Girls Rock

Are you ready to read some awesome books?! Well... that's fabulous 'cause I've been reading a lot lately and I'm completely in love with these next three books.
I know I shouldn't be reading as much as I have been, especially since I'm in the middle of a new WIP. But I find that reading really helps. Sometimes I just need to escape into another story, you know? At least it works for me.

And these next three books all have something in common: a strong female protagonist.


Slide by Jill Hathaway
I read this book a while back but since it hit the shelves on Tuesday, I figured I'd remind you.
From the moment I started reading this book I was completely sucked in. Vee is such a great character. You feel for her and relate to her and even though she's struggling with a lot of things in her life, you kinda want to be her. Well, I did. Mostly because I've always wanted to be Nancy Drew or Veronica Mars. And when Vee witnesses a murder, that everyone believes to be a suicide, she is forced into solving the crime.
Vee Bell is selfless and strong and as a character she is completely believable. I can't wait to read the next one!


Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen

I have always loved Robin Hood. But I think this retelling of the story is my favorite so far. Seriously. I LOVED THIS BOOK. There's adventure and romance. And the relationship between Robin and Scarlet ... WOW. Did I mention that in this version Will Scarlet is a girl? And she is pretty much amazing. She is the perfect mix of vulnerable and yet strong, independent as well as loyal. Please, please, please let there be a sequel! I BEG YOU!





Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

I have to admit, I'm not really into dystopian books even though I loved The Hunger Games and I'm a huge fan of Susanne Winnacker's The Other Life. I just don't enjoy the darkness that usually surrounds post-apocalyptic stories.
But I got a teaser of this book and after reading a few chapters I was hooked. I went in expecting one thing and soon realized I'd stumbled into a beautiful love story. And as much as I appreciated Aria's strength and determination, Perry won my heart. This book was breathtaking and different, the kind of book I will read again and again.

All three books get five stars from me! Go check them out!

Waiting

Last night I bought my tickets for The Hunger Games movie. I know. I can't believe it either. It's finally here. I feel as if I've been waiting for this movie to come out for years and years and... well. I have. We all have.
As I was waiting in line I started thinking about when I first heard about the book. Long before it hit the shelves I read about the awesome that is The Hunger Games on some editor's blog. I don't even remember who it was. And then it popped up on an agent's blog and then another and I thought, hmm... this book doesn't exactly sound like something I'd like to read but maybe I'll pick it up anyway.
And I did.
The day it came out I was there in the bookstore staring down at that black cover with the golden bird pin thinking... this doesn't really look like a book I would read.
But I bought it anyway.
And I didn't read it right away. It sat on top of my TBR pile and I even cheated and read a few books before it because, really, it's not a book I would read.
But while I was in Utah visiting family I got sick. It began with a cold that later turned into morning sickness (don't worry, most colds don't lead to a baby) and since I was lying around anyway I picked up that book with the black cover and the golden bird and I started reading.
And I swear the first chapter in I was thinking about the movie because that's what good books do, they make you see them, imagine them in your mind. And once those images are floating around in your mind the next obvious step is to see it all play out on a big screen while munching candy from a box.
The funny thing is before I was even a fan of Suzanne Collins I was a fan of Suzanne Collins. While I was reading The Hunger Games and telling everyone who would listen how freaking amazing the books were, my daughter had already fallen in love with the Little Bear and Oswald cartoons. Did you know she writes them? Of course you did.


So, yes. I'm very excited for tomorrow when I finally get to see this book through Gary Ross's imagination. I hear he's been respectful. I hear they all have been.
I finally get to see Katniss and Peeta, Prim and Gale and Rue. These characters I have read about will be moving around in front of me while I grip my husband's hand tightly and try not to cry, because you know I'm going to. Good writing does that to me.