Tag Archive for 'genius'

why am i writing this??

Published on May 12, 2011 in Writing Tags: , , , , , . ______________________________________
conversation with self:

exhausted?

CHECK

Brain stuffed with good books?

CHECK

Brain also stuffed with bad books, but knowing full well what they did and how to avoid it. Or maybe, also, um…good books with just a few awkward moments that can probably be avoided now that you know why they were awkward?

CHECK YEAH

Committed to two week book-fast, wherein ABSOLUTELY NO FICTION READING IS ALLOWED because you’ll be busy writing something worth reading?!!

*sigh*

check.

OKAY, now go write write write, little bird. And fly fly fly. Share your dreams with the world. Be bold. Be brave.

Or don’t. I don’t care as long as you WRITE.

-M♥lly

2 Comments

Jack Blank and the Imagine Nation

Published on August 18, 2010 in reading is delicious Tags: , , , . ______________________________________

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

7 Comments

I’m getting married

Published on July 23, 2010 in reading is delicious Tags: , , , , , . ______________________________________

…err. Well, I’m already married. But I mean BOOK married.

Like I found a faithful, trustworthy friend who knows about magic and romance and laughs and charm and delight and green slime and weed killer and PLOT TWISTS.

And you know I like all those things.

sigh.

Allow me to introduce you (I think many of you have already met):

THANK YOU SO MUCH to Sandy Shin and Kari, who were genius enough to recommend this amazing book that I can’t believe I never read before.

It is now on my shelf of ABSOLUTE FAVORITES.

So clever, so witty, so unexpected…I could go on and on.

I hope you add it to your TBR list.

Also, look at this cover that doesn’t do the book any justice:

Seriously, just stick with the cover at the top of the post. That one’s more like the story. (But the story’s even better.)

Have a great weekend!

-M♥lly

5 Comments

Seriously, pay me to do this…please.

Published on July 21, 2010 in reading is delicious and Writing Tags: , , , . ______________________________________

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!

See how great it could be???

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

9 Comments

Mistwood Review

Published on July 19, 2010 in reading is delicious Tags: , , , . ______________________________________

I’m on a role: two great books I LOVED in one week! The first was THE BOOKS OF ELSEWHERE: THE SHADOWS, and you can read my review here.

The second book is MISTWOOD by Leah Cypess. This was recommended by author Heather McCorkle, and something about her recommendation made me just go buy the book rather than get it from the library. I’m so glad I did.

MISTWOOD is a book for people who like Fantasy, you know the whole otherworld/special powers/heroic characters thing, without the 600 pages of world building.

That’s one of my favorite things about this book–it gets to the point. You totally know exactly what this story’s world looks like and who the characters are–without pages dripping with detail. Leah Cypess is supposedly a debut author, but as I was reading, I felt like the text had been crafted by a confident storyteller.

You’ve got: Misty woods (hence the title), constant mystery, a rambling castle, mistaken identity, a shape changer, courtly manipulations and intrigue, evil magicians, good magicians, oh-my-gosh-which-side-are-you-on characters, a strong female protagonist, and PLOT TWISTS.

Plenty of plot twists–which I like.

And, because I’m a nerd, I have to admit that there is this cool font they use for the title and chapters and page numbers that is like something out of a fairy tale mixed with something sci-fi-ish. I really liked it.

*clears throat* anyway…

I read on some other reviews that people felt constantly confused by this book. I disagree.
Sure, you don’t know exactly where things are going, because you’re experiencing the story as the characters do, BUT you still know what’s going on when you get there. It’s not like the descriptions or events are confusing. You’re just constantly trying to unravel the mystery surrounding the shape shifter aka the Shifter.

I give it 5 hearts out of 5. Go read it!

♥♥♥♥♥

Hope you had a great weekend.

-M♥lly

5 Comments

The Books of Elsewhere–The Shadows

Published on July 14, 2010 in reading is delicious Tags: , , , , , , . ______________________________________

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

6 Comments

Beautiful Creatures

Published on July 8, 2010 in reading is delicious Tags: , , , , . ______________________________________

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.

The Bulgarian cover, which definitely captures some of that juicy atmosphere. I LOVE it.

This book is fresh–

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.

This book has enough atmosphere to fill the hole in the ozone layer and then some–

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.

A necklace from the story. One that reminds me a LOT of one I had in middle school. Maybe it’s time to revive it bc it’s just soooo cool.

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!)

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***I HOPE to review another inspiring book on Monday. See ya soon!

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-M♥lly

7 Comments

caught me

Published on July 7, 2010 in reading is delicious Tags: , , . ______________________________________

LUNCH, ANYONE??? Take me here. Please. Photo by Thor Dekov Buur

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FINALLY,

one of those books I can’t put down!!

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.

Thanks for all of your recommendations. I’ve gotten some really fun, interesting, amazing books by taking your advice.

I can’t wait to read them all!!!

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

10 Comments

another snippet

Published on June 25, 2010 in Writing Tags: , , , , . ______________________________________

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

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17 Comments

i NEED your HELP

Published on June 11, 2010 in Writing Tags: , , , . ______________________________________

yeah. that kinda book.

First off, let me be real with you…

  • You are amazing.
  • You are talented.
  • You can write that book and see it on the shelf.
  • You have untapped super-powers. One of which is revision.
  • For the rest of June you are going to be a revising fiend, hit your goal, AND have time for fresh air EVERY DAY.
  • In no way am I projecting my personal ambitions onto you in this list.

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.

→♥MWUAH!♥←

(That’s me blowing you a kiss for being awesome.)

Did I mention that I’ve already had tea, maple syrup, and a mocha frappe this morning?????????

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.

I want THE BEST BOOKS.

Can you pllllleeeeaaaassssseeeee pretty please recommend some amazing books?????

Not:

“meh. This one was okay. You should check it out.”

We’re talking:

“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♥

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P. freakin’ S. – you WANT TO/SHOULD/MUST enter my much younger twin’s contest (that doesn’t have to make any sense. Just enter the contest bc it’s AWESOME). click HERE.

16 Comments