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

 

Interview Advice

All y'all youngin's who read my blog... HEED MY WARNING

1. Be sure of your plans.

When I first made plans for this interview, it was for Friday at 1:30. They had to reschedule for this morning... For some reason that it didn't click that it was at a different time. Luckily I woke up at 7 for no particular reason and reread the e-mail to double check. Turns out it was planned for 10:30. I immediately jumped out of bed and rushed to the shower.

2. Always lay your outfit out the night before.

So I blow dried and did all the prep things... Then looked for my outfit. The bottom to my suit was nowhere to be found. I tore my whole apartment apart and found nothing. So I went to my plan B... A suit with flowers on it. It didn't feel right so I quickly changed into a skirt and tights and wore the top of my suit.


3. Always leave two hours before your interview if you don't know exactly where you are going.

I did this for traffic reasons... Just in case. Luckily, there was no traffic... At all! I arrived with an hour and a half to spare. So I pull up to the entrance of the location I applied to--wrong entrance. They said I just had to follow the road and couldn't miss it. The road came to an end and I saw no entrance. I drove back and forth till I pulled over to ask a different entrance where the correct entrance was. Turns out I had to take two rights after the road ends. So I get to the entrance and at this point I'm like

With only 45 minutes to spare. I had to get a guest pass, so I park my car and walk into a reasonable line. No problem. I ask if the building I was looking for was easy to find... They say yes. Good news! I planned to do my makeup in my spare time. So I get my pass and I finally drive on location. Not only can I not find the building but I can't make sense of the number system. I felt like this:

 

 

 

So I look at the clock and next thing I knew I had 12 minutes till my interview. I talked to the closest person I could find and I was like:

 

 

Luckily I was extremely close to the building. So I look for parking... None! NONE! So... I sort of made a spot behind other people who clearly also made some impromptu spots. 8 minutes till the interview I changed shoes and ran toward the building. I went to the general location of the office, and I couldn't find anyone so I was like:

I soon found a very nice woman who showed me where to go. At this point my phone was off but I'm pretty sure I made it... Which brings me to my next word of advice.

4. Shake off whatever happened prior to you being there because it's your time to make it or break it!

I'm not going to say where this place is, because I don't want to jinx it. Keep your fingers crossed for me because the place I applied to seems really nice... Just a really great atmosphere! I hope I hope I hope!

Lots of love,
Samantha the Fatulous

Rumor Has It

Everybody talks about everybody... It's our society. I'm the first to say I like to know what's going on in my friend's lives. Usually in this case, it's a positive conversation, like this:

"Did you hear Kristen is pregnant?"
"No, but that's so exciting!"

Or when you get in a fight with someone, you're going to vent. That makes sense, you can't get mad at someone for venting as long as the situation is eventually resolved.

There are the people you are cordial with because you have to be. It's clear you don't see eye to eye but there's respect there. But behind closed doors, you're going to vent.

There are the people you just don't get along with.. Again, you vent... But it can't prevent your day to day life or theirs. The stories are good though!

Then there is the last group... The group that pretends to like you then talks poorly about you. I don't understand this group. If I think you like me, you act like you are excited to see me, then why do I keep hearing rumors?

It's frustrating that I genuinely try to be nice to everyone. I have to accept that not everyone is going to like me. But what am I to do now? Every time I hear a rumor it's harder to pretend I don't know. It's hard to accept these excited greetings.

No one likes to be talked about. Sometimes you gotta shake it off. Sometimes you just gotta keep on keeping on.

Best,

 

Samantha the Fatulous

Why Everyone Should Go To A Drag Show

Fitchburg State has a lot of issues. It's not the safest neighborhood... The administration makes some questionable decisions that do not benefit the students. But student life... That's one of the biggest reasons to go to Fitchburg. There's so many events that are student hosted. Like, every night there are events worth going to. There's one event though... It's bigger than the annual concert... Bigger than the raves, the comedy nights, the casino nights... That's Fitchburg State University's Drag Show. You really can't miss it. It's an open and free environment that everyone can be themselves. That, to me, makes a good atmosphere.

1. The talent

How creative do you have to be to rework these classic songs in a hilarious and interesting way. Plus, I can't walk in heels, nevermind dance in them so kudos to the heel dancing community, I suck.















2. The fashion

Everything is so glamorous. The shoes, the costumes, the hair, the makeup. Some of the boobs even rivaled my own! There's clever costume changes... Beautiful hair... I just love the looks!











3. What's on the inside

The guts to be who you want to be in a society that makes up rules that really don't matter. The world Is beautiful because of our differences. Not only that but guys that you go to college with actually sign up to get dressed up for the crowd. It's not even a question about being worried of being bullied after because it's not like that. The people that go up are awesome and get nothing but love and support.








4.The Fund Raising

All ticket proceeds go to a local charity every year. Also, this is the location for pro-equality which is so important. With over 1000 tickets sold-- $10 for non students and $5 for students I think... Just imagine the money they raised for a local charity. A bonus-- one of the dancers sold her left tit for $80. Signed and kissed.










5. The Fun

Dancing on tables, breaking chairs, some extra special attention... You're going to have a good time. There's jokes, lip syncing... REAL SINGING! It's all magical.

So what I'm saying is... if you didn't go last night you missed out. GO NEXT YEAR! Or look for local opportunities. You will love it. One more picture:
















Best,
Samantha the Fatulous

Listening to a Skipping Track

I like to talk. I think we all know I like to talk.

I've also been through a lot, which makes me particularly good at understanding other's pain. I think it's stamped on my forehead sometimes because people I don't even know particularly well have always been quite forthcoming.

For as long as I can remember, I've given advice. Today, I'm giving advice about giving advice.

It's difficult, it's complex.

A lot of times, you may find that the receiver of your advice talks about the same problem with no solution... And probably, they go back to the thing that gave them pain in the first place.

It's frustrating. It's emotionally taxing on the advice giver because you care.

The thing is, just because you give advice, doesn't mean the listener is obligated to take it.

You don't truly know what it's like to be in their shoes even if the situation is similar. They can't always see your perspective because things aren't always as simple as it sounds.

It took me a long time to accept this.

When I was young, a lot of bad things happened between my parents. My father was abusive and we stayed. He did something worth going to jail for again... This time for four years. My mother bailed him out and he left us.

Soon after my mother began dating someone new. 12 years later... They are finally openly out as a couple. But it was after years of seeing her smiling like a school girl one week, and crying like her world was ending the next. Do you know what that is like? To watch your mother cry for twelve years? I begged her to move on. I gave her reasons in a nice way. I gave her reasons in a harsh way. At the end of the day it didn't matter.

You are only in control of yourself. You need to do what is best for you. There is only so much you can do for someone, then you have to let it go. We're all moving the same direction at different speeds. We're like leaves in a current, and sometimes people just get caught up.

So what do you do? Keep calm, try your best to be a good friend. Hope they find their way. Be supportive if they make a change. And dear bob don't give advice when you're angry. That helps no one. If eventually, it all becomes too much, you have to do what is best for your life. But when you do that, remember there is a person who is still hurting, so find your balance or separation from the situation.

Like I said, complicated. Just try your best every day.

Lots of love,
Samantha the Fatulous

ps sorry for the hiatus... I'm trying really hard to find a job. That's what I do every second of every day... With the exception of when my friends pry me from my computer.