybe. Optimistic? Definitely!  

But, if I’m being truthful, Judy Blume’s original ending is so much more realistic, courageous, and thoughtful that mine would have been. Let’s face it. Teenage relationships break up. Often. And Ms. Blume nailed that beautifully, which is why, I suppose, her books so amazingly timeless.  

Thanks, YA Highway, for your awesome Road Trip Wednesday topic. I look forward to participating again next week!

Limbo and Literature

The query wait continues. Two partials and one full (requested from a partial) still out with agents. While I am a firm follower of the a PENDING RESPONSE is better than a NO! school of thought, I am desperate to know what these fabulous agents are thinking about my manuscript. Nervous, too. And excited. Also, I get a very dreadful, anxious, I-can-barely-see-straight feeling every time I get a new email in my professional inbox. That’s normal, right?  What do I do when I’m in limbo? Read! This week I read Beautiful Creatures and The Chosen One, two books that couldn’t be more different. While I didn’t fall head-over-heels for Beautiful Creatures, I did enjoy the setting and mythology behind the characters’ story. The Chosen One, however, I adored, in a disturbing, thank-God-this-isn’t-my-life sort of way. I’m fascinated with the idea of polygamy and its background in our country, so right away I was intrigued, and Kyra’s story is so intense and heartbreaking and haunting. Hard to believe her fictional challenges are a reality for some girls. If you haven’t read The Chosen One and have any interest in polygamy or the Mormon fundamentalists’ way of life, I highly recommend it, along with Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer and The Nineteenth Wife by David Ebershoff (neither happen to be YA, but they’re both excellent). 

 

The other day I got one of those rare and totally awesome 25% Off Your Entire Purchase coupons from Borders. Of course, I stocked up…

 

Now I just have to decide which to dive into first!

Oh, and my daughter turned three this week! She and my husband are the only things that come before writing in my life, so of course this was a HUGE deal! Here we are celebrating…