Friday, February 20, 2009

How to Keep Busy with a Bum Thumb

If you follow us on Twitter, you may have seen my Twit about my thumb injury. This little obstacle (better known as the horribly annoying splint on my right hand/forearm), has not only allowed me to take a few days off from writing, but, has let me do a little catching up on my To Be Read list. I thought I would share a few of the books I've demolished in the past few days. They have sparked creative juice, making me want to pour myself into Lost and Found and find the potential buried within the 1st draft.



Perfect You, by Elizabeth Scott.

From the publisher:

Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen—but only if she lets them....

Although Perfect You was a quick and easy read, I found I really enjoyed it. Everyone can sympathize with Kate, whether it be family struggles, a best friend leaving you behind or, of course, the unattainable boy. Making you cringe at times when her ex-best friend treats her like crap, or the awkward moments with Will, but for all difficult scenes there are times it makes you want to stand up and cheer Kate on. Before reading Perfect You, I read another book by Elizabeth Scott, Bloom. Despite finding myself wrapped in the characters from Bloom more than Perfect You, I would recommend it. If you are a fan of Sarah Dessen, you will probably enjoy Elizabeth Scott's writing.




The Adoration of Jenna Fox, by Mary E. Pearson

From the publisher:

Who is Jenna Fox? Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a coma, they tell her, and she is still recovering from a terrible accident in which she was involved a year ago. But what happened before that? Jenna doesn't remember her life. Or does she? And are the memories really hers?

I'd been dying to read this book since I first saw it in a bookstore when it was released last April. The cover caught my eye and the jacket copy pulled me in. Finally, almost a year later, I was able to add it to my list of books I owned.

I have to admit, the story wasn't what I expected. Before cracking it open, I thought I was going to be pulled into a modern girl's struggles of being in a coma for a year. How would she fit in? How would she remember who and what mattered to her? It offered all that (minus the modern part) and more. Jenna Fox is a nicely woven futuristic sci-fi mystery. It was easy to see where the plot was going for a lot of story, but I was still whisked into the world from start to finish. I read the book cover to cover in one sitting while sipping coffee and cuddling with my cat on the couch as the rain raced down my windows. If you are a fan of sci fi, or just want to read a really intriguing YA book, make sure to get your hands on this one. Not only did it make me want to recommend to everyone (teens and adults alike), the writing made me want to be a better writer.

Now, if only I could find a way to be productive writing while nursing a bum thumb. At least it gives me an excuse to keep on reading! Next up, Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S.King! Look for a quick review of this and more coming soon!

What are you currently reading?

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

And the Winner is...

First off, thanks to everyone who participated in the Valentine's Day Love Quote Quiz! I hope you had as much fun with it as I did making it! I also want to apologize for it being kinda hard. I have to admit, if I wasn't the one who made the quiz, I wouldn't have been able to get them all right. That is why one person who played the quiz is SO MUCH SMARTER AND BETTER THAN ME!

Congrats to Elisa Nader!!!!!!!! You are the most awesome!!!!!!!!! You really know your YA books. Wowzers! Anyway, don't forget to email us your mailing address at YAedge@yahoo.com so I can send out the book this weekend.

For everyone else, here are the correct answers.

1. Just Listen
2. Nick and Nora
3. Looking for Alaska
4. Twilight
5. Suite Scarlett
6. Wicked Lovely
7. Forever in Blue
8. Ironside
9.Princess Diaries
10. Uglies

Monday, February 16, 2009

25 Things to Love

February is the month of cupids, hearts, Valentine’s and the celebration of love in its many forms. It’s a feel good month. And in my frostbitten world, where spring is still months away, I’ll take any bit of warmth I can get.

So for the other cold feet/warm hearts out there….here’s a PG list of 25 things that make me feel loved and cosy:

1. That look my husband has just for me
2. A snooze in the sun with the dogs
3. A great book
4. Chai tea
5. 1000 words on my laptop screen and I wasn’t even trying
6. Playing fetch
7. Not working out and still losing a pound that week
8. Discovering new music
9. Chinook winds
10. Fresh snow
11. Chai lattes (wow – score 2 for chai!)
12. Vacations
13. Three hour conversations that leave you wanting more
14. Visits with friends
15. Book shopping
16. Water – large bodies of it, down to a fresh glass with a wedge of lemon
17. The health of those I love
18. Believing in others
19. Believing in your self
20. Breaking rules
21. Making rules
22. Any odd curio shoppe
23. Pictures of the past
24. Laughter
25. The hope that I get to start all over again tomorrow.

So what do you love?