Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, all! :) Thanksgiving happens to be my favorite holiday (and not just because it's around my birthday!), even moreso than Christmas. I love the good food - turkey and gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, garlic green beans, cornbread, stuffing, apple cider - and the time I get to spend with my family.

I'm quite thankful for a lot of things this year, because 2010 was a tough year overall. I've had more downs than ups, and was struggling for a long time with depression.


So, the first thing I'm thankful for is you. All of my followers, readers, stalkers (yes, I'm staring at you, Emi). It's been such a wonderful opportunity to talk with you all over our common interest in books. It's been even greater to become friends with you guys outside of my blog, as well. I know I say this a lot, but I'm very thankful for you guys because you encourage me with your kind thoughts and comments.

I'm thankful for books and my book blog. I know that sounds weird, but it's true. I was struggling for a long time just finding a will to live. But when I turned to books, I was able to forget my woes and worries; I was able to forget the world. From books, I found this wonderful thing called the book blogging community and decided to join it on a whim. Boy, did I not know what I was signing up for. My book blog takes so much of my time, and while that is daunting to some, it made me really happy. I was able to be productive and have something to focus on other than my sadness.

I'm thankful for my mom. We may have our ups and downs (more downs, haha!) and we may fight constantly. Ultimately, though, we love each other. She's always there when I need her, even at midnight when I wake her up, crying. She's the reason I'm still here - she fought so hard to get me to graduate high school, and with my teachers and psychiatrists who didn't believe in me. The main point was that she believed in me. She's done her best to keep me happy, and I love her for it.

I'm thankful to my ex-boyfriend for breaking up with me. We were both miserable, but stayed in our relationship for who knows what reason. Through him, I found out the things I am not looking for in a guy. This might come off as petty and bitter, but I assure you - it isn't. My relationship with him was a huge learning experience for me, and made me realize what qualities I do want in a relationship, none of which he had. If it weren't for him, I would probably still be in a miserable relationship with him, and I wouldn't have started reading books as passionately as before, and I wouldn't have met you all because I wouldn't have started a book blog.

I'm thankful to my dogs. They provide me with comfort and love me unconditionally. They're always happy to see me, or be around me, and will always bring a smile to my face. They're there when I need a shoulder to cry on, or when I need someone to walk with, or when I'm just plain feeling lonely.

I'm thankful to my brother for making me not want to kill him this year. ;P

I'm thankful to my sister-in-law for making my brother change in ways my mom and I couldn't.

I'm thankful to baby Malea, my niece that is due in January. She's changed my brothers life, and my life, and she brings meaning to our entire family every day. I want to be someone she can be proud of calling her aunt, so because of her, I strive to do my best every single day.

I'm thankful to my cousins, for being beacons of support and for accepting me back into their ranks with open arms.

I'm thankful to my friends for the same reason. They had every right not to talk to me again, but most of them came rushing back to my side when I needed them the most.

I'm thankful to Gabriel for reasons I won't mention. But I'm very thankful of him.

Lastly, I'm thankful for all of the authors who have supported me and took a chance with my book blog. Your constant support and kind words are what drives me to continue to produce quality reviews.


Although this was not the best year for me, I've met some wonderful people and had a great circle of support this year. I wouldn't trade what happened this year for the world, because it made me a stronger person. I'm very thankful for this year.

I hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving and eat so much good food you get a food-induced coma (because I know that's what I'll be doing!).