Author: Katy Upperman

Bookanista Thursday

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Check out what my fabulous Bookanista friends are up to today!

Christine Fonseca interviews author L.K. Gardner-Griffie

Corinne Jackson announces Change Write Now: Round 2 signups are open

Carolina Valdez Miller adores UNDER THE NEVER SKY – with giveaway!

Jen Hayley has a passion for PARTIALS

Jessica Love shares some TIME BETWEEN US cover talk

Tracy Banghart jumps for CATCHING JORDAN

Stasia Ward Kehoe contemplates middle grade series

LiLa Roecker is enthralled with THE NIGHT CIRCUS

Shelli Johannes-Wells visits with author Elle Strauss

And don’t forget to check back tomorrow… I’ll be discussing John Green’s The Fault in our Stars with the rest of the YA Book Club. 🙂

The Two Minute Tension Test

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Brace yourself: Today I’m doling out writing advice. It’s hard-earned (on my part), though, so hopefully it’ll be helpful to you.

Love her...

One of my greatest writing challenges is tension. I have a way with penning detailed descriptions, witty dialogue, and sweet (or steamy) kisses, but infusing my stories with high stakes and intense conflict is not my strength. I love the people who populate my books and, inherently, I want them content. The problem is, content does not make for an exciting read. I’m constantly working at finding ways to make my characters suffer. I want–need!–my readers to worry about these people I’ve created because really… why else will they continue turning pages?

So, I’ve devised The Two Minute Tension Test as a way to keep myself and my writing in check. It’s easy and it literally takes two minutes, but it’s made a big difference in my writing, especially the rewrite I’m currently working on.

To administer the Two Minute Tension Test, I highlight approximately three-hundred totally random words (about a page) in my manuscript. Then I read through them carefully, without the context of the scenes and the words that come before and after (as if I’m planning to post the three-hundred word sample as a teaser or for a contest or whatever). When I’m finished reading, I take serious stock of what happened within the highlighted sample.

Then I ask myself the following questions:

  1. Did I introduce a question (however big or small) about a character or a plot thread?
  2. Is whatever’s going on in this snippet the absolute WORST that can happen to these characters?
  3. Did I include a hook, something to pull my reader on to the next three-hundred words?
  4. Did I give my reader a reason to care?

If the answer to any of those questions is NO, then I know I’ve got work to do. I either fix the problem immediately (because I have very  little patience for a known deficiency) or I make a note of it in my outline to address later.

The Two Minute Tension Test is small-scale. It’s looking at the trees instead of the forest, if you will, but it’s a great way to zone in and assess your story in manageable bits. Once you’re proficient at applying it to three-hundred-word chunks, you can apply it to scenes, then chapters, then acts, and so forth.

So, there you have it: The Two Minute Tension Test.

Tell me: What’s your writing weakness? How do you compensate?

Bookanista Recommendation: JELLICOE ROAD

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For today’s Bookanista recommendation, I’m falling back on a favorite:
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (2006)

From the book’s jacket: In this lyrical, absorbing, award-winning novel, nothing is as it seems, and every clue leads to more questions. At age eleven, Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother. At fourteen, she ran away from boarding school, only to be tracked down and brought back by a mysterious stranger. Now seventeen, Taylor’s the reluctant leader of her school’s underground community, whose annual territory war with the Townies and visiting Cadets has just begun. This year, though, the Cadets are led by Jonah Griggs, and Taylor can’t avoid his intense gaze for long. To make matters worse, Hannah, the one adult Taylor trusts, has disappeared. But if Taylor can piece together the clues Hannah left behind, the truth she uncovers might not just settle her past, but also change her future.

And from Goodreads: My father took one hundred and thirty-two minutes to die. I counted. It happened on the Jellicoe Road. The prettiest road I’d ever seen, where trees made breezy canopies like a tunnel to Shangri-La. We were going to the ocean, hundreds of kilometres away, because I wanted to see the ocean and my father said that it was about time the four of us made that journey. I remember asking, “What’s the difference between a trip and a journey?” and my father said, “Narnie, my love, when we get there, you’ll understand,” and that was the last thing he ever said. We heard her almost straight away. In the other car, wedged into ours so deep that you couldn’t tell where one began and the other ended. She told us her name was Tate and then she squeezed through the glass and the steel and climbed over her own dead – just to be with Webb and me; to give us her hand so we could clutch it with all our might. And then a kid called Fitz came riding by on a stolen bike and saved our lives. Someone asked us later, “Didn’t you wonder why no one came across you sooner?” Did I wonder? When you see your parents zipped up in black body bags on the Jellicoe Road like they’re some kind of garbage, don’t you know? Wonder dies.

It’s been nearly a year since I read Jellicoe Road, but I still can’t get over its unique, compelling characters and twisty, mind-bending plot. I still recall how it slayed my heart and nearly brought me to tears. I’m in awe of the awesomeness of this book. In fact, on the off chance I ever have another child, I’m pretty sure I’ll name the baby either Taylor or Jonah after Jellicoe Road‘s main characters–I love them that much. Jellicoe is my very favorite young adult novel, and any time anyone asks for a book recommendation (YA or otherwise), it’s the first title that springs to mind.

“It’s strange in the beginning,” I say. “You’ll be confused. Many of the characters have odd names. There’s a lot of bouncing between past and present. You may even want to give it up… DON’T. Stick with it. The payoff is so, SO worth it. You will NOT be disappointed.”

The review I wrote for Jellicoe Road in March of last year still holds completely true. Here it is:

Two stories woven seamlessly together. Mystery, romance, perfect teen dialogue. I loved this book more than I can adequately describe… but I’ll try.

First, lets talk about Jonah Griggs. It’s almost as if he was written just to make me swoon. There are a lot of fictional guys I dig, but Jonah… He’s exactly my type. Rugged, brave, stubborn, loyal, sort of crass yet super sweet with Taylor. He’s a cadet. He enjoys tramping around in the woods and he wears fatigues. What can I say? I’ve been married to a soldier for almost eight [nine, now!] years. It’s my thing.

And Taylor. She’s severely lacking in people skills, but she’s still she’s awesome. No nonsense, vulnerable, and erratic. I loved her interactions with her friends Raffy and Santangelo, but I especially adored any scene she shared with Griggs. She forced him to confront his fears, just as he did to her. She challenged him, just as he challenged her. Neither of them ever once backed down from the layers of conflict that stood in their way. They’re a perfect match.

Jellicoe Road‘s mystery and the way it unfolds over two separate storylines, decades apart, is genius. While I knew early on that somehow all the characters and plotlines would eventually come together, the conclusion was a true surprise. Melina Marchetta has a knack for connecting even seemingly insignificant threads in the most satisfying of ways.

Fair warning: Jellicoe Road‘s original plot, super-tight pacing, and gorgeous writing might make you want to quit reading forever. When I finished, I was sure I’d never find another book that moved me the way this one did [I still haven’t!]. The mystery is perfectly layered, the setting (Australia!) is all-consuming, and the characters got right inside my head and have been camping out there ever since. And if you’re a writer, well, be prepared to feel completely incompetent.

Still, I highly, HIGHLY recommend this book.

Yep. I stand by that review 100%. Jellicoe Road is a beautiful, beautiful book. If you’ve yet to read it, I hope you’ll pick it up. And, for the record, I’ve since read Melina Marchetta’s Saving Francesca and The Piper’s Son and fallen head-over-heels for both of those stories as well. I’m so looking forward to reading the rest of her work.

Don’t forget to check out what other Bookanistas are up to today:

Christine Fonseca surrenders to THE SECRET OF SPRUCE KNOLL

Corrine Jackson delights in CHOPSTICKS

Stasia Ward Kehoe  presents a Stunning Seconds interview with A MILLION SUNS author Beth Revis

Jen Hayley gives a shout-out to the classics

Debra Driza celebrates CINDER – with giveaway!

Hilary Wagner is all about LEXAPROS AND CONS – with giveaway

Carolina Valdez Miller talks about the tremendous cover of TEN

Jessica Love has high ratings for
THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

So… what’s YOUR very favorite YA book? Tell me about it!

Banana Trifle

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(Disclaimer: I’m revising/rewriting, therefore I think of pretty much nothing but the words on my pages and the next snack I’m going to shovel down my throat. Hence, this post.)

I fancy myself a relatively healthy eater, but–frankly–I’m a bit of a glutton when it comes to desserts. I can eat my weight in ice cream and I know no limits when it comes to rich, fudge-y chocolate cake. Unfortunately, those yummies aren’t exactly figure friendly, so I’m constantly hunting for and experimenting with low-calorie and/or low-sugar treats that I can consume guilt-free and without abandon.

I’ve had a taste for bananas lately (perhaps because of the Banana Nut Bread candle I’ve been burning twenty-four-seven), and the other day I had a very specific craving for banana pudding. I decided to make a trifle because they’re pretty and layered and full of scrumptiousness. I consulted Pinterest, my go-to place for all things delish, but I had a hard time finding a recipe that was both healthy and easy. So, I decided to create my own.

And, because it was just so darn yummy, I  wanted to share it with all of you!

***Banana Trifle***

Here’s what you’ll need for the nine (easy) layers:

  • LAYERS ONE AND FIVE – Angel food cake, cut into bite-size pieces (I bought a large cake from the Safeway bakery, but you can certainly bake your own).
  • LAYERS TWO AND SIX – Whip together 8 oz reduced-fat cream cheese (softened), one tub Fat-Free Cool Whip (thawed), 1/2 cup sugar or your favorite sugar substitute (I used Stevia).
  • LAYERS THREE AND SEVEN – Three or four bananas, thinly sliced.
  • LAYERS FOUR AND EIGHT – Whip together 3 cups cold non-fat milk, one large box of instant vanilla pudding, and one large box of instant banana cream pudding (I used the Jell-O Sugar-Free, Fat-Free option and my standing mixer).
  • LAYER NINE – One tub Fat-Free Cool Whip.

To assemble, layer in a large, clear bowl:
  1. Half of the diced angel food cake.
  2. Half of the cream cheese mixture.
  3. Banana slices.
  4. Half the vanilla/banana pudding mixture.
  5. Remaining angel food cake.
  6. Remaining cream cheese mixture.
  7. Banana slices.
  8. Remaining pudding mixture.
  9. Tub of thawed, Fat-Free Cool Whip (surrounded by a pretty ring of bananas).

A few notes:

  • My husband called me a “trifling ho” no less than three times while I assembled this delectable creation. (Hardee har har.)
  • I had the almost irresistible urge to drizzle both layers of angel food cake with banana rum, but since I knew I’d be sharing this dessert with my girlie, I thought better of it. Might try that one of these days though. 🙂
  • While surfing Pinterest for trifle recipes, I happened upon this one, which calls for Nutter Butters in place of angel food cake. Yum.
  • Feel free to experiment. I’ve seen versions of this recipe that included, among other things, chocolate ganache, Nilla Wafers, and strawberries. If you try a variation, please do let me know how it turns out!
  • EDIT – In an wonderful occurrence of serendipity, my friend Jaime blogged about trifles today too, but in reference to the Friends episode where Rachel majorly botches her recipe. “It’s a trifle. It’s got all of these layers. First there’s a layer of ladyfingers, then a layer of jam, then custard, which I made from scratch, then raspberries, more ladyfingers, then beef sautéed with peas and onions, then a little more custard, and then bananas, and then I just put some whipped cream on top!” Oh, how I ♥ Friends.

Tell me: If calories and clogged arteries weren’t an issue, what dessert would you eat indefinitely? (Remember the rich and fudge-y chocolate cake I mentioned above? That. With ice cream. And raspberry sauce.)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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valentines

In honor of the Day of Love, I’m jumping in on YA Highway‘s Valentine’s Day Blog Lovefest. The parameters are as follows: The Valentine blog posts can be a love note to anything–another blogger, a book, an author, a character, a bookstore, your beta readers…anything and anyone!  Since I’m sort of terrible at following directions and at narrowing things down, and since it’s February 14th, I’m going to list…

FOURTEEN (TOTALLY RANDOM) THINGS I LOVE…

1. My husband. Because he’s selfless and patient and funny and kind and the very best kind of daddy to our little girl. Plus, he’s super cute.

2. My daughter. Because she’s sweet and precocious and thoughtful and adorable and she makes me smile every day.

3. My blog, and my blog readers, and YOUR blogs. Because your visits and your comments and your posts give me the greatest sense of community.

4. Inspiration. Because it’s everywhere. On TV. In nature. In art. In the kitchen. In window shopping and people watching and daydreaming. In the support of those who love me, and in the success of those before me.

5. Yoga. Because not only is it fantastic exercise, but it makes me feel more centered and grounded and peaceful.

6. Agent Vickie. Because she’s encouraging and savvy and writes some of the most hilarious emails and editorial notes ever. And because she loves my “people” like I do.

7. The lovelies who’ve read and commented so helpfully on my writing. Heather, Jus, Ann, Christa, Amie, Alison, and Kari — What would I do without you girls?!

8. Twitter. Because every day I learn something new, and every day I interact with brilliant people, and every day I feel less alone in my writing crazies.

9. Ghiradelli Bittersweet Chocolate. Because it’s my writing fuel.

10. Books. Because they teach and entertain and transport and delight. A few of my favorites from this year so far? A Million Suns. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. The Disenchantments.

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11. My writing/blogging friends and regular commenters. Especially Tracey, Jessica, Erin, Katharine, Alicia, Kris, Carol, Sophia, Kirsten, Caroline, Jaime, Elodie, Erin, and Rebecca (who I met through YA Highway’s Valentine’s Day blogfest last year!).

12. My family and (real-life) friends. Because they’re wildly supportive even though they don’t entirely understand this nutso writing dream of mine.

13. The Bookanista. Because they’re new friends with a mutual love for promoting amazing kidlit.

14. Pinterest. Because… I just can’t help myself. It’s simply awesome.

Who are you showing Valentine Love for today?

That’s YAmore!

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The girls at Oasis for YA love blogfests. And they love good YA romance. So they’re back, combining the two again in their second annual That’s YAmore Blogfest. Starting today, they’re inviting YA writers to post 250 romantic, steamy, swoon-worthy words from their WiPs on their blogs. Then participants can hop around to check out all the other steamy entries.

Fun, right?!

So, because I’m awesome and currently knee-deep in a rewrite, I’m posting an excerpt from Cross My Heart (the contemporary YA romance formerly known as Loving Max Holden), the very same WiP I pulled from for last year’s That’s YAmore Blogfest post. Now, before you start to wonder if I’m crazy and completely obsessed with this story (I TOTALLY AM), please know that I do have other projects I’m working feverishly on. It’s just that I can’t let go of Cross My Heart and Max and Jill and all their angst. In the down time between my other WiPs, I find myself continuously coming back to their story, working to better it so eventually it’ll be fit to see the light of day.

*sigh*

We’re getting there.

That said, here’s a steamy little excerpt from Cross My Heart:

“What were we talking about again?” Max asks.

He’s close, so close I can see the dark stubble on his chin. I study it to avoid his eyes, but then I want touch it, to feel the roughness for myself. I look down at my hands, clasped tightly in my lap. My heart is pounding so ferociously I’m certain he hears it too.

“How everything’s changed,” I say softly.

“Jilly.” I sink unwillingly into his embrace as he whispers the nickname that never fails to melt me. “If you tell me to go home, I will.”

His words give me sudden, stark clarity, forcing me to view the situation from a distance, unencumbered by his scent and his warmth and his touch. I’m a reasonable person. A smart girl. He’s drunk, looking for distraction, a good time. As much as I want to help him come out of the darkness he’s been hiding in, I won’t be his no-strings-attached hook-up, the other woman to his obnoxious relationship with Becky McMahon. I resolve to tell him as much—that he should, in fact, go home, that he should drink a glass of water and swallow a couple of Aspirin before bed, and that I’ll see him tomorrow at school.

But before I can utter a syllable, he’s charging forward, eyes glazed, lips parted. I’m so astonished, so shocked, I let him push his mouth against mine, and even though it’s aggressive and sloppy and utterly unexpected, I fall headlong into his rhythm. I can’t help it, and I certainly can’t process this frantic, feverish kiss. I didn’t even know I wanted it, but—oh my God—it’s good.

And just like that, I forget all about the millions of reasons kissing Max Holden is a terrible idea.

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Yep. That’s Max and Jill.

I ♥ them.

Don’t forget to stop by Oasis for YA to check out all the other swoon-worthy That’s YAmore entries!

Bookanista Thursday

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Check out what my fabulous Bookanista friends are up to today!

Christine Fonseca  takes a shine to A MILLION SUNS

Carolina Valdez Miller falls for FRACTURE

Jen Hayley surrenders to THE NIGHT SHE DISAPPEARED

Stasia Ward Kehoe is dazzled by DARK COMPANION

Nikki Katz wonders at THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

Debra Driza is overwhelmed by UNDER THE NEVER SKY

Jessica Love gives a trophy to BEAUTY QUEENS

Shelli Johannes-Wells takes you on a tour of The Reading Room

Tracy Banghart has double-love for THE SILVER PHOENIX and
FURY OF THE PHOENIX

Hilary Wagner is in the grips of THE GATHERING STORM

What are YOU reading this week?

Talk to me about…

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…character-driven YA vs. plot-driven YA.

Just so we’re all on the same page, a character-driven novel is one that moves forward because of the protagonist, antagonist, and the decisions they make (most often romances or literary fiction–think Saving Francesca or The Sky is Everywhere). Conversely, a plot-driven story is propelled forward by circumstances, usually beyond the control of the protagonist (often historicals and fantasies–think The Hunger Games or Across the Universe). Although all novels have character growth and some semblance of story structure, most can be categorized as either character-driven or plot-driven.

While I read widely and enjoy books of all types, my tastes lean toward character-driven novels. I can appreciate a twisty, action-packed plot, but more often than not, my favorite books are those that are character-driven. I read to get lost in a new world and to get into the heads of fascinating people. I like to watch relationships develop and see characters grow and change and (hopefully) improve. After reading the final page of a novel, I most often find myself pondering the character arc before any other element of the story.

(Incidentally, the same can be said for my writing. I think about people first, story second. This, I suppose, is both a strength and a weakness. :))

Yes, thank you!

So… tell me:

  1. Do you prefer character-driven or plot driven stories? Why?
  2. What are your favorite character-driven novels? (Because I totally need MORE books to add to my TBR list!)

Bookanista Recommendation: THE DISENCHANTMENTS

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First and foremost, WELCOME HOME to my husband! He spent the last nine months deployed to Afghanistan and arrived safely back at Ft. Lewis last night. My daughter and I are beyond happy to have him home where he belongs, and I hope to share a few pictures from his homecoming in the coming days. Until then, check out what my (awesome!) neighbors
did to my house to help us celebrate:

And now, today’s Bookanista recommendation:
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour (February 16, 2012)…

The DisenchantmentsI love this cover so much!

From Goodreads – Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev’s band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she’s abandoning their plans – and Colby – to start college in the fall. But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev’s already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what’s next?

I’m going to go out on a limb right now and say:

THE DISENCHANTMENTS
WILL BE ONE OF MY FAVORITE READS OF 2012.

Yep. It’s that aMaZiNg.

I loved everything about this book, but particularly the tone (kind of hazy, hippy-dippy and blithe and arty), the voice (upper YA, honest, and completely authentic), and the intense romantic tension between our protagonist,
smart and yearning roadie Colby, and his best friend, moody and mysterious lead singer Bev. The Disenchantments is one of those rare books that had me rereading passages, picking sentences apart to figure out what makes them so simplistic but beautiful.

As Colby and The (beautiful, talentless, and utterly endearing) Disenchantments tour through small, forgotten towns in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, they meet a cast of eccentric characters who are completely unforgettable. They uncover bits of a family mystery. They also begin to discover themselves and the basis of their relationships with each other, their families, and their futures. It’s a simple concept, yet so very fascinating.

While reading this book, I decided that Nina LaCour is masterful at crafting unique but enviable lifestyles. I couldn’t be LESS arty or musical, but she made me long to go to a creative arts high school, join a crappy girl band, and drive along the coast in a vintage VW van with my best friends,
a bag of pistachios, and a Magic Eight Ball.

Intrigued? You should be! And you should most definitely pick up The Disenchantments when it’s released on February 16th. I bet you’ll love it! (And a big thanks to my friend Rebecca Behrens for sharing her The Disenchantments ARC with me. Check out her review of the book HERE.)

Don’t forget to check out what other Bookanistas are up to today:

Christine Fonseca interviews author Denise Grover Swank
Jessi Kirby and Jen Hayley are wowed by WANDERLOVE
Corrine Jackson is mesmerized by MAY B.
Stasia Ward Kehoe interviews DIES IRAE author Christine Fonseca
Debra Driza is entranced by HEMLOCK
Gennifer Albin shares trailer love for STARTERS
Nikki Katz celebrates CINDER
Tracy Banghart marvels at JULIET IMMORTAL
Jessica Love spotlights SHINE

What are YOU reading this week?

January’s Reading Wrap-Up and Book of the Month

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Oh my goodness, has January been good to me on the literary front! I can honestly say I enjoyed every. Single. Book. I read, which rarely happens. They were all winners, but of course I had a stand out favorite. Here’s the wrap-up:

Before I Die by Jenny Downham – Melancholy but lovely. Read my Bookanista recommendation HERE.

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi – A post-apocolyptic/dystopian mash-up that left me feeling hot and dirty and bleak. That’s not to say Ship Breaker wasn’t good–it was excellent. I felt a deep connection with protagonist Nailer, which is unusual for me when it comes to books written in third person. And the world building… thorough, gloomy, enviable.

A Million Suns by Beth Revis – I very much enjoyed Across the Universe, the first book in this trilogy, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that AMS improved upon it. Loved it! Read my Bookanista recommendation HERE.

The Fault in our Stars by John Green – This one was equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. Hazel was absolutely darling. Her observations about life and love and death were so very YA and incredibly profound. Though TFIOS doesn’t take the place of Looking for Alaska as my favorite John Green novel, it’s still a definite recommend.

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally – A contemporary full of realistic high school relationships and snappy dialogue. It was fun to be immersed in Jordan’s world of football and cute boys. Plus, this book was set in one of my very favorite cities, Franklin, Tennessee!

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder – I love Lisa Schroeder’s writing, and I loved this book. It’s a study in nuance and rhythm, and it’s full of beautiful language, imagery, and symbolism. If you’re unaccustomed to novels written in verse, Chasing Brooklyn is a great place to start. I bet you’ll adore it as much as I do!

And my very favorite book of January:
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith…

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

From Goodreads – Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything? Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. She’s stuck at JFK, late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s in seat 18C. Hadley’s in 18A. Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it.

Title? Perfectly unique. Such a mouthful it can’t help but be intriguing.

Cover? Perfectly adorable. Love the color scheme. Love the font. Love the poses of the models. Love the slightly askew heart encircling them.

Characters? Perfectly delightful. I want to know Hadley and Oliver. I want to hang out with them and laugh with them and hear their stories about childhood. They’re true-to-life teens–flawed and funny and confused and endearing.

Romance? Perfectly real. Sure, it develops in a super short span of time (twenty-four hours!), but you will believe in it and you will root for it because it jumps off the page in its sincerity. And the kisses… so sweet.

Want to know the BIGGEST reason I love The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight? Why it won the title of January’s Book of the Month by a landslide? Easy. This book is contemporary and fairly simple in concept, but Jennifer E. Smith’s writing brings a magical quality to each and every page. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is about people and relationships and learning about one’s self. There are no explosions or evil villains or paranormal beasts, yet I was still at the edge of my seat, flipping page after page to find out what would happen next.

The Statistical  Probability of Love at First Sight is honest and heartfelt and warm, authentic in its execution. It’s exactly the kind of book I aspire to write, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Tell me: What’s the BEST book you read in January?