Tag: personal

• If We Were Having Coffee…*

  Posted at 12:10 pm by Laura, on December 10, 2016

  

  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American, even if I am an Anglophile.

  Ah, yes! Another round of If We Were Having Coffee! This is mostly a moment to vent my thanks (and frustration) over the many blessings (and woes) of the last few months. Grab some coffee, tea, or cocoa, and let’s get started…

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you how thrilled I am to not be working in retail this holiday season. Normally December marks the beginning of the never-ending cold (which would lead to the never-ending inability to speak) and constant crankiness and general overwhelming stress. And though I do have some stressors this December, it has nothing to do with customers, illnesses, tinny pop Christmas tunes butchering the ears, management, etc. I don’t know how I lived through four Christmases in retail. It’s like selling your soul.

  To all of you who work retail, I am sending you good health and strength to maintain cheerfulness, and I hope you have beautiful, marvelous customers walking through the store’s doors!

  If we were having coffee…I would gush about how exciting it is to feel established in the library position. I’m ordering bookmarks for my Top 10 Favorite Adult Fiction Reads in 2016 to use on the staff display, preparing the book club’s list of reads for 2017 (that amazing group chose some great books to read and discuss, and I can’t wait to get started), creating displays to set up throughout the year, and looking forward to Genre Study’s (librarian book club) mystery reads in 2017!

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you that it’s been an absolute nightmare trying to move into this apartment. Back in November, I provided the complex with all the material they needed with my application, and was told I could move in December 1. On November 30, when I still hadn’t heard from them about picking up the keys and signing the lease, I found out they needed more material from me. (Apparently they’d only just realized I’d marked “self-employed” on my application along with the library position, and that requires a lot of paperwork proving I’m a good citizen who pays taxes and doesn’t lie.) This means my move-in date has been delayed till just before Christmas. Hurray! Let’s add on some more tight schedules to the already packed holiday season!

  *pours Baileys into cocoa*

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you that despite my frustration with the maybe-move, my generous and loving parents have been very supportive, and the Beau has been incredibly helpful throughout all of this. We’ve moved the boxes and furniture around in the living room to fit the tree. The Beau has indulged me with chocolates and French vanilla and caramel cocoas, watched children’s Christmas movies with me, and lets me spend my agent days at his place so I don’t fall behind on work or stare woefully at all of my packed belongings.

  *adds marshmallows to the cocoa*

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about a neat opportunity I had with choir. Normally the section leaders sing one particular service at church as a small chamber choir. They were low on altos (I’m a mezzo soprano and have a weird range) and the director specifically requested that I join for the semester and into the Christmas season. It’s been a lovely experience and a joy to sing with people who, you know, have degrees in music.

  If we were having coffee…I would gush about Tara Sim’s success with Timekeeper! She’s appearing on so many “Best of” and “Top” lists, and the overwhelmingly positive response to her book is fantastic. I’m also very excited for Jared Reck’s A Short History of the Girl Next Door, and all the work going on behind the scenes right now. His cover is gorgeous and so perfect for the novel, too!

  

  It’s not a massive update, but one I still wanted to share regardless. The holiday season can add so much stress, both good and bad, and even though things are okay on my end, you’re more than welcome to reach out and chat about yours! I do my best to find a silver lining in things, and though I’m very frustrated with the apartment situation, I know I’m surrounded by good people who will not leave me out in the cold.

  If we were having coffee, what would we talk about? Let’s chat!

  Posted in Update Post | 10 Comments | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal

• On Reading Epiphanies and Getting Back to Bookish Roots

  Posted at 3:30 am by Laura, on November 23, 2016

  For several months now, many bloggers (myself included) have talked about reading fatigue, both on their blogs and through social media conversations. Apart from making the time to read each day, it’s been difficult diving into books because we haven’t felt excited to read them. For some people, it’s the pressure of reviewing ARCs over backlist titles. For others, it’s not finding enjoyment in one’s usual go-to genres. For many, it’s something unidentifiable, but it leaves an emptiness nonetheless.

  Reading is my job. Reading is, quite truly, my life. I am an agent, so I read lots of manuscripts and decide whether or not I want to represent them in hopes of selling them and getting them published. I am a librarian, so I read lots of backlist titles in the collection to recommend to patrons as well as books chosen by the book group I run. And I am a blogger, and I [attempt] to read a mixture of ARCs, re-reads, and books on my TBR to share my enthusiasm with you.

  But somewhere along the line, my consumption of reading published books diminished. Reading was still enjoyable, but it felt like a chore.

  After staring at my TBR bookcase — packed so full with books I’ve purchased and haven’t read yet — I had an epiphany. And of course, that meant sharing it with Lindsey and Morgan, who also had similar epiphanies.

  I have to go back to my reading roots.

  

  With that light bulb flash, I decided to come up with a loose reading plan. In 2017, I’ll have to read at least 24 books for the library. With my goal to read 50 books a year every year, that leaves at least 26 spots to fill. Why not fill it with books pre-chosen from my TBR case?

  Then it became easy. I would read the books by authors whose writing I’ve enjoyed, authors I know will not disappoint me, authors I would’ve continued reading even if I never had the agent job, the library job, or the blogging hobby. I’ve forgotten how to properly binge-read, the way I would with Harry Potter and Narnia and yes, even Cassandra Clare. I lost the art of binge-reading after Book of Life, because my own life in books took off. I miss that. I want that back.

  Thankfully, I have several copies of books by two authors with series that fit this bill. It’s about time I’ve finished Juliet Marillier’s Sevenwaters series (Daughter of the Forest is so amaaaaaaaazing, as is the Shadowfell trilogy!) and started her new Blackthorn & Grim series. I also haven’t read Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series in a while (March 2015, in fact), and I want to finish the rest of her [published] series before the last book (or two) comes out.

  When I made this little announcement on instagram, Alyssa was quick to remind me of some other novels by Juliet Marillier I should try, and I’ve already checked out Heart’s Blood. It should get me back into Marillier’s style easily, as it’s thankfully a standalone.

  So now what? I have 11 books from my TBR bookcase to read in 2017, leaving 15 other books — new authors, other TBR books, ARCs — to fill the void. I think that’s an excellent start to my vague reading goal.

  ~

  Have you experienced reading fatigue? What did you do to get out of the slump?

  Have your reading habits changed since you started blogging? What other factors in your life have changed your reading habits?

  Do you have any books or series you’re dying to start or finish?

   

  Posted in books, Rock My TBR, Update Post | 10 Comments | Tagged books, personal, reading, reading habits, rock my TBR

• Flipping Through the Pages: Summer Rewind 2016

  Posted at 4:15 am by Laura, on October 1, 2016

  

  Instead of participating in the Monthly Rewind meme, every three months I’ll update the world on my life from the previous season. Enjoy the Seasonal Rewind!

  Through the Lens

  

  

  

  Timekeeper ARCs became available and I was super excited to receive them in the mail! My friend Audra had a lovely wedding reception after she and her husband returned from their private ceremony/honeymoon trip. This was taken while we wandered around an old, lovely neighborhood for official pictures. And finally, the symphony played the score to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone while we watched the movie. Such a blast!

  Life Highlights

  I covered a lot of topics in my If We Were Having Coffee post, so check that out first! Otherwise, the latest news: I welcomed a new client to Team Triada in late September and had a fantastic time at lunch with her while she was vacationing in the Midwest. And, speaking of agenting, Tara not only received a fantastic blurb from Victoria Schwab, but some great reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal! There’s also an excerpt from the first chapter up on Bustle!

  Tunes on Repeat

  I’ve listened to more Radio Lab and NPR shows than music this summer. However, I did listen to the whole Rachmaninoff Vespers, sang the version of Jerusalem that was performed in the Royal Wedding, and started rocking out to The Nutcracker in the car. Will these count?

  Bookmarked in the Community

  1. If We Were Having Mexican Margaritas @ Bring My Books — In the same vein as the If We Were Having Coffee posts, Lindsey opens up on her blog in a fun way. Bring your chips and queso!
  2. The YA Sorting Hat: Back to Hogwarts @ Writer of Wrongs — Gillian always has some creative posts, and this one was (of course) my favorite kind. How would you Sort any of your favorite books?
  3. What Does Your Favorite Book Say About You? @ Huffington Post — An interesting read.
  4. Do You Have Book Guilt? @ Wall Street Journal — At first I thought this article was going to be about the inability to finish all the books you want to read, or buying lots of books and not reading, but nope! It was about feeling guilty for not reading classics. Reading a classic is different from reading a modern book — it is meant to be savored, not devoured. Dive in to the article and see what others have to say!

  Popular Posts on Scribbles

  1. If We Were Having Coffee – so pleased to see the enthusiasm for this post! I rarely write up anything personal outside of these rewinds, so I’ll probably do this kind of post more often.
  2. Book Review: “The Lie Tree” by Francis Hardinge – YES COME TO THE DARK SIDE. It’s so much more thrilling!
  3. Book Review: “My Lady Jane” by Hand, Ashton, Meadows – Genuinely not surprised this received so many hits. If I had to name a book of the summer, it would be this Monty Python-esque YA!

  Cherished Reads

  

  

  

  Ghostly Echoes by William Ritter ★★★★

  The Gilded Cage by Lucinda Gray ★★★.75

  First & Then by Emma Mills ★★★★

  Cherished Quotes

  “Bertram!” Jackaby patted him on the arm affably as he bustled
  past him into the front hall. “It’s been ages, how are the kids?”
  “I remain unmarried, Mr. Jackaby, and I’m afraid you can’t be seen just now.”
  “Nonsense. Miss Rook, can you see me?”
  “Certainly, sir.”
  “Well, there you have it. You must have your eyes checked, Bertram.”
  —Ghostly Echoes by William Ritter

  I don’t know if it’s better to have people laugh at what you are
  or just not understand.
  —The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi Durrow

  Progress Update on Reading Challenges

  Library Books: 9 / 10
  Future Perfect || Blackhearts || Rebel of the Sands
  The Buddha in the Attic || Wide Sargasso Sea || Re Jane
  The Elegance of the Hedgehog || The Girl Who Fell from the Sky
  The Gilded Cage

  #ReRead2016: 2 / 5
  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix || Emma

  Flights of Fantasy: 6 / 5 // complete!
  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix || Rebel of the Sands
  Lady Renegades || The Star-Touched Queen || Assassin’s Apprentice
  My Lady Jane

  Classics Challenge: 1 / 5
  Emma

  Rock My TBR: 13 / 12 // complete!
  Walk on Earth a Stranger || Arsenic for Tea || Since You’ve Been Gone
  Picture Perfect || Twenties Girl || Remember Me? || Assassin’s Apprentice
  Eligible || The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow || 13 Little Blue Envelopes
  Scarlett Epstein Hates it Here || Me Before You || First & Then

  Impulse Buys: 5 / 5 // no more buying!
  Can You Keep a Secret? || I’ve Got Your Number || The Undomestic Goddess
  My Lady Jane || The Hating Game

  Overall Challenge: 42 / 50

  Random Obsessions

  On TV: YOU GUYS. Big Bang is back, as is Poldark! I also watched a lot of Olympics this summer (who didn’t?). Of course I hissed and groaned when an athlete wasn’t perfect, because that’s what you do when you’re a couch potato who doesn’t want to acknowledge the fact you have no athletic abilities whatsoever. *wink*

  On Film: The Beau and I saw a lot of movies, one of them The Light Between Oceans. No, I haven’t read the book yet *gasp* but I did enjoy the film. My favorite soundtrack composer, Alexandra Desplat, worked on this film, too. At the end, the Beau turned to me and said, “If we find a baby in the ocean, we’re reporting it immediately.” Had to laugh at that.

  In the Shopping Bag: Not much shopping this summer, though in the last few weeks I’ve started buying a lot of autumn decor. And now ModCloth has autumn apparel online, so you know I’m going gaga over that…

  Miscellaneous: I don’t know if this is a local brewery or a national chain, but I’ve been going to Hopcat more and more just because I’m obsessed with their crack fries. YUM.

  Looking Towards the Future

  In October, I’m going to see Into the Woods with Mom for her birthday, and we’re both very excited about this! A huge group of friends are going to see Star Wars and Fantastic Beasts, too. It’s prime awesome-movies-time! And of course, Thanksgiving and Christmas are holidays to look forward to, as well as all the Christmas concerts and festivities. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

  What have you been up to this season / this month? Any new obsessions or good reads or great music? Share some of your favorites here, and let me know if I should check out any great blog posts! 

  Posted in books, This Season's Rewind | 4 Comments | Tagged books, personal, recap, rewind, this season's rewind

• If We Were Having Coffee…*

  Posted at 6:10 am by Laura, on September 2, 2016

  

  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American, even if I am an Anglophile.

  You may have noticed I haven’t blogged quite as much this summer. A lot has happened in 2016, and I’ll not pretend I’m the only one experiencing a lot of changes this year. Nearly everyone I’ve spoken to, online and IRL, seems to have had quite a tumultuous year so far, the good and the bad. So coming up you’ll have the pleasure of reading an unedited, walls-down, potentially grammatically incorrect blog post — and I just don’t give a flying rat’s ass about it. I’m typing this the way I’d speak it. So…cheers!

  

  Grab your favorite hot beverage and get comfy. Let’s share some personal updates. (Shock, I know. I try not to do too much of that on the blog!)

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you that my agent inbox exploded after Jared’s book deal and Tara’s ARC drop at ALA. This is wonderful and overwhelming. I couldn’t be happier! One of the best things about being an agent is getting to be the first (or, well, first professional ((“professional,” my gosh)) to read a manuscript, know that it’s a gem of a project, and find the perfect publisher to champion it. The onslaught of mail — and quality queries and manuscripts, too! — only means I have to be even more critical of what I’m reading. My summer has been far more dedicated to my current clients and reading new material. Thus…fewer blog posts.

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about my new part-time job as a reference assistant at the library! I’m the moderator of a book group for 20- and 30-somethings, which means I have a book a month to read from their list. The librarians also have their own in-house book clubs, and I’m in the genre study one. The theme this year is multi-cultural literature (perfect for WNDB and #ownvoices), so there’s another required reading book a month. You’ve read some of the reviews already (Re Jane, Buddha in the Attic, The Girl Who Fell from the Sky) for ones I felt needed and deserved attention. For the most part, though, it feels like homework reading instead of pleasure reading. Thus…fewer blog posts.

  There are other aspects of the library job I enjoy. Going through the collection and finding ways to promote material through bookmarks and programming, teaming up with a colleague (also a published author!) to develop a writing program for NaNo and beyond, and assisting patrons in finding materials are other perks. It’s just a much better environment for me than the bookstore. Retail really wasn’t my cup of tea.

  Speaking of tea…*sips*

  

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you how my mind wanders off on tangents, dreaming up the next big adventure. I really want to go to the London Book Fair in March 2017, but that dream is starting to look a little far-fetched. Maybe next year! However, my best friend (also a med student, bless her) and I are thinking of taking a little trip to San Francisco in the spring during one of her rare breaks in rotations. Any suggestions of places to visit, explore, or eat would be welcomed!

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about this great guy I’ve known for a few years now, how we finally took a chance, and it’s been quite possibly the most amazing thing ever ever ever. Ever. He met my best friends and their husbands, passed the test, and now they’re all asking when they’ll see him next (in case you were curious: Labor Day weekend BBQs!). Also, he gives the best hugs. The best hugs.

  

  I’m meeting the rest of his friends and his massive family next month…wish me luck!

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about my on-going search for an apartment. Now that I’m more comfortable financially, it’s time to finally move out and find my own place. The trouble I’m running into is finding a good place to live with low rent in a safe neighborhood. The search may take a few more months, and I may not move out till early 2017, but at least it’s happening!

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about my buckling bookshelves (another reason to move). It’s really getting out of hand, all the unread books that I own. Now that I’m at the library, my spending impulses have quickly died down in favor of checking out books instead. BUT…that doesn’t address the nearly 300 books crammed onto shelves in my room, piling on the floor, ARCs that keep arriving for review…! Wouldn’t it be nice to  have more than 24 hours to the day, so that a good chunk of it was for reading (or even just doing anything you love)?

  If we were having coffee…I’d tell you about the Great Tostitos & Queso Takeover, and my lack of yoga. I just might have an addiction to salt more than sugar (though I LOOOOVE sugar), and it’s becoming a major issue. I love Tostitos Restaurant Style chips with the white queso. I could eat a party size bag entirely on my own. The problem? I get bloated after. Plus all that salt is NOT good for you at all. And to top it off, I’ve been slacking in the yoga department. I used to do it every day, and then after my Europe trip in June it turned to once or twice a week…and now it’s just sad. So, health wise, I need to get back into it! Cut back the chips and queso! Bring back the yoga!

  

  Tell me what’s going on in your life! If we were having coffee, what would we talk about?

  Posted in Update Post | 14 Comments | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal

• Flipping Through the Pages: Spring Rewind 2016

  Posted at 5:15 pm by Laura, on July 2, 2016

  

  Instead of participating in the Monthly Rewind meme, every three months I’ll update the world on my life from the previous season. Enjoy the Seasonal Rewind!

  Through the Lens

  

  

  

  There is nothing more beautiful than history standing the test of time. The choir I’m in went on tour to Germany, with visits to Prague and Salzburg. After the tour, I flew to London and stayed with my college roommate and her husband. One of the days in England I traveled up to Haworth to visit the Bronte Parsonage. June was a fantastic month! (L to R: Castle Church in Wittenberg, Prague Old Town, Bronte Parsonage)

  Life Highlights

  Hold on tight. CAPSLOCK!Laura heading straight for you…

  I SOLD AN AMAZING BOOK TO AN AMAZING EDITOR FOR AN AMAZING DEAL!

  

  I left bookselling and RETURNED TO MY LIBRARIAN ROOTS! I now work for an amazing library in town and am absolutely thrilled to be there.

  

  SEEING MY FRIENDS AT BOOK EXPO AMERICA WAS THE BEST

  

  Accurate gif of the experience both on the floor, at dinners, and in the hotel rooms. Shenanigans, folks. Shenanigans. (Also, the only non-Hiddles gif because it’s just too perfect.)

  

  But I had to include a Hiddles one anyway

  Followed by a wonderful trip back to the Motherlands (my true one, Germany, and the one of my mind, heart, soul, body, and spirit, ENGLAND)!

  

  

   

  Tunes on Repeat

  I had no idea I needed The 16 in my life till a friend posted this on my FB page. What a glorious, GLORIOUS sound. My choral nerd self is dying over here.

  Whenever I go to a public place to use their wifi for work, I immediately search Spotify for some good instrumental music in the background. I’m constantly coming back to Ludovico Einaudi and Angele Dubeau.

  To be honest, the majority of music I listened to the past three months were choral pieces. Part of it was in preparation for the choir trip. It was nice to dive back into that world.

  Bookmarked in the Community

  1. Adventures in the Great Wide Somewhere @ Belle of the Literati —  I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Kelly’s new travel and wanderlust feature. She shares experiences from her travels, tips, dos and don’ts, and places she’s eager to visit in the future.
  2. Harry Potter at 30 @ Perpetual Page-Turner — Massive round of applause to Jamie for reading Harry Potter for the first time! She shares some interesting insights, too!
  3. Do You Procrastinate Reading Books You’re 99% Sure You’ll Love? @ Paper Fury — Cait voiced something many readers have surely come across before: the strange habit of not reading a book you’re positive you’ll adore. She lists several potential reasons for this thought process. What’s yours?
  4. Celebrate Charlotte Bronte’s Birthday by Reading Villette @ The Pool — This year marks the 200th birthday of Charlotte Bronte, and Samantha Ellis has a few words to say on why you should read the other, angry-sister-to-Jane–Eyre classic, Villette.

  Popular Posts on Scribbles

  1. Deal Announcement: Jared Reck, YA Contemporary — Add this book to your Goodreads TBR!
  2. That One Time I Binged on Kinsella, Part Two — Part One was a hit in the last rewind! So glad you enjoyed the posts.
  3. Book Review: “When We Collided” by Emery Lord — Such an important read. Different from Lord’s other books in a great way.
  4. Book Expo America 2016: A Chicago Experience — My second BEA was a success in many ways, though hosting it in Chicago had its pros and cons.

  Cherished Reads

  

  

  

  

  When We Collided by Emery Lord ★★★★.5

  Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman ★★★★★

  Re Jane by Patricia Park ★★★★

  The Lie Tree by Francis Hardinge ★★★★★ (review to come!)

  Cherished Quotes

  “I want to lie beside you and know the weight of your dreams,” he said,
  brushing his lips against my knuckles. “I want to share whole worlds with you
  and write your name in the stars.” He moved closer and a chorus of songbirds
  twittered silver melodies. “I want to measure eternity with your laughter.”
  –The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi

  I have since come to know that many men always see
  another’s good fortune as a slight to themselves.
  —Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

  “For Signor Galilei’s sake, I’ll always despise the machinery of religion.”
  I nearly dropped the telescope. “You despise God?”
  He let out a pent-up breath. “I hate when people twist religion to
  suit their own purposes or force others to believe what they do.”
  —Traitor Angels by Anne Blankman

  “You know what I think? I think you’re not really in love with Chandler. You’re just grateful he loves you.”
  –Re Jane by Patricia Park

  Progress Update on Reading Challenges

  Library Books: 6 / 10
  Future Perfect || Blackhearts || Rebel of the Sands
  The Buddha in the Attic || Wide Sargasso Sea || Re Jane
  

  #ReRead2016: 2 / 5
  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix || Emma

  Flights of Fantasy: 5 / 5 // complete!
  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix || Rebel of the Sands
  Lady Renegades || The Star-Touched Queen || Assassin’s Apprentice

  Classics Challenge: 1 / 5
  Emma

  Rock My TBR: 11 / 12
  Walk on Earth a Stranger || Arsenic for Tea || Since You’ve Been Gone
  Picture Perfect || Twenties Girl || Remember Me? || Assassin’s Apprentice
  Eligible || The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow || 13 Little Blue Envelopes
  Scarlett Epstein Hates it Here

  Impulse Buys: 3 / 5
  Can You Keep a Secret? || I’ve Got Your Number || The Undomestic Goddess

  Overall Challenge: 31 / 50

  Random Obsessions

  On TV: OUTLANDER IS BAAAAACK.

  

  AND GRANTCHESTER.

  

  AND ENDEAVOUR.

  

  And all the castle documentaries on Netflix. Have you seen the wonderful Dan Jones on Secrets of Great British Castles yet? No? DO IT NOW.

  On Film: CIVIL WAAARRRRR.

  In the Shopping Bag: EVERYTHING FROM EUROPE. I went a little nuts in London and bought 17 books…and lots of silver Mozartkugels in Salzburg. Chocolate and books — what a life.

  Miscellaneous: Not much to mention here. All of my time and energy was spent on work and preparing for travel (then traveling). But I have been watching an obscene amount of TV the last few months, so let’s stick with that!

  Looking Towards the Future

  My life calms down a bit for the rest of the year. So far I know July through September will include family gatherings, a friend from college’s wedding, and Amanda’s precious baby girl’s baptism. After the year I’ve had, I think a calmer summer is just the thing I need!

  What have you been up to this season / this month? Any new obsessions or good reads or great music? Share some of your favorites here, and let me know if I should check out any great blog posts! 

  Posted in books, This Season's Rewind | 5 Comments | Tagged books, personal, recap, rewind, this season's rewind

• Book Expo America 2016: A Chicago Experience

  Posted at 6:15 am by Laura, on June 29, 2016

  

  

  

  Book Expo America 2016 was held in Chicago this year, and there were so many pros and cons to the switch in locations. Because I attended this event with two different hats again — Agent and Blogger — I could see the benefits and drawbacks of a non-NYC BEA from the business side and fun side.

  I also didn’t do quite as much planning for this year’s BEA. Last year I was reading all the blog posts and preparing for all possible scenarios and planning out routes and where to eat and what books to grab and making lists after endless lists. This year, I bought my snacks a week beforehand (yay granola bars, fruit chews, and applesauce pouches!), devised my list of books to look out for the day before (will they be at BEA? Who knows!), and then drove my merry way to the hotel.

  One of the best things about BEA is seeing all the people. “I recognize you from Twitter!” was heard all over the floor, and seeing so many smiles and hearing so many voices of all these people I see online or interact with through email will never stop feeling exhilarating. We may be introverts at heart, but throw all the bookworms into a convention center and we have a blast!

  Authors in the Flesh

  

  

  

  This will never stop being one of the most exciting things about BEA and book signings: meeting authors who wrote our favorite books, authors we interact with online, authors that have the same hobbies and interests as us. It’s that great reminder we’re all people in this journey together.

  Sharon Cameron (Rook) arrived late Tuesday evening, and Lindsey arranged for us to meet her for drinks. Sharon, Lindsey, and I gushed over a variety of BBC period dramas several months ago — we even watched Jamaica Inn on Acorn together, live-texting and tweeting the whole experience. So yes, of course we had to get drinks! Lindsey, Morgan, Ashley, and I were first in her signing line for The Forgetting the next day too. Drinks with authors = dedicated followers 😉

  On the very first day, I was scrolling through Twitter and found Charles Finch (The Last Enchantments) tweeting about the long line at Starbucks for BEA. “Are you here?!” was my stupid question, but Charles took it in stride and we met in a central location just before the convention floors opened. On the last day I ran into him again. Full circle: excited anticipation for the big expo, followed by sheer exhaustion at the end.

  Jennifer Niven (All the Bright Places) told me she would be at BEA months ago, but it wasn’t until I was searching for any sign of Holding Up the Universe in the PW Daily papers that it was confirmed (she’s so busy!). I waited in line for her signing, wasn’t expecting her to recognize me (LINK), but she looked up and squealed “LAURA!” and came around the table to give me a hug. She congratulated me and welcomed Jared to “the Knopf family,” too. That felt pretty good!

  On Saturday at brunch, Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray, Out of the Easy, Salt to the Sea) was sitting at the table behind ours, quietly talking on her phone or scrolling through the news. Lindsey and I wanted to turn around and say something to her, but because she was about to deal with Book Con madness, we wanted to respect her privacy. While the other bloggers got up to grab some stuff from the rooms, we went over to her anyway and introduced ourselves — and she was so surprised and happy, and very eager to share some clips of her upcoming movie!

  I had many other moments of author run-ins, like gazing at Ransom Riggs and his spiffy, stylish outfits; showing Aime Kauffman how to get to the book floor (and didn’t even know who she was till we arrived); bumping into author and editor giant David Levithan (again! I was always running into him last year); and gushing to Nicola Yoon about her books and contribution to WNDB.

  Agent Hat

  

  I met with some wonderful editors from Penguin, Macmillan, and Albert Whitman, ran into agent friends, and represented the agency at the BEA YA Editor Buzz Panel and BEA YA Author Buzz Panel. TriadaUS is so excited for and proud of Billy Taylor, author of YA contemporary Thieving Weasels. I love when stories are inspired by true events — so when Billy told the audience about his personal experience with identity fraud and weird con-artist issues from his neighbors, it made his book even more thrilling and enticing.

  This is where the con of moving BEA outside of NYC comes in: there was less business to conduct. In many ways it felt strange to not have back-to-back meetings. Instead, I wandered the floor and observed what the various publishers were pushing. It’s neat seeing the different personalities within every imprint.

  Blogger Hat

  

  

  

  This year I was lucky to room with seven other fabulous Marvel-and-Disney-loving ladies (Boozy Lady Knights!): Lindsey, Ashley, Morgan, Gaby, Gillian, Dani, and Jessie. Some of our off-the-BEA-floor shenanigans included dinner at the movies with Captain America: Civil War (with Meg!) and Zootopia, wine and Cards Against Humanity hilarity, and a night of Disney tattoos and Disney Netflix singalongs. Real life stopped with these ladies, and I had an absolute blast!

  There were fun times with other fabulous ladies, too! Another night of Cards Against Humanity with Wendy, Danielle, Jess, Sabrina, Mary, and Rebecca; line hang-outs with Brittany, Alyssa, and Amy; and several hugs and run-ins and singalongs with Angie and Nikki. We’re a pretty great community, and I feel lucky to have a home with you wonderful people.

  Moving BEA out of NYC to a more affordable location made this possible. So from a blogger perspective, BEA Chicago was a good thing.

  Book Haul

  

  

  

  A Measure of Light || The Secret Keepers || Holding Up the Universe
  The Hawkweed Prophecy || Two Days Gone || The Secrets of Wishtide
  Stalking Jack the Ripper || Caraval || Victoria: The Queen
  When the Sea Turned to Silver || The Forgetting || How to Hang a Witch
  Ghostly Echoes || A Deadly Affection || The Comet Seekers
  Invincible Summer || The Lie Tree || Strange the Dreamer (sample)
  The Lost Property Office || Blood for Blood || The Muse

  Posted in books, Update Post | 12 Comments | Tagged bea, book expo america, books, personal

• Flipping Through the Pages: Winter Rewind 2016

  Posted at 4:45 am by Laura, on April 1, 2016

  

  Instead of participating in the Monthly Rewind meme, every three months I’ll update the world on my life from the previous season. Enjoy the Seasonal Rewind!

  Through the Lens

  

  

  

  On one particularly rough day, the doorbell rang with a welcomed surprise: flowers from one of my clients! Just because. They brightened the following weeks in many ways. In February, I donated a foot of hair. Needless to say, my neck thanks me for it. And then in March, a couple friends from college sent me an awesome birthday package that contained these nerdy owl socks.

  Life Highlights

  To be honest, 2016 has been quite brutal so far. I’m still shocked, devastated, frustrated, heartbroken, and a whole mix of sad words, so I’m clinging to the joys of spring and March to keep me going. The birthday, taking up yoga, getting back into running, flailing over author cover reveals…March was on the right track. April has already proven to be filled with good news, so let’s hope everything looks brighter here on out!

  Tunes on Repeat

  As to be expected, the music I listened to on repeat truly reflect the state I’ve been in these last few months.

  ABBA’s “Chiquitita” and “The Winner Takes It All” were just…blasted. All the time. Day and night, in my room, in the car, on Spotify. Sometimes I cried like there was no tomorrow, sometimes I sang and danced. But they’ve been permanently imbedded in my mind and I’ve no doubt I’ll forever associate them with this time in my life.

  Little Mix’s “Wings” is a song I had on my running playlist back when I ran through Valley Forge. A good pick-me-up, girl-power kind of tune for exactly that: getting you up and moving.

  And of course, it wouldn’t be March without some Irish music. The High Kings were played on repeat as well. “The Parting Glass,” sung by anyone really, is one of my favorites.

  Bookmarked in the Community

  1. Am I Outgrowing YA? @ Novel Ink — Christy shared her thoughts on her YA slump vs reading slump, and wondered if she was outgrowing YA or just not reading the things that capture her attention. Have you felt the same about a particular category or genre?
  2. Book People Talk Movies: The Great British Bake-Off @ Bring My Books — January’s theme on Lindsey’s blog was Reality TV, and Gillian was more than happy to push Lindsey into the obsession that’s GBBO. It even inspired “Signature Dish Saturday” on the blog with Gillian’s Banana Chiffon Cake.
  3. To Continue On or Not? @ Perpetual Page-Turner — For some, DNFing a book is easy. Or the kind of DNF that’s “let me just put this down and I’ll get back to it later.” But in this discussion, Jamie questions whether to continue a series. How do you decide whether or not to continue reading?
  4. “Is this silly enough for you yet? Gothic enough, mad enough, even for you?”: Nostalgia for the ‘Victorian’ @ The Victorianist — No no, you’re not crazy, that is what Moriarty said to Sherlock in the special episode. Emily Bowles, a PhD candidate at the University of York, discusses the TV show Dickensian and the importance of nostalgia’s “shaping influence in the afterlives of the Victorians and their texts.” A part of me is still so romantically stuck in the academic world that I couldn’t help but share this!
  5. Lies Bookworms Tell Themselves @ Paper Fury — Look me in the eye, bookworms, and tell me you haven’t had at least one of these thoughts.
  6. “You Must Allow Me to Tell You…” @ So Obsessed With — Hannah highlighted twenty great declarations of love in literature, classics and contemporary, for Valentine’s Day. Check it out.
  7. Falling in Love with Revision @ Clarissa Harwood — Something I think all writers should consider reading.
  8. Taking the Guesswork Out of My Book Ratings @ Boomark Lit — It seems bloggers are very much influenced by their immediate emotional reaction to book, and thus it appears everything is 4 or 5 stars. But how can you critically differentiate a 4-star book from a 5-star book when it’s entirely influenced by an emotional reaction? How was the writing, the plot, the character development, the world-building, all the other ingredients that make a book great? Lauren’s got a neat system she’s shared on her blog.
  9. One Weird Trick That Makes a Novel Addictive @ Jezebel — While the article seems to start by saying addictive novels are dependent on the author’s gender, that’s not it at all. Catherine Nichols is instead sharing the elements of classics still read today that make them compulsively readable, relatable, and addictive.

  Popular Posts on Scribbles

  1. That One Time I Binged on Kinsella — Intended to be Part One of a two-part post! My winter was full of Kinsella discoveries and humor, and I’ve enjoyed every page. Glad to see you have, too!
  2. Book Review: “Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys — If you haven’t read Sepetys yet, do so now. She’s phenomenal.
  3. 2016 Bookish Resolutions and Reading Challenges — One of the things we all need to do throughout the year is step back and examine our resolutions, personal challenges, goals, and areas for improvement.

  Cherished Reads

  

  

  

  The Forbidden Orchid by Sharon Biggs Waller ★★★★.5

  Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys ★★★★★

  Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella ★★★★

  Cherished Quotes

  “’Manners cost nothing, sir,’ I said. ‘It takes as much
  time to be rude as it does to be polite.’”
  –The Forbidden Orchid, by Sharon Biggs Waller

  “You have a horse, you ride wherever you want, you shoot
  things with your gun, you go out in the night and find lost
  children and jump under wagons to save little girls.”
  —Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson

  “I saw a girl who races to help others but doesn’t help herself.
  And right now you need to help yourself. No one should walk
  up the aisle feeling inferior or in a different league
  or trying to be something they’re not.”
  –I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

  Progress Update on Reading Challenges

  Library Books: 3 / 10
  Future Perfect || Blackhearts || Rebel of the Sands
  

  #ReRead2016: 1 / 5
  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

  Flights of Fantasy: 3 / 5
  Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix || Rebel of the Sands
  Lady Renegades

  Classics Challenge: 0 / 5
  *currently reading Emma*

  Rock My TBR: 3 / 12
  Walk on Earth a Stranger || Arsenic for Tea || Twenties Girl

  Impulse Buys: 3 / 5
  Can You Keep a Secret? || I’ve Got Your Number || The Undomestic Goddess

  Overall Challenge: 13/50

  Random Obsessions

  On TV: The final season of Downton Abbey took over my Sunday nights, and just about any other time I was watching Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. I need more shows like MFMM! Grantchester is back for season 2, and Endeavour is on its way for season 3, but really now. More great mysteries, please.

  On Film: The Intern. Folks, if I loved Kinsella as much as I did and needed a movie that had a hardworking female career woman struggling through life, The Intern was a surprising treat.

  In the Shopping Bag: 70% off sale in January at ModCloth! Flights from Munich to London in February! All the Kinsella impulse buys in March! Guys, retail therapy was rough this season. It’s back to saving. I need money for BEA and for my European jaunt in June!

  Miscellaneous: To get back into yoga, I revisited Yoga with Adrienne. Adrienne is wonderful! I’ve completed her 30-day challenge and it’s fantastic. Do you have a favorite YouTuber or video work-out instructor you run to?

  Looking Towards the Future

  While the beginning of 2016 was rotten, I know the following months will be absolutely wonderful, no matter what life throws my way. My dear friend Amanda has her baby shower in April, I’m reuniting with all the bookish folks at Book Expo America in May, and in June I’m wandering through Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, and England. I love traveling. It’s the best.

  What have you been up to this season / this month? Any new obsessions or good reads or great music? Share some of your favorites here, and let me know if I should check out any great blog posts! 

  Posted in books, This Season's Rewind | 6 Comments | Tagged books, personal, recap, rewind, this season's rewind

• 2016 Bookish Resolutions & Reading Challenges

  Posted at 3:10 am by Laura, on January 2, 2016

   

  

  READ 50 BOOKS || Easy peasy. I’ve been doing this every year. It’s always a challenge to see if it’ll get done, what with agenting and all. 2016 will be especially difficult because there are a lot of travels planned (and, strangely enough, I don’t read much when I’m traveling).

  READ FEWER ARCs || ARCs are important. I’ll always love receiving them. But I think I hit my max in the number of ARCs to read and review in 2015, and I’d like to take a step back from that in 2016. My primary job is to find new manuscripts — to be the hipster in the publishing industry (cause that’s what agents are!). I’ll be more selective in the ARCs I accept for review, just like how I’m selective in the manuscripts I read.

  REREAD 5 FAVORITES || Last year I made a goal of rereading 10 favorite books, and only managed to complete 3 and nearly finish another. Five seems like a more achievable goal.

  READ 10 LIBRARY BOOKS || I’m debating between making this 10 library books and 15 library books — either way, read more books from the library! One does not need to buy all the new books when you could easily check them out from the library and decide if they’re worth keeping in your own personal library later on. I managed to read 7 books from the library in 2015, so I think 10-15 seems a good range.

  PURCHASE NO MORE THAN 5 NEW BOOKS || This will be the tough one. I could never quite follow the “for every 5 books read, 1 unread book can be purchased” resolution I’d make in previous years, because…well, are ARCs part of the list? Or was it 5 already published books? And because I was wishy washy with the definition, I wouldn’t keep track of the number of books I read and just bought stuff whenever I felt like it. Now I have something to keep track. Only 5 completely-new-to-me, never-been-read-in-any-format-ever-before books.

  Reading Challenges

  This year I’m participating in four reading challenges, all quite naturally. While I have a goal to read fewer ARCs, more library books, and tackling my TBR, these challenges can also keep me in line a bit with all of them.

  

  I’ve told Stacey @ The Pretty Books that I would participate in her Classics Challenge ever since she started this, and two years have gone by and I haven’t kept my word. NOW I WILL! I plan to read at least five classics in 2016, four of the five on my TBR bookcase and one of them I’ve been eyeing for a couple years now. Might as well snag it from the library!

  

  Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books is a massive fantasy fan, and we tend to share similar reading preferences. This year I decided I would join her Flights of Fantasy reading challenge. It’s quite simple: read fantasy books. Well, I have loads of those on my TBR bookcase, so I’m planning to read at least five fantasy books in 2016.

  

  I’m continuing in the Re-Read Challenge in 2016, now hosted solely by Kelly @ Belle of the Literati (because former co-host Hannah @ So Obsessed With will be busy with a little bundle of joy!), and like I said in my resolutions, I plan to re-read five books in 2016.

  

  And last but not least, there’s actually a challenge out there for reading books off your TBR shelves! Sarah @ The YA Book Traveler is hosting the Rock My TBR Challenge, and all you need to do is read at least one book a month off your shelves. I will certainly read more than one a month in 2016.

  As you can see, these challenges will easily overlap with one another. They’re not challenges so much as ways to make me accountable for what I’m resolving to do in 2016. We all need a little something to keep us in line, right?

  What are your bookish resolutions for 2016? Are you participating in any reading challenges (and if so, which ones)?

  Posted in books, Classics Challenge, Flights of Fantasy, ReRead2016, Rock My TBR, Update Post | 18 Comments | Tagged 50 book challenge, books, classics challenge, flights of fantasy, personal, reading, reread2016, resolutions, rock my TBR

• Flipping Through the Pages: Autumn Rewind 2015

  Posted at 6:05 am by Laura, on January 1, 2016

  

  Instead of participating in the Monthly Rewind meme, every three months I’ll update the world on my life from the previous season. Enjoy the Seasonal Rewind!

  Through the Lens

  

  

  

  I fell down the Book Outlet Black Friday hole and managed to snag some books cheap. Gotta love those sales upon sales! Shortly before Thanksgiving, my friend Amanda (the one whose wedding was featured in my summer post) was able to announce the gender of her baby! IT’S A GIRL! And finally, a wonderful gift from my parents: a signed edition of Outlander.

  Life Highlights

  SEEING BRITISH BEAU FOR CHRISTMAS.

  

  We were disgustingly adorable and I miss him gigantic amounts.

  

  But it’ll be okay because SUMMER ROAD TRIP.

  

  (Can you tell my emotions have been all over the place?)

   

  Tunes on Repeat

  This season was all about Christmas music — and not your usual pop tunes like Sleigh Ride or All I Want For Christmas. Most of the music were choral pieces and carols. Rather than list all the songs on here, the two I played the most (one Christmasy, one not) were…

  Adele’s “Send My Love” is just a fun, weird, dance kind of tune. Not quite like Adele’s usual stuff, and if that makes it more pop than anything else, fine. I don’t care. I enjoyed it immensely.

  And Nutcracker “Act 1 Scene 6 (The Magic Spell Begins)” is just…yes. I love this. The music across this transitional scene is so varied and wonderful and tells a story on its own. And what’s great about this scene is that there’s typically very little dancing on stage. All lighting and props and music telling the story.

  Bookmarked in the Community

  1. I Value My Time @ Perpetual Page-Turner — Jamie talked about her struggle to DNF, and whether or not it’s okay to DNF. While I’m on the side of “DNF if you’re just plain not into it,” she presented some great points about valuing time (DNF) and waiting to see if you strike gold (reading to the end).
  2. Inside Out #17: Laura from Scribbles & Wanderlust @ Boomark Lit — Lauren hosts this awesome book cover + bookmark feature on her blog and lets guest bloggers gush over their favorite cover designs and bookmarks. Check out my guest post!
  3. Is Twitter Replacing Blog Interaction? @ The Fox’s Hideaway — I stumbled across Holly’s post and it resonated with me (and many other bloggers, it seems). Bloggers are writing up posts and reviews and sharing links on Twitter, and while the blog may receive traffic, somehow, someway, the comments are next to nothing on the blog but quite high on Twitter. I noticed in the #back2basicsblogging hashtag on Twitter mentioned a lot of personal goals for 2016 to comment on blogs more than replying to tweets. Perhaps there will be a change?
  4. Recovering From Blogging Blues @ So Obsessed With — Well, now we all know one of the main reasons for Hannah’s blogging blues (yay bundles of joy!), but her post was still universal for many bloggers this summer/autumn. So many of us felt a little burnt out in blogging or reading, and Hannah’s post sums things up quite nicely.
  5. Home For the Holidays with Lindsey from A Bookish Sinister Kid @ What Sarah Read — Sarah hosts a cute holiday feature each day of December, and this particular post from Lindsey was my favorite: a Holiday Musical Playlist!

  Popular Posts on Scribbles

  1. Book Buying Habits — Similar to Jamie’s post linked above, I expressed confusion on what I should buy, how, when, and why. You guys seemed to connect to that, too!
  2. Thankful For…in 2015 — This Thanksgiving-themed post linked some of the things I’m thankful for this year, and the books that best represent what I’m thankful for.
  3. Top Five Books of 2015 — Well, no surprise there. We love our Top Fives, don’t we? (Do you have Top Tens? Fifteens?)
  4. Book Review: “The Lake House” by Kate Morton (ARC) — I am so happy this review was a popular one! Kate Morton is amazing, and it was so much fun to read this book with the #KMflails ladies!

  Cherished Reads

  

  

  

  A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis ★★★★★

  Velvet Undercover by Teri Brown ★★★★★

  Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor ★★★★★ (review to come!)

  Cherished Quotes

  “There is more to you than beauty. There is more to you than strength.
  There is more to you than intelligence. You are a whole person,
  and I would have you treat yourself as such.”
  –A Madness So Discreet, by Mindy McGinnis

  Safety of any kind is just an illusion.
  —Velvet Undercover, by Teri Brown

  Progress Update on Reading Challenges

  Library Books: 6 / 10
  Odditorium || The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency || Emma
  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? || The Girl With the Glass Bird
  Murder is Bad Manners
  

  #ReRead2015: 3 / 10
  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire || Fangirl
  Anna and the French Kiss

  Overall Challenge: 66 / 60

  Random Obsessions

  On TV: What started off as “I’ll just watch the Thanksgiving episodes” turned into marathoning FRIENDS again. I just wasn’t ready to start watching a new TV show this season. My Netflix is all queued up with some great stuff, so hopefully a new show will crop up next season.

  On Film: The Age of Adaline is todiefor. I could watch that over and over again. Super huge thanks to Hannah for the recommendation!

  In the Shopping Bag: Etsy and Redbubble, for my Secret Santa and British Beau. I’ve recently added the Target Cartwheel app and the Starbucks app. Discounts abound!

  Miscellaneous: Harry Potter Ambience! Seriously, if you want to add a little Hogwarts magic in the background of your working day, check this out. I’ve also fallen into the crazy cat lady hole with a lot of you bloggers and downloaded the Neko Atsume cat app. Guys, it was a great day when I could remodel their little home.

  Looking Towards the Future

  I am looking forward to a quiet January after a wild December, a snowy but lovely February with an international Valentine’s Day, and my a-little-beyond-mid-20s birthday in March! Low-key winter. Just what the doctor ordered!

  What have you been up to this season / this month? Any new obsessions or good reads or great music? Share some of your favorites here, and let me know if I should check out any great blog posts! 

  Posted in books, This Season's Rewind, Update Post | 2 Comments | Tagged books, personal, recap, rewind, this season's rewind

• End of Year Book Survey II

  Posted at 3:40 am by Laura, on December 28, 2015

  

  This is the second year I’m participating in Jamie’s (@ The Perpetual Page-Turner) End of Year Book Survey. What started off as a fun recap on her blog has turned into an excellent way for other bloggers to catch up with each other and what happened to them/the blog that year.

  So without further ado, here are some of my reflections on my 2015 book life! Note: This includes all books read in 2015 – they do not have to be published in 2015. 

  

  Number Of Books You Read: 66
  Number of Re-Reads: 3.5 (I’m halfway through a 4th one!)
  Genre You Read The Most From: contemporary

  

  

  1. Best Book You Read in 2015?

  AHHHHHHH of course we must start with the toughest question. I think, of the top five books I chose, it would be Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier.

  2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

  Uprooted by Naomi Novik was definitely a good read, but I didn’t love it the way the blogging community seemed to. A lot of it had to do with the romance plotline. That particular kind of romance with that kind of guy isn’t my cup of tea, but everything else about the book was fantastic. A forest as a villain? Yes.

  3. Most Surprising (in a good way or bad way) Book You Read in 2015? 

  Most Surprising (Good): The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski, only because I didn’t have very high expectations for it, and now I’m gaga over the trilogy.
  Most Surprising (Bad): This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer Smith. I thought I would fall to pieces over it, and instead the book fell flat for me! Major bummer.

  

  4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (and they did) in 2015?

  A lot of what I recommend when I’m working at the bookstore tends to be contemporary YA that’s a bit on the lighter side (plenty of teens and parents ask for books that “aren’t so dark and heavy” or “the romance isn’t the main focus of the plot”). So with that in mind, I’d say I pushed Sophie Kinsella’s YA debut Finding Audrey and Holly Smale’s Model Misfit the most (and equally).

  5. Best Series You Started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

  Best series started: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
  Best sequel: The Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman
  Best series ender: The Wondrous and the Wicked by Page Morgan (mostly because this is the only ‘series’ (rather than duology) that I finished this year)

  6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2015?

  Stacey Lee! Her debut Under a Painted Sky convinced me to read all of her future work, forever and ever amen.

  7. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/was Out of Your Comfort Zone?
  

  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling, because I’m not a memoir person at all.

  8. Most Action-packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?

  Teri Brown’s Velvet Undercover was definitely thrilling and hard to put down. Right up there with Blankman’s books. It’s that espionage element I’m surprised I love so much.

  9. Book You Read in 2015 That You are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?

  Probably Marillier’s Daughter of the Forest cause it’s so damn good.

  

  10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2015?

  Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch for series continuity and overall Balzer + Bray brilliance, or The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston for the way it almost looks like a portrait (the background has brush strokes and everything!), or Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy, again a credit to B+B brilliance. I DON’T KNOW. I love covers!

  11. Most Memorable Character of 2015?

  Sorcha (of Daughter of the Forest). Gosh, she’s nearly everything I could want in a character. Sorcha is strong, intelligent, wise beyond her years and yet still innocent, determined, driven by instinct.

  12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2015?

  Daughter of the Forest. How many times will I need to mention this book before I convince you to read it, too? We’re only on Question Twelve!

  

  13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2015?

  It sounds terrible to say I didn’t read a thought-provoking/life-changing book (well, Daughter of the Forest, again, is close on the life-changing), but there are a couple books I read this year that can inspire great conversations.

  • Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman is all about the underbelly of German government before Hitler became Chancellor, a period of history so rarely discussed in American schools.
  • A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis opens up a whole host of discussions about mental illness, asylums, feminism, and crime in nineteenth-century America.
  • Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway dissects the ways a tragic incident can change not only the life of the victim but other lives surrounding him as well.
  • Dumplin’ has a body positive message, one I’d never seen before (but surely had been mentioned or discussed in literature at some point…right?)
  • Finding Audrey is one of few positive mental health books where things do not end in tragedy (why must mental illness always end tragically?)

  14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2015 to Finally Read? 

  Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon. I think I’ll be answering this question with Outlander books forever. For shame I didn’t read them before!

  

  15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2015?

  Perhaps he could still weave together the broken threads of his life. And yet, I wanted him here now. I needed him here. In the darkness, if I sat very still, I could almost feel his presence by me, quite near, but not too near. Didn’t I promise to keep you safe, he would say softly. I have never broken a promise. Don’t look so worried, Jenny. And yet, he would be careful. Careful not to move too close. Careful not to frighten me. Waiting still. I am your shelter. Don’t be afraid.
  —Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

  16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2015?

  After checking my Goodreads stats, the shortest was picture book The Animals’ Santa by Jan Brett (my favorite of her books!) at 32 pages and the longest was Drums of Autumn at 1,070.

  17. Book That Shocked You the Most

  Rook by Sharon Cameron. The intricacy, the plot, the world, the way it both mirrored and differed from Scarlet Pimpernel. Gosh, that door stopper was good. I remember I wasn’t quite in the right mindset to read the book, so it’ll be reread again eventually.

  18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

  RED AND SORCHA.

  19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year

  Grace and Dr Thornhollow from A Madness So Discreet. I said in my review:

  What an individual. And what an opportunity for Grace to fall in love and forget her entire past and the scars it left behind, an opportunity for a scientific man to crack open his shell and break free and fall in love. Thank goodness McGinnis did not go that route!

  

  20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 from an Author You’ve Read Previously

  The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord. She’s an automatic read and buy for me, and I didn’t think it was possible to love a YA male character more than Matt Finch, but then Max Watson showed up and SHUT THE FRONT DOOR I HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT.

  21. Best Book You Read in 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY on a Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure

  The Royal We by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, recommended by Hannah @ So Obsessed With, and thank goodness! I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy…well, frankly, “royal family fanfiction” (because WHAT), and I TOTALLY DID.

  22. Newest Fictional Crush from a Book You Read in 2015?

  Red. ‘Nuff said.

  

  23. Best 2015 Debut You Read?

  Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee, again. Best newly discovered author and best debut!

  24. Best World-building/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

  Gosh, those are two completely different things in my head. The best world-building may go to A Court of Thorns and Roses by SJ Maas, and the most vivid setting will (of course, you guessed it) Daughter of the Forest. Both are fantasies, but one is entirely new and the other based on Ireland.

  25. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/was the Most FUN to Read?

  Murder is Bad Manners / A Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens. Talk about a classic MG detective mystery!

  26. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2015?

  Letters to the Lost by Iona Grey, but I think that has something to do with the fact it was late at night and it reached a point in the story that touched me so deeply I couldn’t help but cry. I’m emotional like that.

  

  27. Hidden Gem of The Year?

  Kate Alcott holds a special place in my heart, so I’d say her “Gone With the Wind”-behind-the-scenes book A Touch of Stardust was a hidden gem in 2015.

  28. Book that Crushed Your Soul?

  The Winner’s Crime. Right in the feels.

  

  29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2015?

  The Doldrums by Nicholas Gannon. It’s a quirky and unique adventure-that’s-not-quite-an-adventure MG, and the author used his own artwork to enhance the story. He’s definitely someone to watch.

  30. Book that Made You the Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

  I Remember You by Cathleen Bell was…odd. I still don’t know what it was I read, and I remember feeling unsettled the entire time I read it. Again, not mad, necessarily, just…frustrated.

  

  1. New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2015? 

  Probably Kelly @ Belle of the Literati. I stumbled across it after joining the ReRead 2015 challenge, and I love her mixture of discussion, challenges, tags, and reviews (plus she reviews a lot of historical fiction, which is hard to find in a YA-saturated blogosphere).

  2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015? 

  A Madness So Discreet because there were so many things I wanted to talk about and discuss. The quotes alone said it all, though!

  3. Best Discussion/Non-review Post You had on Your Blog?

  Best discussion: “Finding Yourself in YA Contemporary” received a lot of traffic on the blog / “Book Buying Habits” received a lot of traffic on the blog and feedback on Twitter.
  Non-Review post: “First BEA Experience” had a lot of comments, received a lot of traffic, and is picking back up in stats again.

  4. Best Event that You Participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

  My very first Book Expo America! I met so many bloggers, had meetings with my favorite editors, gathered up some excellent reads, and successfully navigated New York City solo.

  

  5. Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life in 2015?

  Making my first sale as an agent!

  7. Most Popular Post This Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

  Most popular non-review post of 2015: First BEA Experience.
  Most popular book review post of 2015: The Doldrums

  8. Post You Wished Got a Little More Love?

  My Thankful For post for Thanksgiving should’ve received a little more love, I think. We all need to take a moment to be thankful for what we have and what we’ve been given.

  

  9. Best Bookish Discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

  BookOutlet.com, though if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, the jury is still out…

  10.  Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals that You had Set for Yourself at the Beginning of This Year?

  I made a goal to read 50 books in a year, and I read 66! I also participated in ReRead 2015, but only read 3 books, so I don’t think that was…completed or successful. Haha!

  

  1. One Book You Didn’t Get To in 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

  I genuinely can’t say. Maybe The Fiery Cross (Outlander‘s fifth book) or Son of the Shadows (the second Daughter of the Forest book).

  2. Book You Are Most Anticipating for 2016 (non-debut)?

  Anne Blankman’s Traitor Angels or Stacey Lee’s Outrun the Moon or Ruta Sepetys’s Salt to the Sea.

  3. 2016 Debut You are Most Anticipating?

  Apart from my answer for #6 in this section, I’d say Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor. I’ve already read it (review coming in February!), but it’s one of those books I have to have my hands on now. There’s also Evelyn Skye’s The Crown’s Game, too.

  

   4. Series Ending/A Sequel You are Most Anticipating in 2016?

  The next Jackaby book, though the title and publication date have not been announced. If the publication timelines are anything like what’s already been published in the series, we’ll see it this fall!

  5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2016?

  Announce more book deals!

  6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:

  Tara Sim’s Timekeeper, coming out in the fall. For obvious (agenting) reasons.

  

   ~

  What books were highlighted in your End of Year survey?

  Posted in books, Update Post | 10 Comments | Tagged books, End of Year Book Survey, personal

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• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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