Words I Love

I've noticed that I have a few keywords that get me every time I see them on a book. I can't help but pick them up if any of these words, or images of these words appear on the cover. They are: water, river, lake, magic, and anything that implies winter, such as snow, frost, and of course, winter. Also, summer, lol.

I'm also attracted to covers that hint at these kind of stories. (I suppose it should be no surprise then, that my first book takes place in a town on a lake just as winter meets spring, so there's both snow, and rain.)

Here are some examples of books that had me drooling just from their titles and/or covers.





(^ I have so much love for this title, I can't even...)






What about you? What kind of titles or covers pique your interest?

Favorites of 2010

I'm running short on time, so here's a quick (and not very snazzy) list of what I loved in 2010.

WRITING LIFE EVENTS
Winning Secret Agent
Going to BEA and meeting my CP Lacey (and lots of kidlit peeps) in person
Finding my CP Natalie
Going to Kidlit Con and meeting my CP Natalie and the Merry Sisters of Fate in person
Tangled Fiction
Seeing my CPs rough drafts blossom into some pretty amazing books
Finishing my book
Finishing a major overhaul of my book
Guest posting on Nathan Bransford's blog
Becoming a contributing author at Dear Teen Me

READS
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers
The Secret Year by Jennifer Hubbard
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick
Beautiful by Amy Reed
Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
Freefall by Mindi Scott

MOVIES
Inception

MUSIC SONGS & DISCOVERIES
Andrew Belle
Lissie
F*** You by Cee-lo
Florence and the Machine


TV
Dexter
Glee
Merlin on streaming netflix
The Doctor Who Christmas Special
Ashes to Ashes


THINGS I'M SURE I WOULD'VE LOVED HAD I GOTTEN TO THEM IN 2010
Finishing my final revision
Linger by Maggie Steifvater
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows part 1
Tron Legacy
The Vampire Diaries tv show

What were your favorites of 2010? However you celebrate tonight, have a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR!