Book review - The Martian by Andy Weir

(Cross-posted from my personal page and from my Goodreads page. Please feel free to friend/follow me there. I love books and love to talk about them!)

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I shall shout about it to anyone who cares to hear me. I listened to it in audiobook, over the course of about 4 days, which is very fast for a 10+ hour audio. (pro tip: listen while you cook dinner, fold laundry, or other mundane household stuff. I also listen on short, long, and medium length drives, and while I walk the dogs. My dogs are very well exercised at the moment.)

What I liked: this book has so much technical depth and detail. While that can be a bit burdensome at times (particularly in audio) I had a lot of appreciation for the manner it was told in, as the technical stuff was all very accurate and very tangible in terms of what the protagonist was doing with the information. No info dumps, just the protagonist dealing with Mars atmosphere and the equipment he had to survive. I mention this first because it’s something that is probably a barrier to some who aren’t traditional science fiction fans. Please, realize that the author isn’t expecting you to solve differential equations nor talking you through the boring bits. He’s focused on the life and death details of space travel. Pressure, chemical reactions, ways to change states, microbes, terrain, distance. These are fascinating when set in the context of an extra-terra exploration. THIS is why I read science fiction. THIS is why I write science fiction.

I also liked the author’s use of humor. There are many laugh out loud moments. To that end, though, a bunch of the humor is due to the very appropriate use of swear words. For example, when Mark has to compute a distance by figuring the length of the long side of a right triangle, and he concludes (since he has to travel the hypotenuse) “Because Pythagoras is a dick.” — I laughed loudly in the middle of chopping something and almost lobbed off a finger. As I try to mention in all my reviews, the curse words are the ONLY mature content (other than a mild reference about a man and woman sharing a room) and to me are an excellent introduction to appropriate emphatic cursing to make your point or convey your aggravation. Definitely fine for 14 and up, but would be appropriate for younger readers so long as you don’t mind the opening of the book which implements the f word several times. To good effect. Conveys mood, attitude, situational details all in a four letter word. Quite economical.

I have always enjoyed science fiction, and this book just blew my socks off because it blended that geeky science-y stuff (which I really don’t have a firm handle on anymore, lo these 20+ years since anyone asked me to care about any of it in detail) and human nature, and the little details of what it would be like in space. I write books about kids in space and like to include the details of what they would eat, whether there would be pets (I’ve come to the conclusion that OF COURSE there will be cats in space. Because cats.) what you do with your hair in zero gee, what you wear, etc. I loved the little details of Mark dealing with his daily routine. The communications with NASA were fascinating. The story kept me engaged the entire length of the book. The audio narrator talent is excellent and I will seek out other books he has narrated. Highest recommendation. Best book I’ve read this year.

Burned by Liz Long, and Death of the Body by Rick Chiantaretto

Publishing has introduced me to some awesome people who keep doing amazing things. One of those is my friend Liz Long, whose novel Burned launches later this week. It's fantastic. She sent me an ARC, and I'm halfway through and loving the crap out of it. So to share the love, here's Liz, talking about her book in her own words. I hope you check it out, or add it on goodreads.

****

Gifted, A Donovan Circus Novel is the first title in the series. Available at Amazon on Kindle and paperback, the ebook is currently on sale for only 99 cents to celebrate the upcoming release!

(Where's Sheffield's ringmaster voice when I need it?) Now here it is, the cover reveal for Burned, A Donovan Circus Novel!

Burned, A Donovan Circus Novel Synopsis:

“Tell Sheffield that Medved is hunting him…the Bear is coming.”

Nearly a month after Lucy Sullivan saved the Donovan Circus from certain death, she discovers that Dr. Felix Hardy wasn’t the only bad guy around. When Lucy is attacked on home ground, Sheffield Donovan reveals that there are bigger foes in their world, gifted that use their powers to kill others – including her own family, as she learns from her ringmaster mentor. Medved, a Russian thug and powerful Shapeshifter, is intent on outing the gifted world and will stop at nothing to succeed.

In order to survive, Lucy and her friends must travel to another show, the Grayson Circus, for help. The uneasy alliance with owner Albert Grayson comes with potential new friends and dark secrets about their competition, including a troublemaker named Mel and an old flame of Lucy’s father. Lucy must also contend with her feelings about Keegan and Gabriel, as well as learn how to contain her rampant emotions or risk setting the entire place ablaze.

Will Lucy be able to save the Donovan Circus again? Or will Medved and his men slaughter everyone in their path on the way to gifted domination?

About the Author:

Liz Long is a ridiculously proud graduate of Longwood University with a BA in English. Her inspiration comes from action and thriller genres and she spends entirely too much time watching superhero movies. Her fabulous day job as a social media editor includes writing for a publishing company in Roanoke, VA.

Her first book, Gifted, is the first book in the Donovan Circus series. Her second book Witch Hearts, a story about a serial killer hunting witches for their powers, is available at Amazon on Kindle and paperback.

To learn more about Liz, visit her website: http://lizclong.com.

****

Another person I need to congratulate, is my dear friend Rick Chiantaretto. Rick published his dark fantasy novel, Death of The Body, last Friday, and it's done amazingly well. I'm so excited for him, and hope it continues to explosions and fireworks, because he deserves it.

Synopsis:

I grew up in a world of magic. By the time I was ten I understood nature, talked to the trees, and listened to the wind. When the kingdom of men conquered my town, I was murdered by one of my own—the betrayer of my kind. But I didn't stay dead. 

I woke to find myself in a strange new world called Los Angeles. The only keys to the life I remembered were my father’s ring, my unique abilities, and the onslaught of demons that seemed hell-bent on finding me. Now I must learn who I really am, protect my friends, get the girl, and find my way back to my beloved hometown of Orenda.

My Review:

This book is not the present you'd buy your great Aunt Muriel. This is a grizzly, awesome, dark, smart, and scary little book. It starts off with the ten year-old main character waking up after being slashed across the stomach. It keeps going from there.

This is a book about resurrection and rebirth, and you have to live behind the eyes of someone who happens to die a lot. Not a lot a lot, but more than I have. I've never died before, but after reading Death of the Body, I kinda feel like I have. It's the kind of book that writes itself into the back of your eyelids. I loved it.

With all the talk about death, and resurrection, it's natural that it delves deeply into religion.  It's not disrespectful per-say, but the story analyzes religions with an almost snarky reverence. It fictionalizes religions. It made me think. It made me unsettled, and then it made me dive back in.

The writing is crisp, the words flow well, and he has a clear voice, but I liked it the best when I was so sucked in I didn't notice the voice, and all I heard was the whispers of the trees, and the gentle cadences of the system of magic. The romance felt real, but not central to the story, though it shifts motivation.

This book is not for everyone. But if you love thinking about all things possible, (Justin, I'm talking about you) then this is a book you'll just love.

It's quite possibly the most brilliant, grizzly, monster-filled book I've ever read. 

And the monsters look human. 

That's the scariest part.

Find Death of the Body on Amazon, or add it on goodreads.

~Sheena

Moonless by Crystal Collier (Book Review)

Synopsis (from amazon):

In the English society of 1768 where women are bred to marry, unattractive Alexia, just sixteen, believes she will end up alone. But on the county doorstep of a neighbor’s estate, she meets a man straight out of her nightmares, one whose blue eyes threaten to consume her whole world—especially later when she discovers him standing over her murdered host in the middle of the night. 

Among the many things to change for her that evening are: her physical appearance—from ghastly to breathtaking, an epidemic of night terrors predicting the future, and the blue-eyed man’s unexpected infusion into her life. Not only do his appearances precede tragedies, but they’re echoed by the arrival of ravenous, black-robed wraiths on moonless nights. 

Unable to decide whether he is one of these monsters or protecting her from them, she uncovers what her father has been concealing: truths about her own identity, about the blue-eyed man, and about love. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with the man of her dreams and risk becoming one of the Soulless. 

My Review:  

I don't remember how I stumbled onto Crystal Collier's blog, but I always enjoy it. She reviews new books, is sweet and engaging, and has a great sense of humor. What isn't to like? So when I had the chance to get a copy of Moonless in exchange for a review, I jumped at the chance.


I didn't know anything about Moonless when I started reading it, and frankly, I was a little worried by the end of the first chapter. I'm not a fan of Gothic Horror, and this book is definitely written in that vein, although if there was a continuum, I would put it more on the Gothic Romance side of the line. And then there are the zombies. Nope, I'm not a zombie fan either. I've never made it through a zombie book before, and that includes attempts at reading several zombie books recommended here at Prosers.

I hope Crystal doesn't mind that I refer to the Soulless as zombies, or that in the future I will say with pride that I finally like one zombie book. The relationship between the Passionate and the Soulless was fascinating. Kiren was a tortured and dreamworthy hero, but Miles is the character who won my heart. I can't wait to find out what happens to him next. 

Crystal has compared Moonless to Jane Eyre, but in my opinion it was more romantic than that. With zombies. The prose in this story is lyrical, and Crystal has such a strong voice. If you are a fan of lyrical gothic horror, Moonless will not disappoint you. And if you are not a fan, Moonless might just change your mind. You can purchase Moonless here.

Or you can enter to win a copy, or another great prize! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Looks at Books from LTUE

LTUE was amazing in so many ways. First, and foremost, as Sheena said, getting to meet a couple Prosers in real life. I felt like I'd known them forever. Then, of course, was the chance to meet my favorite YA author, Megan Whalen Turner, who was the guest of honor. She is just as smart and gracious and witty as I had imagined. Third, the classes were excellent - I ended up with 36 pages of notes.

And lastly, the subject of today's post. On the plane flight home, I read over all my notes and kept finding scrawled in the margins the names of all these books. So many people on the panels made references to and gave suggestions of books I'd never read, or only heard of in passing. It was like getting my library piggy bank filled up and overflowing.

So, I thought I'd list out all the books I'd written down and see if any of you had read any of them, and what you thought of them. Most are YA, some are adult or tools of writing books.

Here we go:

Save the Cat by Blake Snyder - I'd heard of his 'beat sheet,' but never read the book.

The Winter Prince by Elizabeth E, Wein - Yes, I bawled my way through Code Name Verity, and now it looks like I've got some Arthurian legends to read. Elizabeth Wein is an exceptional writer.

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver

Arkfall by Carolyn Ives Gilman - Nebula nominee 2009

The Thursday Next Novels by Jasper Fforde

The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearson - I got to listen to Andrea at LTUE and really enjoyed her perspective. This book is a free download on Kindle right now.

Black's Pocket Law Dictionary - One of the most interesting classes I went to was on contracts, which I know nothing about. They suggested spending a month after getting a contract looking up every word that wasn't 'a' or 'the' in this book because common words don't have the same meaning in law. thepassivevoice.com was recommended in several places as a great site to get information. From what I understand, the owner is a intellectual rights lawyer specializing in the publishing industry.

Sorcery and Cecelia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede - I love Patricia Wrede, why have I not read this one?

Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

Novel by Katherine Paterson - Either the panelist couldn't remember the name or I didn't write it down. Katherine Paterson also wrote Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved. This novel is about a girl who leaves home and afterward her entire village dies of the plague. It was used as an example of  a tight 3rd that 'broke the rule' to switch to show the village's demise. Anyone got a clue?

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

Agatha Christie - lots of them.

Summer of Night and The Crook Factory by Dan Simmons

The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer - Sherlock Holmes has a little sister!

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith - This is a perennial favorite for Megan Whalen Turner fans.

Dairy Queen and Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Kate Coombs is a very fun author I met, and sat with! She has several books out as well as a website, Book Aunt, where she reviews books and has all kinds of fun stuff.

Gail Carson Levine - no books specified, so they must all be good :)

The Virgin's Promise by Kim Hudson - the Hero's Journey from the female perspective.

Dangerous Voices by Rae Carson

Danyelle Leafty is another author on several panels I attended. I found her thoughtful insight very helpful. 

And Julie Wright was downright hilarious.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

The Sweetness of Salt by Cecilia Galante


And there you have it. I'm sure I missed a ton, but what a feast!
Thanks LTUE and all the people who made it awesome.

~Susan

2012 Fall Reviews, 2013 Winter Book List and a Link

I recently read a blog post I wanted to discuss today. But I really wanted to do my seasonal book list too.  In an act of supreme indecisiveness, I'm doing both!

Here's the link to the blog post:

Janette Rallison: The Question I Haven't Been Asked and the Question That Still Makes Me Think

Are you careful about things like this as you write? I have one scene--where two of my characters meet. And dangit, that's the way they meet! I can't change it, just because I disapprove. But that doesn't mean I can put it in the book. I try to write books I wouldn't be embarassed to let my children read. I'm still not sure how I'm going to handle that in revisions. Feel free to discuss...

2012 Fall Book Reviews

Wow. I've read a lot in the past 4 months. Here are the highlights. To keep things simple, if I liked it, I wrote: "I liked it." If I loved it, I wrote, "I loved it." J If I didn't like it, I'll mention why.

1. The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling

Unfinished. It wasn't my cup of tea. No likable characters and terrible language is a bad combo for me. 

2. The Grand Tour: Or the Purloined Coronation Regalia 

by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer 

(The sequel to Sorcery and Cecelia) I liked it. It's the story of Kate, Thomas, Cecy and James's shared honeymoon, where they thwart a plot to take over Europe.

3. Legend by Marie Lu

Imagine Hunger Games as a mystery, with a (slightly) faster blooming romance. Yep. It was that good. I loved it.

4. Insurgent by Veronica Roth

I liked it better than Divergent, and I'll keep reading the series.

5. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Sarah finally convinced me to read this one, even though I don't like sad stories. Which is silly, because this isn't really a sad story, although you won't believe me until you've read it yourself.  Loved it.

6. Red Glove by Holly Black 

(sequel to White Cat)--I liked this one. In fact, Black Heart is the next book in my stack.

7. Kill Switch by Chris Lynch

I was extremely disappointed by this book. The characters were amoral and unlikable. I kept reading it because it had such an awesome premise, but it never came through.

 

8. The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson 

(sequel to Girl of Fire and Thorns!!!)--If you haven't read Girl of Fire and Thorns, drop everything and read it. If you've read it, you've got to read The Crown of Embers. I'm in love with these books!

9. The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus book 3) 

by Rick Riordan

I really liked this book. I'm not as crazy about The Heroes of Olympus as I was about the Percy Jackson series, but it's still a lot of fun.

10. Reached by Ally Condie

The final book in the Matched trilogy. It was my favorite book of the series. I liked it.

11. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

Being a connoisseur of all things Horatio Hornblower, when I heard about this book, I had to give it a try.  It was pretty brilliant, but nonetheless I'm not in a huge hurry to read the next one. Someday.

12. Scarlet! By A.C. Gaugen

I couldn't stand the way she used the word "were" whenever she meant "was" but other than that, I enjoyed this book--it's a Robin Hood story told as though Will Scarlett was actually a girl, and only Little John and Robin Hood know.

***13. The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom*** 

by Christopher Healy 

This might be my favorite book this year.  It's middle grade heaven. I loved it!

14. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart 

This was a reread. I liked it. If I had liked the ending more, I would have loved it. As it is, I'm saving my opinion until I know if there's a sequel or not.

15. Screwing Up Time by C.M. Keller. 

This is one of my favorite books I've found for my kindle so far. Right now, it's only 99 cents. AND the sequel (Screwing Up Bablylon) just came out. 

16. Blue Eyes and Other Teenage Hazards 

I read this book, and then my daughter read it, and she pointed out something I had missed--this story is set in the world of Logan and Samantha from All's Fair in Love, War and High School! Logan is one of my favorite characters EVER, and even though he doesn't show up in this book, Samantha does--I just didn't recognize her when seen from another character's eyes. As I've mentioned before, I LOVE Janette Rallison.  I liked this one.

17. Masquerade--

Sometimes LOVING books by Janette Rallison can be embarrassing when you're in your forties.  Hurray for Masquerade! It's all that trademark silly romance that I love so much, but the characters in Masquerade are all grown up.  I liked this one too.

My Winter 2013 Reading List

1. Black Heart by Holly Black (Book 3 in the Curse Workers series)  

2. Persuaded by Jenni James

3. Palace of Stone (Princess Academy2) by Shannon Hale

4. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

5. Ruins by Orson Scott Card (Book 2 of Lost Gate series)

6. The Outcasts by John Flanagan (this has been on my list for a while.)

7. Screwing Up Babylon by. C.M. Keller (sequel to Screwing Up Time)

8. Prodigy by Marie Lu (sequel to Legend)

9. Princess of Glass  by Jessica Day George (sequel to Princess of the Midnight Ball)

10. An Abundance of Katherines  by John Green

11. Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

Would you like to add a book? Please do.

And don't forget to tell me your thoughts on Janette Rallison's post.

Thriller

I just finished one of the most perplexing books I've ever read - courtesy of my dh, again.
This time instead of a self-help book, it was a thriller.

One Shot, by Lee Child.

There's a movie coming out based on it starring Tom Cruise (who, my dh will inform you is all wrong for the part. The main character, Jack Reacher, is 6' 5" and blond - guess we'll see how well Hollywood can work its magic :)

Lee Child is a New York Times best selling author. He has multiple books in this series, all translated into just about any language imaginable.

And this is how he writes:

The man with the rifle drove north. Not fast, not slow Not drawing attention. Not standing out. He was in a light-colored minivan that had seen better days. He was alone behind the wheel. He was wearing a light-colored raincoat and the kind of shapeless light-colored beanie hat that old guys wear on the golf course when the sun is out or the rain is falling. The hat had a two-tone red band all around it. It was pulled down low...

And on and on for 466 pages. It was driving me nuts. All the 'was'-es, all the telling not showing. As far as my memory serves, he never once let us know how anyone was feeling - other than by terse dialogue like, "I want that guy dead." The perspective was so distant the reader might as well be on the moon.

From a literary point of view, his writing is, well, distinctive. It ignores just about every rule that's been pounded into my novice head, including strange sentence fragments such as, "For the summer heat." And weapon descriptions right out of The Christmas Story (ala the Red Rider BB Gun): "It was a Springfield MIA Super Match autoloader, American walnut stock, heavy premium barrel, ten-shot box magazine, chambered for the .308."

It drove me nuts - right up until it hooked me.

So, I spent a lot of time trying to pinpoint how a guy who technically does so many things, if not wrong, then at least non-conventionally, writes so compellingly. And if there's something to be learned from it. Here's what I've got so far:

Simplicity. The sentence structure is just about as short and sweet as you could imagine. It made reading very easy, which kept the story humming along.

Description. Okay, on first read the description seemed just over the top - I mean nine sentences about a concrete floor? But, he made it very easy to picture everything. And eventually, all those little details built upon each other and were in the end, vital to solving the story's mystery.

Characters. Because of the distant perspective, there was not a lot of emotional buy-in on the characters. Like the hard-boiled detective novel that it was, most of it was told in a just-the-facts manner. Once again, though, as he laid down layer after layer, we did get to see the characters as more than cardboard, even if I wasn't completely invested.

The Story. The biggest draw was the story. For the first pages I fumed, I read passages in funny voices to my children, I just couldn't believe his style. But my dh continued to encourage me to read a little farther. And he was right. It was a great thriller with a top notch mystery.

Take away, the story comes first. Make it compelling.
 Second, keep the readers vision clear. Your words are the only thing the reader has to visualize a story.
Third, pace. Whether this is done by writing structure, or interest within the story, the reader needs a reason to stay hooked.
Fourth, make the reader root for the main character. Reacher wasn't particularly likable, and quite ruthless in the end, but he was a meticulous investigator with his own code of ethics - create qualities the reader has to admire.

It was a very strange experience to read this book from a writer's perspective, and on the other hand enjoy it as a reader. But, I think it did serve to remind me that there's no one right way to write. And that the story, in the end, is king.

~Susan

5 Self-Published Books I Love

"It was a simple plan. She would help him pass algebra. He would help her win the student election. What could go wrong?Take one geeky sixteen-year-old girl deathly afraid of speaking to any crowd larger than one, but who desperately needs something on her application other than perfect grades to get her into Stanford. Add in a star basketball player who's Mr. Popular to everyone else, but who's hiding more than a few startling secrets. Throw in a crisis of identity, a scheming girlfriend, and troubled family lives. Oh, and make sure everything that can go wrong does. Then count the votes.The result is PRESIDENT JOCK, VICE PRESIDENT GEEK, the story of two mixed up teenagers struggling to find themselves and the craziest student election ever to hit the halls of Rexton High."

~ Synopsis from goodreads.com/ president-jock-vice-president-geek.

I didn't write that. From the synopsis, you might just think this sweet little book could be the next Disney Channel movie. But what the synopsis doesn't tell you, is how heartbreaking this novel is.  Scott William Carter takes this simple paint-by-numbers plot, and flips it upside down. This book surprised me, over and over, and then when I read it the second time, it truly broke my heart.  I don't want to give any spoilers away, but I'll add this. Read this book for the voice, and the characters.  Not for young teenagers.

"There’s nothing wrong with a touch of madness. – Cheshire Cat
Someday Hatta will save the kingdom. In his mind, at least. But his talents of uncharacteristic kindness and a passion for colors hardly qualify him for such a destiny. In a kingdom that doesn’t need saving, a young man ignorant of social norms is the unlikeliest of heroes.
Along the way, the Cheshire Cat, Queen of Hearts, White Queen, and other familiar characters emerge to fill their eminent roles as well. 
Witness literature’s most lovable lunatic’s tangled ascent into madness."

~Synopsis from goodreads.com/hatter.

Hatter is a study in opposites.  Hatta  is a scared, colorful, young hatter, who is slowly succumbing to mercury poisoning as he runs away from his past, and falls in love with the Queen of Hearts. Chism, a brave, colorblind, young soldier, is chasing his past, as he fights against becoming the puppet of the Queen of Hearts.  Hatter is a companion novel to Jabberwocky, which I confess I haven't read yet. It's well written, and very entertaining. Highly recommended.

"This Omnibus Edition collects the five Wool books into a single volume. It is for those who arrived late to the party and who wish to save a dollar or two while picking up the same stories in a single package.
The first Wool story was released as a standalone short in July of 2011. Due to reviewer demand, the rest of the story was released over the next six months. My thanks go out to those reviewers who clamored for more. Without you, none of this would exist. Your demand created this as much as I did.
This is the story of mankind clawing for survival, of mankind on the edge. The world outside has grown unkind, the view of it limited, talk of it forbidden. But there are always those who hope, who dream. These are the dangerous people, the residents who infect others with their optimism. Their punishment is simple. They are given the very thing they profess to want: They are allowed outside."

~ synopsis from goodreads.com/wool-omnibus.

This story is simply self publishing done right.  But more importantly, is Sci fi done done right.  The story is like a grown up version of City of Ember ( which I adored) except that going outside means dying.  It's this post apocalyptic story where hope is like a disease. Wool is brilliant,  beautiful,  dark, and twisty.  Stop what you are doing, ( unless it's Nanowrimo. Keep going ladies, keep going!), and download or read it. Here's a link to order the createspace version, wool-omnibus.

"You would think Petronella’s sixteenth birthday would be cause for celebration. After all, fashionable friends are arriving at her country estate near London, teas are being served, and her coming out party promises to be a resplendent affair. Everything is falling nicely into place, until, suddenly—it isn’t. For Petronella discovers that her guardian, Uncle Augustus T. Percival, has developed a most unVictorian compulsion: He must eat bugs. Worse still, because he is her guardian, Uncle Augustus is to attend her soiree and his current state will most definitely be an embarrassment.During the festivities, when Petronella would much rather be sharing pleasantries with handsome Lord James Sinclair (swoon), important guests are disappearing, kidnapping notes are appearing, many of the clues are insects, and Uncle Augustus is surreptitiously devouring evidence. It’s more than one sixteen-year-old girl should have to deal with. But, truth be told, there is far more yet to come . . . "

~ Synopsis from goodreads.com/petronella-saves-nearly-everyone.

Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone is a weird, sweet, little book. I really enjoyed it, from the title to the first line, to the Jane Austen feel/references. The prose is a little thick, and a bit too sweet, kind of like maple syrup. I don't think this book is for everyone, but I dug it. Then again, I have a sweet tooth problem. 

"What would you do if you were born to be a predator? Would you fight your natural instincts or give in to your nature? 
Eden is a soul eater closing in on her awakening. Her family has convinced her that soon she will have to take a life in order to save her own. It’s a decision Eden doesn’t want to deal with even as her hunger for souls grows stronger every day.
To complicate her impossible position, new guy in school Noah Valois’ determination to befriend her puts Eden in touch with a humanity she’s never known. Addicted to his company, his friendship and affection, she becomes more and more terrified that giving into her hunger will mean losing him forever…
… But when she discovers that Noah is not what he seems, his betrayal forces her to face two choices. One will offer her revenge and the destruction of a boy she loved. The other may offer her a life of eternal redemption…"

~Synopsis from www.goodreads.com/blood-will-tell.

Eden is both the hero of this story, and the monster. She'a a soul eater, and once she awakens, she has to eat a soul in order to survive. Noah, the super hot boy she's falling in love with, is a Warrior of Ankh, soldiers who are trained from birth to destroy soul eaters. Problem is, falling in love with Noah is what's making her awaken. 

Yummy, right? Conflict!

It's a great book, although Samantha Young has a smirking problem. 

Blurg. But it's self published, so what are you going to do?

***

I chose these first five books for specific Prosers. Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone is for Melanie, (Jane Austen-ish good clean fun).  Wool is for Sabrina, ( Dark, twisty, and wonderful).  Hatter I chose for Susan, (Read it, you'll get why).  Blood Will Tell I chose for Trisha, Sarah, and MaryAnn (and anyone else who loves a good paranormal romance), and VP Jock P Geek, I chose for... well for me. It's my favorite book that I've read all year.

Happy November everybody,

~Sheena

Book Review: The War of Art

Every once in a while, a book shows up just when you need it most. Maybe at some other time in your life, its impact would be just so-so. But in that moment, it really speaks to your soul. Right now, The War of Art, by Steven Pressfield is that kind of book.

My husband has both a voracious appetite for books and a wide range of interests (Just how did I luck out and get him? I don't know, but I thank my lucky stars every day). Not too long ago, he plunked down the War of Art in front of me and said, "You should read this." Now, I'm not nearly as much of a non-fiction reader as he is (especially self-improvement books - all I usually take away is a big dose of guilt), but I remembered Sheena's excellent post about The Art of War and acquiesced.

The War of Art (subtitle: Break Through Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles) turns out to be a fascinating book. The premise is best summed up in the prologue:

Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.

~ Stephen Pressfield, The War of Art

Everyone has something inside that they dream of doing, whether it's art, singing, running, or for us here at the Prosers, writing. In Pressfield's vocabulary, Resistance is the thing that keeps us from writing the words we want, from sticking to (or even starting) that diet or exercise plan, from accomplishing all those good intentions that sit warm and cozy in the back of our mind and never get done. We might think it's external things that hold us back, but most of the Resistance is really found within ourselves.

Mr. Pressfield is a Marine turned writer of military fiction. As you can imagine from his background and the title of his book, he sees the struggle with Resistance as a true battle, and the imagery is prevalent throughout. 

The book is divided into roughly three sections.

1. Resistance: Defining the Enemy
2. Combating Resistance: Turning Pro
3. Beyond Resistance: The Higher Realm

In many ways, the first section is set up like a series of proverbs - short pieces, less than a page long, that help define each aspect of Resistance and how it affects our ability to do the work. The second section discusses the mindset needed to overcome Resistance - an idea that I find quite compelling. The last section covers the things that keep you going.

I've found myself going slowly over the book and contemplating how it relates, not only to writing, but to other things I've always 'wished' I could do, but never seem to accomplish. I will also admit here, that in savoring it, I'm giving this review prematurely - I haven't finished the book yet, so I hope there aren't any surprises at the end!

If you find yourself at war with your dreams, if you find yourself struggling to get up and work toward your goal, this book may give you some insight and encouragement to keep moving forward. This one will definitely go in my reread pile.

~Susan