BY MINDI SCOTT
Spoiler: I’m giving away an advance copy of Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt at the end of this post!
From around age 8 to age 18, Valentine’s Day was my favorite holiday. I loved making cupcakes with pink frosting, picking out cards and candy to give to my classmates, and getting presents from my mom.
More than all of those things, though, I loved the anticipation. Valentine’s Day felt like a day when anything could happen. Every February 14th, I hoped that whichever boy I liked that year would buy me a school-fundraiser balloon or rose to be delivered to me in class. Or that he’d ask me to be his girlfriend. Or that he’d make some grand gesture that showed me he liked me.
It never happened. Not even once. I now appreciate Valentine’s Day for the heart-shaped Junior Mints (when the stores aren’t sold out!), but it’s otherwise kind of unimportant. I have a husband who loves me every day, so I don’t want or need grand gestures in February. (Unless it involves tracking down the aforementioned Junior Mints–that’s real devotion.)
This year, on my formerly-favorite holiday, I thought it would be fun for me to kick off a series of SHARING THE LOVE posts about books! I received a few advance copies at ALA a few weeks ago, and I’d love to use them for their intended purpose of talking up upcoming books that I enjoyed.
Today, I have Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt! This one comes out in mid-March this year, and is the story of Mallory who, after discovering that her boyfriend is cheating on her with an online girlfriend, decides to “go vintage” and live like it’s 1962–when there was no internet. As the jacket states, it includes “heartfelt family moments, laugh-out-loud humor, and a little bit of romance.”
What especially resonated most with me in this book is the theme of “finding your thing.” Mallory doesn’t feel like she stands out or has anything that is really hers, so she (sort of accidentally) sets out to discover those things about herself. I so relate to feeling non-unique and average, and especially would have related to it as a teen.
Here’s a short list of “Things About Me” that I came up with after reading this book:
1. Vegetarian cooking (My mother-in-law says I make the best vegetarian food of anyone she knows)
2. Mixing my lipsticks and applying with a brush for truly custom colors.
3. Absently drawing hearts all over the place.
4. Collecting every book by Victoria Holt/Phillipa Carr (but not Jean Plaidy, because I didn’t like those very much)
5. Writing books (Because it is a thing I do)
Surprisingly, I actually could go on. But I want to hear from YOU!
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For a chance to win my Going Vintage ARC, please leave a comment below (along with an email address where I can contact you) telling me one or more of the “things” that makes you you.
Michelle Andreani and Mindi Scott 
I didn’t really know the premise of this book, but it’s by Lindsey Leavitt, which is all I needed to know (I adored Sean Griswold’s Head and the Princess for Hire series), BUT reading your post makes me go WOW, is this book about me? (Or well, about teen me.) I often felt very average and middle of the road (hm, still do sometimes), so I can’t wait to read how Mallory overcomes this (either from the ARC or when I buy it in the store 😉
Somethings that make me, me? I’m a very good listener. I’m athletic. I despise citrus (specifically pineapple and grapefruit). I’m good with a one liner, but not so good at telling whole stories. The end.
Abby – It’s such a great story. If you’ve loved Lindsey’s other books, I’m sure you’ll love this one too!
And oh, man. What I wouldn’t give to have the one-liner skill. 😀
I am bowing out of the giveaway (though I can’t wait to read this book!!), but I just wanted to say what makes me ME: I’m the best at arranging things in the refrigerator. Like, THE BEST. I can make anything fit! I’m super proud of that. 😉
My vegetable drawer needs your help! 🙂
Pixie is just The Best. Period.
ISN’T SHE?! 🙂
❤ her big time!
I’ve been dying to read this book, so thank you for the giveaway, Mindi!
Things that make me, me:
1) I unabashedly loved stuffed animals, especially pillow pets. (I think we have this in common? XD)
2) I like playing book matchmaker. Every time I read a book that I like, I’m constantly thinking of whom I can tell about the book. More often than not, I end up giving them *my* copy, which means I need to go get another copy…
3) I still send handwritten letters/cards/postcards to people. I actually don’t have Facebook, and let people know that if they need to contact me in the event of an emergency, they can email. Otherwise, snail mail!
(I think I would have really enjoyed the days of the pony express, etc. :P)
4) I love making things for people. Except they’re never really useful – e.g. I make them clay sculptures of donuts or birds. Got to learn how to make some more practical things!
Oh, my gosh! Yes! I have always loved stuffed animals and Pillow Pets are my current love. My cats are addicted to sleeping on their puppies, so I need to get a fourth one that can be just for me. 😀
Would love to read this one!
Something about me.. hmm..
I
have insane determination. I love when someone tells me I cant do something! Not only will I do it, but I will do it well!
I have many animals, and a cat that talks 😉 Seriously.. she says mom!
I also love DIY decorating. I am currently working on a 1920’s piano. I plan to give it a steampunk makeover 😉
Your piano project sounds awesome!
One of my cats once yelled, “Hey!” at me. Since then, I’ve been half convinced that there’s a world-wide conspiracy where animals pretend to not speak our language(s). 🙂
I so want to read this book! Thanks for hosting this. 🙂 Things that make me ME:
1. I am half terrified/half fascinated with hippos. They have big square teeth and they can run really fast and they kill! Despite that, I think cartoon/stuffed versions are adorable.
2. I am rereading all of my old Baby-Sitters Club books from childhood and blogging about them as I go. I’ve become the BSC/old 90s books guru in my group of friends.
3. My sister and I like to make up insults for each other: pineapple head, sock-wearer, pants-wearer, tree, shrub, whatever we can come up with at the time.
4. I love crayons…the smell, feel, colors (duh). Crayola only, of course. My dad would bring me home the big 96 box from work as a kid and I would color-code them. Yes, I am a nerd. I eventually want to get a crayon tattoo. Cerulean, if you’re interested. 🙂
So much interesting stuff! The BSC was important to me for a long time. I’d love to reread them. And a cerulean crayon tattoo sounds awesome! I always color-coded my boxes too. 🙂
After hearing Lindsey talk about her latest book at a local event, I knew it would be fun to get my hands on it. Yet, I didn’t really know the premise until you described it and it sounds AWESOME! I would love to have an ARC of it! So here are the things that make me ME:
1. I love to wander around old graveyards looking at the worn stones and imagining the lives that were lived in the dash, as they say. They are very peaceful, intriguing places for me.
2. I am an obsessive reader – I get ahold of a book and if it pulls me in I can’t put it down until it’s done, even if that means turning the last page at 2am. I am always shocked when a book doesn’t grab me and I don’t feel that connection. It doesn’t happen very often.
3. I am pretty comfortable without any makeup on. I grew up NOT wearing any makeup until I was in my twenties. Now I love it, but I don’t have to wear to feel like I look okay. I’m sure other people may have their opinions on that one.
4. Finally, I’m a sucker for a good quote. Words can really inspire or motivate me and I just love finding a great quote and posting it on my wall or Pin-ing it for reference later. Gotta love great words!
Thanks for this fun opportunity. I can’t wait to read Lindsey’s latest!
I am the same with books! Which is why I don’t get to read as much as I’d like. I have a hard time pulling myself away to do anything else that needs to get done!
I would LOVE to be comfortable without makeup on. I do go to the gym and such without makeup, but my skin isn’t great, so I much prefer the more photo-shopped-looking effect that makeup has.
One of things that makes me ….me? I think that would be my listening and coping skills and turning a negative into a positive .
Those are very nice skills to have! The last one, especially, I would imagine. (I don’t always have that ability.)
Baking!! I am really addicted to it. So much fun!!! Oh and tattoos. I have a bunch 🙂 Some literary tattoos as well.
Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com
I always love when people post pictures of tattoos with book references! (I have three small tattoos, but I am such a non-fan of pain that I’m not sure if I’ll ever have the nerve to get another. Maybe someday!)
I have a book reference tattoo! You will never ever guess which book and/or author. 😉
TL by SD? 🙂
MAYBE. . . Maybe. (But yes. So transparent!)
1. I hate peas. Well, actually, I’m a really texture driven person, when it comes to food. It’s why I hate peas, because it’s all so mushy! EWWWW. I also need the right ‘ratio’ of food (a certain amount of meat with a certain amount of potatoes). It makes me weird, but it makes me…me…
2. I’m also half Korean. It’s affected the way I eat, the way I approach my school work, and the way I interact with people. I’m proud of my heritage. It definitely makes me unique.
3. I’m also a really good listener and encourager. I’m more shy, not very outgoing, but I am definitely there for my friends through thick and thin.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
My husband is the same with food–very texture driven. I actually LOVE frozen peas (after they’re cooked). I don’t find them mushy at all. But he very much disagrees. 🙂
Awww, this is so nice of you! Thank you for giving an ARC of this book away!
Something about me, eh? Hmm. I have a ridiculous obsession with all things purple. It’s not just my favorite color. Oh noooo, purple is like, a lifestyle choice. Good thing my parents moved to Baltimore, Maryland before I was born, because the only other team in the NFL that has a purple jersey is the Vikings. Ewww, Vikings. Also why I like Fiorentina, in Italian soccer lol.
But my obsession with purple goes beyond purple – I color-code EVERYTHING. Take my blog for example; the reviews, the posts, the giveaways… all the fonts have to match the featured book’s cover, or some image in the post (and if there is no image, then the defualt color is light purple. Of course).
I guess that’s something nice about me. Depends on how you look at it – my crazy OCDness with colors drives my parents up a wall lol
Thank you so much!
lilleetleet AT verizon DOT net
“purple is like, a lifestyle choice.”
Heeee! That is so cute!
I actually have a bit of OCDness about colors too. My mom let me out of the house as a kid in such things as purple Minnie Mouse sweatshirts with red plaid pants. As a result, I’m now very picky about things matching. I went through a phase last summer where I specifically wore colors together that didn’t complement each other particularly well (pink with green, for example)–just to see if I could handle it. I couldn’t. 🙂
Hmm…this is hard for me…but I guess, if you asked someone else they would say that I am a damned good hostess. I love entertaining and preparing fun food and drinks for whoever may be coming to my place for whatever we happen to be celebrating on any occassion. It could be a major holiday, someone birthday or a DVD release party. Although I do tend to stress out during the planning, because I want everything to be perfect for my guests, in the end, everyone (including myself) seems to have a good time.
I am also very good at closet organzing. If you want your shirts, sweaters, jackets, pants neat and orderly, than I’m your girl. Not only is my closet color coordinated, it’s also organzined by season and style. Work clothes in one section, play clothes in another. My t-shirts are even arranged by type: Disney (organized by character), Twilight (organized by movie), Music, Movies and Snarkiness. It’s a sickness, I know.
The other thing I am very good at is being a redhead. Just saying. I’ve had every color hair under the rainbow and red just seems to suit me and my personality best.
You’re so cute! Right now, I feel like red is my color too. I’m always looking at pictures of Emma Stone for color/style inspiration. 🙂
And I’m the same with entertaining. I love planning the menu and trying to make it perfect, but I do stress out. Which is why I don’t do a lot of it. But I have so many cool platters and serving dishes, so I need opportunities to use them!
Me too, MIndi!! Especially for Christmas and Easter! It’s scary how many chip and dip platters and holiday themed glasses I have.
1) In basketball, hockey, and soccer I shoot left handed/footed, but I’m right-handed.
2) I’m allergic to chicken. Weird, right?
3) I was born in the Yukon. Yes, dogsleds and igloos.
4) I’m OCD about germs but I don’t mind getting dirty when I’m gardening or camping. Apparently, I believe there is clean dirt and dirty dirt.
5) I’m Canadian, so sadly I can’t win the ARC. I will buy it when it comes out though! Thanks for telling us about it.
I had a friend who grew up in Alaska, which people in the continental U.S. would often mix up with the Yukon. They’d ask, “Did you live in an igloo? Did you have a pet polar bear?” It drove him crazy. But it sounds like you could almost have answered “yes” to those questions where you were born!
Thanks so much for sharing your “things”! It’s been a lot of fun getting to read everyone’s responses. 🙂
If I had to “find my thing” I’d say it’s trying to learn things haha…. I’m always trying to learn some new instrument or skill….. not always successfully though 😀