My Reading List for Spain!

Tomorrow, I leave for Barcelona!

Eep!

My bag is nearly packed and my passport is ready for a brand new stamp! But before I can munch on tapas and practice my extremely rusty Spanish, I must first survive my 8-hour flight to Switzerland and then a 5-hour layover in Geneva. Which is why I have armed myself with a slew of books to devour while I roam around the Geneva airport, where I shall avoid speaking to anyone because I don't know any French or German and I'm terrified I'll have to resort to pointing and grunting to order a sandwich.

(I figure most people will speak English but I was in Paris a few years ago and I politely asked a saleswoman if she spoke any English...and she scoffed at me! So now I'm all nervous.)

Anyway. Books! Here is my reading list for the long flights and train rides:

Grave Mercy
{by Robin LaFevers}

My friend Ellen Oh was kind enough to loan me her ARC and I couldn't resist diving into the novel last night. I mean, the book is about medieval female assassins! How could I resist? The first paragraph totally hooked me:

I bear a deep red stain that runs from my left shoulder down to my right hip, a trail left by the herbwitch's poison that my mother used to try to expel me from her womb. That I survived, according to the herbwitch, is no miracle but a sign I have been sired by the god of death himself.

Code Name Verity
{by Elizabeth Wein}

WWII. British spies. Shot down in Nazi-run France.

Um, yes, please?

Thanks to Sasha and Em, I snagged a copy of this ARC last week and I'm super excited to dig into it. I studied history in college and so any novel with a WWI or WWII backdrop tickles the nerdy historian in me.

A Clash of Kings
{by George R.R. Martin}

Justin and I are huge fans of the show Game of Thrones (new season starts in April!) and he urged me to read the books.

Right now I'm only a few chapters into A Clash of Kings, the second novel in the series, but I'm really enjoying it so far, especially the constant shift of POVs. My favorite POV? Sansa. Oh, Sansa. My heart hurts for her  and what she has lost.

*Death scowl at Joffrey*

Bitterblue
{by Kristin Cashore}

My preciousssssssss....

Haha.

But seriously. Don't touch my copy of Bitterblue! It's mine.

Ok, it's not really mine---I borrowed it from Jessica Sheehan *waves at Jess*---but I am bursting at the seams to read this novel! I have been waiting and waiting for it since I finished Fire three years ago, and I can't wait to get lost in Bitterblue's story.


Since I can be a speedy reader, I also have Under the Never Sky and Black Hole Sun loaded up on my Kindle. Just in case, you know? I can never have enough books! Much to Justin's chagrin....

But he can't complain. Miracle of miracles, I have packed very lightly for this trip, which is no small feat for an over-packer like me. Behold, the suitcase of wonder!

{Me Caroline! Me can pack!}

Yep, I have crammed a week's worth of clothes, three pairs of shoes (thank God for thin ballet flats!), toiletries, and three books into a little carry-on-size suitcase. And I have a tiny bit of space leftover if I want to buy something from Zara during my trip.

Who am I kidding? I'm totally buying something from Zara!

Hope you guys a have wonderfully fantastic weekend!

Ten Thoughts on the Hunger Games!

AHOY, SPOILERS AHEAD! 


YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

...

...

...

GO NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED! 

Okay, so deep breath.

I finally watched The Hunger Games movie on Saturday night! Yay! I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this movie to come out, and so I walked into the theater like a nerdy schoolgirl who's meeting Luke Skywalker for the first time.

Does that simile even make sense?

Hmm, moving on.

So here are my thoughts! In numbered form!

1. I cried twice. 

The first time? I teared up when Katniss volunteered to take Prim's place during the Reaping. Gale scoops up Prim to take her to her mother but she screams out, "Nooooo!" Oh, the tears. The second time? After Rue died. Of course. How can you not cry when Rue died?!

2. Stanley Tucci = Amazing. Let's worship him. 

The expansion of Caesar Flickerman's character from book to movie was 100% brilliant. Caesar's dialogue was such a wonderful way to explain to the audience what was going on in the Games and---let's face it---Stanley Tucci was awesome in the role. That smile. That charm. That smarminess. It was such a smart casting decision.

3. Another actor to worship = Jennifer Lawrence. 

Three cheers for Jen Lawrence, eh? She totally brought her A-game to the role of Katniss Everdeen, fully embodying Katniss' resiliency, her strength, and her soft heart. One of my favorite scenes was during the lead-up to the Games when Katniss waits with Cinna before her entrance to the arena. You can just see the fear in Katniss' eyes and in the tremble of her hands. She doesn't have to say a word.

Is it okay for me to call her Jen? I hope so. :)

4. Team Gale.

I know, I know! I love Peeta too but I've always been a Team Gale girl at heart. It certainly helps that Liam Hemsworth is so darn attractive!

(How can the Hemsworth family produce such good-looking sons?! Are they descendants of Zoolander?!)

5. The Roman Empire Redux! 

In the book, the Capitol is painted as garish and almost carnival-like but the movie opted for a darker tone. I especially liked how the director wove in a few nods to the Roman Empire: the chariots, some of the Tributes' costumes, and the modernizing of the Coliseum for the stadium scene. (At least, I thought the stadium looked like a modernized version of the Coliseum....)

6. Nepotism helps.

Every time I saw Jack Quaid (AKA Marvel) appear on the screen, I only had one thought running in my mind: "Your mom is Meg Ryan! Your dad is Dennis Quaid! This is why you're in this movie!" Good ol' nepotism. 

7. Rue is black. Get over it. 

Arghhhhh, racist people! *Eye twitch*

8. I missed a few scenes from the book....

Like when District 11 sends Katniss the bread intended for Rue. *Cries*

And Madge. I like Madge. 

Or when Peeta's dad visits Katniss after the Reaping and gives her a bag of cookies.

9. But I loved the additions to the movie!

Like when District 11 rebels after Rue dies. Awesomeness! 

And all of the scenes with President Snow. *Shivers* 

Also, the behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Gamemakers at work. It gave the movie an uber creepy slickness that reminded me of reality shows that we watch everyday on our television sets. 

10. The movie gets better the second time around. 

I re-watched the film with my dad today and I enjoyed it even more. The first time around, I think my brain was far too analytical. Buttercup should be orange! I thought the tracker jackers would be bigger! Can I hire Stanley Tucci to be my best friend? But upon my second viewing, I could sit back and relax more, enjoying the movie as a movie instead of nitpicking all of the details.

And it was a great movie.
A really great movie.

It isn't fair that I have to wait a whole year for the next one!

*Cries*

*Sobs into Finnick's shoulder*

HOLD ME, FINNICK!

So what did y'all think of the movie? Thumbs up? Thumbs down? And no, you can't have Finnick. He is MINE!

Finally, Friday!

Ah, Friday! 

And even better, it's the Friday in which The Hunger Games opens! Aiee! Have you watched it? HOW WAS IT?! I'm not watching the movie until tomorrow so I must try to be patient....

...I'm awful at being patient.

Anyway, would you like to giggle at my misadventures at trying to be a fashion blogger? Ha! Look at the photos below, where I'm trying very hard to take pictures of my new blouse. Blurry! Bad angles! No makeup! 

Alas, my dreams of becoming a Super High Fashion photographer have been foiled.

(But I do love my new blouse. Anthro sale!)

In other news, I have been a Book Devourer as of late.

Why yes, I think books are mighty tasty! On the menu this weekend:

{The Space Between, American Born Chinese, All These Things I've Done}

My library has offered me such a feast as of late!

I'm especially excited---and a little nervous---to dig into the graphic novel American Born Chinese. I'm excited because it has gotten great buzz but I'm nervous because the book deals with a lot of racism and Asian stereotypes, which always makes me feel...frustrated. And sad. And self-conscious.

Still, I can't wait to dig in! This will be only the second graphic novel I've read (the first being The Watchmen), and I really do love the blending of narrative and art. 

So what are your plans for the weekend? Whatcha reading? Whatcha watching? How many naps do you plan on taking? Naps for all!

Wednesday Wants

Want #1

{Shoe Clips}

{Via Etsy}

Aren't these little plaid bow clips just the cutest? I'd love to buy a pair to dress up my ballet flats!

I wouldn't be surprised though if Justin is heaving a long sigh and rolling his eyes right now in Afghanistan. "Honey," he would say. "Why must you have bows on all of your shoes? It's not practical, my darling wife!"

To which I'd reply: PRACTICAL SCHMACTICAL!

And then I'd say: YES, BOWS ARE NECESSARY FOR ALL SHOES.

Want #2

{Polka Dot Pants}

{Via Anthropologie}

All right, I don't think I would look good in these pants AT ALL but I still sort of love them. 'Cause I'm a sucker for yellow! And polka dots! 

As for Justin's reaction, he'd probably say: "Oh, dear God." 

Ah, my sweet honest husband! 

Want #3

{Bubble Gum Necklace}

{Via Etsy}

This necklace is light and bubbly and perfect for spring, methinks! 

As for Justin, I've already bought this little beauty so I'll be sure to gauge his reaction in person when I see him in a couple weeks. :)

Want #4

{Book Lust}

This is what I want the most! The mostest! 

I seriously can't wait to read Kristin Cashore's latest novel, Bitterblue, which publishes in early May. I'm so goshdarn excited to dig into Bitterblue's story and I'm already in love with the book's prologue and first chapter. (Read those here.) 

May can't come soon enough! 

So what are you craving this fine Wednesday afternoon?

The Voice Inside My Head

After yesterday's sad-filled post, I thought I'd lighten things up around this ol' blog. Why don't we talk about something fun?

THE VOICE INSIDE MY HEAD! 

Okay, so let's backtrack a little.... You guys have seen the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, right? If you haven't here's the basic premise: 

Harrison Ford + Nazis + Blimp + Mission to find the Holy Grail

So, near the end of the movie, Harrison Ford finally meets an eight-hundred-year-old knight who has been tasked to protect the Holy Grail. The knight shows Harrison & Co. a cavern full of golden goblets and bowls, telling them that they must choose the right one. The true grail shall grant eternal life while the false grails shall bring...DEATH!

Anyway, this rich guy steps forward and chooses a jewel-encrusted cup, which he promptly drinks from to gain immortality. And this happens to him: 

Then the old, old, old knight pipes in: 

Yep! Awesome! Indiana Jones = One of my favorite movies. 

(Also, I think the real line is "He has chosen...poorly." But I'm taking liberties for the sake of this post.)

So...back to the topic at hand...

Sometimes, when I'm out and about, I seriously hear this old knight's voice in my head, chiding me. Really. 

Like, when I switch lanes to drive a little faster but then I proceed to crawl at a snail's pace. 

YOU HAVE CHOSEN...POORLY! 

Or when I buy a new brand of hummus but it's not as good as my old brand.

YOU HAVE CHOSEN...POORLY! 

Or when I decide to eat cake for dinner and a Cinnabon for dessert (and ice cream for second dessert).

YOU HAVE CHOSEN...POORLY! AND UNHEALTHILY! 

Haha. 

Yeah. 

I promise you I'm not crazy. 

I'm just...obsessed with Indiana Jones? 

And, hey, at least the voice in my head isn't saying Fuggetaboutit or STELLA! or May the odds be ever in your favor. 

Although would it be such a bad thing to hear Hunger Games lines in your head? 

:)

Missing Aimee

Today is the three-month anniversary of my sister-in-law's passing. 

I miss Aimee. 

I miss her friendship and her support. I miss her laugh, her high-wattage smile. 

I mourn that I won't see that smile again. I mourn over a friendship lost. I mourn that she won't be there to see her daughter grow up, and that she won't be a part of my own children's lives. 

I mourn her. I miss her. And I love her for having been the very best sister to my husband and the very best sister-in-law I could have asked for. 

Sometimes, I still feel angry and sad and frustrated about Aimee's death. Today though, I am grateful for Aimee's life. For her optimism. For her strength. For the example she set for me and for all those around her. 

She was the best person I knew, and I'm so very thankful that I got to be part of her too-short life. 

{Photos courtesy of Pat Rhoads}

Those Pesky New Year's Resolutions

I'm pretty bad at keeping my New Year's resolutions.

Go to the gym every day? Ehh, I'd rather sit here on the couch and...exercise my eyelids.

Eat healthier? Oh, look! A block of cheese! ALL FOR ME.

Keep in better touch with friends? *Distracted by shiny things* *Feels guilty*

Hmm.

But I really have been trying to keep my resolution for 2012, which is to find more peace in my life.

Namely...

To stop and breathe when I get overwhelmed and to be grateful for the things I have
To speak up, to communicate, whenever I get frustrated/angry/sad instead of bottling things up
To spend quality time with the ones I love and to delve into new activities that make me happy
To enjoy my writing--'cause what a fun profession it can be!--instead of dwelling on my failings

So, lately, I've been trying to figure out photography. It's a hobby I've wanted to take up for years and, yes, I've become one of those annoying people who tote around my camera wherever I go. Still, I like being annoying! And I love capturing moments of daily life--moments that would flutter away otherwise.

{My fab friend Allie and me}

{Eating lunch with my dad and grandma}

Not the best photographs art-wise! But these pictures show the people I love so that's what counts, right?

I've been lucky enough to spend time with my best friend Allison in the last couple weeks. We met on the first day of seventh grade (I was the new girl at school) and we've been crazy, giggly friends ever since. Nowadays, Allie lives in San Francisco but we get to see each other a couple times a year, which I look forward to more than Cadbury Mini Eggs. (And I have a deep abiding love for Cadbury Mini Eggs!)

I've also been spending more time with my paternal grandmother, my NaiNai. She's turning 89 this year and she isn't as as mobile as she used to be. So...she wants to hire me as her maid! Haha, isn't that hilarious? I would never let my grandma pay me for housekeeping--I mean, she changed my diapers as a kid!--but I still chuckle at the notion.

Anyway, I know I have a lot of room for growth when it comes to my 2012 New Year's resolution but I'm trying to keep at it--and I think it's making a difference. At least, I'm feeling the difference.

Yay for peace and friends and grandmas!

Hey, look! My friends write books!

Ahem! Please pardon the cheesiness of this blog post title.

(But it rhymes! I couldn't resist!)

Yesterday afternoon, I ventured to the adorable indie bookstore One More Page to attend a signing with Miranda Kenneally and Jessica Spotswood. Miranda wrote the YA contemporary novel Catching Jordan while Jessica wrote the YA fantasy-with-an-alternate-history-twist Born Wicked.

Both books = AWESOMENESS!

(Awesomeness is not a word but it is sure fun to say!)

{Miranda and Jess read excerpts from their books.}

{Lynn Colt, Miranda, Jessica, Me}

In some ways, this signing was a bit surreal to me....

'Cause I remember reading an early draft of Born Wicked, back in February '11, and I thought to myself: This book is going to sell. I love it so much, and it features such a strong heroine who girls should look up to. Fast forward to now, Jess has toured the country to promote Born Wicked and here she is fielding Q&A sessions at a book signing!

And I remember reading an ARC of Miranda's book Catching Jordan back in September '11. I thought to myself then: This book is laugh-out-loud funny and so incredibly well-written. And it features such a strong heroine who girls should look up to. Fast forward to now, Miranda has appeared on TV shows to discuss her novel and she's already working on her third manuscript for her publisher.

It's amazing how much can happen in the span of a year or even the span of a few months. And I can't be prouder of Miranda and Jess, who have worked so hard for their success and who have written two amazing protagonists who are strong yet vulnerable, capable yet flawed, and just completely real.

Brava, ladies!

On a related note, the bookstore presented Miranda and Jess with bottles of champagne after the signing. How awesomely nice is that?! Lynn and I totally looked at each other and said, "If we ever get our books published, we're coming here ASAP!"

Ah, free stuff.

:)

Weekend Wrap-Up

Ah, man. Monday, already? This weekend went far too fast! 

Yesterday morning, I curled up on the couch with a bowl of scrambled eggs mixed with bacon, scallions, and low-fat sour cream. Um, it's sort of delicious! And not very good for me! But calories don't count on Sundays, right? 

Maybe?

Anyway, on Saturday afternoon, the weather peaked in the mid-60s so I headed over to a local garden to snap some pictures with my new camera. *Hugs camera* I was pleasantly surprised to find a few of the cherry blossom trees in bloom! This means spring is almost here. Hopefully.

{Cherry blossoms in bloom!}

{Spring must be around the corner.}

Suffice to say, I'm super ready for winter to retreat back into its cave! I want to wear skirts and shorts and flowy dresses. I suppose I shall pray to the Weather Gods.

The rest of the weekend was spent revising and reading, namely whittling down my library pile. See, I'm trying to cut back on my book spending, mostly because I could spend $100 a day on books if I let myself. Also, I've bought some lemons in the past and that makes my brows furrow like this...  >: (

It's no fun getting all excited about a book and buying it and then...that awful disappointment. And hey, books ain't cheap! 

{The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight} 

{The Hunger Games}

I've been re-reading The Hunger Games (yet again) as inspiration for my WIP and because the movie is almost upon us! My excitement cannot be expressed in words! Eeep! 

So how was your weekend?

Saturday Six

One

The big news of the week... 

I got a new camera!

Since Justin and I will be doing some traveling in the next few months, I figured it was finally time to get a DSLR. I've wanted one for years, but I've hesitated due to the pricing. Fortunately, I scored a great deal on an older Nikon model on eBay. It's nothing fancy but I'm sorta in love! 

I'm totally holding the camera wrong, aren't I?

Two

So I've been tinkering around a little with the Nikon, snapping shots outside and whatnot. 

Um, I'm not very good? Haha. 

I'm thinking about taking a photography class (maybe with Sarah McClung!) to teach me how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO all relate together. So many numbers! So confusing to my math-challenged brain!

I haven't moved onto live subjects yet....

Three

Okay, one more picture from me? 

The sweet and fabulous Jessica Spotswood has finally returned from her book tour and I caught up with her this week. (Have you read Born Wicked yet? Why not?!)

Jess was kind enough to lend me an ARC of Leigh Bardugo's Shadow & Bone! I'm already on page 75. Such a well-drawn fantasy world! 

You can check out the amazing final cover here!

Four

Aieee! 

We are T minus 23 days from The Hunger Games movie premiere! EW just released three new photo stills from the film, and I'm especially intrigued by this one with President Snow and Seneca Crane. 

Via EW.com. Image credit: Murray Close.

I'm really glad that the director added a scene with President Snow at his rose garden. (Yeah, I'm nerding out here, aren't I? Come on, you love it. Ha!) Anyway, I can't wait to see how the movie and book differ. 

Nerding out over...

Five

Oh! My lovely friend Erin Bowman has a fantastic blog about writing, reading, and designing, which is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, Erin's Google Friends Connect got cut so if you follow her via GFC or your Blogger dashboard, please go here so you can resubscribe! 

Seriously, you don't want to miss Erin's posts! Especially her monthly book reviews, which I simply love. 

Six

Finally, please tell me what you're up to this weekend! Any fun plans? Just hangin' out? 

Since my week was rather busy, I plan on an easy weekend, full of revising and learning photography things and trying to whittle down my pile of library books. (Scorpio Races! State of Wonder! The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight!) What's in your reading pile, by the way? 

Have a fantastic weekend!

It's Not Easy Being Married to a Writer

Wedding Day! Bahaha, you're stuck with me now!

I feel bad for my husband sometimes.

As a wife, I have dozens of faults. I'm messy, you see. I don't fold laundry. (Hence, the mess.) I struggle with selfishness. I'm grumpy when I wake up and sometimes I'm grumpy for no reason at all.

Also, I snore. That can't be fun.

It can't be easy being married to me, due to the reasons mentioned above. And let's not forget my weakness for pricey shoes--ahem, pretty shoes!--and my tendency to clam up whenever Justin and I have a serious conversation. (Silent Treatment, how I cling to thee.)

But it really must be hard to be married to me because I am a writer. Writing is my dream, my love, my oldest and most sacred passion. I can't imagine a life, or even a day, without journaling or note-taking or book-scribbling. It's a part of my atoms.

It also happens to make me a little cuckoo.

You know what I mean, right? The ups and the downs, the snot-filled meltdowns. The sob sessions that last for hours, not to mention the hundreds of dollars poured into conferences and critiques and that darn SCBWI annual fee. There's also my little habit of drifting elsewhere whenever we're watching TV or gobbling sandwiches at Potbelly's. My brain is a constant haze of characters and plots and whatnots. It's almost like there are three people in in this marriage: him, me, and my books.

And yet, through it all, Justin takes me as I am. He doesn't have to support my cuckoo-brained dreams, but he does. He always has and I know he always will, even if it turns me into a cry-faced creature who can't stop wailing.

I haven't forgotten all the times he has been there for me....

- - - - -

One time, in 2009, I was querying my very first novel. I had been querying for about nine months and my timeline went something like this: rejection, rejection, REJECTION, REJECTION! Nothing but polite Thanks but no thanks.

But then...but then...I garnered a full request from a Very Important Agent! I squealed. A lot. In my mind, I mapped out all sorts of wondrous possibilities that included agency contracts and book contracts and bags o'money.

So it makes sense that my heart collapsed when I received the dreaded Thanks but no thanks email. I proceeded to spend two hours crying on Justin's shoulder, sobbing onto his shirt, telling him I was no good. I believe this is what I looked like:

Sofa AKA tissue

And Justin simply sat there--for two hours--holding me and wiping my tears and telling me that I had to believe in myself because I would get an agent.

He didn't give up on me. I'm so glad he didn't. Because he was right.

- - - - -

Let's backtrack a little further to 2008, when Justin and I had been married for about a year. 

We were living in North Carolina. Justin was a specialist in the Army while I was trying my hand at freelance writing. Our bank account was on the slim side, mostly because my freelancing paid me in pennies or oftentimes nothing at all. (Although I did get a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble once. Score!) 

One night, I could tell something was troubling Justin. He looked so tired, as if he had an anchor hanging between his shoulder blades. It took some prodding but I finally got him to open up. 

"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing, just financial stuff."
"Um." (<-- commence Caroline clamming up.) 
"I've been thinking about getting another job. I can work nights somewhere."
"Why don't I just get a real job?" I said. "You already work, like, ten hours a day."
"I know but...."
"But what?"
"I want you to pursue your dreams." 

I really lucked out in the marriage department, didn't I?

(And no, he did not get a second job! I would not let him do that!) 

- - - - -

There are so many more examples of Justin's supportiveness and helpfulness. He's simply...amazing. The best husband I could have asked for, and the best friend I always wished for. Thank you, dear, for everything and more! I don't say that enough, do I?

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Much, much love.

Why Can't Women Support Each Other?

For the most part, I think women are really cool. 

Most of my friends are women. Most of the people I love are women (my sister, my niece). And most of the people I admire are women as well. 

Like Eleanor Roosevelt. 

And Elizabeth Cady Stanton. 

And Georgia O'Keefe. (Oh, her art makes my heart sing!) 

I guess I've been lucky in that I've always felt supported by the women around me. When I got into my top-choice college, my mom cheered me on. When I landed my first job, my friends were there to celebrate. I've been blessed to have such an awesome network of women-family and women-friends who lift me up when I'm down and who shout Hurrah! when I've done something cool. (Which isn't all too often. I'm not that cool!)

And so...I simply don't get it when women fail to support each other. Especially when one of us does something really, really cool.

Case in point: Janet Evans. A competitive swimmer, Evans won three gold medals at the '88 Seoul Olympics, at the wee age of 17. She went on to swim in two more Olympics, earning another gold and a silver medal before retiring from the sport.

But now, after a fourteen-year hiatus, at age 40, Janet Evans is making her return to competitive swimming. She has even qualified for the U.S. Olympic trials in June where she will race in the 400- and 800-meter freestyles.

Did I mention that she has two little kids as well?

So yeah, as I was reading this NYTimes article about Evans, I was simply blown away. A 40-year-old woman making a comeback in a sport that she dominated as a teenager! And she's a mother to boot! She's such an inspiration. I mean, this woman has drive and she has guts. She's the sort of person I'd like my future kids to look up to.

But not everyone feels the same. From the Times:

Evans said she had been criticized on social networking sites for training when she should be home with her children. But she has set up her schedule so her main swimming workout takes place in the morning, from 5:30 to 7:30, so she can make it home in time for breakfast. Her crazy hours are not lost on her daughter, who recently asked, “Why do you swim in the dark, Mommy?”

*Headdesk*

That quote deflated me like a day-old balloon.

I just don't get it.

Shouldn't we, as women, celebrate what Evans is doing? Shouldn't we, as women, cheer her on?

Why can't we support one another in the choices we make?

I think that's the crux of the issue here. If a woman chooses to raise two children and train for the Olympics, I support that. If a woman chooses to stay home with her kids, I support that. If a woman chooses not to have kids, I support that too.

Why must we fight and scratch and kick at each other's choices? Why can't we, as fellow women, offer support and cheering instead?

Because that's what I'll be doing when Janet Evans competes at the Olympic trials. I'm going to turn up the volume on my TV and clap my hands and cheer her to the finish line.

She's earned it.

Friday Five

One
Holy adorable cows, I'm addicted to Pinterest!

I joined the site a few months ago and tinkered around a little at first. Meh, I thought. Seems not for me. But now, I've finally figured out how to use it and I am in love!

If you're on Pinterest, come find me!


Two
One of my favorite things about Pinterest is "pinning" things that I'm totally coveting. Here are a few items from my current Wish List:

Melie Bianco purse; Oh Joy! necklace.

Anthropologie shorts; B.P oxford flat.

Three

I also love pinning places around the world that I'd like to visit. Places like New Zealand and Belize and Croatia and Spain. Mmm, Spain....

Speaking of Spain, I'm flying to Madrid in about six weeks to meet up with Justin for his first R&R! We'll be spending nine days in country, most likely bouncing between Madrid, Barcelona, Toledo, and maybe Segovia. This will be the first time in Spain for the both of us so we desperately need recommendations! If you've been to Spain, tell us about your experiences! What must we do? Where must we eat? 

Four

Hmm, you're probably sick of me talking about Pinterest, hmm? Well...TOO BAD! Haha, kidding, kidding. (Seriously though, why aren't you on Pinterest? Let's be friends!) 

In writing news, I am almost finished with my revision for my YA alternate history, Revolutionary! I am so incredibly happy and relieved and elated to be nearly done. This book started off easy, then morphed into a demon child, and now we're finally pushing past its angsty teen years. Major props must go to my beta readers Robin, Ellen, Lynn, and my husband for giving me brilliant notes so I could whip this baby into shape! 

Still, I'm sure I'll be doing more revisions in the future. They never are fully done, huh? 

Five

So, this weekend! What are your big plans? I'm doing some revisions today, and meeting up with some friends on Saturday and Sunday. I also hope to tackle a few books, like State of Wonder, which I picked up at the library yesterday. How about you? What are you up to this fine February weekend?

Love, Books, and Superlatives!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

(And for all of you 30 Rock fans, happy Anna Howard Shaw Day!)

Since Justin is in the lovely land of Afghanistan this fine V-Day, I sent him the following e-card to show him just how much I love him:

Ah, yes, my love runs deep! I'm such a nice wife, aren't I? That's simply expected out of my vows---if or when you become a zombie, please devour your spouse last. 

Anyway, in honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd offer some love-related superlatives to books that I've read and adored. Without further adieu...

MOST ADORABLE ROMANCE

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Ah, this book! I adore this book! It has everything a girl like me could want: a year in Paris, a shop full of macarons, and a very handsome English-accented boy with a French name. I sighed and giggled and blushed through this novel, and just looking at the cover makes me smile. Simply swoon-worthy! 

BEST KISS

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

There are a lot of steamy kisses in books. There are a bunch of sweet kisses too. It's hard, however, to find a golden combination of the two: steamy and sweet and well-written to boot. But Jessica, my friend and fellow cupcake devourer, has accomplished such the thing in Born Wicked! That first kiss between Cate and Finn? Pure magic! And even better: feathers. I hope I'm not giving too much away with that one word---it is in the book trailer, after all!---but yeah. Feathers. Awesomeness.

MOST AGGRAVATING COUPLE

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Look, I love The Great Gatsby. It's one of my favorite books---and it happens to be set in the 1920s, my favorite historical era---and I really think it could be The Great American Novel, if such a thing exists. But. I. Hate. Daisy. Yeah, yeah, she's a product of her culture and blue-blooded upbringing but I still want to strangle her. And I might as well strangle Jay Gatsby too for falling for her in the first place! 

I mean, why, dude? Daisy is married for one thing---to a complete douche-bag, I might add---and she's mega superficial for another. (The girl cries over dress shirts, for heaven's sake!) Come on, Gatsby. You're rich now. Find someone who appreciates you! 

BEST ROMANCE OVERALL

Possession by A.S. Byatt

*Sigh* This is one of the best books I've read, which is ironic because I almost didn't finish it. 

See, back in 2003, I was assigned to read Possession for my Contemporary British Literature class and I just couldn't get into it. I was bored, frankly. But I had to read the book for class---and my friend Alexis told me that the pace picked up around page 100---so I kept on trucking...and I fell hard for this novel. 

At the heart of the book, there lies not one but two romances. The first romance is between two Victorian poets, who fall in love through poems and stolen kisses and who end up having a passionate-yet-clandestine love affair. The second romance is between two modern-day scholars, who unravel the secrets of the aforementioned Victorian lovers through old letters and long-lost diaries. It's simply a stunning and heartbreaking and heart-singing read. Even today, eight years after my class, I still marvel at the plot detail that A.S. Byatt conceived and delivered.  

Happy Valentine's Day! What are your favorite couples and romances in literature? And what are your plans for tonight? As for me, I'm going shopping to buy this Valentine-appropriate sweater, sipping hot cocoa, and watching a rom com. How 'bout you? 

The Manuscript That Ate My Soul and Drove Me Bonkers

Months upon months ago, I had a spark for a new book. An A-Ha moment, in Oprah-speak. And so, I opened up my little netbook and started a new document in Word and I let the words rush out of my fingertips. I think I wrote about two-thousand words that first night.

It was a YA alternate history novel. I called it, "Revolutionary."

And I loved it. 

I loved how easily the story came to me. It flowed out of me each time I sat down to write, unlike my other books which required chainsaws and wrenches to yank out of my brain. Gruesome, huh? But not Revolutionary. The voice sang to me on that very first page, along with the characters and the plot. Each day I cranked out one or two thousand words, easy peasy, which was crazy since I'm usually a very slow, very sloth-like drafter. I was utterly convinced that I'd finish the draft in a couple of months, polish it up a little, and send it along to Agent Jim. 

Alas. 

First, I finished the book. That part was awesome. But then...brilliant Agent Jim helped me realize that I needed to switch the POV from first present to third past. The voice just wasn't working. Yeah, all of that easy-peasyness? Not so easy peasy anymore. My book needed a major rehaul.

Cue this:

And this:

And some of this: 

Life lesson for Caroline: Beware of easy peasy! Oftentimes, this means that you're being overly confident! 

So yeah. That was a hard pill to swallow. And I can't say that switching the POV fixed everything in the book. Because, ahem, I'm currently working on "Revolutionary Version 6." Yes, SIX! My easy-peasy manuscript has turned out to be rather difficult. The voice had to change, the romance needed help, the character arcs needed fleshing out, and a lot of other things in between. Now, it's sort of funny  to read my very first draft and laugh at myself for thinking I was *thisclose* to being done with it. 'Cause it was a hot mess!

Humility. I haz it now. 

As I near the finish-line for this revision---just one more round of beta readers before I send this thing to Jim!---it has been helpful for me to look back on these months upon months of drafting and revising, and to figure out what I've learned. 

1. A good agent is worth his weight in gold. 

I'm really, really grateful for Jim. Some agents may have taken a look at Revolutionary Version 1 and told me to work on something else. Or cut me off altogether. But he never did such a thing. He gave me insightful comments and he gave me some tough love. 'Cause I'm sure it isn't easy to tell a writer to change the entire POV of a novel, but I needed to hear that. In the end, the book is so much stronger for it. And that's because of Jim's sharp editorial eye. 

2. Get feedback sooner rather than later.

I have a perfectionist tendency to make my manuscript just right before I can send it to beta readers. In other words, I procrastinate. I tweak some words here, switch some paragraphs there, pretty much crippling myself because I'm striving for perfection but I can't achieve it. And so, with my next manuscript, I know I have to let go earlier on, to send my book to my readers so I can get a jump-start on the big structural changes. 

3. But don't get feedback TOO soon!

Haha. Let me explain. On one hand, I definitely need to let go of my precious baby---er, manuscript---but I've also found that if I send out a few chapters to my critique group early on, I just end up fiddling with those chapters instead of finishing the draft. And so, I think my critique-process will change with my next book. Instead of sending out my book in little pieces, I'll send it out in greater chunks (maybe 50 pages?) or perhaps just send out the whole darn thing. 

Anyway, back to the revision cave I go! But what about you? What are some lessons you've learned with your drafting/revising process?

Wednesday Wants

want one

{From Paper Source}

I'm usually not a fan of heart-shaped things, but these measuring cups from Paper Source are too sweet to pass up! Just looking at them makes me want to throw on an apron, whip up some cookie dough, and spend the afternoon making sugar cookies. Who wants to come over?

want two

{From Catbird NYC}

Speaking of sweet things, I really love this teeny tiny ruby ring from Catbird NYC. I'm not much of a jewelry girl---I don't own any bracelets or earrings, and I usually like to keep my fingers naked---but this ring is calling out to me. I love the super-skinny band and the barely-there stone. Simplicity!

want three

{From Jason Wu for Target}

Oh, la la! Love, love, love. On February 5th, be sure to mark your calendars because the Jason Wu collection debuts at Target. Wu is a posh Taiwanese-American designer who has dressed the likes of Michelle Obama and Blake Lively, and he has teamed up with Target to offer a fun-and-springy line of skirts, dresses, and blouses. I'm seriously drooling over this dress. 

Although, admittedly, I'm a tad nervous about wearing white. It brings back memories of a certain white skirt that I once wore to my internship at the good ol' Air and Space Museum. I thought I was being all stylish and cute---hey, I was 22!---but then I proceeded to drop my Ben & Jerry's chocolate ice cream cone all over myself. Chocolate! On white cotton! Oh dear. That was very embarrassing....

                                                      

want four

{From Amazon}

And lastly, in book wants, I'm definitely intrigued over The Snow Child. I was strolling through the New Literary Fiction section at Barnes & Noble last night and my eyes immediately fastened onto this lovely cover. (The power of eye-catching artwork!) The prose inside was equally lovely: sparse, vivid, and just a tad haunting. The author, Eowyn Ivey, has a knack for simple-yet-beautiful prose and, yes, she was named after the character in Lord of the Rings. :) 

Also, be sure to check out the book trailer for The Snow Child. It's one of the best book trailers I've seen!

So what about you? What are you drooling over this fine Wednesday morning?