I never thought there would be a time in my life when I didn't have time to read. Alas, the past few weeks have been that time. I have, however, painstakingly reread two books a few pages at a time:
Terrier by Tamora Pierce


and Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind

The first time I read Wizard's First Rule was in high school. My friend Magoo and I were competing to read the most books that year, because our English teacher encouraged students to give a quick synopsis of every book they read independently. Magoo and I were in different classes with the same teacher. We decided to see who could take up the most class time with long, complicated retellings of books. When I discovered this series I decided to try it--even though the books are like 800 pages long, their plots are so complicated that I could fill a whole class with the eight books in the series. I was hooked after Wizard's First Rule, the first book in the series, and read them all one after the other.

This year, a t.v. show based on the series aired. It's called Legend of the Seeker. It's not particularly faithful to the books but it's an entertaining show, and it made me want to reread the books.

As for Terrier, I think I've mentioned before that Tamora Pierce is the author who made me a reader. The Song of the Lioness Quartet and the Immortals series are two of my favorite series, at least until the last book in the Beka Cooper trilogy is complete. All three series take place in the same world, which is as well-developed and believable as any I've encountered. Definitely check these out if you haven't read them yet.

Once upon a time (specifically, October 2005) I heard about National Novel Writing Month, in which a bunch of crazy people attempt to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. Because I was studying abroad at the time, and everyone knows that you're not supposed to study when you're studying abroad, I decided to participate. I spent a few days coming up with ideas. At work--which was a bar at the time--I scribbled character details on napkins and coasters. When November 1st rolled around, I was ready.

Unfortunately, my laptop got stolen on November 12th and that was the end of that.

In 2007 I tried again. November also happened to be The Month In Which I Was Taking the GRE, Applying To Grad Schools, and Applying for A Fulbright Scholarship, and after writing three pages I gave up in favor of doing those other things. Again, not a very successful attempt.

Finally, in 2008, I had my game face on. This time I was going to superglue my laptop to my desk. And back up my work at the end of every day. And say NO to any complicated applications and exams that came along. This time, I was going to finish.

And...I did! I wrote 52,000 words in 30 days and it felt AWESOME.

This year I'm trying again, even though I'm a full-time graduate student. I may not have time to earn money or eat or sleep, but doggone it, I'm going to hit that 50,000 word mark. So far I'm ahead of schedule and I'm loving my story.

The point of this post is actually to beg you (whomever you may be) to donate money to the Office of Letters and Light, which is a nonprofit organization that promotes literacy. It also keeps NaNoWriMo and Script Frenzy running so that 100,000 crazy people can try to write a novel every November. Any novelist who raises $200 for the organization is invited to the Night of Writing Dangerously on November 22nd. I would like to go, and that's where the begging for money part comes in.

If you'd like to donate, please go here. Any contribution will be appreciated. If you donate enough, I'll even dedicate my novel to you! (I probably won't let you read it though.)

A video about NaNoWriMo

Review of Before I Fall and The Postmistress

The Postmistress
by Sarah Blake
Adult Historical Fiction
Due February 2010

I wasn't so sure about this one when I read the flap copy. I'm not a huge fan of WWII fiction, but I loved GUERNSEY LITERARY so I decided to give it a shot. This is a novel about three women: Iris, a small-town postmaster on Cape Cod; Emma, the new wife of the town doctor; and Frankie, an American reporter who is reporting from London. All three women experience the war in different ways. I liked this book because it walked the line between light and thought-provoking. It was very well-written, and the characters were completely believable as women who were living in a different time and place. Watch for this in February.

Before I Fall
by Lauren Oliver
Young Adult Fiction
Due February 2010

This is Groundhog Day (or Replay) for teenaged girls. Sam Kingston lives the last day of her life, February 12th, and dies in a horrific car accident. She wakes up in her own bed--on February 12th again. Sam relives her last day 6 times, each new time trying to change the factors that are making her repeat the 12th of February. What starts out as a Mean Girls-esque trashy novel becomes unbelievably deep and compelling. Lauren Oliver's depiction of teenage relationships is dead-on (pun intended), and you will find this novel un-put-down-able.

Incarceron

by Catherine Fisher

Young Adult Science Fiction

Due February 2010

I love that lately there's been a trend toward steampunk, which is kind of a fusion between futuristic machine fiction and Victorian history. This book isn't technically steampunk, but it takes place in the future, in a world where a terrible war has led society to return to a medieval way of life. Anything non-Era is banned, and technology is hidden within the depths of nobles' households. Modern medicine is illegal, wildlife is full of steel and wire--and that's just aboveground.

Claudia's father is the warden of Incarceron, the self-sustaining prison where half the world's population was forced after the war. In Claudia's world it is believed to be a utopia, but inmates know the truth. It is a cruel, harsh place where survival depends on terrible acts and unusual skills. This is Finn's world.

When Claudia and Finn find a way to communicate with one another, it changes both of their lives. Neither one is who they thought they were. Together they could change the trajectory of the world--but only if they survive.

Fans of The Maze Runner will love this book. Claudia is everything that a medieval heroine should be, and Finn is an urban survivor. I can't wait for the next book, Sapphique, which I think has just been released in the United Kingdom.

Review by Sydney

The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet

by Erin Dionne

Young Adult Fiction

Due February 2010

Review by Sydney McGillis

The book I read is called 'The Total tragedy of a Girl named Hamlet' and the Author is Erin Dionne. This book is about a girl named Hamlet who just started 8th grade and all she wants to be is normal. Unfortunately for Hamlet she is anything but normal, having two parents who both live and act like they are in the 1600's and are huge Shakespeare fans, and a seven year old sister who is just about ready to go to college. When Hamlet's sister starts going to her school and her English class starts learning about Shakespeare, Hamlet just about loses it. The only thing that keeps Hamlet looking forward to school are the mysterious origami pigs that are accumulating in her locker. Will Hamlet survive middle school? You'll have to read to find out!

This book was really interesting and it was not the usual story about a teenager's life.

Note from Jake: I read this book as well, and I loved it! Hamlet's little sister Dezzie is a central character in the novel, and I've never met anyone like her. She's smart, spunky, and seven years old. Erin Dionne really brings the characters to life, as usual. : )

Yikes, I know it's been forever since my last post. I have another one written, but for some reason my computer isn't letting me upload photos so I haven't posted it yet. I'm sorry I've been so lame! While you're waiting, please enjoy this interview with Michael Gyulai, memoirist extraordinaire. (This is not the same interview as the one I posted last time. Check it out...or else!)

Jake-the-Girl Interview with Michael J. Gyulai: Part 2 from Michael Gyulai on Vimeo.