Why I Would Survive a Zombie Apocalypse–Guest Post

A few weeks ago I wrote a post – about how I would not survive a zombie apocalypse. My son (who’s 11) thought it was funny and wrote a post about why he would survive.


Here’s his post:

Why I Would Survive a Zombie Apocalypse (at least for a couple of days)

1. I have awesome survival skills
2. I can run for a good period of time
3. I am trained in Martial Arts
4. Give me a long stick and I can fight for days
5. I know some edible plants
6. I’m good at archery
7. I’m strong so I could rip off a zombie’s arm and beat him with it.

I had planned to post this yesterday but it was crazy with Halloween activities. I love this post so much I just had to share it:)

To read my post about zombies-

Dear Teen Me- Feature 13

About this Feature: 

Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be  posting them here.

Today I welcome J to the blog. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders, and confidants. I love her like sunshine…


Dear Teen J,

It’s been awhile….. how I’ve missed your optimism! I’m afraid I’ve lost you a wee bit along the way, grown a little more cynical, a little more wary and a little less trusting…..but now that you are here we can get reacquainted, I hope.
So here I stand, older, wiser perhaps (but whose to say whom is the judge of all that?) Though I’ve made many a mistake along the way, the biggest I’ve come to realize was pushing you out of sight, dearest Teen Me; along with those aspirations you were so inspired to achieve – when hopes were dashed, when disappointments showered down, when injustice pierced my side and when deception weighed heavy in my heart, I should have breathed deeper and held you aloft higher, trusting that your persistence and optimism would surely guide the way.
Now, I’m not going to grimace away here, hands on my hips, crow’s feet squinting, all foreboding and admonishing you how the world is not always going to be sunshine and daffodils; insult your intelligence I will not.
However, when those times do fall upon you, I wish to remind you to always, always listen to that voice inside and don’t silence it for anyone – in layman’s terms, trust your gut, dear Teen Me, for rarely will it lead you astray ~ seek wisdom, laugh deeply, love strongly (but not blindly), pray for guidance and keep those whom you trust and love close and closer.
And know that, though change is inevitable, you can always return to be the person whom you love to be, even just as a reminder to yourself to smile and uncomplicate the world you are now living in.
Life is simple if you choose to make it so.

Ever yours,
J

Dear Teen Me-Feature 10

About this Feature:
Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. 

After seeing the first few Dear Teen Me letters on the blog, Angie got in touch and asked to write one as well-here is her letter....

Dear Teen Me:

Hello… I remember you.  Sometimes doing things you didn't want to do to fit in.  Yea you!  There's a few things that I think you should know though I know you won't listen.

You know your body?  The one that is skinny.. so skinny you won't even wear shorts.  Wear those damn shorts.  In less then 10 years you will be the only one out of your high school friends who hasn't gained 30 lbs.  You will still be the same weight as in high school and you will love it.  So embrace it now.  And those bad boys you keep dating.. YUCK!  Though you know what?  Go ahead and date them so you know who not to date and who to marry.  But don't just have sex with just anyone!! 

 Also… that 40 hours a week you are putting in at McDonalds like they need you?  Please Mcdonalds will run just fine without you… trust me they will still be there 20 -50 years later!!  So tell them 40 hours is way too much.. 20 hours a week will be just fine.  Plus $4.25 an hour is NOTHING!   Don't feel lonely.. learn how to be friends with yourself.  Eventually you will be your own best friend.  Be KIND.  Be respectful to mom and dad.  You are constantly battling with them and someday you will realize they really are the best parents out of all your friends.  The time they made you take back the Christmas lights you stole?  Yea… first off that was a terrible thing to do, and second mom and dad were trying to make you a better person.  

Love yourself, and LOVE life.  Just because in high school you aren't the cheerleader or one of the preppy people it will be just fine.   I am so proud of who you turn out to be. 

Your best friend,

yourself 

Dear Teen Me: Feature 8

Today I welcome a fabulous friend of mine Liza. Liza and I go way back to when we both worked for Indigo. I love how even though we might not always see each other, when we do we just pick up where we left off. She’s been a great support.

Dear Teen Me,

I know you won’t listen to me because I’m a middle-aged adult from the future but just in case you’re feeling open-minded today I have some advice for you. Pretend you’re reading it in the pages of Seventeen magazine, ok?

I know you better than anyone else does, you have to admit that. And one of your biggest issues is your lack of self-confidence. There is no magical formula – it isn’t going to magically appear. No one else can give it to you. Faking it until it becomes real actually can work so try that. Also consider these points:

1. Blow- dry your freaking hair with some product. That will help you avoid the nasty cowlick that makes your bangs separate and your forehead shine through. Seriously, give it a try.

2. Stop worrying so much what other people think – wear the clothes you like, not what other people say you should like. Navy and black is not a crime.

3.When you get a boyfriend (it will happen, I promise) don’t take any crap from him – if he doesn’t show up when he says he will or leaves you all alone late at night in downtown Toronto after going to a pub – kick him to the curb and move on. Trust me there are other boys.

4. Keep writing in your journal.

5. Read, read, read. Maybe less Mary Higgins Clark and more quality stuff but keep at it. And don’t discount Canadian female authors just because your mother reads them.

6. Take up a team sport – remember in sixth grade? You were good at volleyball. You’ll meet more people and stay fit at the same time.

7. Surround yourself with positive people. You pick up on other peoples’ habits so avoid people who are always negative or pessimistic.

8. Be brave, take chances, speak up. You worry people will laugh or think you’re stupid but they won’t – they’ll think you’re brave, confident and smart and maybe soon you will believe it too.

(Thanks Liza…such great advice-)

About this feature:

Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post-(just 2 spots left)

Dear Teen Me-Feature 7

About this Feature:

Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. 

Today I welcome Sheena. Sheena and I met through a Women's Networking Group and I'm so glad we did.  I love her enthusiasm and passion for helping others.

Dear Teen Me,

First things first, dump the boyfriend.  No, seriously, DUMP HIM.  He’s a loser and he will never see you for what you are really truly worth.  I know you think you love him, heck, I know you think you’re in love with him, but you’re not.  That’s not love, in fact, it’s quite the opposite.  No one has the right to put their hands on you… EVER.  And it doesn’t matter if he begs for forgiveness afterwards, and says he’ll never do it again, he’s lying, and he will continue, over and over again.  Don’t believe the things he spews at you, not for even one second.  Standing up for yourself and raising your voice does not make you a b!tch, it makes you strong, and he’s threatened by that.  He may be physically bigger than you, but he is a weak, weak person.  Know that and walk away with your head held high.  I promise there is an incredibly gentle, kind and loving man waiting for you just around the corner, he’ll treat you like a princess and love you beyond words.  He’s amazing and you deserve it.

Be nicer to your little brother.  He’s going through a rough patch and he needs you far more than you realize; far more than he admits.  He’s a good kid, and he looks up to you for direction.  Stop treating him like he’s worthless; he’s starting to believe you.  You love him dearly and you need to tell him more often… his life depends on it.  Despite what your relationship is like right now, he will grow to become one of your very best friends, an amazingly strong man who loves his family like no other.  He is a good man.

Your true friends aren’t in high school, in fact, they’re barely in university and college, so you can stop trying to impress those people, they leave you high and dry once they find out you’re pregnant.  Forget them.  You will walk away from university with two amazing women to call your friends, and although you don’t talk nearly enough, when you do it’s as though no time has passed.  Cherish them, they love you unconditionally.

Follow your heart, it will never steer you wrong.  Life is good.  Our home is cozy and full of love, our children are happy and full of joy, and our husband is phenomenal and super hot.  We’ve made the conscious choice to live minimally and within our means, this is a value that is important to us.  We carry low to no debt and we are essentially stress-free (boring, I know).  Forget the Joneses, we’re making our own path.  This type of financial freedom allows you to always follow your dreams.  You are an entrepreneur.  You have followed your passion and it has led you here.  And *here* is amazing.

Don’t over complicate things.  Life really is quite simple; know your worth, be nice to people, follow your heart and live within your means.  Enjoy it.

Love Always,

33 year old you

Sheena is the Owner of Blue Bamboo Holistics. In addition to Reiki and Reflexology she also offers "Mindful Kids" Classes for children and their families to quiet their minds, bodies and embrace their inner power. 

Be sure to check out her website. http://www.blue-bamboo.ca/

Dear Teen Me: Feature 6

About this Feature:

Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Really, really excited to welcome author Janice Hardy today- I am a huge fan of her Healing Wars Trilogy. If you haven't read her series, I highly, highly recommend them as the Healing Wars Trilogy is one of my favourite series of all time.

Dear Teen Me,

I remember sitting in Mrs. Horton's American History class in high school, writing a letter to the future me in the oh-so-far-away year of 2000. (I cringe now thinking about how I'd be "old" by then) It seemed so far away, practically science fiction, and it's weird that 2000 has come and gone. I wish I'd saved that letter to see how close you got, but it's fitting that I'm writing back to that same girl now.
I don't remember much of what you wrote back then, but I do recall one detail: By 2000, you would be a published author. Even then this was our dream.

Teen Me, you got there.
It took a little longer than expected (2009, not too far off) and the road was nothing like you pictured, but the dream stayed alive and the words kept flowing. Some of them were the same words, so when you want to trash that prophecy novel, do it. And that Star Wars fan fic? Just don't go there. Trust me.

There will be bumps and tears and heartache between then and now. Boys you're crazy about will ignore you and some will break your heart. Some hearts you'll break. A few hearts you'll want to run over with your car, but you'll resist those urges and write really bad poetry instead. Never fear, no one will ever see those poems, though burn the letter you write to a friend about a certain boy in college. That won't end well.
You'll struggle with choices about what to do with your life. Where to go to college, what to major in. You'll make a few mistakes (Architecture? What we're you thinking?) but they'll all bring you to the right spots at the right time. Going to art school is a wise move and it'll give you the freedom to write when you most need to. Of course, you'll have to suffer through 15 hour days six days a week for a while, but it'll be worth it. The hard work you put it will give you the life you want later on, when it counts.

You'll be adventurous. You'll discover you love to SCUBA dive and will become a Rescue Diver. You'll jump out of a perfectly good airplane (even after having a roommate who "flew well but landed poorly" doing the same thing). You'll go whitewater rafting, but you'll chicken out on bungee jumping. It's okay. No one will blame you.
The guy issue? I know you swore you'd think about marriage when you hit 30, but you'll find the right guy at 24 and marry him two years later. (And when you meet him, no, he's not 17 though he looks like it in that T-shirt and backwards baseball cap) He's nothing like the "Mr. Right" you imagined in high school, but he's the best friend and partner you could ever hope for. He leaves you cupcakes on your desk, hides love notes in your pockets, and follows you to the gas station to pump the gas for you when it's cold outside. And you won't even think it's cheesy.

Most of all, you'll keep writing through life's craziness. Eventually you'll start submitting those short stories and the rejections will start flowing in. You'll realize you're not a short story writer and switch to novels. Then submit those novels. And get those novels rejected. A lot. Take heart, this too shall pass. Those who rejected you will accept you years later and it'll be all the sweeter.

You'll take chances and join online critique groups like Critters, and you'll meet a gal who will become your one of your best friends and a life-supporting critique partner. You'll join Finish Your Novel and meet another gal who will become your other best friend and yes, another worth-their-weight-in-chocolate critique partner. You'll help each other achieve your writing dreams. Best part, you'll have lots of laughs along the way.

You'll travel across the country and attend the Surrey International Writers Conference, not realizing it'll be the weekend that changes your life. Bob Mayer will make you cry, but he's right and you need to hear what he has to say. Donald Maass will inspire you. Carol Berg will say nice things about your writing (and you still feel like you two know each other from somewhere). You'll come home with a new passion for writing and write the book that will be your debut novel--The Shifter. (Only then it'll be called The Pain Merchants, so prepare yourself for title-changing fun)

The best thing I can tell you is this: It all turns out okay. Better than okay. Pretty darn good.
Oh, and your moisturizer and sunscreen routine? Keep that up. Seriously. You'll thank me when you get here.

About Janice
Janice Hardy always wondered about the darker side of healing. For her fantasy trilogy THE HEALING WARS, she tapped into her own dark side to create a world where healing was dangerous, and those with the best intentions often made the worst choices. Her books include THE SHIFTER, and BLUE FIRE. DARKFALL. She lives in Georgia with her husband, three cats and one very nervous freshwater eel. You can visit her online at www.janicehardy.com, chat with her about writing on her blog, The Other Side of the Story (http://blog.janicehardy.com/), or find her on Twitter @Janice_Hardy.

 

The Shifter
Blue Fire
Darkfall

Dear Teen Me–Feature 5

About this Feature:

Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Today I welcome one of my favourite bloggers and Blog Squad cohorts Christa-

Dear 16 year old me,

Hello from the future! I managed to track down the TARDIS and convince the Doctor to deliver this letter from 24 year old you. I know you don't know what a TARDIS or the Doctor is but remember those words. They will be of vital importance later on.

I hope I've caught you at a good time. Maybe you're reading this in Ms. Jones' English class while you're supposed to be reading Catcher in the Rye but are bored because you already finished it weeks ago. Maybe you're in between psychotic customers while working the returns desk at Wal Mart. Or maybe your hiding in that hollowed out spot in the back of your closet while your parents scream bloody murder at one another. For both of our sakes, I hope it's the first option.
That's right, all those moments stick with you well into the future. You carry them with you wherever you go and as much as you may hate them now, that's ok. They've made you who you are today and that person, is pretty awesome.

There are so many things I could talk about in this letter. I could talk about how much you're going to love university or all the amazing places you're going to visit, or tell you about how one day you're going to be lucky enough work in publishing and pursuing your dreams of being a published author. But I'm not going to talk about all those things because I'm you after all and at this point there's something much more important to address.

And that's this. Your dad is an alcoholic. You probably already know (or at least suspect) this but I wanted to be clear. I'm sorry to say that he is going to continue to drink, and it will become so much more than just finding him passed out around the house. It will come to a point where you won't even know who this strange man is any more and wonder what happened to the kind, loving man who was once your hero. I don't want to overwhelm you with all the details, but I NEED you to hear this one piece of advice. Do not listen to anyone who tells you the opposite.
Are you listening?

Nothing - and I mean nothing - that happens to your dad is your fault. You are in no way responsible for any of his actions. Asking you to not only cope with but accept what's going on, is something that should never be asked of a child and if you find you need to step away and put some distance between you and the situation THAT IS OK. I can not stress that enough. Only you know how much you can take, and it's important that you listen to yourself.
Your dad was a great man. You're going to lose a lot of your earlier memories of him, but hang on to what you can. Please don't rip up all his pictures when you're angry. I regret that decision all the time. At the same time however you are perfectly right to be angry at everything he put you, your mom and your brother through. It's even alright if you feel sad and angry at the same time. Eventually the anger dulls at little and you will find peace. As a bonus you also maintain a fabulous relationship with your mom and brother to this day, so there is always that to be thankful for.

Your teenage years are not an easy trip, so be prepared. I hate to tell you this but things are going to get worse for a little while. But the good news is that around the time you turn 19 everything is going to change. Life is going to get SO MUCH BETTER. You have no idea. And not for any one reason either. But you will be happy I promise. I am proud to tell you that not once in the past five years have I ever felt the need to hide in the closet, I currently love my job and I have hundreds (seriously, hundreds) of books that I can read anytime I want.

And seriously remember what I said about the Doctor.
24 year old you

Thank you so much Christa for sharing and for being so open and honest. Big hugs to you.

Visit Christa’s Blog! – Hooked on Books!

Dear Teen Me: Feature Letter 4

Today I welcome Gillian who I had the pleasure of meeting this year, we became fast friends.

Dear Teen Me,

You are lovely, did you know? You are funny, light, happy, joy-filled and free. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Don’t let anyone tell you that you are less than because you are different than them. Don’t try to be like someone else, be like YOU! Because you are amazing.
Work hard at being honest, in every situation. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. Ask out the boy you like. Ask other girls to spend time with you. Trust that your friends WANT you around. Don’t assume you aren’t good enough…because you are and they think so too!
Don’t feel like you have to show off what you know all the time. Choose silence more often. Let others figure you out for themselves. Let them judge you by your smiles, you support, your loving actions. If they don’t see the good, let them walk on by…those who do value you are just waiting in line to get close to you.
Know that every single person you meet feels just as awkward, scared and unsure as you. Be loving and patient with their attempts to mask it. Those who growl the loudest are often the most scared. Reach out, let them know you see their real selves. Encourage them to be brave too.
It seems impossible now, but try to enjoy the freedom and security you have living at home, surrounded by amazing support and love. This foundation will carry you through life, but not in the same way it does now. Give Dad a hug for me, and make sure it lasts a long time…cause he won’t be here forever. Tell him how proud you are of him, what a wonderful father he is.
Start saving money, and avoid credit cards for as long as possible!! But spend more money on better quality things, just do with less. That is better. That is where the value is.
Most of all, try something new each day. Don’t be afraid to look foolish or to fail. There are worse things and the reward for your risk is SO great! There is a world of new experience waiting for you, jump in with both feet and eyes open. The only scary thing is staying the same…we need to grow, develop, transform.
Be loving. Every day look for ways to be more loving. And the world will fall in love with you. It is really very simple.
Loving you, every day,
me

( Gillian I love this letter so much)

Gillian is a Marketing Strategy and Communications Specialist. She is one of the most positive people I know, so lucky to have her as a friend.
Her website:
Rees Communications

About this feature:
Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Dear Teen Me–Feature 3

Today I welcome talented Canadian Author Vikki VanSickle-


Dear Teen Me,

You look great. Really, you do. One day you’re going to look back at pictures of your hot self and think Damn I looked good! So wear that leopard-print pencil skirt. Who cares if no one else in school has one like it? Maybe that’s a good thing. You aren’t required to wear a uniform, so why concern yourself with dressing like everyone else in clothing that you hate (doctor pants, GAP sweatshirt) when you’ve got that awesome vintage Betsy Johnson skirt in your closet?
Also, you should definitely order that spinach dip. And dessert, too. Watching what you eat is one thing, but obsessing about it is another. You love food! Why deny yourself something delicious because you think you should be five, ten, fifteen pounds lighter? It’s not the food that’s the problem, it’s the fat glasses. Right now you don’t even know you’re wearing them, but you are. They’re not just the wrong prescription, they’re a BAD prescription, adding weight where it simply does not exist. You will look through the yearbook ten years from now and wonder, “Who is that totally svelte, scrumptious-looking gal? I could have sworn I was a little on the plump side in high school, but this girl looks perfect.”
Don’t worry about boys. It’s okay to not date in high school. There is plenty of romance in your future and you will be so happy that you held off until it felt right. When your new university friends are sitting around swapping dating horror stories from high school you’ll be thankful that you can’t relate. Not all your love stories will have happy endings, but you won’t regret a single chapter.
Saying no is hard, so start practising now. Turning down a job or a favour or even an invitation when you’d rather stay home and read is not a sign of weakness; it just means that you value your time. There’s a big difference between being nice and being a doormat. Priding yourself on being a people-pleaser will get you nowhere. It certainly won’t make you any happier. It’s impossible to be all things to all people, so focus on what you want to do, which is put on those awesome red shorts and go to the DQ for a milkshake, stag. Or maybe with some of your friends. On the way be sure to roll down the windows and blast that Disney mixed tape. Part of Your World is an awesome song and you can rock it like no one else.

Love always,
Vix

Learn more about Vikki on her website: http://vikkivansickle.wordpress.com/
 


About this feature:
Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Dear Teen Me–Feature 2

Today I welcome Michele from Just a Lil’ Lost:

Dear Teen Me,
Be courageous. Remember that bully you stood up to in grade 9? That singular moment where you called her bluff when she threatened to beat you up after school will ignite a bravery that was hidden inside you all along. That one moment will show you how you don’t have to put up with behaviour like that, and that most bullies don’t expect their victims to stand up for themselves.
Embrace your geekiness. You have no idea how your love of books, computers and theatre will be a such a big part of your life in the future. You won’t be part of the “cool” crowd because there really isn’t one. Everyone makes their own brand of cool and you’ll find the right niche of people that love the same things you will. Geekiness will become a whole culture and something to be proud of rather than ashamed of.
Quality over quantity. This has been one of the biggest revelations for me in the past few years and I wish I could have known this before. When it comes to friends, quality will matter so much more than quantity. In school, you’ll want to surround yourself with many friends, given the illusion that more = popularity. How many of those people am I really closely in touch with still? A small handful.
Basically, stay true to yourself. It’s a cliché saying but it’s true. You will have good times and bad times, good relationships and bad relationships, friends may come and go but you will realize that those who understand you and appreciate you for your individuality is who will be around for the long haul. Surround yourself with supportive people and when you get rid of the toxic people in your life (and, trust me, you will) it will feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders and you’ll be a lot happier. Trust me.
Signed,
Your 31-year-old self.


About this feature:
Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Dear Teen Me–Feature

    Dear Teen Me (Edited by E. Kristen Anderson & Miranda Kenneally) includes advice from over 70 authors and I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour. My tour stop date is Tuesday October 30th, and on that date I’ll be posting a review, hosting a giveaway and sharing my own Dear Teen Me letter. In the meantime, I was inspired by the book and decided to invite friends, fellow bloggers, and authors to write their own letter. Through out the month of October I’ll be be posting them here. I still have space for anyone else who would like to participate-just contact me through email or by leaving a comment on this post.

Today, I am featuring a letter written by Ginger from GReads! One of my favourite bloggers; She’s also responsible for designing the amazing graphic you see above. You can visit her tour stop on October 17th. Here is her letter:

Dear Teen Ginger,

Live in the moment; that's the best piece of advice I can give you. We tend to always want to get to that next step far too quickly and end up missing out on the here and now. Relish in the fact that your responsibilities are still limited and leave the worries to days far off in the distance. Take time to laugh with your friends. The kind of laugh that leaves your belly aching and your cheeks sore from smiling so hard, yet you find yourself doing it all over again. Pay attention to the nice boy who asks about tonight's homework assignment, but really he's just looking for an excuse to chat with you. Ignore the girls who spend too long in front of the mirror and gossip about people they don't even know. Study hard, read as much and as often as you can, get involved and volunteer.
These moments will come and go way too fast. They are moments you can't repeat, no matter how hard you try. Be happy with yourself and proud of the person your parents are still raising. Pay attention to the life that's happening around you, and the life you're still making. Being a teen can be rough, but I promise there will be tougher times ahead. So enjoy this moment and live it for what it is.

Love,
A more "seasoned" Ginger

Thanks so much G. It’s funny how when we’re teens we are in such a rush to “grow up”. Sometimes I long for the days where I had few if any responsibilities…..

My Inner Warrior

I was thinking about my favourite books and characters in them as well the television shows and movies I love to watch and I began to see a common thread. It seems I love stories where  girls kick butt.

   

 

(If you haven't read these titles, I highly recommend you check them out)

   All of the books above -aside from being fantastic reads, feature girls (women) who are strong willed, brave, and can fight for themselves. Katniss, Tris, Celaena & Keladry…are their own heroes and are among my favourite characters in literature for that very reason. I like to think of myself as a strong woman. I can be brave except in the presence of spiders. I don’t give up easily. I’m willing to stand up for others- but I don’t know how to wield a knife, or throw a punch,  shoot an arrow or scale a wall. But none of those skills are absolutely necessary right?  I love that these heroines have mastered their “physical” selves through endurance, through pain, through sheer will power. I admire that and wish it was something I had. Perhaps its just that I have yet to uncover it in myself.. though I hope it doesn’t take something like The Hunger Games or the End of the World for me unleash my inner warrior.

 

One of my favourite things about reading is disappearing into the characters and for a while feeling like a hero. TV on the occasion can inspire me too. Shows like Xena (I know a little corny)and especially Buffy  the Vampire Slayer allow me to believe that stopping a sword with my hands, or do a jumping somersault on to the back of a horse is something I could do even if it’s just for a little while. 

My hope is that authors and writers will continue to create stories about women who overcome their circumstances through bravery, will and a few sword fights and arrows. Who knows maybe archery isn't too far off in my future but I'm definitely thinking scaling walls and jumping somersaults is far far far away. 

BBAW #2 - About Me

My interview swap partner and I didn't really have time to exchange questions so I'm going with the alternative:

Do you snack while you read?  I don't snack but I drink a lot of coffee or tea (chai or green)

Do you tend to mark your books as you read, or does the idea of writing in books horrify you? Horrifies me absolutely!!! 

How do you keep your place while reading a book? Bookmark? Dog-ears? I use book marks or write down the page number.

Laying the book flat open?  AHHHH! only if there is no change of breaking the spine.

Fiction, Non-fiction, or both? Both

Hard copy or audiobooks? Hard Copy -sometimes audio

Are you a person who tends to read to the end of chapters, or are you able to put a book down at any point? Any point

If you come across an unfamiliar word, do you stop to look it up right away? Nope...I keep reading.

What are you currently reading? Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

What is the last book you bought? Just Bought "Something Like Normal"

Are you the type of person that only reads one book at a time or can you read more than one at a time?
I've tried to read more than one book but I always lose interest in one of them if I do

Do you have a favorite time of day and/or place to read? Sunday Morning/ Couch in living room

Do you prefer series books or stand alone books? I like both. 

Is there a specific book or author that you find yourself recommending over and over? Maggie Stiefvater, Lauren Oliver, and Ami Mckay. Always.

How do you organize your books? (By genre, title, author’s last name, etc.?) By author usually, though lately I've been organizing my stand alones by colour....

Why I Would Not Survive a Zombie Apocalypse

I have been on an Apocalyptic/zombie reading kick lately, and if it’s done one thing, it’s brought to light that I would have absolutely no chance of survival….Actually, this post could be titled “Why I Would Not Survive Any Type of Apocalypse”

1. I don’t run. I honestly, don’t run. I probably couldn’t make it around the block..also run = sweat. I don’t sweat either.
2. I have a weak stomach. Zombies are gross and I would probably throw up before I could get away.
3. Apocalypse's in general, usually mean food shortages… I do not function with low blood sugar. It makes me tired and weepy, so I would probably faint, or cry or both before I could get away.
4. I have no basic survival skills- I don’t know how to make a fire, or build a shelter..also, I hate dirt.
5. I don’t know how to fish, or hunt, or “gather”
6. also… I don’t garden. I try, but the vegetables apparently need regular watering, and weeding.
7. I have no fighting skills. No Martial Arts or Kick boxing… not even Tai Chi.
8. I have no weapons, and If I did I wouldn’t know how to use them.
9. I am too trusting. I would probably trust the wrong person and they would throw me to the zombies as bait, or as a decoy.
10. I like my house and my bed, and my TV and my computer and all the comforts of home. How could I  leave? I’d stay and eventually they’d find me….

What about you? Would you have what it takes to survive?

Here are a few of my favourite Zombie/Apocalyptic Reads:
     

A New Year- Hopes for 2011

I wonder how many people around the world are putting their own New Year's resolutions list together. I make some sort of list every year -unfortunately I'm not always successful. But this year will be different...right?

Family: The most important thing to me...I'll spend more time with them, and not just sitting beside watching TV time, but interactive quality time. (we're actually implementing a no tv during the week rule to help us with this)

Work: I will learn to be more confident in my ability and worry less about what others think. I will not constantly seek those "gold stars" which I seem to need to feel validated.
I will learn to say "no" and "yes" more carefully and with much more thought.

Website: I will finally add content to the website that has been sitting empty for almost a year.
Blogging: see below

Me: This year needs to be the year where I take my health seriously. If you have mastered this or have advice I'm open to any wisdom you might have.
I plan to take voice lessons this year. I love singing and I think I'd like to do more of it, it makes my heart happy.
I hope to travel this year....we'd like to go out west in the summer and Vegas next December-We also hope to see the Grand Canyon.

I want to laugh more this year, and spend extra time with my mom. She's had a rough year and I want to help her make 2011 the best year ever.

I want to say thanks to all of you. Blogging and this community has come to mean very much to me and I feel so lucky to have connected with so many of you. My wish for you is that all your hopes for 2011 come true.

All the best for a wonderful, and memorable 2011.
Love,
ME

Follow Friday- Blogging Resolutions

It's Friday! -Almost. And it's time to visit the book blogosphere!

Friday Follow is hosted by Parajunkee's View.

This week's question:

What are your New Year's Blogging Resolutions?

1. I need to remember that I began blogging because I love to read and wanted to share that...I need to make a bit more time for reading, or find a balance between blogging and reading.
2. Write more reviews...a goal of 2 per week
3. Take notes when I read, I love quotes -maybe post it's would work? What do you use?
4. Relax -focus on content
5. Comment, comment, comment, on here and other blogs
6. Become more comfortable with graphics/design and layout.

I'm looking forward to reading yours....leave me a link.

Tomorrow: I plan to post my New Years Resolutions (family.blogging.career.life.)

In the Spotlight

I'm in the Book Blogger Spotlight over at My Love Affair with Books. Visit there to learn a bit more about me. Be sure to check out her blog too! It's one of my favourites to visit.

Impact

Books have always had tremendous impact on me, (obviously I love them and love to read or I wouldn't be blogging or working in a library) but it's much more than that.

    Some people are auditory learners, or they learn by "doing". I'm definitely a visual learner. If I read it/see it, I'm more likely to remember it.  I'm easily moved by a book, reading is more likely to trigger memories for me as well. I have this weird belief that a book will somehow find it's way into my hands because it's what I need to read in that moment at that time in my life. There is a life lesson inside, hidden in the pages of text, or a piece of wisdom I need to be reminded of. It doesn't happen in every book. However, there are a few every year that stand out as my "life lesson" books. I even have a special shelf for them.

One from a few years ago was by the author Kate Di Camillo. It was called The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. It reminded me during a very difficult time not to give up on love and though love may be a sacrifice in the end it's always worth it.

This year, the stand out was If I Stay by Gayle Forman.

My review is here.
If I Stay reminded me that life is always a choice even if it doesn't always feel like it. We need to hold on to the ones we love and treasure the moments we might usually miss because we never know what might happen. It also taught me that sometimes the very best thing we can do to show our love for someone is to let them go.

What I'd love to know, if you're willing to share :

Do books have the same type of impact on you? If so, What was the book that impacted you the most this year?



2010 Book Survey

The Perpetual Page Turner is hosting an end of the year book/blog survey. Be sure to check out her blog to participate.


1. Best book of 2010?

It's hard to choose but if I had to I would say If I Stay by Gayle Forman with The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting, Before I Fall By Laura Oliver, and Plain Kate by Erin Bow coming in a close second, third, and fourth.


2. Worst book of 2010? I don't know that I read the "worst" book. I read a couple that weren't for me like: Galahad-The Comets Curse and Girl in the Arena.

3. Most disapointing book of 2010? Girl with a Dragon Tattoo. I said before that I couldn't make it past the first 100 pages.And everyone told me to read it.

4. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2010? A book for my "adult" book club that was described as a political satire (blech). The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis. It was much more of a character and relationship story than I expected and I ended up really liking it.

5. Book you recommended to people most in 2010? I've book talked Plain Kate on many class visits this fall - so for quantity of people, that would be the one. The one I've recommended most to friends is Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver because I read that much earlier in the year.

6. Best series you discovered in 2010? The Healing Wars by Janice Hardy (The Shifter and Blue Fire so far) -really really good reads.

7. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2010? Kimberly Derting, Janice Hardy, Gayle Forman, Lauren Oliver, Erin Bow, Beca Fitzpatrick, James Dashner, Rachel Hawkins.....

8. Most hilarious read of 2010? I think I need to read some lighter/funnier books-any recommendations?

9. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2010?  Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins/ Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare/Maze Runner by James Dashner.

10. Book you most anticipated in 2010? Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

11. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2010?

12. Most memorable character in 2010? Mia from If I Stay.

13. Most beautifully written book in 2010? Plain Kate by Erin Bow & If I Stay by Gayle Forman. The writing was stunning in both.

14. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2010?  Now I'm getting repetitive... If I Stay by Gayle Forman. It's been a couple of weeks since I read it and I'm still thinking about it.

15. Book you can't believe you waited UNTIL 2010 to finally read? The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. I had wanted to read this one for a very long time. It didn't disappoint.

Book Blogging in 2010 (optional)

1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2010? Soooo many! A few of my favourites are listed on the sidebar.

2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2010? If I Stay by Gayle Forman :)

3. Best discussion you had on your blog? To be honest I don't know that I've had an active discussion on the blog yet.

4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else's blog? I really liked the blogging etiquette post that the Perpetual Page Turner had a couple of weeks ago. Annareads has one up now about why we read ya.

5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)? I loved participating in Top Ten Tuesday, the blog hops and I'm looking really forward to the 2011 Debut Author Challenge. I'm also going to OLA (Ontario library conference) this year and that should be fun.

6. Best moment of book blogging in 2010? Discovering the world and community of book bloggers.
7. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)? Goodreads although I discovered it way before 2010. But I'm on it daily-it's an amazing resource.

How well read are you?

I saw this post on Patricias Particularity and had to share it with you.

 
The BBC believes most people will have read only 6 of the 100 books listed here.


Instructions:
• Copy this list.
• Bold those books you’ve read in their entirety.
• Italicise the ones you started but didn’t finish or read only an excerpt.


Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

The Lord of the Rings – JRR Tolkien

Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte

Harry Potter series – JK Rowling

To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee

The King James Bible

Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte

Nineteen Eighty Four (1984) – George Orwell

His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman

Great Expectations – Charles Dickens

Little Women – Louisa M Alcott

Tess of the D’Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy

Catch 22 – Joseph Heller

Complete Works of Shakespeare

Rebecca – Daphne Du Maurier

The Hobbit – JRR Tolkien

Birdsong – Sebastian Faulk

Catcher in the Rye – JD Salinger

The Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger

Middlemarch – George Eliot

Gone With The Wind – Margaret Mitchell

The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald

War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams

Brideshead Revisited – Evelyn Waugh

Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck

Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

The Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame

Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy

David Copperfield – Charles Dickens

Chronicles of Narnia – CS Lewis

Emma -Jane Austen

Persuasion – Jane Austen

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe – CS Lewis

The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Louis De Bernieres

Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden

Winnie the Pooh – A.A. Milne

Animal Farm – George Orwell

The DaVinci Code – Dan Brown

One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

A Prayer for Owen Meaney – John Irving

The Woman in White – Wilkie Collins

Anne of Green Gables – LM Montgomery

Far From The Madding Crowd – Thomas Hardy

The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood

Lord of the Flies – William Golding

Atonement – Ian McEwan

Life of Pi – Yann Martel

Dune – Frank Herbert

Cold Comfort Farm – Stella Gibbons

Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austen

A Suitable Boy – Vikram Seth

The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafon

A Tale Of Two Cities – Charles Dickens

Brave New World – Aldous Huxley

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time – Mark Haddon

Love In The Time Of Cholera – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck

Lolita – Vladimir Nabokov

The Secret History – Donna Tartt

The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold

Count of Monte Cristo – Alexandre Dumas

On The Road – Jack Kerouac

Jude the Obscure – Thomas Hardy

Bridget Jones’s Diary – Helen Fielding

Midnight’s Children – Salman Rushdie

Moby Dick – Herman Melville

Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens

Dracula – Bram Stoker

The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett

Notes From A Small Island – Bill Bryson

Ulysses – James Joyce

The Inferno – Dante

Swallows and Amazons – Arthur Ransome

Germinal – Emile Zola

Vanity Fair – William Makepeace Thackeray

Possession – AS Byatt

A Christmas Carol- Charles Dickens

Cloud Atlas – David Mitchell

The Color Purple – Alice Walker

The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro

Madame Bovary – Gustave Flaubert

A Fine Balance – Rohinton Mistry

Charlotte's Web- E.B. White

The Five People You Meet In Heaven – Mitch Albom

Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Faraway Tree Collection – Enid Blyton

Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad

The Little Prince – Antoine De Saint-Exupery

The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks

Watership Down – Richard Adams

A Confederacy of Dunces – John Kennedy Toole

A Town Like Alice – Nevil Shute

The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas

Hamlet – William Shakespeare

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl

Les Miserables – Victor Hugo

My number is 36.....what's yours? Looking forward to seeing everyone's answers.