Book 3: Shatter Me

Hype is a very interesting beast.

For the publishing industry, it can mean the difference between a book that is lost in a sea of novels, and a book that's in your face at every turn.

Shatter Me is one of those books.

I've followed Tahereh Mafi's blog for a long time and have been hearing about Shatter Me for almost as long - though admittedly, I had no burning desire to read it other than to support the blogging community.

That is, until I began reading the reviews of the advanced reader copies (ARC) - and Mafi's publisher kicked up the publicity. Suddenly Mafi was talking about Shatter Me on MTV, and Harper Collins was devoting an entire social media day to the book. Everywhere I looked, someone was talking about Shatter Me.

I couldn't help but get sucked in. Was in fact desperate to get my hands on a copy, and even entered blog contests to try and win an ARC.

The trouble with hype is that in the end, you've got to be able to deliver the goods.

Did Mafi? I'm kind of straddling the fence.

I have a serious case of writer envy. Shatter Me defies genre - part literary, part supernatural, part romance, part commercial, part something I don't even know how to explain. I wouldn't even know where to slot this book except on the bestseller wall, because that's clearly where it's going to end up.

Mafi writes with such compassion and conviction (and blow-you-away talent) you're not just reading the story of Juliette and Adam, you're in Juliette's head. Deep. I know Juliette - I felt her pain, her sorrow, her joy, her love. Even after I finished the last page, I'm still thinking about her, and replaying some of the scenes in my mind.

The problem is, I didn't particularly like Juliette.

She's a 17-year-old girl banished to a prison-like cell because she's been deemed dangerous. Her touch is actually lethal, and for her entire life, she's never felt the warmth of embrace. I can't even imagine that, let alone even begin to understand how anyone could deal with that kind of physical power. But Mafi writes with such brilliance, I "got it" in the first few chapters. Unfortunately the "I'm a monster" mantra carries on for almost the whole book and it gets a little long in the tooth.

Somewhere around page 100, I lost sympathy for her. Thankfully, there's Adam to pick up the slack. Their chemistry is fabulous, and I (mostly) bought their love story. Adam ranks fairly high on the hot teen hero scale. High...but not at the top.

I also enjoyed the dystopian future setting, and the rise of the Reestablishment - despite the heavy Hitler-esque undertones.

I'm still mulling the story over in my head, which means I haven't quite decided whether I loved the book. But I'm very clear on how I feel about Mafi's writing. It's brilliant. She's brillaint. And I'd pick up another novel by her in a heartbeat.

- Dawn

Sidenote: I practically pushed Karen into reading this book, marking it her first of the 100 Books in 2012 Reading Challenge. She wasn't quite as smitten :-) Check out her clever review here.

The Book In My Bag Today: Survivor in Death, JD Robb

Bending it like Beckham

The sports world may have lost some of its affection for star athlete David Beckham, but my admiration is far from finished.

Not that I have much comment on his athleticism - I've never even seen him step onto the field. *cough*

However, I can relate to the amount of work required to excel in any field - whether you're a football star, or a successful author.

Hard work, yes. Commitment, absolutely. Flexibility, hellz ya.

But perhaps more importantly, balance. With several children and a high profile wife, I suspect Beckham has had to do a lot of "balancing" work - with the soccer ball and without.

I'm not afraid of hard work. I can commit to my craft. I am flexible - maybe too flexible.

But balance? That's always been a struggle.

I made a purposeful effort NOT to make a list of New Year's resolutions this year - though the standard ones do apply. Like lose weight, write more, yadda yadda yadda.

But perhaps I do have one major resolution - to work toward that elusive life balance I often overlook. That happy medium of work, play, family, friends, and time for ME. That last part is where I usually mess up - I'll risk sleep for time spent with friends and family, or skip working out if I want to power through a new project outline.

But taking time to do some of the things I love? Sure...when it works out.

Not good enough.

I'm ashamed at the pathetic number of novels I finished reading last year, which inspired this year's 100 Books in 2012 Reading Challenge. It's no wonder I hit a creative writing slump over the summer - I barely read.

Instead, I rediscovered crafting - and that, my friends, became my obsession, along with Pinterest, the website that single-handedly commanded most of my time. Sure, it's a creative outlet, but truthfully, it provided the perfect procrastination. No, words were not on the page, but I was still being creative, right?

Meanwhile, writing projects piled up. DIVERSE projects. AWESOME projects. Projects WORTHY of my time.

Time I didn't have - despite several efforts to carve out hours for all things writerly.

The problem is, I'm not quite ready to set all those crafty projects aside...

Thanks to my good friend Judith, though, I'm excited to try out a system that *might* let me have my cake and eat it, too. Huzzah.

Judith and I have numerous projects on the go, and frankly, she's the more grounded - and organized - between us. (Shocking, I know.) So when she fired over her Works in Progress spreadsheet, I wasn't surprised at how nicely she'd laid things out. The chart outlines projects on the go, where they're at in the writing/research process, and an estimated deadline. She includes a work count for each project. In her words: tough to argue you've been writing if the word counts aren't increasing.

Indeed.

I've taken that template and adapted it for myself.

And then almost fainted. I've got a LOT of ideas. And way too many "started" initiatives. And a crap load of deadlines.

Part of my problem has always been that I haven't kept all of my files organized on the computer. I spent five hours fixing that this weekend, sorting every document into folders, complete with the most CURRENT version of a manuscript. (That part is important, because I can waste hours looking for the right file, and then more time reading it over to make sure all of the changes I wanted have been implemented.)

This organization WILL help.

But wait! There's more.

Thanks again to Judith, I've loosely carved out a daily - a schedule that includes exercise, reading, photography (help, Jamie!), the day job, crafting, editing and writing. It means buckling down and spending the appropriate hours working according to the schedule...but in the end, it means guilt free time with my family and friends in the evening, or on weekends.

That I can buy into. Hopefully this week's muse avatar - Beckham, of course - can offer some solid advice and inspiration.

How about you? Any writerly (or otherwise) resolutions this year? 

Happy 2012! I have a feeling it's going to be a busy - but kick-ass kind of year.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi

Book 2: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is another of those books that have been sitting on the shelf collecting dust, waiting for me to emerge from my reading slump.

I should have read this one a long time ago.

Despite the breathtaking cover, I had no idea what to expect of this book, and had only skimmed the myriad of five and four-star reviews before cracking the spine (not literally, Karen, calm down).

I admit, I expected a bit more creep factor, and a little more of the paranormal. I didn't expect a kick ass romance storyline, or a male character that would cause my heart to flip.

Author Michelle Hodkin does teen romance exceptionally well. The dialogue is crisp, heated, and in many cases, swoon-worthy. Noah Shaw IS swoon-worthy.

The first chapter drew me in. Mara Dyer awakes from a three-day coma, her best friends are dead, and she has no recollection of what happened. Her parents aren't helping her understand. And the only solution to her misery seems to be for her family to pack up and move.

While the mystery of what happened - and Mara's role in the accident - is certainly compelling, I was more interested in Mara and Noah's developing relationship. There's an edge to it that I think more closely parallels youth relationships of today, and Hodkin took some liberties I appreciate - no fluff here.

It is this tight writing style, and absence of "fake" that kept me turning pages (not to mention Noah), but I can't claim absolute satisfaction by the end. I wanted there to be "more" - more creepy, more of an "a-ha!" moment. And instead of being thrilled by the knowledge that the sequel is forthcoming, I kind of wanted it all wrapped up in this book.

Not that it couldn't be series...I just thought there were a few too many loose ends, and I'm not sure I'll be racing to the book store for the sequel. (Walking, definitely.)

Of course, my opinion is subjective and you may feel differently. Have you read it? I'd love to know what you thought.

Happy New Year!

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi

Book 1: Mockingjay

And we're off!

I chose Mockingjay to kick off the 100 Books in 2012 challenge. It's been sitting on shelf for a few months, waiting for me to bust through this "non-reading" phase.

After the brilliance of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games and Catching Fire, I figured the third in the series required my full attention - and it's taken until this new challenge for me to give it.

I wasn't disappointed.

As with the previous two books, Mockingjay is filled with the same shocking twists, emotional turns, and masterful storytelling I've come to expect from this author. The kind of writing that makes me ache with envy.

And get me off my butt. Collins' skill is inspirational.

I'd be lying if I said Mockingjay lived up to Hunger Games, but how could it? Quite often, the first in a series is the best - and in so many ways, Hunger Games is flawless. Collins knows just when to tug on the heart strings, and the craft of character development. This remains true throughout the series, but I didn't quite feel quite the same urgency as with Hunger Games.


Still, if you're as far behind as I am and have yet to read Mockingjay, I'd slide it up to the top of your TBR pile. Regardless if it's my favourite in the series, it's still one hell of a great book.

Special thanks to my niece Bailey for "coveting" this copy for me - I'll take you to the movie to make up for it...xo

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Michelle Hodkin

My muse reads - and this year, I do, too

Karen and I are doing it again. The great 100 Book Reading Challenge.

We attempted it in 2010, aiming to devour 100 *new* books between the end of December and the start of 2011. Neither of us made it, though 70-ish books is nothing to sneeze at.

But I can almost count on two hands the number of books I actually finished reading in 2011. There were a number - far too many - starts and stops. Maybe I burnt myself out the year before, but one thing I know for sure, without the dedicated reading time, my creativity suffered.

I have many projects on the go this year. And with the help of my good friend, Judith, I'm working on a spreadsheet to organize them all. I'm positive none of these works in progress will be accomplished if I don't make reading a priority.

It's not like I don't have enough books lying around my house. I went on a book binge months ago, and most of the titles are on my shelf, collecting dust. Even the novels sent FROM GREECE by Jessica.

So, the challenge begins now. Actually, it began yesterday - and I started with Mockingjay, the third and final book in Suzanne Collins' brilliant Hunger Games trilogy. I'm 100 pages in and loving it.

The rules are simple:

• 100 books *read in full* by January 1, 2013
• Each book must be reviewed/talked about on our blogs
• Books we've read before don't count
• Picture books don't count
• Manuscripts for friends/writers DO count

Missed anything? Up for negotiation.

If you're up for the challenge, I dare you to join us. Or, you're welcome to hang out at our blogs and add to our TBR list and maybe get a few recommendations for yourself. 

Oh - and special thanks to Johnny Depp for his double duty muse avatar role this week - reading AND writing. When you're that sexy, you deserve the jobs, no?

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins

Bet on this muse

Paul Bettany had me at hello.

I first fell in love with him as Chaucer in A Knight's Tale. The role was such a sweet mix of comedy and unassuming sex appeal - kinda like Paul.

My adoration for him continues to grow every time I see him on screen. I loved him in Priest and the DaVinvi Code and positively swooned over him in A Beautiful Mind. He's brilliant.

Which is why I've mentally cast him in a lead role for my thriller - which is currently going through extensive edits.

I need the mental push. I've been staring at this manuscript for what seems like an eternity, constantly tweaking every paragraph, every sentence, every word to painstaking perfection.

Frankly, I'm more than ready to send it off into the world.

But alas, it needs one more pass. Which is how I'll be spending my evenings this week while I wait for Santa to arrive.

I'll supply the computer and the crantinis. Mr. Muse Avatar, I'm leaving it up to you to provide the inspiration.

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Heartsick, Chelsea Cain

P.S. Find yourself on the Naughty list this year? You might want to acquaint yourself with this beastie before Sunday.

My muse is not "this" Jack

At least not this time.

It's true Kiefer Sutherland (aka: Jack Bauer) has been my muse avatar more times than I can count. And it's not that he doesn't completely fulfill the role (he does!) - and my crush on him is legendary in my household. I own all eight seasons of 24, and many Kiefer Sutherland movies. It's doubtful I'll get over him any time soon... (sorry handsome, hubby...)

It's just that there's a new Jack in my life now - one infinitely cuter than Jack Bauer (no, seriously) and this new Jack has completely stolen my heart.

My new nephew, Jack Lawrence.

He was born at 9:30 a.m. yesterday, and though I have only one picture of his sweet and perfect face, I know no other Jack will ever take his place in my heart. I now understand the phrase, love at first sight.

My sister lives a billion miles away from me - okay, just across the country, but yesterday, it felt like we were world's apart. I'm dying to hug her, and tell her how proud I am of her - and I am going crazy not being able to give my new nephew a hug.

This isn't my first nephew - my sister's husband has two awesome boys who stole my heart the first time I met them. My sister-in-law also has a beautiful son and a beautiful daughter. I love them all, completely. But there's something so special about this moment, that instant when I heard her trembling voice on the other end of the line telling me about her son.

Her son.


I've been an emotional basketcase since that early morning call, caught between smiling hysterically and crying uncontrollably. His picture is now my screen saver, my phone wallpaper, and imprinted in my mind. Every perfect detail.

I actually can't stop thinking about him.

And so this week - and likely for some time to come, my nephew, baby Jack Lawrence, is my muse. But Jack Bauer can still do the avatar part.

Have an amazing week. I know I will <3

- Dawn

The Book In My Bag Today: Heartsick, Chelsea Cain