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Allison Larkin

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You are here: Home / year in review / My sentiments exactly…

My sentiments exactly…

January 31, 2013 Filed Under: year in review

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Yesterday, while I cleaned my office, the cat came in and puked on my 2012 date book, and I thought: exactly.

I’ve been putting off posting because for the past few years I’ve done a year end wrap-up post, but right now I don’t want to look back.  Last year was one of the roughest I’ve been through, punctuated by the loss of one of my dearest friends.

So I’m not going to do a wrap-up this year.  2012 can bite my shiny metal….oh, I watch too much Futurama.  Still, I managed to accomplish a great deal in 2012 and my goal for this year is to see those accomplishments through.

My other goal is to help Stella be the happiest dog she can be.  We’ve been working with some amazing trainers to help her navigate the world without her best friend. It’s helping me too.

So, goodbye 2012. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

And here’s to a year of health, happiness, new projects and good friends!

 

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15 Comments

Comments

  1. ljc says

    January 31, 2013 at 11:45 pm

    That is how I felt about 2011. My mom says 13 is a lucky number. Here’s to 2013!

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 1, 2013 at 3:54 am

      Yes! I like threes! I will choose to believe 2013 is lucky!

      Reply
  2. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    February 1, 2013 at 12:05 am

    Aw, sometimes it’s best to just move forward. Here’s to a better year, Aliie!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 1, 2013 at 3:53 am

      Thank you, Heidi! Hope you have a great year too! XO!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    February 1, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    Good for you. Don’t look back- keep looking forward! I love seeing the updates on Stella’s progress- she does seem like the happiest girl, and I think she’s living it up! And where do you get those piggies?!

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 2, 2013 at 7:57 pm

      Thanks, Jennifer! Stella always surprises me.

      The piggies are from Petco (VIP Mighty Toy). They have held up really well (ears & tail aside). She loves them so much. Plus, they stand on their own and it’s really funny to walk into a room and see a pig standing there staring at me.

      Reply
  4. Denise Taylor says

    February 2, 2013 at 5:47 am

    Hope you and Stella have a great year. Can’t wait for your next book.

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 2, 2013 at 7:58 pm

      Thank you so much, Denise! I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  5. The Modern Gal says

    February 2, 2013 at 7:05 pm

    Happy new year, Allie :) I hope this year kicks last year’s butt hard!

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 2, 2013 at 7:58 pm

      Happy New Year, MG! This year when Rocktober rolls around, I intend to be ready for it!

      Reply
  6. Wombat Central says

    February 6, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    When our yellow lab passed unexpectedly, it was as if our black lab had lost her rudder. We decided to let her live our the rest of her days as a spoiled only dog. Your Stella is one lucky girl–what fun parents you are! Just watched your dog puzzle video and loved the way she set down each piece so carefully (and chuckled when she carried one away!). Wishing you a happy, happy, happy 2013!

    Reply
    • admin says

      February 21, 2013 at 1:45 am

      Thank you! I think she’s adjusting to only-doghood. It’s hard to watch your pup struggle like that, isn’t it? But she’s getting better in leaps and bounds. And she loves that puzzle. So much! Happy 2013 to you too!

      Reply
  7. Wombat Central says

    February 6, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    Whoops–I meant “live out.” Where’s autocorrect when you need it? ;)

    Reply
  8. Julia Fine says

    March 1, 2013 at 8:42 am

    Just reading up on your blog and saddened to hear about Argo. Shepherds are the best and seem so resilient too (I have one too)! Here’s hoping to a better 2013 and that Stella gets her groove back.

    Reply
    • admin says

      March 1, 2013 at 9:19 am

      Thank you so much, Julia. German Shepherds are such great friends to have. We miss Argo so much. I really appreciate your kind words and good wishes.

      Reply

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Allison Larkin

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Internationally bestselling author of three novels as Allie Larkin and THE PEOPLE WE KEEP. Look for HOME OF THE AMERICAN CIRCUS @gallerybooks May 2025

“Larkin abandons the typical story arc in favor “Larkin abandons the typical story arc in favor of a more naturally flowing up-and-down journey that basks in beautiful moments like a slice-of-life story. Whether it’s banter at the bar Freya’s working or a leaking roof that is simply one more thing than she can possibly handle right now, the characters and their experiences are so real and pure that their joys and sorrows are amplified tenfold.” 

So honored by this AP review of Home of the American Circus! 

https://apnews.com/article/home-american-circus-allison-larkin-book-review-79ea3d1fdb69ef16232a8dfb7d148ad6

#homeoftheamericancircus #booksbooksbooks
I’ve seen a bunch of references to Home of the A I’ve seen a bunch of references to Home of the American Circus as my second novel. It’s actually my 5th! Before The People We Keep, under the name Allie Larkin, I wrote three books: Stay, Why Can’t I Be You, and Swimming for Sunlight. Here they are in their various editions with some of their translations! (And @justjuliawhelan also narrated Stay and Why Can’t I Be You, if you’d like to listen!)

Fun fact: That gorgeous dog on the hardcover of Stay was actually our dog Argo, and I took that photo of him when @duttonbooks couldn’t find the perfect photo of a black German Shepherd. #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram
Pub Day Part One. The thing is, it’s really hard Pub Day Part One. The thing is, it’s really hard to be a creative person in the world, and the blessing, the salvation, the joy of it is the community around art: the writers who will call an emergency novel Zoom meeting when you’re stuck on a draft, the ones who roll up their sleeves and make sure your words are saying what you intend to say, the one who writes an interview to promote your book in the local paper, the reader who captures pictures of the event and makes a reel, the bookstore saints who plan a meal based on the story and serve blue and yellow cupcakes and sing happy birthday to your book on launch day, the readers who show up and get books signed and ask great questions and tell stories about their lives. That’s book magic. And thanks to @townecenterbks (especially Judy and Stacey although I know there are bookstore saints behind the scenes too) and @reneewritesnovels and @woolfmania and @cassandra.a.dunn and @lindalattelessons @aneedleinmybookstack and everyone who showed up to Read it and Eat, I will never ever forget the pub day for Home of the American Circus. You all made it so special. Thank you! I love you. I’m so grateful to be part of the community of writers and readers. ❤️🐘
@deborahblakeauthor RIGHT BACK AT YOU! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I will be back on Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I will be back on the grid tomorrow! I love you all so much and I’m so grateful for your support! 😘😘😘 #homeoftheamericancircus
Well, here we are on the eve of Pub Day for Home o Well, here we are on the eve of Pub Day for Home of the American Circus! 

You know that classic bit of writing advice about how you’re supposed to write the book that scares you? Well, for a long time the thought of actually writing and sharing Home of the American Circus scared the heck out of me. I spent many many years collecting ideas for this book, terrified by the thought of how deep I’d have to dig to tell this story the right way. The book is firmly fiction, and the characters are all my imaginary friends, but the setting and themes are literally and figuratively close to home for me. Freya’s story isn’t mine, we have different life events and demographics, but I understand her sense of grief and loss and floundering and hope on a cellular level. And of all the characters I’ve ever written, the way her mind works is the closest to how I think and feel. It takes place in the town where I grew up. And I think when you read this book, you won’t know my life story, but you will know the tenor of my heart. I grew up as a kid with undiagnosed ADHD in a place where I didn’t fit, frantically trying to look normal, believing it was the only way anyone would love me. Always falling short, terrified of failure. And then in my early twenties, I dropped out of college and worked at a biker bar and made such a huge mess of my life that I was forced to build myself up again brick by brick—this time knowing that failure isn’t the worst thing that can happen to a person. That as long as you can find the strength to try again in one way or another, falling flat on your face is not the end of the world. And I learned that the only way to truly feel loved is to be yourself and see who’s up for loving you in your natural form. The people I keep taught me that. And even though it scared me, this was a book I needed to write, it’s the work I’m most proud of, with characters I love the most. So sharing it doesn’t feel like the end of the world at all. Just the end of the world where I have not shared this novel set in ny hometown with a character who has a heart like mine. #misheardlyrics #rem #homeoftheamericancircus #awkwardguitar #itstheendoftheworldasweknowitandifeelfine
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