Favorite New Author: Sarah J. Maas

I am in love with Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. Not just because she has a same amazing first name as me -- but she wrote a book I wish I had wrote myself, if I wrote books that is.

It has everything. A believable heroine who just happens to be an assassin. Fights to the death. Romance. Magic. Secrets. Wonderful world-building. Mystery. Suspense. And humor :)

Maas also released four -- yes FOUR -- prequel novellas prior to the release of Throne of Glass. I read the novellas after reading the actual novel, and they were great in giving more insight into the main character Celaena and why she is the way she is.

In August of 2008, I was given a book by a friend to read. No one really knew it or had read it. It was called The Hunger Games. I stayed up all night and finished it. And then read it again the next day. I did some research online later and found out it had just been released that month and the sequel would follow in a year. A YEAR. So I read it on a off all year, like I would watch a favorite movie until the next book came out.

I have the same feeling about Throne of Glass. So excited to have found this author and book. Sad I'm going to have to wait a year for the next one. Oh well. That's life. But if you're a nerd like me and still love YA novels, you should check this one out. You won't be disappointed!

Raising a Puppy without Losing My Sanity

Portia enjoying a nap on my couch.

I have been learning a lot about myself in the last couple of weeks. What has been the catalyst, you might ask? A 10 week old Dachshund puppy.

I have wanted a dog of mine own for several years. I grew up with a Jack Russell and a Dachshund, and both family pets have since pasted. I've been on my own for a while, and then moved out of my home state a couple years ago for a better job.

So on my trip back home to celebrate my birthday with my family this year, my mother took me to a Dachshund breeder after she picked me up from the airport. My first mistake was thinking that I would just "look" and get puppy therapy. There were three to choose from, and I was having the hardest time deciding (because once I laid eyes on them, I wasn't there to just "look" anymore). But I settled on a wild boar colored, wire-haired little lady that I named Portia. (I'm a Shakespeare nerd and The Merchant of Venice is one of my favorite plays, and Portia is also a character from The Hunger Games -- it was meant to be)

I am a task oriented person and I love the logistics of making decisions. Picking out puppy things, figuring out schedules, and deciding how I was going to train Portia to be the perfect puppy. As much as I've loved watching Dog Whisperer and reading Cesar Millan's books on raising puppies -- I am no dog whisper, or at least I shouldn't expect myself to have the same results.

I have learned that I need to have realistic expectations that Portia is a puppy -- and training her is not going to happen over night. And she is learning too, and with learning comes making mistakes -- so I need to learn not to sweat the small stuff.

Also animals are really good a reflected the attitude and energy of their humans. So when I'm frustrated or excited, I get that back from Portia in spades. And I'm realizing that I worry and get frustrated more than I thought I did and need to work on being more calm and assertive (or at least projecting it, even if I'm not feeling it).

And lastly I need to enjoy the moments. The sweet ones, the awkward ones, and priceless ones -- that I miss when I'm consumed with tasks and not focused on the Portia and enjoying her puppyhood.

So here's to being flexible and taking a lesson from Portia and relaxing. (See image above)