Summer Reads

This Saturday marks the official FIRST DAY of Summer, and what goes better with Summer than books?

Nothing.

It's like peanut butter and jelly.

Batman and Robin.

Beer and pretzels.

Wine and ... well, anything.

And let me tell you, I just finished another book that totally threw me at the end.  Beautifully written, and unlike anything I've ever read,  We Were Liars by E. Lockhart will definitely make you think.

I'm sad that it's over and not sure what I'll pick up next.  I call this feeling a book hangover when you don't want something to end, and then when it does, you feel a little lost.

But it's summer, remember?  So there has to be something on the horizon... Something to pick up on the very first day of Summer.

And so it begins...

I guess my first official summer book will have to be Catching Air by Sarah Pekkanen.

I'm sure you all know this by now, but I LOVE all things Sarah.  Her stories, her writing, and her characters who are so real you feel like you already know them.

Sarah is one of those writers who makes me want to be a better writer.  I will admit to a touch of writer envy when I finish one of her books.

There you have it.  The Official Summer Reading Kickoff.

What are you reading this week?

Friday Reads

Goooooood Morning!  Are you surviving the heat?  I for one can't stand it, but thank God for AC and working in an ice rink. 

When I finished After You by Julie Buxbaum, I had that mini-depression when you're done with a book and it just sits with you for a while.  I was sad it was over, and I didn't have anything around here to get me out of that rut.  I loved that book, and her writing, and her characters, and the fact that she didn't take the easy way out with any of the plot.  L. O. V. E. D.  Read it if you can.

Also, a book like After You reminds me that yes, indeed, I want to be writing again.  While I love my little blogs, and having more people read them is something completely new (and fun) to me, in my heart, I want to start (and finish) another book.  I have about 3 starts to books in the last year, but never got out of the introduction stage.  So when I came across Sarah Pekkanen's post on Wednesday about process, I knew what my Friday reads would be.  She mentions two books that have helped her with her writing, and I'm happy to announce that one is being held at the library, and I purchased the other on for the low, low, price of $1.99!

The first one, the one I found on Amazon is Plot and Structure, by James Scott Bell.  I started it this morning and can already see what has been missing and why I have three starts but no finish!  Good stuff.

The second one is Writing the Breakout Novel, by Donald Maass, and waiting patiently for me at the library, and I can't wait to study, I mean read it. 

I know, I know, this might be the biggest letdown of a Friday reads choice.  It's summer, you're thinking, we should be reading something fun, something light!  Not homework for a new book.  So if you're not a writer enthusiast like myself, I will recommend two other choices this week.  Based on the fact that Sarah has helped me with my choices this week, I think it's only fair to give her books the attention and praise they deserve. 

If you haven't read The Opposite of Me or Skipping a Beat, you are missing out.  Clearly, she has studied the art of writing and her process isn't failing her.  Skipping a Beat literally changed how I think about my marriage.  They go fast, so get them both if you can.

I hope you all have a fabulous week!

Happy reading...