IN THE FUTURE, WHEN I IMAGINE I MIGHT BE famous or infamous for something I've done, I suppose people will ask what it was that brought me to that place. Well, if I'm infamous I will say--no eyewitnesses and a good lawyer. If I'm famous I will say, I guess I just wanted it bad enough. One of these scenarios will probably be true, but more than likely neither will happen. Most likely I'll live my life like most people on the planet. Highs, lows, buy some shit, read some books, love some people, try not to eff the world up, and be kind to animals so they won't eat me, as I've chosen to try not to eat them. But if I'm ever asked if there was a time in my life that made me the person I am, I will point to a certain October that stays with me like a song played over the radio a hundred times at the start of a day. You can't get it out of your head so all you can do is go through it. I never did finish my book report on Anna Karenina and I went through so much with people I loved and hung out with. I got to see the world through their eyes that certain October, although my own were slightly unfocused. Excerpted from A Certain October by Angela Johnson All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.