Thursday Things! (#TVD, Game.Set.Match., NA & more!)

• TV: Tonight? Brand new VAMPIRE DIARIES! Are you excited? I am. But I'm also a little concerned—hoping it doesn't involve a lot of torture (as you know that's not my cup of vervain). BUT I do sincerely, truly, passionately hope they restore Elena's humanity soon, because that show needs a relatable focal point, and sorry but Matt isn't enough for This Girl.
• BOOKS: I'm reading TWO delightful books. One is delightful in a guilty-pleasure way. If you follow me on Twitter, you see me talking about it in lots of noises and !!. It's called THOUGHTLESS and it's New Adult (NA) a genre that is piquing my interest in a big way, as I THOUGHT I was writing a YA...and it turns out it could be NA. So there's that. And it's happy-making! I love new things. The second is THE INTERESTINGS, a story about teens from a fine arts camp and their life after. As a former fine arts camper and counselor, I find it  infinitely fascinating. It's by Meg Wolitzer and has a rainbow striped cover. Highly recommend. 
• WRITING: I visited my son's 4th grade class yesterday and gave a little talk on revision. It was so fun sharing props like, did you know I jotted down notes for SEA on a paper napkin, JK Rowling-style? I brought a signed poster which they hung on their whiteboard. The class (especially the girls) asked insightful and smart questions. They made me feel like a rock star, and my sweet boy told me I did a great job. *aw* Thank you, 4th graders!
• FOOD: I'm obsessed with palek paneer, an Indian dish with spinach and farmer's cheese. I could eat like, a whole plate. Or two. Wait, I just did.
• EXERCISE: Yoga. It's what's before lunch.
• SPELLSPINNERS: Coliloquy has extended the .99 sale for WITCH'S BREW for one more week. Get it while you can! Quickly! Before it costs as much as a latte! (e-book humor. Don't mind me.) Oh, and Big 'Grats to the launch of GAME. SET. MATCH. It's setting Amazon's sports books aflame with its NA hotness! http://www.coliloquy.com

Deeply moving observations from near the finish line

My dear friend Laurel McAndrews was saved from the terror at the Boston Marathon finish line by a split second decicion. Here she touches on what she plans to do now.:

As I left Boston this morning, I was reminded of how fortunate I am to be walking myself out of the city today. I came to Boston to support runners in accomplishing a monumental act of athleticism. I left having borne witness to violence against others there for the same reason. And this morning, I value the implications of a split second decision to avoid finish line congestion by moving to a location a mile away, just about 20 minutes in advance of the events.

As I watch yesterday's coverage, I'm affected by the images of the explosions on the sidelines and of the injured being wheeled from the scene. The majority of these individuals were not runners, but fans. And were it not for the dedication of those fans and many more around them, I would have undoubtedly have been standing at that finish line cheering runners as they hit that 26.2 mile mark. These individuals, like me, were there on Boylston to support family members, friends, and thousands of runners, all sources of inspiration, who those on the sidelines will never know.

As I learn more about the injuries sustained yesterday, I'm beyond grateful to be able bodied today. I vow to put my legs to their best use, on the running trail and on the sidelines, to push my limits and stand in support of others as they do the same.

I feel blessed to have witnessed such greatness and to have been spared from the violence against others like me. I'm humbled by the concern from hundreds of family and friends. Thank you for your calls, texts, emails, tweets, messages, and for relaying news between one another. May your sentiments of encouragement be felt by those at Mass General and at hospitals all over Boston today.

The Host! (And a Host* of Other Nifty Things!)

I don't know about you, but I'm totally going to see The Host this weekend. Reviews like this one cannot deter this teen book adaptation movie goer! Though quotes like:

"Everything we see looks pretty darn nifty, a sort of Silicon Valley version of sanitized architectural splendor populated by well-scrubbed, politely impersonal citizens who resemble Mormon Ken and Barbies."

...do lead to A) giggling. It's true! Silicon Valley is like that! Have you checked out Stanford's Business School? It's like entering the future and that future is a sausage fest of prep! And B) why are Mormons the last remaining social group we're allowed to opening make fun of outside of a Comedy Central Roast? I don't get it! Seems unfair.

Anyway, SM, you had me at the weird eyes. You know if you've read my Spellspinners Series I'm nonplussed by strange eyes (though the Jekyll/Hyde acting sounds hilar. In the best possible Teen Movie Adaptation way).

Speaking of Jekyl and Hyde, my good pal Jon Skovron has a new book coming out soon! It's about a sweet monster named Boy and his adventure. It's funny and romantic and sad and gruesome and I just love it. Look for it and mark it To Read on your Goodreads!                                                                          *couldn't resist. 

Veronica Mars movie plot!

If you subscribe to Entertainment Weekly like I do, you may already know a bit about the Veronica Mars movie plot. As most of you know, I was late to the series (for shame!) and absolutely adore the witty writing and original characters. I'm only halfway through S2, so no spoilers about how they left our girl, but here's the bit about the movie I learned (in my words). Thanks, EW!

-After graduating from Neptune High, Veronica went on to Stanford University for undergrad (Go Cardinal!) and followed up with a law degree at Columbia. (Go Veronica!) The film with continue her story ten years after we leave V and gang, when she gets a phone call from Logan whose pop star girlfriend (*giggle*) has been murdered. He's the main suspect (no surprise with those genetics).  Can she deny helping him out? Will feelings spark again? Will they redo that radder-than-rad motel balcony smooch?

A 10-year reunion is also in the works!

So, now that we  know a bit about V and L, what do you hypothesize as the 10-year forward-fate for the rest of the lovable (and not) VMars crew?

Leave your ideas in comments!