Happy Happy Halloween

Hello, everybody :)

To those who celebrate it in some fashion or another, Happy Happy Halloween (Super Station, as my Dad would sing, in reference to some old scary movie I know nothing about....).

If you don't celebrate it, Happy Monday to ya :) I think that covers everyone.

What have I done today? Work related business, took my brother to school, felt guilty about random writing related things (but not guilty enough to rectify those situations...). As you can see, I'm one busy lady lol.

I planned on scrounging up an outline for this Nanowrimo business. If you don't know what it is, it's basically people promising to write a complete (ish) novel from beginning to end within the month of November. I've never done it before. I've lurked on the forums, though, which I have already said on here are made of amazingness. And Awesomeness. With.A.Capital.A. It's just all so inspiring, but this time I'm doing it, with no forseeable plan as of yet.

But all of that could change when I get off of here. It totally could. I have a hankerin to write the Sci-fi ish book that's been catching my eye on my big ol' list of things, but then again, winging it sounds fun. So, after I get off here, I'm going to look around the forums, get inspired, and make a decision to wing or not to wing. lol.

I am excited about it, though. And I want more writing buddies on there, so add me if you haven't already: Writtled :)

Now to leave you with a song to write by, "Ohio Is for Lovers" by Hawthorne Heights. Why? Because I used to run to this song, and I like it, and that's all the reason I need :)

Happy Reading and Writing, y'all :)

Nanowrimo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lol. Okay. I did it. I signed up, y'all. My name is Writtled on there too, because I like to be all consistent....I can't believe I signed up, but I have to believe it because I've announced it to the world and all of you awesome blogger friends that I've neglected. I know. I need to work on that.

But other than the awesome news that is Nanowrimo, I have some book reviews coming out soon. One romance of the adult variety that I'm finishing up now, some YA (duuuh), and 2 YA book review requests I've received. [As a side note, I am open to review requests; just check my review policy before you ask :)]

And for anyone who's interested in what I'll be writing for Nano---I'm not sure yet. I might wing it for fun, or do one of the many plots I have a plot list. I'll,  of course, let you know about my progress, and look forward to the book reviews and hearing more from me soon. Let me know how all of y'all are doing below. I miss everyone!!


Now to leave you with a song to write by, because it's soooo overdue, "Pumped Up Kicks" by Foster the People. Why did I choose this song? Because I just asked my fiance for a song to post, and he responded with that one, his current fave. :)

Psst, don't forget about my baby, Glittering Ashes, which I am recovering soon, after I make the new cover and get y'alls votes, that is....

Happy Reading and Writing, y'all!

The Sky Is Everywhere: A Review

   

  I do not own this cover from Goodreads; I am using it for review purposes only. Click cover for link to Goodread source.

 Blurb from Goodreads (which I do not own but am using for review purposes only):

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

Title: The Sky Is Everywhere

Author: Jandy Nelson

Publisher: Speak/Penguin Group

Publication Date: 2010

Source: Library

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Hobby YA. Lennie is a musician, of the clarinet variety, as well as a poet extraordinaire (the book doesn't say that; I did.).

Cover: I got the green/nature-heavy cover, but I prefer the cover I've usually seen with it, the heart in the sky that is everywhere. If I hadn't seen the sky cover, I wouldn't have been as eager to read the nature version, personally. Also, I feel that the heart/sky cover is more fitting for the book than the nature.

  I do not own this cover from Goodreads; I am using it for review purposes only. Click cover for link to Goodread source.

Plot: The pacing was good. If the text ever bogged you down (so rarely did that happen, that I'm pretty much going to say it doesn't happen), you get a breath of fresh air with Lennie's poetry at the beginning of each chapter. And the poetry is good and informative-- not just pretty for pretty's sake, but the poetry actually furthers the plot, i.e. gives back-story and such.

The Romantic Element: AWESOME POSSUM ALERT! There's a love triangle, but done SO well. It doesn't seem forced; because it was too busy seeming awesome. AWESOME. <3

Overall: Get. This. Book. I really dug it. You know when you read a book that's done so well it seems like it's its own reality? This book achieves that. Maybe that was a confusing way to say it…What I'm trying to say is that the characters are super authentic; the grief is really real; the romance is kicking in full gear; and it's literary enough to give you a satisfied feeling. High marks all around. I mean, I had heard it was good, so obviously I was distrusting, but it has been confirmed, people. It has been confirmed. :)

Did you read it? If so, what'd you think? If you didn't, do ya' want to? I HEARTED it. :)

Now to leave you with a song to write by, "5 o'clock" by T-pain feat. Lily Allen and Wiz Khalifa. How in love am I with her voice? The answer is very to undenyingly.

Happy reading and writing, y'all! And of course, I'll be sure to keep the reviews coming, and I'll update on my WIPs as the updates come! (That includes whenever I make those Glittering Ashes covers!)

I did not receive any compensation in exchange for this review; however, I do have an affiliate link in this post.

I'm here!

Hi, everyone!

I would have had this up yesterday, but I had computer issues (whomp, whomp). Eh, what can you do?

Anywho, I wanted to let y'all know that I've though I've been M.I.A, I have been lurking via other devices; so I haven't missed lots of y'all's awesome blog posts! Woot. Good news, right? But I can never stay silent that long, so...HERE I AM! lol

Okay, enough dorkiness for a minute. lol.

I wanted to update y'all on what I've been up to and what I am contemplating at the moment.

1. I have been chugging more non-fiction than YA. I know, craziness! (think: advice, food trucks, and learning newb skills) But whenever I completely finish something, I'll review it, of course.

2. I want to design a new cover for my baby...I mean...my book, Glittering Ashes. So, if I do that, or do several, I'll be sure to let y'all see it and maybe ask for your help if I'm stuck making a final decision. You'll help me, right? right? Right? Of course. I look forward to it.

3. I'm seriously contemplating Nanowrimo this year. Seriously. Normally I'm a lurker on the forums, because the forums are beyond amazing. I mean, people talking about everything to do with writing for months leading up to Nanowrimo and months after? It's a dreamland. Check it. If I do decide to do it, I'll let y'all know so you can yell at me encourage me to stick with it and be awesome. Are y'all doing it? Lemme know below.

4. Also, to get my writing fix, I've been listening to Mur Lafferty's podcast "I Should Be Writing." It's awesome possum. Y'all should have a listen. It's always good, especially Good Cop/Bad Cop, but that's just imo.

5. Also also, "On the Page" is another great podcast, if you're interested. It's all about screenwriting, but story is story, and making a good one is hard so why not get all kinds of advice, no? It's good.

HA! Now I feel slightly less bad for being so absent because I'm sharing all kinds of linky love! Okay, I only feel very slightly less bad, but it's a start.

Now to leave you with a song to write by, "Sure Thing" by Miguel. OhooOh OhooOh! It's laid-back cool. <3 Enjoy, muchly.

Happy Reading and Writing :)