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?

2 comments:

HeatherMarie said...

What am I not reading? lol My main focus right now is the House of Night books by P.C. & Kristin Cast. I working on #3 right now. The Casts will be at a nearby Borders on my birthday (sadly not the one I actually work for). One of my co-workers and I are going to the signing. I'm excited! I saw your tweets on the Jenna Fox book. I'm going to be looking into that one now. :)

Tami Klockau said...

I heard the House of Night books was good, I'll have to check them out. Have a great time at the signing.

As far as Jenna Fox, good luck finding it. I saw it back in July in Seattle and didn't buy it and hadn't seen it since. I finally broke down and ordered it from Amazon.