Bookanistas: Monster High

My dear friend Elana once told me something very profound. Good writing always makes a good book. That sums up Monster High beautifully. I read the back of the book and wasn't sure if I'd like the story. It isn't my usual cup of tea. But the instant I read the first paragraph, I was hooked.

Monster High by Lisi Harrison

release date: September 2010

The monster community has kept a low profile at the local high school, but when two new girls enroll, the town will never be the same. Created just fifteen days ago, Frankie Stein is psyched to trade her father's formaldehyde-smelling basement lab for parties and prom.

But with a student body totally freaked out by rumors of monsters stalking the halls, Frankie learns that high school can be rough for a chic freak like her. She thinks she finds a friend in fellow new student Melody Carver-but can a "normie" be trusted with her big secret?

What I liked about this book: The characters. They were hilarious! Lisi Harrison made each one so individual, I felt like I knew them.

What I liked about the characters: Specifically, the mean big sister, Candace. She's so superficial, she's named her breasts after her two favorite designers, Chloe and Coco. And she always has the most hilarious comebacks.

The best part of this book: The writing and the humor. Lisi is a word ninja. Seriously. She's awesome. Also, there are Monster High DOLLS for sale. No joke. So you gotta check this book out, come September!

For more fabulous Bookanista reviews, check out these blogs:

Myra McEntire - SHADOW HILLS

Elana Johnson - YOU

Christine Fonesca - LINGER

Shannon Messenger - ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS

Beth Revis - PARANORMALCY

Carolina Valdez Miller - PARANORMALCY

Lisa and Laura Roecker - YOU

Why I Write ::Reason #33:: by Bethany Wiggins

Because when I write a novel, it feels as if I am living in the space and time encompassed in the words put down on paper. The story is in my blood, my cuticles, my hair follicles, the words splayed on my skin. I am living in another world, consumed by my characters' emotions--sometimes to distraction.

On the other hand... reason #18 why I don't like being a writer::

Because when I write a novel, it feels as if I am living in the space and time encompassed in the words put down on paper. The story is in my blood, my cuticles, my hair follicles, the words splayed on my skin. I am living in another world, consumed by my characters' emotions--sometimes to distraction.

LOL. Why do you write?

Tell Me a Secret Contest @ Christine's

Dudes, a contest. Closes in a couple of hours so hurry! Follow the link and have a lovely weekend!

CONTEST!

Bookanista Review: The Body Finder

The black is back, guys, as I write my second post for the Bookanistas, a fabulous group of some of the most awesome fellow bloggers/writers in the universe. (See below for the links.)

My Bookinista book review for today is... (insert Walt Griswold drumroll) ...

The Body Finder

by: Kimberly Derting

Violet Ambrose can feel the echoes dead people leave behind in the world, but when a serial killer starts terrorizing her town, Violet is haunted by the deaths he leaves behind. With help from her best friend/secret crush, Jay, she decides to find the killer and put a stop to his violence.

What I liked about this book: The relationship between Violet and her childhood best friend. They've been friends for, like, forever, and yet she falls in love with him. It is sweet and beautiful and innocent, the perfect high school romance.

What I liked about the characters: Violet and her dad have an awesome relationship, something lacking in many YA books. And then there's Jay. He made me melt... a modern-day knight in shining armor who risks his own life to protect Violet.

The best part of this book: It is freaky, the kind of book that makes you leave the lamp on when you go to sleep. And there's a twist. A big one. And it has to do with the bad guy.

Over all, a terrific debut novel, one you goatta put on your to-read-list!

For more Bookanista awesomeness, check out these blogs:

Christine Fonseca is coveting the cover of A TOUCH MORTAL
Shelli Johannes-Wells is working some MAJIK
Beth Revis recommends THE REPLACEMENT
Carolina Valdez Miller talks up NIGHTSHADE
Shannon Messenger raves about The Kneebone Boy by Ellen Potter
Lisa and Laura Roecker and Kirsten Hubbard are coveting 2011 covers

Crap and Burning Keys

You know when some people experience crap, they go straight to the cookie jar? Well, I experienced some crap today.

Nothing serious, mind you... no one died, my husband is still employed, kids are all healthy. But it was crap none the less, the kind that makes you sick to your stomach, where you stare off into space and dwell on, well, the crap.

Here's the whole reason for this post. Did my crap make me run to the cookie jar? Despite the fact that it was empty, no. I didn't devour ice cream sandwiches, either, or binge on gummy bears. I found a different (thankfully fat free) outlet.

MY WRITING!

It was like one of those psychological breakthroughs you hear about. I...

sat down...

opened a manuscript...

and put words down on paper.

It was like eating something that made me sick, really sick, and then vomiting it all back up. I felt BETTER! And seriously, there was no vomit involved.

What compels you to run to the computer and type so fast your fingers run the risk of lighting the keys on fire?

What Makes You Happy?

I've been thinking about this one a lot lately. What truly makes you happy?

For me, it's the simple things. Writing and reading, of course. But what about those other activities that fill the well when it runs dry?

For me, it's:

• Swimming
• Riding really fast on a bike
• Really old houses (at least 100 years)
• Sunsets
• Earthy smells (like pine needles and such.)

What do you do when your well runs dry?

The Bookanistas: Books are the New Black! Nightshade City

Today is launch day for a new team of book review bloggers - The Bookanistas: Books are the New Black!

We are a group of writers in various stages of the publishing process, and we've decided to band together and review books. We--as fellow writers--will only post positive reviews, because The Bookanistas are all about spreading the love!

Starting today, we will post every Thursday covering various topics: upcoming ARCs, books we love, little known diamonds in the rough, classics, and even cover reviews. The awesome badge (at left) reps our faboo group. (Thanks, Shelli!)

So join us, along with Christina Fonseca, Elana Johnson, Jamie Harrington, Michelle Hodkin, Kirsten Hubbard, Shelli Johannes-Wells, Myra McEntire, Shannon Messenger, Beth Revis, Lisa and Laura Roecker, Sarah Frances Hardy and Katie Anderson, Scott Tracey, and Carolina Miller, as we look at books in a whole new way -- as the best accessory!

I had the opportunity to delve into the advanced reader's copy of Hilary Wagner's Nightshade City, coming out October 1, 2010.

What I loved about this book:

First off, it is a book about rats. And Hilary Wagner weaves so much depth and humanity into each and every one of them, they felt like dear friends by the time I turned the last page.

The writing is flawless, told in a third person voice that stays true to the feel of the book throughout. No extra words, the perfect amount of description.

Lastly, the way Hilary incorporates past events into the plot gives the Nightshade world such a dose of reality, I felt like I was there.

This book is superb.