Lizzie Bennet, have you heard of her?

Confession: I've never read Pride and Prejudice. Not for lack of trying, I've tried a few times to read it and I just can't get through it. I'm exactly sure why, I think the language tends to make me go cross-eyed. It's not much of an excuse, but I don't really have any other reason.

That being said, I LOVE movie adaptations of it. Bridget Jones' Diary remains one of my most watched movies of all times. Bride and Prejudice is one of my greatest finds ever. Even the Pride and Prejudice: A Latter Day Comedy is fairly entertaining (in a "you'll get more of the jokes if you're LDS" kind of way). While the Keira Knightly version isn't horrible, there will never be a better adaptation of Pride and Prejudice than the one with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

While I can't seem to fall in love with Mr. Darcy on paper, I fall for him in every regeneration of him on film. While Matthew Macfadyen, Orlando Seale, and Martin Henderson are perfectly wonderful Darcys, Colin Firth will always and forever remain THE Darcy. You can attribute that to him being Darcy twice, but his Darcy is what made me love to watch every version of this story.

All that being said, there is a webseries that is worming it's way into my heart and causing me to look forward to Mondays and Thursdays (and sometimes Tuesdays and Fridays). Created by the genius minds that are Hank Green and Bernie Su, this webseries has kind of taken over my lunch time youtube sessions.



This modern adaptation is not only incredibly well made, but also, fantastically funny. Ashley Clements plays the part of the slightly socially awkward, nerdy, but still incredibly witty Lizzie Bennet to perfection. Her awkwardness is never uncomfortable, nor is it her most distinguishing feature. The rest of the cast is just as talented and watchable. Also, Darcy... amazing. Though I still view Colin as my number one Darcy, this series' Darcy, is "totes adorbs" and might be my second favorite.

I highly recommend this series. Seriously, click the video above and watch the entire series. And soon you'll watch the entire series in one day and be saying:

Did you ever want to write a novel? A lot of people want to write a book.

In addition to my last post, I realized I was forgetting one key thing that helps me during NaNoWriMo.

An awesome wallpaper.
Last year, I made a wallpaper, it was a pretty big hit with most people. Not only that, but I was really proud of it. It was simple but nice and got the point across.



Now, for this year, I'm trying to find another quote to use. I really love the John Green quote because during NaNo, it's something I have beat in my brain. But I'm wondering if any of my lovely readers have other favorite quotes pertaining to writing.

Is there a saying that you live by while you write?
Or one that has just kind of stuck with you?

Let me know, I may use it in a wallpaper (or two). The only thing is that it has to be a fairly short quote. So leave a comment and let me know what your favorite quotes about writing are.

"My Thoughts are Stars I Cannot Fathom into Constellations."

I've been contemplating on whether to do a book review on The Fault in Our Stars for a while. The thing is, I'm not really that good at book reviews. If you're looking for an excellent review for this book check out my friend Meg's review.

Since I'm generally a follower and not a leader, I figured what the heck, I'll give you guys my thoughts on this book. Now that I've had almost four months to collect my thoughts about it.

Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now.

Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too; post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means), Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault.

Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly to her, interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.

So here's the thing with John Green. It's no secret that I adore his books. When I heard that John was taking a leap and writing from a female perspective for the first time, I was stoked. He writes some amazing male characters and some truly interesting female characters as well, but writing a main female character can be a bit of a challenge when you've written primarily male characters. With a few exceptions, I felt that Hazel Grace was a very well developed character with faults and strengths that are incredibly relateable (even to those of us not dying from cancer). There were a few moments where I thought that she was a bit of a cliche, but a book with out cliches is hard to find, and the cliches weren't part of the main story points.

Clearly this book is not the happiest of all books. But the way this book flows is incredible. It takes the rollercoaster of teenage love and sets it to super fast. Just when you get the highest you can be, it brings you down a little bit, lifts you up, then plummets you down quicker than you'd like. It's heart crushing and heart touching all at the same time. I have never read a book that made me feel as many feelings as this book did.

I'm ending with Augustus for a reason. I read a lot of contemporary YA fiction. This (more often than not) consists of a lot of teen romances that end in happily ever afters and kisses and rainbows. It has some of the dreamiest guys that you can't help but fall in love with. That being said, after meeting Augustus Waters, I felt that most all the other guys paled in comparison. The thing about Augustus is that he is incredibly aware of how he effects Hazel. He is also, extremely set on getting what he wants. There is nothing sexier than a man who knows what he wants and isn't afraid to take it.

Hazel and Augustus' relationship is a whirlwind of a romance that manages to stay fairly grounded in the reality of their situation.

Warning: If you read this book, you will cry at least once. If you don't cry: We can't be friends anymore (just kidding).

Because I'm a quote-aholic, I'm going to end this post with quotes from this book... there will be a lot of them... sorry.

"What a slut time is. She screws everybody."

"Some infinities are bigger than other infinities."

“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book. And then there are book which you can't tell people about, books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like a betrayal.”

“(I didn't tell him that the diagnosis came three months after I got my first period. Like: Congratulations! You're a women. Now die.)”

You can check out John Green every tuesday on his Youtube channel, Vlogbrothers

Currently in this episode of Anna's Life...

Well Happy New Year everyone!!!

I wish I could blame the lack of posts on the fact that I'm super busy writing an awesome story, or on the recent releases of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and Marissa Meyers' Cinder, or because I've been busy getting things ready for my mom to come visit this weekend. However, I'm not going to lie to you guys.

I'm just lazy.

And busy.

But mostly, lazy.

So to get over this laziness, I'm going to do a "Currently" post.*

Book:

The Fault in Our Stars

You need to go buy this book. NOW! I'm 80% sure that this book is going to be my favorite John Green book. I'm also about 98.8% sure that this book is going to make me cry like a little girl. John Green just wants me to FEEL ALL OF THE FEELINGS!!!!

Also, this book makes me want to write. Like a lot. It also makes me laugh out loud.

Music:

Dial Up Tour EP

I'll be seeing these guys in concert in a few weeks so their music has been on repeat.

Drink:

Chai Latte from Beans and Brews. I'm addicted. It's kind of bad.

Wishlist:

*closes eyes*

I wish for a giant chocolate shake.

That's pretty much all I want at the moment.

Movie:

What's Your Number?

This movie is extremely funny. I've watched it three times in one week. Anna Faris and Chris Evans are amazing!

TV Show:

Currently I'm in the middle of a Legend of the Seeker marathon.I'm not sure what compelled me to re-watch it, but I had forgotten how much I loved it.

Bane of my Existence:

The cold. Utah is cold. I hate it.

Excitement:

MY MOM FLYS IN TOWN TOMORROW!!! Also, Beauty and the Beast is 3D comes out tomorrow, I met one of my new favorite authors yesterday and my best friend had her baby today. It's been a pretty good week. (:

Wallpaper:

Made by me.

*shamelessly stolen from Helen.

Nerdfighting... In Your Pants!

As John said in the video, Nerdfighteria is going to be starting a new site called Your Pants, and is haveing a contest in designing the logo for said site.

So, just to try my hand at it, I came up with two logo's.
I'm pretty proud of myself.
Both of them are made from scratch. &hearts

First:

I'm pretty proud of myself for drawing the 'A' from scratch.

But I think I like the second one more...
Second:

Thoughts?

Embrace your inner Nerdfighter!

There are some weeks I wish I could just cut out all the crappy bits (like work) and all that would be left would be the awesome bits of the day.

Take yesterday for example. I finally get over from being sick all last week, go to work, where things really weren't all that terrible, just uneventful, and I get home and look what was in my mailbox!

GUYS! It's AWESOME!!! I was stalking it online for like a week and half trying to use my Jedi Mind Trick to make it get to me faster. It made me so happy to see it in my mailbox! I was bouncing up and down in my car about it.

For those who don't know, the bracelet says 'This star won't go out." For the This Star Won't Go Out Foundation, its a foundation started in the memory of Ester Earl, an avid nerdfighter, who passed away from Thyroid Cancer. The foundation is to assist families who have a child living with cancer. I was so excited to be able to contribute to this amazing charity!

This all happened coming off the high I was feeling driving home from work when I talked to my husband. For the past couple months I've been considering the chances of going to Dragon*Con. I've really wanted to go for a few years and now it almost seems possible.

My husband made a deal with me. If I could save up the money to go, then it was fine. I was giggly and ecstatic, then I realize what that meant. It meant I was giving up a handful of things that are going to be happening between now and September.

The first being: A new Zune. I want a new Zune more than Charlie Brown wants to kick a football. My current zune (affectionately named 'Butt Trumpet' #starkidreferanceftw) occasionally craps out on me every once an a while. Though it's been a bit better as of late, I've been coveting a new Zune for over a year. But it's worth giving up... I hope.

The second: Mamma Mia. Broadway Across America is bringing Mamma Mia to Salt Lake in June, I love the movie, I love ABBA, but I'm not sure that I love it enough to go see it live. I'm sure it'll be amazing, but this is the one thing I knew I could live without seeing.

The last (and really most revealing about how serious I am about going to Dragon Con): The Little Mermaid on Broadway. The Tuachan Theater in St. George is putting on this show for three months. I was really really excited for it. I was planning on going for my birthday, but here is where I had to make the choice. It was either Ariel or Dragon Con. It breaks my heart a little to give this up, and I'm hoping Dragon Con will be worth it. *crosses fingers*

So instead of doing all of those things, I'm saving a little bit of money each pay check to save enough money to go to the Con. Luckily, I have a couple of online friends who are willing to share a hotel room with me so that we can split the cost. I'm pretty stoked for it, not gonna lie. It makes the nerd in me totally go crazy!

Currently Listening to: When I Get You Alone ` Darren Criss (on repeat. *is addicted*)
Currently Reading: An Abundance of Katherines ` John Green.