Friday, April 30, 2010

Lovin' my library

I've had a couple of people ask how the reading has been going - and what I think about the books I mentioned earlier. I'm not much at writing book reviews but I love to chat about books...

So - Wintergirls - Laurie Halse Anderson, this was crazy good. It was hard to read at times because you are entwined in the MCs head that you feel as out of control as she does (which is the point - and is done VERY well). The pacing is super fast and toward the end I HAD to finish it because I needed to not only find out what happened, but also to get out of her head! Great read.

Wicked Lovely - Melissa Marr, also very good. I liked that the fairies in this book were not the little happy, twirly fairies of our youth but dark, dirty and at times cruel. Main character Aislinn is tough, brave and saves her own day. I can't wait to read Ink Exchange ... which is waiting at the library for me!

Graceling - Kristen Cashore, I ran through this book. If you want to read a book about a hard-core tough chick - this is that book. Katsa is a fun character, because she has tremendous growth throughout, but still retains the core of her person at the end. The concept behind the book is fun - and the world that Cashore creates is beautiful and fascinating.

Wish You Were Dead - Todd Strasser, This was another dark book, and I flew through it - anxious to find out how it ended. I was expecting something a little more humorous (I don't know - maybe the title should have clued me in??) - dark - but funny. It wasn't that - but a captivating suspense thriller instead.

My favorite of this group which I admit I may be a bit biased about since the author is a fellow AWer - was Handcuffs by Bethany Griffin. I expected this to be some kind of hostage situation type of book (I'm apparently not very good at guessing these things!!) but found an intriguing glimpse into the main characters life. I love the main character Parker - and adore her he-who-shall-not-be-named- love interest. The story lightly touches base on many relevant topics without feeling like she's skimming over them - or preaching. This was another race to the end to find out what happens type of book. I admit I'm a little sad it ended.

Up next: I'm almost done with Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, and have hush, hush by Becca Fitzpatrick, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare and Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins in queue. Oooooooooh and I won Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl from a contest on the terrific new OPWFT website - called GotYA. Check it out if you get a chance!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Write on...

There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein. ~Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith

The urge to write just up and went. Away. I have no idea where it went, but wherever, it is far away from me.

You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you. ~Ray Bradbury

I'm pretty sure that Bradbury is on to something. I paused for just a moment, turned my back and reality sure enough did grab me and fill my soul with.. well...reality.

Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. ~Gene Fowler

I love to write. Sometimes though there is such muck to wade through to reach anything of interest that nothing flows on the paper.

If I'm trying to sleep, the ideas won't stop. If I'm trying to write, there appears a barren nothingness. ~Carrie Latet

It's been a month since the urge last struck me.

Today I feel a small twinge. It's there. It's thinking about coming out. A couple of nights without sleep always help that along.

I will set myself up with all the necessities... caffeine (Tim Horton's Iced Capp)... food (a veggie wrap sounds tasty... music (cues NORMAL playlist on itunes)... turn off internet...