June Reads 2014

I've been thinking of a better way to come up with a way to keep track of all the books I've read this year and what I thought of them. Hope Katy Upperman doesn't mind I borrowed her idea! I finally went back and created a (short) blog post for each month this year showing which books I've read and briefly what I've thought about some of them. Going forward I'm going to try to do a small review of each book in one monthly post.

I started out reading a ton at the beginning of the month but toward the end I was getting so close to being done writing my latest novel that I slacked off a little. Total for June is ten. I'm half way done with another book but have no drive to finish it today.

 The first book I read this month was a debut novel by my friend Elodie Nowodazkij .  If you're a fan of the movies Center Stage and Save The Last Dance (which I so very much am), then you'll love this book. It's full of forever friendship, sweet romance and a bit of family turmoil and mystery. Elodie did an amazing job with this book. I couldn't be happier for her in her quest to make her dream come true.

Not much I can say about We Were Liars without giving anything away. Except that E. Lockhart did an incredible job weaving this story. If you want to know more you have to read the book.

I've had If I Stay for a few years but for some reason I never got around to reading it. But the preview for the movie played before The Fault In Our Stars and I knew I had to read this book ASAP. And it blew me away. The whole book is one gut wrenching page after another. And I completely fell in love with it. I couldn't wait to read Where She Went (which had arrived a few days prior to me reading If I Stay). I didn't think I would like it as much as the first book but in the end I loved it more. There aren't many series/sequels that turn out better than the first but that's not the case with these two. Where She Went is by far one of my favorites this year.

The Summer Series is actually a reread for me. I read it two summers ago and fell in love with it. Ginger at GReads Books wanted to revisit Cousins Beach this summer, so I joined her. I planned to pace myself and, while I spread the first book out over a week or so, I read the last two books over the weekend. This book will always hold a place in my heart. As will Conrad Fisher. 

I was super excited for the release of The Treatment after listening to the audio book of The Program last month. And it didn't disappoint. Such a great ending to a very exciting series.

I was VERY fortunate to get to read this book before it's release. A very dear bookish friend let me borrow the ARC she received at BEA and I can't thank her enough! It truly held up to the hype surrounding it's anticipated release. I read The Sky Is Everywhere earlier this year and it completely captivated me. This book, though completely different in style and voice and execution, did the same. I sent a text to a friend I that's read the book telling her I finished the book. She asked what I thought and I sent a jumble of emoji's. She said that should be my review. I tried to post it to GoodReads but it keeps deleting it. Oh well, this book is awesome, I'm sure no one doubts that.

I am a huge fan of Morgan Matson's books so I was super excited to hear about this book under her pen name Katie Finn. Though her Morgan books are still my favorite, this was a fun, cute beach read. And I am dying for the next one already.

Ready? Set. Write! 2014 Week 3

Ready? Set. Write! is a way for writers to keep in touch with each other and keep themselves accountable to the goals they set. This year it's hosted by Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out their blogs for more details and be sure to link up each week.

1). How I did on last weeks goals?

I'm half way through notes on When The Wind Blows from my main critique partner (Jessica) and half way done making my book map for it. Once those are done I'll see what I need to add and where. I've already planned two chapters that need to be added in. Query is sitll a no go because I hate them.

I also finished reading two books AND took kiddo to the beach today.

2). My goals for this week

Finish Jessica's notes, finish book map, send MS to other CP (Joy) to get her initial thoughts/reactions. Start new project (What If I Was Nothing) for Camp Nano on Tuesday. I've set a goal of 500 words a day for that. Think about a query letter. Or maybe actually doing one.

3). A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised

"You're pretty amazing when you don't try to be perfect." Kind of forgot I wrote that until Jessica pointed it out as a favorite line of hers.

4). The biggest challenge I faced this week

No motivation in the beginning of the week and lack of time when the weekend came around. Don't need that to happen again.

5). Something I love about my WIP

 All of the ideas that are jumping out at me today to add in as I sat on the beach or read over the notes from Jessica.

What's Up Wednesday?! In Which We Saw Iron Man at the Beach

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop created by Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk as a way for writers to keep in touch by sharing what they've been up to. Be sure to link up on their site if you want to join in on the fun. 

What I'm Reading

Still making my way through I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN. I'm almost done with it and want to know what happens but don't want to finish it at the same time. It's just so good.

What I'm Writing

You can see what I'm writing on my Ready? Set. Write! post this week here. But, here's a hint, I finished my WIP WHEN THE WIND BLOWS.


What Inspires Me Right Now


Jaime and Erin had an awesome idea about using this section to say what inspires us and what we love about YA. I thought it was a great idea so I'm getting on board.

 That it's different and diverse and doesn't always end well or in a neat little package wrapped up with a pretty red bow. It just is. It's life. And it's relate-able, no matter your age.

What Else I've Been Up To

Finally made it to the beach! We got a late start and only stayed about an hour because it was getting HOT. And the crowds were starting to show. Next time we'll go earlier, like 8 am.

Kiddo had a blast with his new boogie board and building under tunnels.

We saw something that I thought was pretty awesome (apparently other people have seen it before...but...I haven't so I was amazed. I give you IRON MAN at the beach.

Sunday kiddo and I hung around the house. Did some cleaning and lounging. Then we spent the evening watching the US play in the World Cup. What a heart breaker of a game. Right at the last minute. Ready to cheer them on Thursday!

So what have you been up to?

Ready? Set. Write! 2014 Week 2

Ready? Set. Write! is a way for writers to keep in touch with each other and keep themselves accountable to the goals they set. This year it's hosted by Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out their blogs for more details and be sure to link up each week.

1). How I did on last weeks goals?

I kept up with my 1K a day. Until Friday. And then I wrote I don't know how many words but FINISHED MY WIP! The first draft of WHEN THE WIND BLOWS is complete. I forgot how good it feels to type The End.

As for my other goals, I finished one book and am half way through two more. Need to step that up. I also made it to the beach Saturday, so there's a start on going to the beach more often. Query letter...haven't started that. Soon.

2). My goals for this week

Next up is revisions. My CP and a friend are reading over for general flow/plot ok. I'm also going to do a book map of where my book is now so I can make notes of where I want it to go.

3). A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised

The End.

4). The biggest challenge I faced this week

Reading. I couldn't focus on the books I was reading because I was so close to finishing my own.

5). Something I love about my WIP

Chapter Twenty-Two. I love the tone and the flow and it's how I want to mold the rest of the novel.

What's Up Wednesday?! In Which I Read A Lot Of Books!

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop created by Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk as a way for writers to keep in touch by sharing what they've been up to. Be sure to link up on their site if you want to join in on the fun. 

What I'm Reading

I did a lot of reading this past week/weekend. Finished my reread of The Summer Series. The second book just breaks my heart. The third ends perfectly (in my opinion) but the second is by far my favorite. I also read IF I STAY and WHERE SHE WENT. They were both incredible but I enjoyed WHERE SHE WENT the most. Though both are great, it's my favorite of the two. Finally finished the audio book of THE TREATMENT. It was SO good. Both books in that series kept me on my toes. And thanks to two awesome bookish friends, I've started I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN. Only 30 pages in and I'm already in love.

What I'm Writing

I'm up to 52K. You can see more of what I'm writing on my Ready? Set. Write! post here.


What Inspires Me Right Now

Jaime and Erin had an awesome idea about using this section to say what inspires us and what we love about YA. I thought it was a great idea so I'm getting on board.

I think what I love most about YA is the community. The writers and readers and bloggers and vloggers. We're all in this together. You pick at us, try to make us feel ashamed for no reason at all, we push back, together.

What Else I've Been Up To

Reading. A lot. Writing. Every day. Work...and more work. Spending time with family and friends. One of those weeks that everything and nothing happened.

What have you been up to?

Ready? Set. Write! 2014 Week 1

Ready? Set. Write! is a way for writers to keep in touch with each other and keep themselves accountable to the goals they set. This year it's hosted by Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out their blogs for more details and be sure to link up each week.

1). How I did on last weeks goals?

Wrote 7K this week (didn't write Saturday but doubled up Sunday). I didn't read 1-2 books this week...I read 4! I know, crazy. No beach trip yet we did go to the river today. It's not as pretty as the beach, but it is a body of water. And it did give me ideas for a future WIP.

2). My goals for this week

Same as last. Write at least 1K a day, read 1-2 books this week and make a beach trip. Weather permitting kiddo and I are going Saturday morning.

3). A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised

"It’s not the storm you worry about. It’s not when the wind blows that you should be scared. It’s after. And the destruction it leaves behind."

4). The biggest challenge I faced this week

The weekend, mainly Saturday and Sunday morning. I had to cram in all my words Sunday night. But I got it done!

5). Something I love about my WIP

Baby sea turtles. I mean...who doesn't love baby sea turtles?

What's Up Wednesday?! In Which Not Much Happens

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop created by Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk as a way for writers to keep in touch by sharing what they've been up to. Be sure to link up on their site if you want to join in on the fun. 

What I'm Reading

Reading has slowed down a bit. I read two MS's for friends over the last week and a half. Started and finished ONE TWO THREE by Elodie Nowodazkij. I finishe We Were Liars yesterday. Wow. Just wow. If you haven't read it, do.

What I'm Writing

Still working on my WIP. I'm right around 45K. I've  signed up to participate in Ready? Set. Write! this summer. If you haven't heard of it, check out this blog post for more info.


What Inspires Me Right Now

That if I finish my daily word count early I can read on my lunch and relax at night.

What Else I've Been Up To

A whole lot of not much. And that suits me just fine after the craziness that was last month. Reading, writing and hanging out with the family. Kiddo had his last TBall game for the season (and ever, coach pitch next year) followed by the party/trophy ceremony.

So what have you been up to?

Ready? Set. Write! 2014 Goals

Ready? Set. Write! is a way for writers to keep in touch with each other and keep themselves accountable to the goals they set. This year it's hosted by Katy Upperman, Alison Miller, Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk. Check out their blogs for more details and be sure to link up each week.

Week one is dedicated to goal setting. Which...is not easy for me. I'm a huge procrastinator. But I'm going to give it a shot.

1. I'm sticking with the goal my CPs and I came up with last month and that's completing my current WIP, a YA contemporary titled When The Wind Blows, by June 30th. To do that I need roughly around 1000 words per day to finish on time. As of now I'm on track to finish. I'm at 42K and usually draft around 55K-60K words.

2. After that it'll be revising WTWB. I'm not 100% sure how much time that'll take and exactly how I'll go about it until I'm finished, so I'm playing that by ear. Everyone always says let the draft sit but I write so slow the first half basically is and by the time I get to the end it will have.

3. I also need to think about a query letter...and I'd rather not. I'll fit that in somewhere down the road.

4. I want to keep up with reading at least one to two books a week. I set my book goal for the year at 80 and am already around 66 or 67 books. Hoping I can make it to 100.

5. Get to the beach more often this summer and visit the Gulfarium again (of course taking kiddo along). Both are a huge inspiration to WTWBs.

What's Up Wednesday?! In Which I Catch Up On The Past Two Weeks

What's Up Wednesday is a weekly blog hop created by Jamie Morrow and Erin Funk as a way for writers to keep in touch by sharing what they've been up to. Be sure to link up on their site if you want to join in on the fun. 

What I'm Reading

Finally finished Since You've Been Gone *insert sad face here*. I tried to drag it out as long as possible but I got to a point where I just had to know how it would end. And now I have to wait two more years until her next book *insert bigger sad face*. Also finished the audio book of The Program! Loved it. Not sure why I didn't finish it sooner. I'm part way through The Treatment and it's just as good. As for a book book, I'm rereading The Summer Series along with Ginger at GReads. It's been two years since my first read and now that summer is here, it seemed like the perfect time to revisit Cousins Beach.

What I'm Writing


I am now at 36K. I got a few days behind during all the family time but I have caught up. If I keep up with 1K a day I'll be finished by my deadline.

What Inspires Me Right Now

Proving to myself that I can. It's crazy what happens when you set your mind to something and really do it. And by the end of this month I should have a completed novel. Wasn't even close when I started last month. Just crazy.

What Else I've Been Up To

Well, it's been two weeks, so A LOT! Last week was a 4 day week work week so my Tuesday was crazy and I didn't get around to writing up a post. But the weekend before that (Memorial Day weekend) crazy day was a blast!

Thursday before Memorial Day my baby brother (on right, middle bro on left) surprised me at work! He kept asking all these weird questions Wednesday night and then the next morning about half an hour after we opened he walked into the lobby. I almost cried (he lives 8 hours away and I don't get to see him nearly enough). I met him and my other brother for lunch that day. We never get to hang out as just the three of us so it was awesome.

Saturday was a hang around my parents day in the morning before kiddos game. Kiddo went home with my mom after the game and my husband and I went to Blazefest! An all day rock concert put on by a local radio station. We had a blast. We saw 5 of the bands (we didn't get there until 5:00 but stayed until 11:00) and I found a new favorite, 10 years (top picture is the lead singer of 10 Years walking on the crowd and bottom is the final band, Chevelle.

Sunday kiddo and I went to the beach with the family. It was a nightmare trying to find a beach with parking. We finally did and stayed a little over three hours. I tried so hard not to, but in the end, I got burnt. But only on part of my back where I couldn't reach with sunscreen. :0/

Kindergarten field trip was last Wednesday to....dun dun dunnnnn....Build A Bear. Yes, very anticlimactic. Not what I pictured a school field trip being but kids had fun. They each got to name and stuff their own bear. Since I had the whole day off, we hung around after, bought an outfit for the bear (Superman), had lunch at Chili's, did a little shopping and ended the day out with ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery.

Then Friday was Water Day/End of year celebration. For some reason kiddo all of a sudden had a fear of heights. He wouldn't go on the slide...until his teacher volunteered to go down with him. I wonder if he had it planned out all along. I was only able to go on my lunch break, see him go down with the teacher, and sit with him while he had lunch. His teacher sent me a picture later saying he finally went down by himself and had been going all afternoon. Crazy kid. He's a mess.

So what have you been up to?