On my birthday, I couldn’t have been more thrilled to get an e-mail from the lovely Kelly at The Novel Bookworm — I’d won the $25 Amazon gift card in her blogoversary giveaway!

if_i_stayI was ecstatic, of course — winning anything is always a huge mood booster. After I came down off that high, though, I was left with a serious dilemma… actually choosing what to get.

I know, I know — poor Meg. She has to decide how to spend someone else’s money. But let me tell you, it was a genuine quandry! I had a myriad of things in my cart before I finally settled on the two books I ultimately purchased: Gayle Forman’s If I Stay and Sophie Kinsella’s Twenties Girl. I was even polling my coworkers and family members to see what I should splurge on!

twenties_girlThere’s something about being given a gift card that makes me evaluate every little thing I’m buying with it, wondering if it’s the “right item” to purchase. I chose Twenties Girl since it’s new and a hardcover, and I don’t usually splurge on hardback books. Since I was lucky enough to win Kelly’s prize, I figured I should treat myself to something I wouldn’t typically buy straightaway!

And If I Stay? I’ve seen so many glowing reviews of this one, and I know it’s being made into a film. I love reading books in preparation for seeing the movies — even if the movies aren’t being released for a while! — and definitely want to see what all the fuss is about.  The story sounds gorgeous.

Thank you again, Kelly!