Let's Talk About Books

So lately I've been reading. A lot. You see, January was a big month for new releases and Apocalypsies debuts. And with edits behind me I've been in book heaven.

Here's what I've been reading:

Fracture by Megan Miranda

*Apocalypsies!

I read the first two chapters of this book before it came out and I was sooo excited to read more. It did not disappoint. I was on my way to her book signing, finishing the book on the train, and it nearly brought me to tears. I love when paranormal books have depth and emotion. I can't wait to read more from Megan.



Slide by Jill Hathaway

*Apocalypsies!

Funny thing is... when I got home from Megan Miranda's book signing this ARC was waiting for me!! I was so excited, I started it that night. I loved this book. I loved Vee. She's strong and kind and I genuinely liked her. I keep reading reviews for paranormal books where the reviewer loved the book but hated the main character. I have to admit, that has also happened to me. But Vee Bell is not in that category. Not only is she strong, she has heart. She was pretty much awesome. I can't wait for Slide 2!!



The Fault in our Stars by John Green

Okay. So. I don't usually read books that I know will make me cry. But the new book I'm writing has a touch of the sad so I've been reading sad books and listening to sad music. I'm basically a ball of fun to be around. And I probably should have warned my husband when I started reading this book because he didn't know whether to comfort me or medicate me when he came upstairs and found me sobbing with my Kindle. Good thing the pharmacies were all closed.
This book is beautiful and lovely and real. And when it was over my heart was a bit broken. But in a good way.



Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Here's another Apocalypsie book that I've been waiting FOREVER to read. The cover is eye-catching and I'm such a fan of Brodi's blog. She always makes me laugh. So when I read how dark the premise was I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Let me just say, not once did I laugh out loud while reading this book. Not even a little. But it definitely gripped me. And the ending was beyond intense. Loved it.



Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Have you read Unearthly? Have you??! If you haven't, go do it now. And then when you're done you'll see why Hallowed is so amazing. Truly. It's rare that I love the second book in a series more than the first. Or maybe I shouldn't say that because where Unearthly was love and Tucker and wow, Hallowed was sad and beautiful and strong. So I'm not sure I can compare them. They were each my favorite.




Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

*Apocalypsies!

So last night I wasn't supposed to be reading but my husband was watching one of those the-world-is-going-to-end-and-the-planets-are-crazy-big-and-strangely-colored shows and all I wanted to do was watch an episode of 30 Rock that we'd missed but he was so into it that I opened my Kindle and decided to start reading.
And... it has been a really long time since I started a book and finished it in one sitting. I'm a big reader but I have two kids and a husband and, oh yeah, a book I'm supposed to be writing and if I'm up late at night while everyone else is sleeping it had better be because the book is flowing. But. Ahem. That wasn't the case last night. I started reading Catching Jordan and I couldn't stop. No really. At some point I thought to myself, why am I not tired yet? And then I realized it's because this book is too dang good. So. For someone who doesn't like football and doesn't read a lot of contemporary YA you totally hooked me, Miranda Kenneally! This book is going up next to my other two favorite contemps: Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door. The three of them can hang out on my bookshelf and talk about how awesome they are.

Happy reading!!

Writing

This weekend I spent a lot of time writing. And also a lot of time staring out the window. I find in order to get a story down I need to do a whole lot of both.
I'm not sure how other writers work but for me I need solitude, which can make for a very lonely day. Sure my characters keep me company but in the beginning we're in that awkward getting-to-know-you stage and sometimes it feels like I'm deleting more than I'm saving.
My husband keeps encouraging me to try writing in a cafe or a coffee shop and I have to say I'm always intrigued by writers who can do this. But I'm pretty sure I'm not one of them. I'm too easily distracted. Here's how it would go:
Drive to Starbucks
Find a seat where there's little risk of someone spilling liquid on me or my laptop
Turn on laptop and while it's doing its thing immediately notice the couple to my left who appear to be on some kind of date
Decide that she's not as into him as he appears to be
Text husband with update: This is great. I'm glad I left the house.
Go back to subtle observation of Starbuck's date
She keeps shifting away from him. Bad sign.
Glance back at screen and find I haven't even opened Word yet
Open Word
While Word is doing its thing notice two teenage girls texting while eating
Wonder why people text when they're out with other people
Text husband: Why do people text when they're out with other people?
Husband's reply: Are you getting any writing done?
Me: Tons.
Open new book project
Notice that keyboard is rather dirty under the Starbuck's lights
Get up and look for napkin
Return to laptop and find that Starbuck's couple is now leaving
Watch as he holds the door open for her
Notice how she doesn't seem impressed
Text from husband: Are we out of peanut butter?
Me: Don't bother me, I'm writing. =)Kisses!

<-------- I think I should stick to my own little writing corner. Less distractions.

This weekend when I emerged from writing I found that my children smelled different. They usually smell like maple brown sugar oatmeal, strawberry yogurt or peanut butter. But after spending the weekend with their Mima and consuming an entire bag of ginger snaps they now smell like the inside of a health food store.
I have to admit, it keeps throwing me off.

Book Signing!

Welcome to 2012!!

Yeah. I know. I'm a little late to the party. But I've been busy reading, reading and then reading some more because now that Mystique is pretty much in the can (do you say that with books?) I have a stack of books calling to me and I can't help but pick them up and comfort them a little. They're all so shiny and new. I can't resist them.

OH! And I also headed off to the big city to see these fabulous authors sign some books at Books of Wonder.






Beth Revis, Julie Cross, Megan Miranda,
Maureen Lipinski and Carrie Ryan.

I love listening to authors talk about their process. The crowd asked some great questions and these ladies had some very helpful answers. I especially loved when someone in the audience asked whether they were "pantsers or planners?" It's nice to hear I'm the not the only one who is crazy enough to jump into a story completely blind. Beth Revis mentioned how she would get bored with the story if she knew the ending beforehand and I can relate to that. Although, it sure would be nice if that ending wouldn't avoid me altogether...

And while I was there I ran into these fabulous ladies.

We were all there to see fellow apocalypsie, Megan, talk about her amazing book, Fracture. Have you read it yet? It came out on Tuesday and I finished it on the train ride in. I couldn't put it down! That was the first time I've ever cried in public while reading a book. It was that good. So emotional and thoughtful. And did I mention intense and scary?! Seriously. Go read it.

ME! Zoraida Córdova, Megan Miranda,
Sarvenaz Tash, and Lizzie K. Foley.



So now that it's time to start blogging again...
tell me, what have you been reading?

More book reviews coming soon!

BOOK TRAILER!!

Wanna see something awesome?

Sure you do.

Check out Susanne Winnacker's book trailer for The Other Life!

This book is SOOOO good. It's creepy and tense and scary! And there's even some romance!=)

LOVE THIS BOOK!!

My Love For TV Shows

Hey all! Hop on over to Brave New Words and catch my post on TV shows.
More proof that I love most things YA.

OH! And Happy November!

Happy Halloween!!

Hi there! Round three is done! Round three is done! And yes, there really wasn't much of a break between round two and three but I actually preferred it that way. I was able to stay inside the story and keep working. It was like a Mystique marathon.
And now? Now we wait for copy edits. *Cue scary music*

But today we celebrate Halloween. And in honor of creepiness I'm here to tell y'all about the most amazing book I've read in quite some time. Seriously. I LOVED it. It's one of those books after you finish reading it you wish you could get a memory wipe so that you can read it all over again.
Let me make this perfectly clear. I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Okay. Wanna know what it is?

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.

It's creepy and intense and funny and thoughtful. It has some of the best chemistry I've read between the two main characters. AND! The writing is awesome. Michelle Hodkin kept me absolutely intrigued from beginning to end. I CAN NOT wait for the next book. This one was so fun I really didn't want to finish it. And yet I had to. I couldn't stop reading.

So. Go on out and get your candy and when everyone else is watching scary movies where teenagers scream and get hacked into tiny pieces you can be thoroughly enjoying one of the creepiest and coolest books I've read in, well, ever.

Have a safe and candy-filled day!

The Book Fairy Is Coming Today!!

I've been very patient. I waited until after I'd finished round two of edits to order these fabulous books knowing that I wouldn't be able to keep from reading them once they arrived!

Wanna know what they are??!

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I have been waiting and waiting for this book to come out! I tried to find it at BEA but I wasn't fast enough. If you haven't heard about this one check out the book trailer. Go ahead. I'll wait.
SEE!! I told you!



Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

If you haven't read Stephanie's first book, Anna and the French Kiss, go read it! Seriously. Go. And then once you're all smiley and in love with Etienne go check out Lola. I can't wait to read it!!









Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

I love this series. Mostly I love Patch. It's rare when I love the 2nd book more than the first. I'm hoping the third is my new favorite.









Last week I took a break from editing to venture out to a book signing. And it wasn't just any book signing, it was Laini Taylor reading from Daughter of Smoke and Bone.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this book back in May. And I know I should have given it away here once I finished it, but I just couldn't part with it. IT'S THAT GOOD!!
Seriously. This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It isn't just the story or the characters that capture you, it's the beautiful way she tells a story. I know I've found another book to add to my list of favorites when I have to stop and reread a line just so I can take in the poetic way the author is getting her thoughts across.
I love this book.

And since we're talking books...

Here are some COMING SOON selections I can't wait to read. Look for them in the next few weeks!



How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr

Have you read anything by Sara Zarr? Of course you have. She's amazing.
I can't wait for her latest.









Crossed by Ally Condie

If you've read Matched you'll want to pick this one up. I can't wait to find out what happens next!






Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

This book looks SOOOO scary! I can't wait!

New Post!

Yes. Hello there. This is the post where I mention I've blogged over on Brave New Words and promise to post here more often now that I've turned in round two of edits. I double promise. Starting with Tuesday's post where I write about the books I've ordered from Amazon and how I JUST CAN'T WAIT TO READ THEM!!

Stay tuned.

The Difference Between a Bride and a Novel

So last weekend I shot a wedding. Did you know I do that?
Well I do. It's part of my other life, you know the one where I get paid to observe people and tell their stories through photographs instead of words.

There's one big difference between photographing a wedding and writing a novel: time.

It took me five months to write Mystique.

At a wedding I generally have about five minutes to figure out what I want to do before the bride and groom, and everyone else involved in the photos, starts wondering why they're still standing in one spot. DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!
I don't have the option of turning to the bride and saying, "Do you mind if I wander over into those trees so I can listen to some inspiring music? You see I really need to figure out what your exact motivation is in the next shot."

And believe me, there are days when I'd love to do just that.

Sometimes the light is perfect and the location inspires and everywhere I look I have ideas of awesomeness.
And then sometimes... I've got nothing.

The reason I'm blogging about this today is because, well, I have this deadline stalking me right now and a few days ago I sat down at the computer and typed out some words that later fell prey to the delete button and I thought back on those days when I was writing Mystique and how I would throw my hands up in the air and admit defeat. "Today is NOT a writing day!" I would say. And then I'd get up from the computer, possibly stick my tongue out at it a few times, and then GO DO SOMETHING ELSE!

But I don't have that freedom right now. Every day is a writing day until THIS BOOK IS DONE!

Thankfully I'm in a much better place today than I was a few days ago.

Notice how most of the words in this post aren't capitalized and surrounded by exclamation marks. Notice how I didn't tell you about that dream I had where my editor was standing in a field, dressed in a wedding gown, except her wedding gown was made out of pages from my book.
Instead I've left you a photo of my beautiful wedding cake. Isn't it pretty?

So. That should tell you something.

Well, Hello There!

So I've been a bit MIA lately, but there are a few reasons for that...

Did any of you hear about that one storm that swept over the East Coast and stole all of our D batteries, peanut butter and water?

Yes, well, that was the least of it. Irene won't be invited back here any time soon. And for everyone who lost more than three days of power, my heart goes out to you.

And guess what else has been keeping me away?!

Round two of edits!!

You can read all about how I survive the process here!


I will be back soon, I promise!

In the meantime, please enjoy this. Does it get any better than Bon Iver covering a Peter Gabriel song?