After registration, I ended up with a class on Medieval art and religion, a fiction class, and a Jane Austen literature course. So far, I like all of them and I think it will be a really cool semester. I tried to pick some classes I knew I could handle with the added stress of the book and lit review coming out and I’m happy with what I ended up with.

It’s been a fairly quiet start to the semester. Two of my roommates are gone, which is sad because I grew fond of them in our crowded, funny apartment. One of them is still at SLC so we’re planning on hanging out, but one of them was not able to come back. Lila knew the best movies and was a great suitemate, so we already miss her.

We had a meeting for the lit review this Monday, and it looks as though the majority of the work this semester will be after the book release. I think that’s a good thing, considering I don’t know what else will be going on during that time. I’m thinking about holding a few book giveaways and some other stuff, as well. If you have some more ideas or would like to see a book giveaway, let me know.

Also, if you’re looking for a writing conference this year, I would recommend going to Mount Hermon. I think I’ll be sponsoring the teen award again this year, so if you want to win a hundred bucks, learn a lot about writing, and have some laughs, I would try to go to that conference.

I am so excited for the release of Shakespeare’s Lady! Only twelve days! (But who’s counting?)

What have you been up to?

♪ Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues – The Shrine / An Argument ♪

English Passengers  by Matthew Kneale ~3/5

Migration by W.S. Merwin ~4/5

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski ~4/5

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd ~3/5

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout ~3/5

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd ~3/5

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern ~3/5

Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand ~4/5

Inherit the Wind by Jermone Lawrence ~3/5

The India Fan by Victoria Holt ~4/5

The First Four Books of Poems by Louise Gluck ~3/5

The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander ~2/5

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams ~3/5 (re-read)

The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy ~4/5

Keats: Poems Published in 1820 by John Keats ~3/5

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo ~3/5 (re-read)

On the Road by Jack Kerouac ~3/5

What have you been reading lately? Any particular book stand out to you? Read any of these?

♪ Angus & Julia Stone – A Book Like This – Jewels and Gold ♪

I love these guys.

♪ Bob Dylan – The Essential Bob Dylan – You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere ♪

♪ Garrett Gue – Tall Drink O’ Water – Sugar ♪

What’s in the brain that ink may character
Which hath not figured to thee my true spirit?
What’s new to speak, what new to register,
That may express my love or thy dear merit?
Nothing sweet boy; but yet, like prayers divine,
I must, each day say o’er the very same,
Counting no old thing old, thou mine, I thine,
Even as when first I hallow’d thy fair name.
So that eternal love in love’s fresh case
Weighs not the dust and injury of age,
Nor gives to necessary wrinkles place,
But makes antiquity for aye his page,
Finding the first conceit of love there bred
Where time and outward form would show it dead.

Just a little bit of Shakespeare for your Sunday…

What’s your favorite poem?

♪ Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago – Skinny Love ♪

This video.

This book.

This artist.

This idea.

What has been interesting to you lately?

♪ The Avett Brothers – Four Thieves Gone – The Robbinsville Sessions – Denouncing November Blue (Uneasy Writer) ♪

Jump forward seventeen or so years and it’s pretty much the same. Still, I like to think about what influenced me to become a writer and what really inspired me to pick up the pen and writer seriously. Here are a few books that changed my perspective.

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

This book touched me as a ten year old kid in so many ways. It’s one of the few books that have made me cry. It taught me how characters can become real people and how you can layer any story. Creech creates characters you can simply relate to. This isn’t just a wonderful book for kids, it’s a wonderful book for anyone.

Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Six years later, I picked up this book because I wanted to “graduate” from kid books (psssh). As soon as I started reading it, I fell in love with the mythology and the strong female characters. And again, the layering of each element of the story makes it unlike anything I’ve since read. It remains as one of the books I wish I had written—and one that I wish would never end.

Paradise by Toni Morrison

Morrison continues to be one of my favorite authors, mostly for this book. After reading this, I began to understand what makes a writer truly great. The way she made reaching another world seem possible—and the way her descriptions brought you into the story—made me realize that this is what I wanted to do. I couldn’t live without words.

What books have inspired you? What do you look for in a story?

♪ Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – If I Had a Gun… ♪

I’m freaking out.

How do you deal when something big happens in your life?

♪ Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea – The Fool ♪

5. Studying abroad in Italy.

From January to April, I was living in a tiny apartment in Venice. I can’t describe how beautiful Italy was. I think of this as one of the best times in my life—and I think about the fun I had there every day.

4. Trip to Sonoma.

In June, I went down to Sonoma, California to visit my uncle and my great-grandmother. It was so green and beautiful and a great kick-off to a relaxing and awesome summer.

3. The Decemberists concert.

It was so fun to see one of my favorite bands live. It was a great concert and my friend Mary and I had a blast driving to Missoula to see them. My crush on Colin Meloy might have grown even worse at this point in time.

2. Moving to New York.

After being accepted to Sarah Lawrence, I packed up my bags and moved out to the big city. It was absolutely terrifying in some ways, but also beautiful in many ways, as well. Life in New York is definitely different than Montana, but I’m so glad I tried something new.

1. Receiving the book cover.

I’m so pleased that my book cover turned out so well and I’m so excited about the release in 2012. It made my month when I received this gorgeous cover.

It’s been a great year! What was the highlight of your year? What are you looking forward to next year?

♪ Young the Giant – Young the Giant – Cough Syrup ♪

I’m going to try and keep these things in mind throughout the next year. What are your resolutions?

♪ Bright Eyes – I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning – We Are Nowhere And It’s Now ♪