July 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.

Started July off with a bang! I raced through 5 books in the first week. Finished off the month with eleven. I had just under a week toward the end but couldn't seem to focus on a book.

 

The first book I finished in July was That Summer by Sarah Dessen. This isn't my first Dessen book but it is her first book. It took me a few chapters to realize that no one was pulling out cell phones to text each other and I wondered why so I had to check the pub date. It was so weird to read a book that was published the year I started high school. 

Of Poseidon and Of Triton were re-reads for me. I finally caved and decided to end the trilogy. Thought I didn't want to. It's a bitter sweet ending. Of Poseidon was the first book I've ever seen go from an idea to a first draft to a finished book. And now it's over.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm usually not a fan of love triangles but this Dahlia did it right. I swooned for both boys by the middle of the book and couldn't pick which one the MC should go for.

I read Kasie West's The Distance Between Us earlier this year and loved it. I was not disappointed by On The Fence. I love a good boy next door love interest and this one had me on the edge of my seat with the will they won't they.

I won't say I loved this book right away. I picked it up a few months ago and couldn't get into it. I'm so glad I finally picked it back up. I got about a quarter of the way through it and did not want to put it down. Now I'm all Veruca Salt and I want it (PS I Still Love You) now. 

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. To be honest, I was kind of bored and skimmed through the first two-thirds of the book. However, once it picked up, it was really entertaining. I'm not crazy about one of the characters who is the main focus in the next book, Blue Eyed Devil, but I've been told if I stick to the series my mind will change. We'll see.

Miranda's done it again! I adore the Hundred Oaks series so much. I think one of my favorite things is seeing characters from the past books make appearances in the current book. This one took me a few chapters to get the feel of it and really get into it, but once I did I wanted more and more. And I also want to take up running. Now Breathe, Annie, Breathe is right up there as one of my favorites of the series. I think it beat out Racing Savannah and is tied with Things I Can't Forget. I'm already wishing it was next July so I can get my hands on Best Day Ever.

Band camp, flirting and Florida? Was this book made for me? It definitely brought back memories from high school. Jennifer captures the essence of teen angst so well. I can't wait for the rest of the superlative series. My only issue with this book was the cover. Once again, the characters on the cover are nothing like in the book.

This is my first 2 star rating ever. I wanted to like this book. But it threw me for a loop. It was kind of predictable and it read so 2007 it hurt my eyes. The first time I read TRL I had to stop and look at the publication date. And one thing like that would have been okay but it seemed that something like that, from a bands to myspace, was on almost every page. I get why some books do this (Eleanor & Park but it was supposed to be set in the 80s) but this book didn't need it. I almost wish I had read it back when it came out. I might have had a different review.

Ready? Set. Write! 2014 Week 7

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?

First 5 chapters are revised! I should have more done but I did have to write two completely new chapters and change a ton to the other three. But I did read 3 books.

2). My goals for this week

Revise as much as possible. Still not putting a number goal because some chapters need more than others. And read 1-2 books.

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

Small scene between my MC and her older brother.

          "Bout time," Shawn says as he walks into the bathroom. "Oh, and Mom's looking for you. Someone's in trouuu-ble." He snickers as he leans against the door jam. At eighteen, he's a year older than me but still acts eight.

"Grow up, Shawn."

"What, it's not every day my baby sister gets sent to jail."

I shove his shoulder which throws him off balance. "I wasn't 'sent to jail'."

"Semantics," he says with a grin.

4). The biggest challenge I faced this week

Being tired. For some reason I couldn't get enough sleep. It would be time for bed and I wouldn't sleep and so the next day I'd be tired and it's hard to write when I'm that kind of tired.

5). Something I love about my WIP

 See above scene. Ended up changing a plot so MC is arrested....I've had to ask a HS friend for help because I have NO IDEA what happens when you get arrested. Which, I guess, is a good thing for me but not my writing. HA!

Ready? Set. Write! 2014 Week 6

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?

My CP sent notes on my MS. She's brilliant. Her ideas, while overwhelming, are awesome. It's so nice to have fresh eyes on a project you're so close to. I sorted through them and have a game plan for revision. I've written a whole new chapter and jotted down notes for the rest of the changes. I haven't been focusing on my second WIP for NANO. I think this is my last go at it, camp or regular nano. I'm not good at writing that much, that fast. I was able to read 2 books thought.

2). My goals for this week

Revise, revise, revise!

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

Gramma always said I was made of salt-water and seaweed, a child of the ocean, just like her. When I was little she’d tell me salt water ran through our veins instead of blood. And I’d believe her.

New opening line...not sure I'm sold. We'll see.

4). The biggest challenge I faced this week

Coming up with a plan for what needed to be changed, moved or deleted.

5). Something I love about my WIP

That with a little work it's going to be even better than it was before. Or...so I'm told.

Ready? Set. Write! 2014 Week 5

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 still waiting on notes back from a CP. She gave me some over all great ideas but she's going to be more specific with notes in the MS. I can't wait because I'm super excited to get started on this revision. Weirds me out to say that. I've written the first two chapters of my nano project. I read two or three books last week...so I'm good on that goal.

2). My goals for this week

Hope to get notes back for When The Wind Blows so I can focus on revising. Write as much as I can on my nano project, What If I Was Nothing.

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

Friendship.

4). The biggest challenge I faced this week

Balancing between the two ideas I'm working on. I usually don't problem but wanting to revise WTWBs is keeping me from concentrating on WIIWN.

5). Something I love about my WIP

 Kyle. He's my MCs best friend and he's all kinds of fun to write.

Ready? Set. Write! 2014 Week 4

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?

So so. I finished the book map for When The Wind Blows and finished going over notes from a CP. I only met my writing goal for Camp NANO two days so far. But all I have to do is up my word count from 500 to 600 a day and I should be okay. Didn't make it to the beach but did spend a lot of time out doors. And ready well over 2 books this week.

2). My goals for this week

If I get notes back from another CP, go over those and work on revisions. Until then, working on What If I Was Nothing for Camp NANO.

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

From the (first, very rough draft) opening scene of What If I Was Nothing. My MC, Dani, is a bit of a trouble maker. But for good reason, of course.

But before I could try to explain any of this to Mr. Wells, not that I’d actually give away every detail—the what I did, not why—the fire alarm goes off. I may or may not have dropped a piece of burning paper inside a trash can on my way in. I figured if the thermostat didn’t drive him out of the office I needed a backup plan.

4). The biggest challenge I faced this week

My Camp NANO novel. It takes me forever to get into a new project and this one is no different. Usually takes rewriting the intro two or three times before I'm happy with where it's going.

5). Something I love about my WIP

The names of my main character and her brother, Dani and Drew Flowers. They're twists on mine and my brothers' names/middle names. Also, that it's sibling centric.

What's Up Wednesday?! In Which I Start Box Camp

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 finally finished I'll Give You The Sun. It was just as good as everyone has been saying! I can't wait to read it again. I also read Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn (very cute) and That Summer by Sarah Dessen. I've decided to do a monthly recap of all the books I read each month and I posted June's yesterday.

What I'm Writing

You can see what I'm writing on my Ready? Set. Write! post this week 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.

The diversity and acceptance. I don't read a ton of adult books but I feel like what I do read there isn't as much diversity as there is in the young adult books I read.a And I think that's important for any age, not just young adults. Everyone needs to learn what it means to be different and how we can work together and be better as people.

What Else I've Been Up To

Box camp. Or cross fit I guess. It's called Box Camp but does a lot of cross fit stuff. But basically a group workout. I've been to three classes so far and sort of love it. It starts with a mile or so of walking and a few exercises followed by the workout of the day and then a cool down. Each class is different which I find to be a good thing. Keeps me on my toes and keeps it entertaining. It's hard work and, although its at 4:45 AM (yes..AM!) it's still HOT! Gotta love Florida!

Kiddo and I had a busy weekend while my husband worked. We went to the post office and library on Saturday. He got to play learning games on the computers for a while and then checked out a few books. Then Sunday the two of us went to the beach early in the morning before stopping at the spray ground park and then heading home.

Other than that it's been work and reading and writing.

What have you been up to?