Should Adults Be Ashamed To Read Young Adult Novels?

I really enjoy reading.

Scratch that--

I really enjoy reading but I am extremely picky when it comes to what I want to read at any particular point in time.

So I was doing research about popular fiction (I made quite the beautiful list) and I found this article that made me kind of angry. The synopsis is that if you read young adult novels past the age of 17, you are an embarrassment and not a real adult. Here's what annoys me about the article

1. He mentions four authors, and gives a spoiler to one book. For me, if you're going to try to convince a group to do something, shaming never works. Maybe if he had given a suggestion on where to start in the vast world of adult novels, I'd be more appreciative. Like I said, I'm picky, and honestly after offending me, I wasn't interested in looking up those authors.

2. In a world where we're constantly obsessed with technology I don't think you should knock ANYONE on what they are reading. At least they're reading right? If they find a book that makes them happy and enriched then that's exactly what they need at the time. Who cares if the characters are 17 and you're like a mother or three or something. I feel like people read now to make sense of their feelings. Or to escape their world. OR just to be interested in something other than themselves and their smartphones.

3. I mean, I love Pride and Prejudice and all... and some other adult novels but honestly the adult novel world scares me. And in my opinion, the writer of that article is foolish to assume that everyone gets the same thing out of reading that he does. It's great for him that he can probably read any literature and be content--as long as it's meant for adults that is.

 

 I can't do that. Dickens pisses me off. There are a lot of things about a book that can rub me the wrong way. If I'm not into a book by the 15th page I usually stop. BUT THAT'S JUST ME! If you like the same book I don't enjoy that's totally cool.

4. He went hardest on fans of 'The Fault In Our Stars" by John Green. How can you ever say anything bad about John Green? His quotes will punch you in the soul (That's a compliment) and it brought to light some things that we as society don't feel comfortable talking about. That's a big deal. I think our generation, or a large portion, is about finding ourselves and figuring out how we feel about the world, and I think that you can really find answers and opinions in the young adult world.

5. I think the author confuses young adult romance with being too cheesy and any type of romance being too cheesy. I'm a romantic and like the cheesy stuff. If you don't like it stay away from romance in general.

Basically for me this guy's opinion is extremely closed minded despite the fact that he claims to be well read. The two don't always go hand in hand. He's that guy at the dinner party who points out how every thing is wrong. He's the guy that fights with the coolest professor on campus. He's that friend that's super critical of every band you like. He's that woman from misery who breaks that guy's foot. I MEAN HE EVEN HAD A SPOILER IN HIS ARTICLE SHAME ON HIM! That's how I feel about that guy. We wouldn't be friends.

I'm going to read a book that speaks to me, regardless of the genre. If you feel similar to the person who wrote the article, please encourage readers by offering suggestions. Don't snuff anyone's glow for the written word.

Best,
Samantha the Fatulous

Vacation, all I ever wanted

So, I got a job, YAY!

To celebrate my husband took me to our favorite vacation spot.

When you go on vacation, where do you go? First and foremost--you should go to somewhere that makes you happy.

The beach? For me, I've taken too many Oceanography courses for my own good. I didn't need to know all the things that could be 5 feet away from you. I enjoy it, don't get me wrong... But I prefer lakes and rivers.

Casinos? I don't have money to lose.

We really like the White Mountains. I think they're overlooked--especially this time of year. Hear me out.

You don't have to be into skiing or hiking to enjoy the beauty.

The air is just something else. It's fresh. It feels good to breathe.

The people that live here full time are usually following their dreams and put a lot of effort into their business.

For instance, we stay at The Inn at Ellis River. It's a cute B&B that will just blow your mind. Our room has a comfy king bed, a fire place, and a Jacuzzi for two. They left fun soaps and mixes to add to the tub, along with rubber duckies. There's no kids allowed so it's always quiet. They have a pool in the summer and a full sized Jacuzzi in the main house. The breakfast is home made with secret recipes that have been passed down through the years.

All the restaurants we go to, the people are excited to be there. It's just a slower pace in general. They put time and care into the food. They support local venders.

As for shopping? Well... It's 20 minutes to the closest Walgreens, 10 to the closest liquor store, and 5 to the closest novelty shop. I love it. They have shops dedicated to jerky, to Belgian chocolate, to the occult, antiques, and really great book stores.

The people of the White Mountains are proud. They're proud of local vendors, particularly their alcohol related vendors. They aren't shy to tell you where the best places are. They love it. LOVE IT

Also, there's less pressure. After a while, I noticed that no one really wears make up up here. That is such a beautiful concept. In Mass, I almost feel obligated to do my hair a certain way, do my makeup a certain way... Dress a certain way. It's freeing just not to care.

Oh, and going this time of year has some serious perks! We got 30% off the B&B because we are returning customers, plus April is in their slow season. PLUS PLUS PLUS we added the super cheap spa package which included hour long massages. I scared my masseuse when I started to snore.. which in turn woke me up lol

So, all this left us feeling close and relaxed. But go where makes you happy! If you think the White Mountains are for you I recommend:

Stay:
Inn at Ellis River

Food:
Christmas Farm and Spa Restaurant
Hole in the Wall
Peaches
Peking Sunrise
The Banner Diner

Shopping:

The North Conway Strip. DONE.


I'm going to go sit by the fire and read this book by a local artist and drink some locally made mead. I will let you know if I like them.

Best,
Samantha the Fatulous

Shower Chic

So my brother is getting married YAYYY! I'm one of two in the party, and the other person lives far away so I'm really running the show here. Luckily I have a super awesome best friend and a super awesome husband to help me put it all together. So how do you throw a shower? What do you wear? Who is invited?




















1. Who is invited?

Well that's totally up to the couple getting married. But let me tell you... No one will respond. You will be calling, emailing, and chasing people down in grocery stores. Don't be surprised, you should know this by now.

You'll be like... ANSWER ME ANSWER ME ANSWER ME!

 

 



2. Location Location Location

Sure, you could go with a boring plain room... Or you could find that gem. The gem that is within your price range. Extra points if it's within theme. Extra points if it's sentimental to the couple getting married.

I chose the Bedford Village Inn. I had attended a wedding at the location for my sister in law. It's beautiful,  with it's rustic charm. The food is out of this world. It was voted top 10 places to get married in New Hampshire. I'm telling you, it's straight out of a fairy tail. What many people don't know is that locations like this often have smaller rooms they rent out that are just as beautiful as their grand halls... For significantly less!

The outside of Bedford Village Inn

 

The room we rented came with two attendants that filled out glasses and catered to our every whim.

There was also paintings on the walls with birds in them, which was essentially the theme, 'love birds'.

 

 

3. Know your audience

 

My brother likes control and doesn't mind attention, his fiancé doesn't particularly care about control and hates attention. Both are opinionated, though. This is pretty normal. So when picking games, think of the couple and what they would like.

 

 

Also, if you're going to use volunteers, make sure you pick volunteers before you tell them what they're doing--it's much easier to get volunteers that way-- and they usually go along with it. SSHHH that's my secret to you! My mom, for instance, would not have volunteered to be covered in toilet paper:

 

 But aren't you so glad she did?? Me too. My brother laughed so hard he cried.



If you're dealing with a shy bride or groom... Or groom and groom in this case... Make them a judge in a silly game! I chose the toilet paper fashion walk off. Always a hit. Always hilarious. That's my mom, my grandfather, and my best friend bahaha

 

Then we did a newlyweds game, they kept confiding in each other so it didn't last long hahaha

 

My last suggestion is gift bingo... The guests write what they think the couple will get so they don't get bored during gift opening. Let's be honest it's hard to watch someone else open presents.

 

4. Fooooood

 

If you are uninterested in food porn please skip to number 5. Yes. So I chose a breakfast buffet that included sausage, bacon, French toast, eggs, home fries, pastries, juice. Soooo good. I can't even. The drools.

 

Then the passed hors d'oeuvres were deviled eggs with salmon, thai egg rolls, scallops and bacon, and a mushroom with ermm... something in it idk it was good though.

 

Then the cake THE CAKE! It was sponge filled with raspberry topped with buttercream icing. Yes.

 

 

 

 

5. The fashion

 

So these are the people you probably want to believe that your life is together. So wear something nice. Wear something that projects 'I'm here to make sure the couple has a good time.' Extra points for matching the décor.

 

 



I'm wearing a cobalt blazer from Lane Bryant, $79.95 (wait for a sale, I did)

A peacock skirt from ModCloth, $69.99

A white tunic from Modcloth, $32.99

Navy heels from ModCloth, $34.99

 

Joanne's outfit... Well I don't know where most of her clothes are from so I'm going to find similar items. I gave her that sweater so I happen to know where it is from HAHA

 

Her sweater is from the company Les Petites, the sweater was limited edition and is no longer available. Find similar sweaters on their website.

 

 A dress similar to hers can be found at ModCloth, $99.99

The shoes... No way I'm going to be able to find those shoes.

 

 

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed!

 

Lots of love,

Samantha the Fatulous