writing, reading, art, and randomness
Hope everyone is doing awesome.
MOCKINJAY by (do I really have to say it…you already know) Suzanne Collins
Can I be honest here? I’ve had this book for like a week and I totally haven’t touched it. I did the same thing with the last Harry Potter book. I don’t want it to end. 
MATCHED by Ally Condie
For some reason this book has me so interested — a society where your choices are predicted and controlled and there’s a love triangle somehow?? It doesn’t come out until November, but I really want to see how the plot turns out. Such an intriguing concept.
PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White
LOOOOOVE the concept of this book. Working for the International Paranormal Containment Agengcy??? I’m in. And I’m ordering it from Amazon on payday–which is tomorrow! Can’t wait.
And since my dear kARi always does that fun “What’s in my mailbox” post, I figured I’d share my most recent deliveries:
INCARERON by Catherine Fisher
Okay, so I’m halfway through this book and I’m really liking the plot. It’s like you know what’s coming, but that’s much too simple–so what’s around the next corner?? Plus the imagery and setting is soooooo cooooool. Dystopian Victorian???
THE WOLVES OF WILLOUGHBY CHASE by Joan Aiken
I haven’t read this one yet, but the Joan Aiken books I have read have stuck with me for their clarity and plot and interesting characters. This book is older, but I had to get it! Cruel governesses and wolves–need I say more??
THE DEATH (AND FURTHER ADVENTURES) OF SILAS WINTERBOTTOM: THE BODY THIEF by Stephen M. Giles
Oh, don’t try to act like that title didn’t intrigue you. Be honest. I can’t wait to start this book and it looks like a short fun read.
And I’m currently listening to:
FAIREST by Gail Carson Levine
Wow–this story is magnetic. I’m about 5/8ths through and I’m so wrapped up in the plot! Love the characters and the setting–kingdoms and magic mirrors and an ugly protagonist that you root for!!
I haven’t heard many full-cast audio books (every character has an actor doing their voice vs just one actor doing all the voices) so it takes some getting used to. That and there’s singing. Lots of singing. I’m starting to love it.
-M♥lly
I always like to check out the debut authors. (It gives me hope 
)
So, this week I read Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation, the debut novel by Matt Myklusch.
You’ve got: Comic book-like fighting between good and evil, zombie robots, moving islands, superpowers, hence the superheroes, also bad guys that aren’t all bad, good guys that aren’t all good (which makes any story wonderful), and of course, our MC: a 12 yr old boy trying to figure out where he fits in with all of this.
Yep, I loved it. I think it’s a great book for kids who have a hard time getting into reading, because the story telling is really clear and simple–but the plot is full of wonderful fantasy and action elements, plus–a plot twist.
Oh, I love plots twists.
Also, the book looks thick, but thanks to plenty of white space, you move through it quickly, so reluctant readers can feel like, “Wow, I read all that?” and adults can enjoy it as a fast, fun, original read.
Check it out!
and have a great day,
-M♥lly
I’m working on my new beginning for my manuscript. This means lots of bike rides and showers are in order, since those are the only activities that seem to get my brain in super-hyperdrive-creative mode.
Otherwise, I’ve been reading.
Have I told you how much I love reading?
Ahhhhh…reading.
Reading at stoplights. Reading in the drive-thru. Reading when you're waiting on a train. Reading while someone else is driving. Reading when I should be sleeping.
I wish my job was to wake up every morning, make some tea, sit on my porch and READ.
If you would like to hire me to do this, I have an extensive reading resume. lol. I seriously drive to work thinking, “How can I earn a living by reading in my pajamas?”
You could do it, too. We could form a Readers Union, requiring benefits and chocolate and tea.
We could go to lunch at bistros and cafes and read! And then we wouldn’t look silly for sitting at a table by ourselves! And maybe the waiter wouldn’t feel sorry for us and ask us what we’re reading and then we could avoid an awkward situation!
I think we should make it happen.
Okay–well, I have to get to work…so, uh, see ya around.
Have a great day!
-M♥lly
Okay, so I really am in love today.
Really this time!
Last night I finished up THE BOOKS OF ELSEWHERE: THE SHADOWS, and ohmigosh it was good.
It’s one of those books where the adult in me thinks, (cue high-pitched nasally adult voice) “Oh, I really like this story. What nice atmosphere. How unique,” and the kid in me is like, (cue my real voice) “Ahhh! That’s scary. Wow—cool. I want to do that! She did what? The end? Where’s the next book!?!?”
I was lucky enough to interview the author, Jacqueline West, HERE.
THE SHADOWS is a fast paced read set in Olive Dunwoody’s new home—a crumbling Victorian house brimming with rooms to explore and curiosities to discover. Her slightly absent minded, but brilliantly (and hilariously) mathematical parents have no clue what kinds of secrets their home holds. Olive, however, finds herself unraveling a dark and deadly mystery, aided only by three cats and a bratty boy.
Atmosphere: Really old house with hidden rooms, paintings you can travel through, cool old spectacles, creepy basements, that prickle at the back of your neck when you know something’s not right, overgrown backyards, nosey neighbors, and cats with attitude. In a word: awesome.
Language: Jacqueline West is also an award winning poet, and she has this beautiful knack for clear, concise, and completely unique description. There’s also lots of witty dialogue that kept me smiling and laughing throughout the book.
If you’re looking for a fun Middle Grade read, you should seriously check this book out. There’s also a pretty cool website for the book that includes sample chapters and clips from the audiobook: www.thebooksofelsewhere.com
Definitely 5 out of 5 hearts for this book:
Have a great day!
-M♥lly
Why am I rocking the super-dark nail polish, you ask?
Easy. It’s a tribute to this book I read and liked. You may have heard of it:
*First off, this is not the book I was raving about Wednesday. I’m still not finished with that one. However, this is the book I read before I started reading Wednesday’s book. And I enjoyed it quite a lot. So much so that I painted my nails, as stated above.
I loved the narrator–a boy. He has this quiet strength and passion that seriously makes my heart flutter.
I REALLY liked a paranormal romance coming from the guy’s perspective. AND! Bonus! It really sounds like a guy, not a girl’s version of a guy. A real guy. Granted, a rare guy, but a real one.
Seriously. I think I am more in love with the atmosphere (steamy Carolinian humidity, mysterious and gorgeous plantation mansions, unique and crazy relatives, magic, mythology, underground libraries, etc.) than I am with Ethan (the guy narrator).
I have to admit that I wasn’t as impressed with the girl as I would have wished, but I’m holding out hope for her and I will definitely be checking out the next book: BEAUTIFUL DARKNESS. That was really the only thing that bothered me.
I loved the tension, I loved the hero, I loved the mystery.
Thanks to everyone who recommended this cool book. And double thanks to Tessa Gratton, who created a fantabulous contest that included BEAUTIFUL CREATURES as one of the prizes. (Which I won. Yay!)
.
***I HOPE to review another inspiring book on Monday. See ya soon!
.
-M♥lly
.
.
.
So I’m reading this book. It’s an original spin on something old, possibly something overdone. But it’s so fresh. The characters are so untypical. The prose is so entrancing at times. I seriously already teared up, just because I like it so much. Not cause it’s sad.
Right now I’m in love. I’m counting down the hours until my lunch break. Until I get to dive in and savor some more.
I’ve been here before. I’ve been let down because a book doesn’t follow through with the characters or the the theme or the mood. But I have faith in this book. If it is still just as tasty by the end, I will let you know on Friday.
Seriously, if I could get paid to sit/lay/walk around and read–well, I’d probably be dreaming.
What about you–any amazing reads lately?
-M♥lly
hmmm…
.
.
*yawns* *stretches*
.
*hums “O What a Beautiful Morning…”*
.
Oops
It’s Monday, isn’t it?
Huh.
Well, it doesn’t feel like one. Maybe that’s why I forgot to blog.
But I remembered!!! yay!
let me know if you’ve come up with anything better–
and I allllllmost feel ready to start re-revising. Which I will tomorrow.
I highly recommend the above activities or similar ones to anyone recuperating from reviseitis (inflammation of the revision).
-M♥lly
Yay! I made it to Friday!! Congrats to all of you who did as well!!
Okay, anyways,
the other day I was riding in the car
(Kissyface was driving me to Chipotle)
and I look over and this guy is waiting at the same light we are.
He’s a couple years younger than me, but he’s pretty handsome.
And he has this great smile.
And he’s dancing.
Yes. He was dancing in his car. At a stoplight.
So then he looks over at me, keeps dancing, raises his eyebrows and widens his grin, like, “care to join me??”
And I can’t help it, I’m cracking up.
And he just smiles bigger when he sees me laughing.
Still dancing.
So Kris is trying to figure out the reason for my random outburst of giggles (not exactly an unusual event) and he’s like, “What??”
And I’m laughing so hard, but I say, “That guy’s dancing! He’s dancing.”
But by this time, the light has changed and we’re driving again and
I’ve lost sight of my dancing buddy.
But then, right before we turn into Chipotle I see him.
Still dancing.
And he smiles at me again, like, “I’m cool, and I’m perfectly confident enough to dance in my car and not care who sees me.”
And yeah, maybe it was kinda weird. But it was more…I don’t know. Fun. Free. Random.
So I think I want to be like that.
And I’m pretty sure that guy needs to wind up in one of my stories.
Have a beautiful weekend. I dare you to dance in your car at a stoplight.
Love,
M♥lly
.
.
.
yeah. that kinda book.
First off, let me be real with you…
No, but seriously. If I didn’t have you guys as readers/supporters/friends, I would be quite sad. Everyday at least one of you comments or blogs something that cheers me up, and everyday I learn something from you.
(That’s me blowing you a kiss for being awesome.)
Anyways–All of the above are reasons why I need your help. Thanks to Tahereh’s genius and generous contest, I won a gift card to buy some books off Amazon. But here’s the thing. I don’t want just any books.
Can you pllllleeeeaaaassssseeeee pretty please recommend some amazing books?????
“meh. This one was okay. You should check it out.”
“Oh my freaking goodness this book was spectacular and amazing and I’m in love and I want you to read it. And it transported me to this really fun place and I giggled everytime I got to crack it open because I was so giddy to read it. And it made me cry in a good way NEVER IN A SAD WAY because I know you don’t like to be sad. But this book is my new best friend and you should buy it.”
So if you know something like that, please share.
Have I told you lately that I love you???
Peace♥
.
.
Recent Comments