2 posts in one day? What sort of blogging cyborg has taken over your body, Lindsey? It's called My Kid's Are All Sitting Here Miraculously Watching PBS So I Gots To Get These Things Out While I Can, Yo.

1. Speaking of blogging (that's what we were speaking of, yes?) I am in the process of designing a new blog over at blogger. Sorry, LJ, after 6 1/2 years, things just aren't working out anymore. I'll post a link update, but it shall be New! And Fresh! And Ad-free! I finally figured out my blogging aversion was due to LJ, so I'm excited to blog more often. Aren't you excited to read more often? AREN'T YOU???

2. It's the end of January, so you're probably looking for an end of January pick-me-up. So I have one for you in book form. And by pick-me-up, I mean you might end up in a ball sobbing at one point, but in a good way. The best way.



This is the review I posted on goodreads right after I read: This book made my soul hurt in all those achey soul places. loved loved loved loved. If you're tired of paranormal, don't let the cover (the FABULOUS cover) dissuade you. This is a yummy mix of mythology, and I can't wait to see where Brodi takes this series.
And now, months later, I'm still thinking about this book. The emotional poignancy in this story really caught me by surprise.

3. Right now I'm revising my fifth novel. One of the common questions I get asked at school visits is "Does writing a book get easier?" And the answer is Yes. And Not Really. Yes because I now know the components of a novel, how to add richness to a character, how to outline, how to plot, how to revise. But just because I have those tools doesn't mean I don't have to use them to build something new Every Single Time. (Also, I obviously haven't learned how to hold of on Capitalization). This fifth book is harder is some ways than previous ones, partially because of expectations, but mostly because I'm better at recognizing what is good and I know I'm not there yet. But that's why God gave us revision, kids.

4. Oh! Super great news. SEAN GRISWOLD'S HEAD made the 2012 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adult's list. Out of thousands of YA titles, just over a hundred are named, so it was exciting that the committee thought Sean met "the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teens". Most important, librarians use these lists to help them make selections, so hopefully SGH will get into even more hands.

5. Las Vegas had the most glorious sunset last night. My facebook feed has been filled with much better pictures from local friends, but thought I'd share my quick neighborhood shot. My five-year-old asked me if the sky was on fire.