An Active Mind is a Happy Mind

I recently went on a shopping excursion to Books-a-Million and purchased 5, that’s right, 5 new books. Two in one of my favorite series, two in the same genre that are the first in the series, and lastly a random pick off the shelf by an African American author (because my friend Jasmine says I don’t read enough books written by black people). Then when I tweeted about my excitement for some new books to add to my growing library, my brother called me a NERD, to which I replied “Nerd and proud. Got to keep my mind active”. But now, as Christmas break is winding down, I realize I am a BIG NERD and I have been very active when it comes to reading.

I am proud to say that I have just finished reading my third book in two weeks. And by just finished, I mean 30 minutes ago I finished a book and decided to blog about it.

The first one I read was Stieg Larsson’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”. I had a deadline to read that book because the movie came out last Wednesday and I had plans to see if Friday. So I used all of last week, and a good bit of last Thursday night eating up the 644 pages of prose. The book was great as well as the movie. It was very long, very Swedish; had epic twists and turns; I loved it. It was one of the first thriller/mysteries I’ve read in a long time that I couldn’t figure out “whodunit” as I was reading. Kudos to Larsson with that. I’m pumped to read the sequel.

The second was the 3^rd in the IAD series by one of my favorite paranormal romance authors Kresley Cole, “Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night”. I devoured that thing. And when I say devoured, I mean I started reading it around 10am on Tuesday morning. I was done reading it at 2:30pm on Tuesday afternoon. I literally did not even eat lunch because I had to know what was coming next. I LOVE the male hero Bowen’s character. He was so troubled, so witty, so smooth, so romantic; totally endearing. His quick-witted comebacks against the girl he was trying to woo, Mariketa, had me laughing time and time again.

And today, rather 30 minutes ago I finished reading Richelle Mead’s “Vampire Academy”. I would describe this as being Twilight meets Harry Potter. It’s a young adult book, not a genre I really get into anymore because I don’t want to read about high school kids. But I was immediately sucked in. The heroine Rose is a badass to say the least with a smart mouth and I totally could relate to her (plus all the sexual/physical tension between her and the older, sexy, Russian Dimitri had me dying to know what was next). I’ve had this book on my radar for about a year and was on the fence about reading it. But after reading the majority of it in 4 hours last night and the rest of it in about 1.5 hrs today, it’s safe to say I’m hooked. Totally ecstatic that there’s 5 more books in the series; I love a good book series.

Also, on a I’m-so-happy-I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-myself note…. I FINISHED MY BOOK! My book. One that I am writing. I started it late October; I finished it on Christmas. I can’t even believe it. It took me 2 months to actually start and finish a book. I never finish something I’m working on. I feel so accomplished. My plan now is to ignore it for a few weeks then come back to it and look at it afresh to edit it. Then around my birthday (end of March) I am going to start sending it off to literary agents and hopefully by summer I’ll either have the empty silence that is rejection or a letter requesting my full manuscript which then turns into me getting an agent and then getting it published.

I feel like my life is on the right track creatively. I plan to keep this up as well as ready another slew of books. J Next on deck is:

1. “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins (gotta read it before the movie comes out)
2. “Dark Desires after Dusk” by Kresley Cole (#5 in the IAD series; I already read # 4 this summer)
3. “The Davis Years” by Nicole Green (written by a black author)
4. “Pleasure Unbound” by Larissa Ione (more paranormal romance)
5. “Kiss of Midnight” by Lara Adrian (more paranormal romance)
6. Then there’s 2 more Kresley Cole books #8 and #9, but I need to go back and buy #7 hahaha 

And somewhere in there I have to read “A Clash of Kings” by George R.R. Martin before Game of Thrones season 2 starts on HBO in April! I’m going to be busy! 

But hey, looking at all these newly purchased books makes me absolutely giddy. So go ahead and say it: I’m a NERD! 

Holiday Cheer

Its Christmas morning and for the first time in my 23 years of existence I am not rushing to open gifts under the tree. In fact, I’m not with my family at all, save for my brother Jordan who lives with me. Yesterday when it dawned on me that it was Christmas Eve, it felt very surreal; kind of like it was just an ordinary day. Since I decided not to go to KY and put myself in a financial strain, I wasn’t filled with the usual exuberance I have during the Christmas season.

However, I found a new way to experience the cheer.

Last night I went to my friend’s house in Charlotte for a game and movie night, and I must admit I have never had more fun. We spent a couple hours playing Charades Attack and drinking wine and just kicking back and laughing. It was exactly what I needed.

Also, on the Eve of Christmas Eve I went to a late night viewing of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with a coworker of mine and her family. Some of our other coworkers were supposed to attend, but with a 10:10 showing, they probably skipped out because it was too late. At any rate, I went and had a blast.

The past two nights have helped me to get into the Christmas spirit. I realize that even though I’m not with my family and I’ve probably reached that point in my life where every Christmas won’t be spent at mom’s house, I still have family. I’ve surrounded myself with good genuine people that care about me and that I care about.

In reality, Christmas isn’t about being with your immediate family all the time, it’s about being with people you love and cherish.

So, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

New Years is coming up and I’ve got a fun alcohol-filled weekend planned with my girl friends. I’ll post again soon.