Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

It was Wed. January 25th, 9:00 p.m. - I wasn't quite sleepy yet, so I decided to read a few chapters in a book that I picked up at the store over the weekend. The cover appealed to me and the description on the back was vague enough to make me curious. So off my adventure started.

Wed. January 25th, 11:00 p.m. - I put the bookmark in the book, scolding myself for not getting to bed at 10:00 like I had planned on. I quickly brush teeth, jump into jammies and go to bed.

Wed. January 25th 11:10 p.m. - My mind will not stop turning with possibilites at what is on side 9. The 9th person. I have to at least read this section of the book so I can sleep.

Thur. January 26th 12:50 a.m. - I finish the book. My mind is reeling. My heart is pounding. My eyes sore from the tears I've cried off and on for over the past 3 hours. I sit back. I lay the book down. I pick the book up. I set it back down. I call my fiance.

"Did I wake you?"

"No is something wrong?"

"I just read the most astoundingly, heartbreakingly, beautiful story that I think has ever been told. I will not be able to read another book again."

"You are not okay. What book was it?"

"The one you bought me over the weekend. It was just, oh my gosh, I can't describe it, you have to read it. I think the author may have ruined his future career. There is no way another book could be this profound again. Not in our time. I want everyone to read this book. I have to go buy as many copies as I can afford and start giving them away."

"Sweetie, you need to go to sleep. You have to work tomorrow, you are talking a mile a minute."

"Will you read the book?"

"Will you go to sleep if I do?"

"Yes, I love you. And when you read the book, I think you are Clay. And I once came entirely too close to being Hannah."

"What?"

"You'll understand when you read the book."

"Okay, I love you too babe. Good night."

"Goodnight."

Click.

Sunday, January 29th 8:10 p.m.

My fiance brings the book back since he borrowed it.

"Babe, I am so glad that this book will be in our library. It was, wow, intense and so well written."

"Told ya." - Me with smug look.
I still haven't started another book  yet, I'm going to wait until the euphoria over having read something so mind bending wears off. When I think of the book my heart still breaks for the characters and my mind still screams for peace for some of them. But this book made me truly realize how everything you do, no matter how small, can have a huge impact on someone else's life.

Seriously. READ. THIS. BOOK.

Website for book: http://thirteenreasonswhy.com

And so 2012 Begins

So at the end of 2011 I did not post, I was caught up in the Holidays, final exams, and a cruise to the Bahamas.

While on the cruise I did a little reflecting on the past year and years. I have come a long way, but still have a long way to go. I have several New Year's "resolutions" however, I am thinking of them more as life goals. I think I will stick with them better that way.

1. Quit Smoking. - This one will be difficult, but it needs to be done.
2. Exercise more. - A LOT more!
3. Eat Healthier. - I want to do this one by leaning more towards a vegetarian diet.
4. Write more often. - Not just here on my blog, but on my book, poems, etc.
5. Do more reviews on books I have read. - I love reading, and want to encourage others to do so as well, so why not write some encouraging reviews, perhaps someone will pick up a book because of what I said about it.
6. Stress Less. - I truly feel that this goal will be the hardest of mine to break, I tend to stress about EVERYTHING. From the past to the present to the future and to things that do not even pertain to me. I need to do a little more living in the here and now.
7. Save money - Accomplishing #1 will help with this goal.

This year holds a lot of exciting things. I will be graduating. I will also be moving in with my fiance after graduation and I am hoping that we get married before 2013 arrives. So here is to getting my diploma, finding a place, and planning a small quiet wedding, all while holding my job, writing more often, and getting my school work done.

Wish me luck with my goals, and good luck to you with yours.