I wanted to give a shout out of encouragement for anyone participating in NaNoWriMo this year. I usually post my own progress throughout the month, but I couldn't really think of anything to say, so here I am, on the day before day 30 with a last minute pep talk.
Go team! Hang in there, throw whatever comes into your head onto that page. Be creative and don't worry about being right. Avoid the urge to edit and let those fingers fly across the keyboard.
Some of you may already have won by now, some may be on track to finish today or tomorrow, and some others might finish a little bit after the deadline. But all of you have tried something amazing and challenging this month, and I for one am proud of you and that effort, win or not.
So, keep writing and keep challenging yourself to greater things. It's how we grow and learn. It's how we see what we're made of and what we can do. What works and what doesn't.
So keep writing and if you don't make it this year, here's to trying again next year. Now stop reading this and get back to writing.
You're in the home stretch.
You can do it!
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Friday, November 27, 2015
New Release Announcement and Review: A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story by A.J. York
A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story by A.J. YorkMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Description:
Upstairs in the Anderson’s attic there is chatter coming from the Christmas, Easter and Halloween boxes. Someone new has arrived. Tallulah the Christmas Fairy wakes to find herself attached to the top of a tree. She soon makes friends and has a magical first Christmas. Once the festivities are over, Tallulah finds herself in the attic with the other decorations from Easter and Halloween. Each year they watch the seasons change as they wait excitedly for their turn to go downstairs. Until one day new boxes appear and then the unthinkable happens. A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story is a magical and uplifting tale for the whole family.
What has been said about A.J. York’s other stories.
“Quick, lively and entertaining reading specifically written for children ages 8 to 12, A. J. York's fantasy trilogy is very highly recommended for family, middle school and community library collections.”
Midwest Book Review, Small Press Bookwatch, April 2015
My Review:
This is a lovely short story about a treetop fairy who wakes up one day to find herself the newest addition to a young family’s Christmas decorations. After all go to sleep, the other ornaments awaken and welcome Tallulah. But after Christmas, they go back to the attic, where ornaments from other seasons and holidays are eager to tell her stories and bring her into their world.
I was faintly reminded of Toy Story, though this story feels much more optimistic and hopeful. The ornaments and toys try to be still when the people are around, and most of their shenanigans are at night or when the family is out. As the young family’s children grow up, the ornaments and, later, the toys start noticing differences, but still, each year, they are welcomed downstairs for their turn at adorning the home.
I really liked this story. It’s short and sweet and perfect for reading to a child. There are some cute illustrations throughout, which showed up well even on my plain Kindle, though not all of the chapters have one. I turned the last page with a smile on my face.
I received a free copy of this ebook from the author in exchange for an honest review.
View all my reviews
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Intrigued?
Pick up a copy at Amazon, and then check out some of A.J.'s other fine short stories, all of which I've read and enjoyed. Don't forget to follow the author on Amazon to find out first when a new story is coming.
A.J. York-Amazon Author Page
Live in the UK? Here are some links:
A.J. York-Author Page
A Fairy Extraordinary Christmas Story
Monday, November 2, 2015
Classic Review: Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck
Sweet Thursday (sequel to Cannery Row)
by John Steinbeck
Description
In Monterey,
on the California coast, Sweet Thursday is what they call the day after Lousy
Wednesday, which is one of those days that is just naturally bad. Returning to
the scene of "Cannery Row," the weedy lots and junk heaps and
flophouses of Monterey, John Steinbeck once more brings to life the denizens of
a netherworld of laughter and tears - from Fauna, new headmistress of the local
brothel, to Hazel, a bum whose mother must have wanted a daughter.
My Review
In Sweet
Thursday, John Steinbeck returns to Cannery Row, a rundown place that’s fallen
upon hard times since the local waters were all fished out and the canneries
have all closed down. Central to this story is Doc, returned from the war to
his failing business. He’s feeling low, and everyone in the neighborhood knows
it. They just don’t know exactly what to do about it.
This is a
delightful story, even for someone like me who hasn’t actually read the
previous book. That being said, I found that the plot didn’t quite become
evident until several chapters in after all the “where are they now” stuff was
covered. At that point, it took off and I must say in quite a wonderful way.
This book left me grinning so hard my face hurt. I feel a welling of emotion
just thinking about it.
I mentioned
what I was reading to my dad and told him it was the sequel to Cannery Row. He’d
seen the movie for Cannery Row and asked if the book was just as good. I guess
this means I’ll have to track that book down and see how it all started. That’s
as good as a reason for reading it as was the one I had for reading this one. I
read a blog post about hooptedoodle and it made me curious.
Anyway, I
totally recommend this, though perhaps the first part have been better had I
actually read the first book. This story won a Pulitzer Prize in Literature,
well deserved in my opinion.
I borrowed
this book from the library.
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Definitely worth picking up. But perhaps better if you pick up Cannery Row first.
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Definitely worth picking up. But perhaps better if you pick up Cannery Row first.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
M9B Two for Thursday Book Blitz: Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil and To Bear an Iron Key by Jackie Morse Kessler with Giveaway #T4T
Welcome to this week’s Two for Thursday Book Blitz #T4T
presented by Month9books/Tantrum Books!
Today, we will be showcasing two titles that may tickle your fancy,
and we’ll share what readers have to say about these titles!
You just might find your next read!
This week, #T4T presents to you:
Crown of Ice by Vicki L. Weavil and
To Bear an Iron Key by Jackie Morse Kessler
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
Thyra Winther's seventeen, the Snow Queen, and immortal, but if she can't reassemble a shattered enchanted mirror by her eighteenth birthday she's doomed to spend eternity as a wraith. Armed with magic granted by a ruthless wizard, Thyra schemes to survive with her mind and body intact.
Unencumbered by kindness, she kidnaps local boy Kai Thorsen, whose mathematical skills rival her own. Two logical minds, Thyra calculates, are better than one. With time rapidly melting away she needs all the help she can steal. A cruel lie ensnares Kai in her plan, but three missing mirror shards and Kai's childhood friend, Gerda, present more formidable obstacles. Thyra's willing to do anything – venture into uncharted lands, outwit sorcerers, or battle enchanted beasts - to reconstruct the mirror, yet her most dangerous adversary lies within her breast.
Touched by the warmth of a wolf pup's devotion and the fire of a young man's desire, the thawing of Thyra's frozen heart could be her ultimate undoing.
WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:
“Crown of Ice was great young adult fantasy novel. It offers an interesting and refreshing retelling of Snow Queen fairytale, but also so much more – realistic, confident and a bit bad heroine, magic, cute animals, subtle romance, …” – Dragana, The Paisley Reader
“Crown of Ice, is a luscious and fantastical retelling of the Snow Queen.” – Tina, Goodreads Reviewer
“A solid YA adventure with teenagers who learn so much about themselves, and each other. Even the expected happily ever after offers believable surprises that underscore the maturity and independence they each have gained.” – All Things Urban Fantasy
Vicki Lemp Weavil was raised in a farming community in Virginia, where her life was shaped by a wonderful family, the culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and an obsession with reading. Since obtaining her undergraduate degree in Theatre from the University of Virginia, she’s gone on to acquire two masters degrees, living in places as diverse as New York City and rural North Carolina. She’s currently the library director for a performing an visual arts university. Vicki loves good writing in any genre, and has been known to read seven books in as many days. She enjoys travel, gardening, and the arts. Vicki lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and some very spoiled cats.
This richly-imagined universe from an acclaimed fixture of YA storytelling introduces a the young witch Bromwyn, a strong heroine who wields great power. Five years ago, Bromwyn refused a gift from the powerful fairy king. Tonight, on Midsummer, that decision comes back to haunt her. When her best friend Rusty picks the wrong pocket, he and Bromwyn are all that stand between their village and the rampaging fairies who have pushed through the World Door. If they cannot outwit the fairy king and queen before the World Door closes at sunrise, the friends will lose everything--their village, Bromwyn's magic, and Rusty's life.
WHAT READER’S ARE SAYING:
“If you want to get lost in magic and spend some time away from this grey, dreary world of reality, then look no further.” – Nicky Peacock, Author
“his was a really strong little book--a wonderful start to a brand new series, and I think it's safe to say I'll be looking for more of Jackie Morse Kessler's work!” – Kels, Literature Obsessed
“This is a great tale about the transitions in youth and of true friendship. It also depicts the emotional wounds caused from misjudgment and rejection.” – LuAnn, Rockin Book Reviews
Jackie Morse Kessler grew up in Brooklyn, NY, with a cranky cat and overflowing shelves filled with dolls and books. Now she’s in Upstate NY with another cranky cat, a loving husband, two sons, and overflowing shelves filled with dragons and books (except when her sons steal her dragons). She has a bachelor’s degree in English and American Literature, and yet she’s never read any Jane Austen (with or without zombies). She also has a master’s degree in media ecology. (The living study of technology and culture. Which is cool, but she still can’t figure out how to use Tweetdeck.)
Jackie spends a lot of time writing, reading, and getting distracted by bright and shiny new ideas. (She just came up with a new idea right now.) She has a weakness for chocolate and a tendency to let her cat take over her office chair.
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
Brain on
Fire: My Month of Madness
by Susannah
Cahalan
Description
A gripping
memoir and medical suspense story about a young New York Post reporter’s
struggle with a rare and terrifying disease, opening a new window into the fascinating
world of brain science.
One day,
Susannah Cahalan woke up in a strange hospital room, strapped to her bed, under
guard, and unable to move or speak. Her medical records—from a month-long
hospital stay of which she had no memory—showed psychosis, violence, and
dangerous instability. Yet, only weeks earlier she had been a healthy,
ambitious twenty-four year old, six months into her first serious relationship
and a sparkling career as a cub reporter.
Susannah’s
astonishing memoir chronicles the swift path of her illness and the lucky,
last-minute intervention led by one of the few doctors capable of saving her
life. As weeks ticked by and Susannah moved inexplicably from violence to
catatonia, $1 million worth of blood tests and brain scans revealed nothing.
The exhausted doctors were ready to commit her to the psychiatric ward, in
effect condemning her to a lifetime of institutions, or death, until Dr. Souhel
Najjar—nicknamed Dr. House—joined her team. He asked Susannah to draw one
simple sketch, which became key to diagnosing her with a newly discovered
autoimmune disease in which her body was attacking her brain, an illness now
thought to be the cause of “demonic possessions” throughout history.
With sharp
reporting drawn from hospital records, scientific research, and interviews with
doctors and family, Brain on Fire is a crackling mystery and an unflinching,
gripping personal story that marks the debut of an extraordinary writer.
My Review:
This story, which
really happened, catalogues the horrific illness that befell the author some
years ago. It played out just like an episode of House, as mentioned in the
description, though the real life House in this didn’t come on the scene until
Susannah’s team of doctors realized they had nothing left to give. Particularly
terrifying and heartbreaking is the fact that Susannah lost a part of who she
was from this. It seems that she’ll never quite be the same, despite that her
recovery in itself is miraculous.
What I
really liked about this book was how thorough it was in portraying the
progression of the disease. I found the snippets of Susannah’s notes, the
catalogues of her behaviors and footage of videos taken while she was
hospitalized, and the documented points of view of her friends and family
fascinating. What’s even more amazing is that she had to turn to these. The disease
pretty much warped or wiped her memory during the worst of it.
That being
said, this reads more like a journal or extended account of facts, rather than
a story. It isn’t a narrative. The timeline unfolds, the disease’s symptoms
emerge, and Susannah battles her way through to the other side and beyond, but
it still reads like someone else’s account. There’s also some jumping around.
It isn’t quite a chronological timeline, and certain data and interview results
are sprinkled in much later in the book than their related events, sometimes
repeating from another perspective. Still, it’s a gripping read.
Overall, I
really liked this story. It was a chilling account of a real life medical
mystery that very nearly could have sent Susannah into a mental institution for
the rest of her life, which likely would have been short due to the progression
of the disease. Folks who enjoy non-fiction or stories where someone overcomes
great odds will likely enjoy this one.
I borrowed
the review copy of this book from the local library so that I could read it for
my book club.
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