What’s Up Wednesday

July 3, 2013July 3, 201358 Comments

“What’s Up Wednesday” is a fun weekly meme started by my friends Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. You’re invited to join us if you’re looking for something to blog about, a way to let your blog friends know what’s been going on with you.

{Please make sure to link your What’s Up Wednesday posts to the list on Jaime’s blog each week. That way, other participants can visit your blog and check out what you’ve been up to. In that same spirit, I urge you to visit as many new blogs as you can every Wednesday. The most awesome aspect of What’s Up Wednesday and Ready. Set. Write is that they include a built-in support system. Let’s make sure we’re rooting each other on and offering as much encouragement as we can. Who knows… You might make an awesome new writing buddy, or a find a fantastic beta reader, or hook up with an amazing critique partner!}

And now, here’s what’s up with me this week…

What I’m Reading: I finished Jessica Spotswood’s Born Wicked. It’s an awesome book, but the ending! Cate… Finn… My heart! I need to get my hands on Star Cursed as soon as possible! I also read a middle grade story, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, which was absolutely beautiful. Thanks so much for recommending it, Tem! And in a jarring change of literary pace, I started Dare You To by Katie McGarry, which is pretty darn good so far. In fact, I think I like it even better than Pushing the Limits. Plus, there’s a fantastic scene-related playlist that includes tons of country music — yay!

What I’m Writing: I’m glad I scaled down my word count goal for the last week. Because we had family visiting, I knew my writing time would be limited, and I didn’t want clouds of guilt and pressure hovering over my head while we had company. I was shooting for 2,000 words and ended up doubling that with 4,012 words. The surplus is courtesy of a few bouts of insomnia (boo!), but I passed the 20K mark and I still like my story, so I can’t complain. In the next week, I’m hoping to add another 3,000 words to my story. Here’s an excerpt:

It’d been a weird month. Despite his parents’ not-so-subtle discouragement, Tyler had managed to leap into a new relationship just weeks after moving to Clayton City. This thing he’d started with Jenna was good, new and different and intoxicating, but it was far from effortless. The girl was sweeter than honey and the mere sight of her got him all hot and bothered, but her mood was precarious at best. She was never bad-tempered, exactly, but her timidness had a way of blurring into unjustifiable panic, and that scared Tyler shitless.

He was polite and considerate, had always heeded signals and treated girls with respect. He’d learned by example: Tyler had never heard his father utter a discourteous word in his mother’s direction. But when it came to Jenna, good manners fell just short of enough. Tyler was always on his toes, endlessly aware of and adjusting to her moods for fear of upsetting her.

He took off his hat and ran a hand through his sweat-dampened hair. Jenna… She was wound tighter than a monkey’s nuts and she made him anxious as hell, but she was exhilerating in a way he’d never experienced—a prize just out of reach. They’d been making out for a month and the kissing was really freaking good, but Tyler wanted more. Of course he did.

What Else I’ve Been Up To: I’ve gone a whole week without baking, so no tasty recipes to share, but I have been keeping busy with other things…

For starters, last week I hit a big running benchmark: I ran my 1,000 mile of 2013. I’ve been keeping track of my distances each day (whether they be on the road, treadmill, or elliptical), and as I inched closer and closer to the 1K mark, I started pondering physical locations 1,000 miles away that I could have run to. For example, Monterey Bay to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Or, Monterey Bay to Spokane, Washington. Not that I have a burning desire to go to Santa Fe or Spokane, but still… Fun to think about.

We had a wonderful visit with family last week. My daughter enjoyed plenty of cousin time, and we did lots of fun touristy things: the aquarium, Carmel, the beach. We also ate lots of yummy food and indulged in plenty of treats and laughs. Just look at those smiles…

What’s Inspiring Me Now: Lately I’ve read a couple of craft posts that have been both helpful and inspiring. First, Why the Hero’s Journey is a Tourist Trap by Lisa Cron (at Writer Unboxed), about focusing on your story, trusting your intuition, and continually asking why?. And second, Trouble Shooting Deep Point of View and Voice by Susan Dennard (at Pub[lishing] Crawl) about understanding your POV character’s world view, and the questions you can ask to get to know that character on a deeper level. I highly recommend both articles! What else…

A cool new book-related Instagram photo challenge, hosted by RaeGunRamblings. I’m having all kinds of fun with this one!

And, of course, gorgeous summer sunrises. The promise of views like the one above are what get me out of bed early each morning.

Tell me: What’s up with you this week?

June Reading Wrap-Up

June 28, 2013June 28, 201326 Comments

I’m a visitor on Mackenzi Lee‘s blog today, talking about the four books that changed my life. You should totally check it out!

******

I read A LOT of books in June! Here are the highlights…
{Click on book covers for each novel’s Goodreads page.}

Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland – Nantucket Blue turned out to be just what I was expecting: beachy and romantic, a fresh take on mature contemporary YA. I adore its lovely, washed-out cover, and the fact that Jenny Han blurbed it, well… that says a lot.Pick up Nantucket Blue if you’re looking for a sweet, summer read with just the right amount of depth. My full Bookanista review is HERE.

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker – A beautifully written adult novel with a unique (and scary) premise. The Age of Miracles is a melancholy sort of book, but eleven-year-old protagonist Julia is easy to relate to, and her friendship with a sweet loner boy from her school keeps the novel from getting bogged down in sorrow. A definite recommend for fans of literary fiction with a light science fiction slant.

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay – This novel is beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL. I finished it several weeks ago, yet I’m still thinking about its characters and, of course, their romance. A new addition to my Favorite Books of 2013 list. Find the acrostic poem review I wrote HERE.

Golden by Jessi Kirby – Jessi Kirby has become one of my go-to contemporary authors, a member of the same trusted group as Sara Zarr, Sarah Dessen, Gayle Forman, Sarah Ockler, and Stephanie Perkins. Golden is such a lovely story, part mystery, part romance, part road trip. Main character Parker is a joy to spend time with, and my imagination had no trouble bringing this story’s mountainous setting to life. A definite recommend for fans of contemporary YA.

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson – A novel full of gorgeous prose, though the story itself was not so much my cup of tea. I do think people who enjoy historical fiction will like it; the descriptions of life in the 1850s are fascinating. Find my DAC review HERE.

Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller (September 24th) – I’ve got a Bookanista review planned for this remarkable novel, but for now I’ll just say: I LOVE THIS STORY. So, so much. I cannot wait for its September release because if you like contemporary young adult romance, this novel is for you. You will adore main character Callie, and you will fall head-over-heels for Greek charmer Alex. Another for my Favorite Books of 2013 list.

The Girl Guide: Finding Your Place in a Mixed Up World by Christine Fonseca – I will definitely have a copy of The Girl Guide: Finding Your Place in a Mixed Up World on hand to give my daughter when she’s in middle school. This book is all kinds of fun, and it educates girls without coming across as preachy or stiff. It reads like a conversation with a friend, not the self-help manual you might expect. My full Bookanista review is HERE.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender – Two adult novels in one month? What is my life coming to?! 😉 This one was bizarre, but I didn’t dislike it. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake‘s characters are complex and well-drawn, and the writing is gorgeous (though, I didn’t understand the author’s stylistic choice to forgo all quotation marks… why?). My issue with this story was in its conclusion. I wanted more explanation, or maybe a different explanation. I don’t know… I’m kind of torn. Have you read The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake? What did you think?

Tell me: What’s the best book you read in June?

Bookanista Rec :: WORST CASE OF PASKETTI-ITIS

June 27, 2013June 26, 201310 Comments

Today’s Bookanista recommendation is
Worst Case of Pasketti-Itis, written by Kristine Carlson Asselin and illustrated by Lousia Gioffre-Suzuki…

From Goodreads – Pasta is the perfect food with so many different varieties. Why should Petunia eat anything else? Her mother, her teacher, and even the lunch-lady warn that she might turn into pasta if she doesn’t try something new. Could she really turn into pasta? Would it be farfalle? Or maybe fettuccini? Petunia finds out, to her dismay, that “you are what you eat.”

This book is cute, cute, cute!

Pasketti-itis is a fast-paced picture book full of fun imagery. It reminded me a bit of one of my childhood favorites, The Chocolate Touch, in that it instills a lesson for picky eaters in a way that’s playful and entertaining. It’s a great book for reading aloud (my daughter and I read it together); all of the different pasta names (farfalle, spaghetti, rigatoni, fettucini) are something like a tongue twister when read quickly, which my girlie thought was all kinds of fun. Pasketti-itis‘s illustrations match the story’s merry tone. They’re bright and cartoon-ish and rather silly. They totally held my kiddo’s attention.

If you’ve got kids at home, especially kids with crazy food demands, or kids that love to giggle their way through a story, Worst Case of Pesketti-itis is definitely worth checking out.

{Big congratulations on your picture book debut, Kris! ♡}

Check out what my fellow Bookanistas are up to today!

Lenore Appelhans is bewitched by CHARM AND STRANGE by Stephanie Kuehn

Shelli Johannes-Wells gives cover love to FAKING NORMAL

Stasia Ward Kehoe delves into
DANCER, DAUGHTER, TRAITOR, SPY by Elizabeth Kiem

Elana Johnson and Nikki Katz adore THIS IS W.A.R. by Lisa & Laura Roecker

Gretchen McNeil is wowed by THE WIG IN THE WINDOW by Kristen Kittscher

Tell me: What’s your favorite picture book?

DAC :: STRANDS OF BRONZE AND GOLD

June 24, 2013June 24, 201310 Comments

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson
(Reviewed for the Debut Author Challenge)

From Goodreads – When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi. Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her over-generous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world. Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale.

First, I love this book’s cover. I think it’s gorgeous, and it totally draws me in. Its muted color palette and elegant font very much convey the tone of the story. It’s the reason I purchased a copy even though historical fiction (which Stands of Bronze and Gold is, sort of) is not normally my thing. Book Cover = Win

Strands of Bronze and Gold is a hard book to review. It is exactly what it claims to be: a fairy tale retelling set against a historical backdrop, and it does almost everything right. Its characters are engaging. Its prose is lovely, and boasts some of the most delectable food descriptions I’ve read. And its plot, while a bit slow in the beginning, moves along at reasonable pace and includes some interesting twists and turns. All in all, Strands of Bronze and Gold is very well done.

But… I’m not sure it’s the book for me. It’s just not the type of tale that moves me. And that’s what I’m looking for when I read — a story that gives me an emotional walloping, rips my heart out and makes me feel, and then, just when I think I can’t stand another moment of anguish, slowly restores my sense of hopefulness. I found myself wanting more from Strands of Bronze and Gold, particularly in the way of the Underground Railroad thread, and in the hinted-at romance with Mr. Stone. I thought these elements were the most compelling of the story, and I would’ve loved to have seen them expanded on.

For me, knowing that Strands of Bronze and Gold is a Bluebeard retelling stole a bit of its magic. Early on, I had a basic idea of what was going on with Monsieur Bernard de Cressac and his previous wives. And while I liked Sophie and wanted her to solve the story’s mystery and escape Wyndriven Abbey, I pretty much knew she would, somehow. That kept me from becoming truly invested in her plight. But, as I mentioned, there are a few surprises in the story and they, along with Jane Nickerson’s enchanting prose, kept me reading through to the end.

Strands of Bronze and Gold is everything it’s supposed to be — though it’s simply not the right story for me. That said, if you enjoy historical fiction and fairy tale retellings, I suspect you’ll love this one, and I hope you’ll check it out.

Have you read Strands of Bronze and Gold? Thoughts?
Do you have a favorite fairy tale retelling?

(Learn more about the Debut Author Challenge HERE.)

Bookanista Rec :: THE SEA OF TRANQUILITY

June 13, 2013June 12, 201337 Comments

Today in amazing books (and non-traditional reviews), I give you
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay…

From Goodreads: Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay. Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space. Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to. The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

T ranscendental – A contemporary story that manages to be beautifully surreal.
H opeful – There’re ugly, ugly moments in this book, yet it is filled with promise.
E vocative – I felt these characters: their agony, their regret, their joy, their loss.

S woonworthy – Josh. Drew. Even Asher. I fell fast and hard for the boys.
E motional – All the feels… All. The. Feels.
A uthenitc – These teens — their speech, behavior, style, and pain — so, so real.

O pulent – In prose, in characters, in emotionality, in detail.
F lirtateous – A serious story, but there’s still some fantastically frisky banter.

T empestuous – Unpredictable and mysterious, I couldn’t put this book down.
R aw – This story shocked me. It hurt my heart deeply. But it left me content.
A rresting – A writing style that’s bold and unapologetic — utterly affecting.
N ames – Because they’re important, and so are their meanings.
Q uiet – In the best way. No explosions or magic. People, surviving and growing.
U nforgettable – It’s been days since I finished reading, yet I’m still spellbound.
I ntense – Every chapter, every scene, every page. Josh and Nastya… So intense.
L ove – Slow to build, aching, full of sacrifice and eventual acceptance. Genuine.
I maginative – Like no other book I’ve read, but a new favorite.
T ingles – Shivers and goosebumps repeatedly, but especially at the end.
Y ummy – The boys, and Nastya’s treats.

If that’s not enough:

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck.
Nastya – The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

I don’t know how to say it – after all this time, I’m not even sure that I can – but I have to break her last rule, because if she knows nothing else, I need her to know this one thing. “I love you, Sunshine,” I tell her, before I lose my nerve. “And I don’t give a shit whether you want me to or not.”
Josh – The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

I loved this book so much I want to share it. I’ll buy a paperback copy for one randomly chosen commenter. If you’d like to be considered eligible, please include your email address with your comment so I can get in touch with you if you win. The winner will be drawn tomorrow, Friday June 14th, at 6:00 pm PST. Good luck!

(A big thank you to Jessica Love and Sara McClung for recommending The Sea of Tranquility. You two suspected I’d love this book, and you were totally right!)

HUGE congratulations go out to Kim Aleman and Chandler Baker, winners of The Bookanista Relaunch Giveaway of Awesome! Lucky, lucky! And don’t forget to check out what my fellow Bookanistas are recommending today:

Lenore Appelhans wonders at ALL YOU NEVER WANTED by Adele Griffin

Shari Arnold loves SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL by Trish Doller

Tracy Banghart embraces IMPOSTOR by Susanne Winnacker

Shelli Johannes-Wells delights in Cory Doctorow’s
LITTLE BROTHER and HOMELAND

Nikki Katz gets the shivers for 3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

Stasia Ward Kehoe, Carolina Valdez Miller & Debra Driza
sing out for the cover of THE SOUND OF LETTING GO

Jessica Love raves about ROAD TO TATER HILL by Edith M. Hemingway

Tell me: What’s the last contemporary YA novel you read and loved?

What’s Up Wednesday

June 12, 2013June 11, 201359 Comments

Awesome, right? Here’s what’s up with me this week…

What I’m Reading: I finished The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay over the weekend, and it was indescribably amazing. This story and these characters tore me apart, then slowly — slowly — put me back together again. My full review is coming tomorrow, but *spoiler alert* The Sea of Tranquility is a definite new favorite. Last night I finished Jessi Kirby’s latest, Golden, another lovely contemporary. Jessi is quickly becoming one of my go-to authors, and look how pretty her book is beneath its jacket…

Now I’m diving into Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson, a retelling of the Bluebeard fairytale. It’s interesting, different from what I usually read, but the writing is gorgeous and the concept is intriguing. We’ll see how it pans out.

What I’m Writing: I’m slowly immersing myself in my contemporary YA WiP again, the draft I’ll be focusing on for Ready. Set. Write! and hope to finish by the end of August. When I pitched this project to my agent, I shared the lyrics of the song that inspired it (still a secret!) and added this: …the story is basically the YA version of the song, with a lot of backstory and angst and tragedy, and it jumps back and forth from this night that’s inspired by the song, to all the events that build up to it. I’m aiming for something along the lines of Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone and Nobody But Us. To which my agent said: Proceed. Yay! My goal is to write at least 3,000 words a week. I know my limits when my girlie is at home, and I want to set goals that are reasonable and attainable, and leave lots of time for summer fun. That said, I’m hoping that once I hit my 3,000 word mark each week, I’ll have found so much momentum I’ll just want to keep going. 🙂

What Else I’ve Been Up To:

Need I say more? This girl is now officially a first grader!

I also met a HUGE running goal yesterday. I’ve been striving to get my five-mile pace down to 8 minutes per mile for months. That’s five miles in forty minutes for the math impaired (me). It’s also the Army Ranger Standard that my husband has told me all about. Well… YESTERDAY I DID IT. I very nearly threw up when I finished and I had to walk a half-mile before jogging the rest of the way home, but I totally rocked five eight-minute miles. So happy!

What’s Inspiring Me Now: Ready. Set. Write! is inspiring me, because it’s the perfect motivation for getting my booty to the couch and my fingers to the keyboard. And we had such an awesome response yesterday! Have you signed up yet? You can do so HERE. Trust me — it’s not too late to set your summer writing goals and show your WiP whose boss. As far as my WiP goes, the I’m finding the following images and words to be incredibly inspiring:

I can’t wait to get back to writing. 🙂

Tell me: What’s up with you today?

Bookanista Rec :: NANTUCKET BLUE

June 6, 2013June 5, 201319 Comments

I’m so excited to share one of my most anticipated 2013 novels:
Nantucket Blue by Leila Howland
(Reviewed for the Debut Author Challenge and The Bookanistas )

From Goodreads: For Cricket Thompson, a summer like this one will change everything. A summer spent on Nantucket with her best friend, Jules Clayton, and the indomitable Clayton family. A summer when she’ll make the almost unattainable Jay Logan hers. A summer to surpass all dreams. Some of this turns out to be true. Some of it doesn’t. When Jules and her family suffer a devastating tragedy that forces the girls apart, Jules becomes a stranger whom Cricket wonders whether she ever really knew. And instead of lying on the beach working on her caramel-colored tan, Cricket is making beds and cleaning bathrooms to support herself in paradise for the summer. But it’s the things Cricket hadn’t counted on–most of all, falling hard for someone who should be completely off-limits–that turn her dreams into an exhilarating, bittersweet reality. A beautiful future is within her grasp, and Cricket must find the grace to embrace it. If she does, her life could be the perfect shade of Nantucket blue.

Nantucket Blue turned out to be just what I was expecting: beachy and romantic, a fresh take on mature contemporary YA. It’s similar in tone to the stories I write, and very much the type of book I enjoy reading. I adore its lovely, washed-out cover, and the fact that Jenny Han blurbed it, well… that says a lot.

It took some time for protagonist Cricket to grow on me. She’s got a lot going on with her parents and her best friend, and at the beginning of the novel, she struck me as needy and rather dense. I never disliked her — her flaws made her feel like a fully drawn character — but at times they also made her a bit difficult to connect with. While Cricket always has the best of intentions, I think she comes into her own when she starts working at the Cranberry Inn. The friends she makes there (Liz and George in particular) help Cricket find confidence, at which point she becomes a protagonist who is easy to relate to, and a joy to root for.

Cricket’s voice is definitely worth mentioning. It’s authentically teen without ever feeling like author Leila Howland is trying too hard. There are times when Cricket makes some truly excellent life observations, and times when she is genuinely funny. I love when a novel makes me laugh in public, and Nantucket Blue did on several occasions.

I have two favorite things about Nantucket Blue. First, the setting. I have never visited Nantucket (or any of the surrounding areas) but obviously I need to. I adore small oceanside towns, and Leila Howland makes Nantucket feel positively magical. The sandy beaches, the specialty shops, and the quaint inns. The tasty food, the Fourth of July celebrations, the warmth and the water and the phosphorescence… Who wants to plan a writers’ retreat in Nantucket?

And my second favorite thing about Nantucket Blue? The romance, of course! I won’t tell you who Cricket’s off-limits love interest turns out to be, but I will say that the relationship is very well done. The boy is adorable and respectful and honest, and the romance is an innocent, tingly, delightful kind of romance. It’s one that makes both characters better, fuller people, and it makes this book a total page-turner. Too cute! Also, I love how it all wrapped up. ♥

Pick up Nantucket Blue if you’re looking for sweet, summer read with just the right amount of depth, and don’t forget to check out what my fellow Bookanistas are recommending today:

Carolina Valdez Miller celebrates 17 & GONE by Nova Ren Suma

Carrie Harris awakens you to INSOMNIA by Jenn Johansson…with giveaway

Christine Fonseca praises THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting

Corrine Jackson is wild for WHEN IT HAPPENS by Susane Colasanti

Elana Johson invites you to her ABANDON release par-tay!

Lenore Appelhans swoons for STAR CURSED by Jessica Spotswood…
With an annotated snippet

Stasia Ward Kehoe is wild for THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER
by Stephen Chbosky

Tracey Neithercott highlights WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE
by Trish Doller

Tracy Banghart raves over JUMP WHEN READY by David Pandolfe

And learn more about the Debut Author Challenge HERE.

What’s Up Wednesday

June 5, 2013June 4, 201344 Comments

I’m jumping in on “What’s Up Wednesday,” a fun weekly meme started by my friends Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. You’re invited to join us if you’re looking for something to blog about, a way to let your blog friends know what’s been going on with you.

Awesome, right? Here’s what’s up with me this week…

What I’m Reading: I recently finished Nantucket Blue by Leila Howard, which is sweet and romantic, a lovely summer read. I’ll be posting a Bookanista recommendation of it tomorrow, so check back in. I’m currently reading The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker. It’s a beautifully written adult literary novel with an incredibly unique premise. I’m about 3/4 of the way through and I’m really enjoying it. Also, I must mention that yesterday my most anticipated 2013 novel, The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay, came out in physical book form (it’s been available as an eBook for a while). I CANNOT WAIT to read it!

What I’m Writing: Jeez. Nothing. I haven’t touched my WiP in a week. *sad face* It’s been crazy around here. My daughter is getting ready to graduate from kindergarten and there have been lots of school-related activities to attend. Plus, some of our friends/neighbors are moving away soon and we’ve been trying to see as much of them as we can. Also, I’m beta reading a fantastic contemporary manuscript now and that’s taking up a fair chunk of time. There’s really no excuse for my WiP slacking, but yeah… It’s been a hectic week.

What Else I’ve Been Up To: My girlie performed in a guitar recital the other day and it was adorable! She played Lightly Row and Yankee Doodle and Rise and Shine, which she also sang along to. I love that she has not one iota of shyness when it comes to performing for a large roomful of people. Even as an adult, I’m terrified to speak in front of groups!

Just before the big recital…

What’s Inspiring Me Now: Ready. Set. WRITE!, the summer writing intensive I’m hosting with Alison Miller, Elodie Nowodazkij, Erin Funk, and Jaime Morrow. As you can see from the “What I’m Writing” section of this post, my writing habits need a good kick in the pants. I can’t wait to start summer off with a bang, and some serious WiP productivity. I’m so excited to become reacquainted with my characters and immerse myself in their story. I’m also excited to set some goals, and to write along with all of the other Ready. Set. Write! participants. 🙂

What’s up with you this week?

May Reading Wrap-Up

May 31, 2013May 30, 201312 Comments

I started May with an intense and incredibly absorbing fantasy binge, then moved on to an issue-based contemporary, and wrapped up the month with a gripping and very scary post-apocalyptic sci-fi adventure. All in all, it’s been a month of fantastic reading. Here’s my wrap-up…

Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta – Finnikin of the Rock is everything I look for in a story: a sweeping, sizzling romance, an intricately layered, breathtakingly twisted plot, unique and vibrant characters who leap off the page and demand that I care deeply about them, and emotionality that is genuine and profound. A new favorite fantasy to add to my list. Finnikin of the Rock is a big ol’ recommend. My full review is HERE.

Froi of the Exiles by Melina Marchetta – Though Froi of the Exiles was my least favorite of the Lumatere Chronicles, I still loved it. I didn’t care much for Froi in Finnikin (he does something really, really awful), but he managed to redeem himself against all odds. He became a narrator I adored, one who was easy to relate to and root for. And I loved watching his relationships with Quintana, Gargarin, and Lirah grow and change. Another recommend!

Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta – Quintana of Charyn is a stunning conclusion to an amazing trilogy. Despite its considerable length and complicated storyline, it is a fast read. I had a hard time putting it down, and when I did, I was still thinking about Quintana, Froi, Finnikin, Isaboe, Lucian, Phaedra, and the many other vibrant characters who populated this book and its predecessors. I’ll go so far as to declare Quintana one of the most gratifying finales I’ve read. My full review is HERE.

The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher – The S-Word is very much an issue book. Suicide, homosexuality, date rape, child molestation, slut-shaming, bullying, and cutting are all given varying degrees of attention throughout the course of the story. My favorite thing about the novel is protagonist Angie’s voice. She reads as so spot-on eighteen, it’s hard to believe the author isn’t a teen herself. If you’re a fan of issue books with authentic teen voice, or of serious contemporary YA, you’ll probably enjoy The S-Word. My full review is HERE.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey – I’m so glad I bent to all the buzz this one’s been getting because the hype is well-deserved. As I recently mentioned, I’m not a big science fiction reader, but The 5th Wave may change that. This story is freaking amazing. Protagonists Cassie and Zombie are both completely real and totally awesome. The writing, the plot twists, the way everything — everything — circles back together… I can find no flaws within the pages of this book. I most definitely recommend it. To everyone!

Tell me: What’s the best book you read in May?

What’s Up Wednesday

May 29, 2013May 28, 201340 Comments

Today I’m jumping in on “What’s Up Wednesday,” a fun weekly meme started by my friends Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. From Jaime: It’s similar in some respects to the Currently… post, but it’s been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. You’re invited to join us if you’re looking for something to blog about, a way to let your blog friends know what’s been going on with you.

Awesome, right? Here’s what’s up with me this week…

What I’m Reading: The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey. It is FANTASTIC. I’m not a big sci-fi gal, but I’m finding this book to be very accessible. It’s also very scary in its feasibility. And it’s a total pageturner. The twists! The unknowns! Zombie! Loving this one. In addition to published fiction, I’m beta reading a fantastic contemporary manuscript. I’m lucky to have such talented friends!

What I’m Writing: Um… blog posts? Book reviews? Grocery shopping lists? Kidding! Now that my revision is done-done, I’m back to working on my shiny new WiP. I still love it, and I also love that I get to use Scrivener to draft it — a first for me. Want to read a bit?

He was going to step inside, Jenna realized with a start. He was going to step into the elevator with her and the enormous TV cart, and then the doors would seal up tight. She would be trapped with him, breathing his air, smelling his smell, avoiding eye contact like it was her job. She’d been confined to a tight space with a boy once before, and the experience had scarred her.

Jenna’s palms were suddenly clammy, and her heart hammered with such force she thought it might burst from her chest.

But this boy—the boy with the midnight eyes and the uncooperative hair—was not that boy, she reminded affected psyche. And she was at school, a safe place. She was not drunk. She was not incoherent. She was not vulnerable.

What Else I’ve Been Up To:

Hanging with my hubby and my girlie. Lately we’ve spent some time at Carmel Beach, and we’ve gone on a few Big Sur hikes. Both spots are incredibly scenic and lots of fun. We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country (I mean, come on… that’s a waterfall cascading down onto the sand) and we’re trying to take full advantage before the Army makes us pick up and move again.

I’ve also been baking up a storm. I’m currently out of butter, flour, and brown sugar, and low on eggs. Over the weekend I made a favorite, Peanut Butter Cake, which is rich and comforting and always a crowd pleaser. And the other day I made classic Chocolate Chip Cookies to take to a barbecue. They went so fast!

And, finally, I’ve been doing lots of running, as usual. I’m trying to drop my five-mile pace to eight minute miles, which my husband tells me is the Ranger Standard. I’m getting closer and closer! I’ve also surpassed 800 miles for 2013. Basically, I could have run from where we live now (the Monterey Bay area) to my hometown in Western Washington. No problem, right? 😉

What Inspires Me Right Now:

Wear Blue: Run to Remember, an organization with the goal of building a running community that honors the service and sacrifice of the American military. One of my good friends organized a Wear Blue Memorial Day run here in our town and the turn out was fantastic. More than fifty people showed up to run in remembrance of fallen soldiers. It was inspiring and moving to hear their names spoken aloud before we began our run.

And, on a lighter note, I’m finding the A Beautiful Mess iPhone app quite inspiring. I could play with it all day. In fact, I have to refrain from adding text and borders and doodles to ALL of my photos. So much fun!

Tell me… What’s up with you?