Long Time No Read?

Just because I haven't posted in a while doesn't mean I haven't been reading.

And just because most likely no one even looks at this blog doesn't mean I'm not going to post in it again.

In other good news, if anyone has been checking on this blog from time to time, you may have seen all of my updates over in the right sidebar there, feeding from Goodreads.

Thank goodness for audiobooks. If not for audiobooks, I probably wouldn't be reading. (Let alone writing analytical reviews of everything that I read.)

So this post is more like a check-up, really. Because, being totally honest, I don't have what it takes right now to write eloquent literature reviews. My reading/listening hobby has become what many people like to call "escapism."

I hate that term. I'm not really sure why, but it seems like some high-brow readers use the term in a derogatory way to describe people who read for fun instead of for intellectual advancement.

What's so wrong with that anyway?

Last time I checked, even the most simple, pure-for-the-entertainment-of-it novel was a gazillion times more enriching than the latest episode of "we beat the dead horse of reality TV again for the 5th straight night." If it takes escapism to get away from depressingly awful TV (or a long and lackluster commute with only construction cones for scenery), then so be it.

Can we just call our reading habits something else? How about "adventurism"!?

Who wouldn't rather be called an adventurist? (Note the difference between 'adventurer.' I like to be an 'adventurer' too, but when it comes to book-clubbing, then I put on the 'adventurist' tag. Make sense? If you're just joining this blog, remember, I make up words.)

I have several up-and-coming adventures that I'm pretty excited about. When you drive 45+ minutes each way to and from work, you tend to get excited about series(es) that promise to be spine-tingling, imagination-exciting, and mind-occupying.

• Game of Thrones
• The Knife of Never Letting Go
• The Maze Runner

 I'll start at least 1 of these series next month, and hit up a 2nd if I finish it.

Good thing there's way too many novels in the world for me to run out of commuting adventures.

Announcing the book club read for March...and April?

I have decided to go with Poison Study, based on numerous recommendations. Starting with book #1, I will likely try to complete the series via audiobook while becoming increasingly familiar with every bump and swerve on I-15 between Salt Lake City and Provo.

So is Poison Study okay? ...okay?....kay?...ay....

Ah, the echoes of cosmic web obscurity.

If I were to ever become a manager in a business setting (which I never would because I hate telling people what to do) I would probably be one of those people that needs the input of at least 3 different people before making a decision.

This whole choosing-my-own-book-for-the-book-club business is anxiety-inducing.

In light of that confession, it's never too early to decide on April's book!  What do you think about:

• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
• Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
• Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John LeCarre
• The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Let me know!

As always, feel free to suggest other books you're interested in or if you happen to be a member of another book club and you want to consolidate your monthly assignments into 1! (Like I said, I'm a bit of a push-over.)

Are you a Book Hugger, too?

Coined a new phrase today on facebook. I can honestly say I have not heard it before and it is totally MINE. Not to brag (ok so maybe a little), but it completely captures a very important aspect of my personality and maybe yours too:

The Book Hugger.

Isn't it great?

I came up with it in a sudden flash of brilliance as I described how rare it is for me to think that a movie based on a book is close to being as good as the book.  (Trust me, this practically never happens. Name off any movie you can think of that is based on the book and I will tell you why I think the book is better.)

But anyway, it prompted me to officially dub "book hugger" into the lexicon of Le Mot Juste, or in other words, those words that we are always trying to think of to perfectly describe something in the shortest way possible.

Samster's official definition -

"book hugger:
a) one who loves reading books, holding books, buying books, and living within the story-world of books;
b) one who unabashedly gushes about their obsession for reading and books;
c) one who prefers books to most other kinds of media, especially when comparing an original novel to the movie that was produced based on it;
d) a person who cringes and cries at the mere thought of any person trashing, burning, or disappreciating books in any way.
"Synonyms include: bookworm, library rat, book clubber, book geek, aspiring writer, closet poet, page turnee, word nerd, scholar, student, book store bum, speed reader.
"antonyms: book hater, ignoramus, vegetable, dictator, Nazi.
"see also: GENIUS."

Are you a book hugger, too? If you think are, let me know why you would call yourself this.

Which writer reindeer are you?

Which writer reindeer are you?

This link is great fun! I think all magical bookclub members could also ask "which type of reader are you" with the same or similar definitions.

For me - as both reader and writer - I think I'm Dancer with a crush on Blitzen. :)

Meaning that I am most definitely in love with the beautiful and poetic qualities of anything. I love to "gush and revel" - no description could be more like me.

But then, I don't tie myself down to rhyme and I get a kick out of shocking thrills and things that are unusual or strange. Thus, I have the hots for Blitzen. Except I don't smoke pot. (See link if you are confused right now).

Nor do I smoke anything else, for that matter. I get my high from the likes of transcendalist, magical moments. Bringing us back to Dancer.

And round we go! What an amusingly pointless way to distract myself for a good ten minutes!

Making time to write

Finally.  My very own site for blogging, poetizing, drafting, book reviewing, and even some journaling.  It's time to get started.

INTRO
First things: I'm Samantha.  I'm 27, I'm married with no kids, and I graduated from Brigham Young University in Utah with a Bachelor's degree in English.  I've been a creative writer for as long as I can remember. 

I started writing pretty long stories in about 3rd grade, including a 50-page fantasy (hand-written, wide-ruled notebook style.  Remember those?) that some of my classmates read and liked.  This was, again, in 3rd grade. 

Despite my obvious penchant for the written word, I have yet to be published.  One of my primary goals in starting this blog is to work toward the publishment of my first full-length novel. 

Being that this is a personal blog, I will occasionally take the liberty of making up words.  My husband frequently tells me that I must be one of the few people on this earth allowed to do so because I am, afterall, a legit expert in English creative writing.

GOAL SETTING
I would like to start out this blog by doing a free-write recommended by Rochelle Melander, a writing coach, during a Writers Digest seminar.  Actually, I've already begun the free-write.  This blog post is it. 

I am doing a 20 minute free-write in which I imagine my best possible self that I hope to become in about, say... 5 years.  Writing goals are included in this vision, as well as every other aspect of my future self.  I guess writers have great need of giving themselves an occasional self-esteem boost. 

Go figure.  We're an insecure lot.

GETTING PUBLISHED
So my 5-years-from-now self looks like this:  I want to keep writing faithfully enough that I eventually produce a full-length novel.  I want it to be published, and I want it to be great.  That is, I want to be proud of it, but I also want it to be successful.  I know it's a very lofty and somewhat chance-controlled goal to admit that I want to be a best-seller, but remember, this is my BEST POSSIBLE scenario.  Why not reach for the ultimate?  It's no secret that I'm terribly and incurably jealous of J. K. Rowling.

PERSONAL LIFE
Moving on to more personal goals, I'd say that I hope in 5 years time I'll have a kid, maybe two.  I grew up in a society that encourages having lots of children, and I have always wanted to have my own rambunctious rabble of trouble-makers and creative geniuses (they'll get both traits from me).

I also want to continue to be a runner and avid outdoors fanatic.  My fitness repertoire includes several half marathons, the Ragnar Relay race in Utah called the Wasatch Back, and many mountain trails in Utah.  Tennis, basketball, badminton, ping pong, track, mountain biking, and yoga also make up my list of physical hobbies.  There are several physical feats I have yet to master and in 5 years I hope to have done so.  One thing I plan on completing is a full marathon - no personal goal time, just to do it without stopping and hopefully without puking.

There are other areas I could talk about, but I think that's a fairly substantial overview for now of who I am.  That's also about 20 minutes so I am now wrapping up this free write.