The Poll is Closed.

I almost forgot, today's the unveiling of my favorite (living) author. I say living, because I LOVE George macDonald, and Shakespeare.

But truth be told, this really is no "unveiling" because obviously everyone already knew (again). I was the only one to vote against Nicholas Sparks.

I have been sooo excited for today, so that I could blog about his new book coming out! I had just checked his site, seriously a couple weeks ago and there was nothing new- they were still displaying his 'new' book from last fall, Dear John. Yep- read that one...last Thanksgiving!!

Then, Kim pulled up his site and I was standing right there--- lo and behold- a new book- out this September!! For those of you who don't know, Nicholas Sparks wrote the novels (by the same names) that inspired Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and The Notebook. Plus, he has written a number of other great books which I expect to some day see as films! I read his autobiography, he wrote with his brother, and I loved it-- that's talent to write a captivating biography! Plus, I loved seeing where many of his stories poured out of his personal life...that's inspiring to me as a hopeful writer. Your stories don't have to just poof out of some magical land, they mirror the characters and adventures you witness. There's a quote I absolutely love, which I am sure I will butcher, but it said that a great novel should remind us of our own life...or something like that. I'll add it later- I have it written in a book.

Here's a little info from his site:
did you know. . .
He is a black-belt in Tae Kwon Do?
He still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame?
After selling The Notebook, the first thing he bought was a new wedding ring for his wife?
Nicholas Sparks and J.K. Rowling (of Harry Potter fame) are the only contemporary authors to have a novel spend more than a year on both the New York Times hardcover and paperback best-seller lists?
In a poll of Entertainment Weekly readers, he was selected as the favorite author?
He is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program at the University of Notre Dame?

Not only does he have a new book coming out, but there's another movie in progress based on his book, Nights in Rodanthe.

Anywho, I know you all really don't care much for my random facts about my favorite country artist, or my favorite author...so I'll end this one early. If you do pick up one of his books- I'd recommend The Wedding...it follows The Notebook, but they aren't really too dependant on one another. His autobiography is entitled, Three Weeks With My Brother, and follows their travels together around the world over three weeks- as well as their family history.

It is worth mentioning a couple other authors I'd trust to recommend (and they are a bit safer than Nicholas Sparks), such as Ted Dekker (only read Blessed Child- but it was great!), and Francine Rivers. I'm reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter right now (I can't remember the author's name)- and its getting pretty good- I'll let you know what I think at the end.

Love you guys! I am home in less than a week- can you believe that?