Grateful Wed

This week, I'm devoting Grateful Wed to books for which I'm grateful. There have been quite a few lately, so here goes:
1. I'm very grateful for the book THE WRITER'S PORTABLE THERAPIST by Rachel Ballon, Ph.D. This book is more like an intensive therapy session that you can do when you feel like it or push through in a couple of days. Every section has writing exercises, and it's awesome. I can't explain it because it's a bit unusual, but I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who writes, has ever wanted to write or has ever wanted to QUIT writing. I've talked before about that invisible 'veil' in my writing. This book is breaking through it. I truly believe I will look back one day and attribute a turning point in my writing to the this book.
2. I'm grateful for YA author Sarah Dessen. Even though she's been a hot YA commodity for several years, I've just now gotten around to reading her (Sorry, Sarah), mostly because she's my Chapel Hill neighbor. Anyway, I LOVE her work, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the three I've read so far. Add Sarah Dessen to the list of YA books that I would definitely recommend for adult reading.
3. I'm grateful for JULIA GILLIAN AND THE ART OF KNOWING by Alison McGhee. I just picked up this book to use for our first family read aloud, mostly because it's set in Minneapolis, my husband's hometown. It references many local landmarks identifiable to our family which makes the book all the more fun. It's our first family read aloud of the summer, and we already love Julia Gillian and her dog, Bigfoot.
4. I'm grateful for Lisi Harrison who made my older daughter, a bit of a reluctant reader, now a voracious reader. Though she began with Harrison's books, she's now branched out a ton. It's so true that it just takes ONE BOOK to turn someone into a reader.
5. I'm grateful for Lauren Myracle, author of the ELEVEN, TWELVE, AND THIRTEEN books. My kids love them, they address lots of good delicate issues like periods and tampons in a way that really helps girls (and moms). Plus, I love that when my daughter e-mailed Lauren Myracle on her website, she answered right away.
6. I'm grateful for Dr. Seuss's OH THE PLACES YOU'LL GO. That book is the very best accoutrement for a graduation gift, and I don't know what I'd do without it and, of course, the good doctor.
Hope you like my new twist on Grateful Wed. If you want to be grateful, too, don't feel like you have to stick to books. Be grateful for anything, just BE GRATEFUL.
xoxox Have a good night!