Inspired to Read

One thing that inspired my writing was reading. Back in 2007, I super got into reading. Nope, I wasn’t a prodigy child who read everything I could get my hands on. It just wasn’t my thing at the time. 

My thing was watching Nick-at-Nite when it REALLY had the good classics like the Dick Van Dyke Show and Get Smart. 

Ok, tangent. I really liked infomercials, too. Back to the point, now.

I can say with complete confidence the Twilight series was the pivotal point where I realized the value of reading. That series opened my mind to the creative power of words. I kept reading other books until I was carrying one in my bag all the time.

So, my grammar/punctuation guru beta said it would take him some time to read my manuscript because he gets sidetracked—just can’t focus on one thing for a long time. Within a week (he told me it would take a month) he’d finished my novel and with rave reviews. The following day he asked me if I had any book suggestions. I asked what he liked to read. He said 1984 was a fav. I instantly knew he’d enjoy a dystopian book. Now he has my copy of Across the Universe by Beth Revis in hand.

While I talked to him, he said that my book sort of inspired him to read. Hearing that was like fireworks exploding out of my ears, possibly nose, too. I was beaming and sort of wanted to cry. One of the purposes of my writing is to inspire people to read. It happened to me, and I want it to happen to others.

Words really do have immense power.

I’m glad to say my novel has been an inspiration to someone, and hopefully my other beta’s, too. I hope it can inspire many people to read as well. And I know it WILL be published one day. Look out world; I’m on my way. Uh, or at least to bookshelves.

Which books have inspired you to read? Or for that matter write?

Across The Universe by Beth Revis Book Review

I lieu of attending the Breathless Reads Book tour tomorrow in Salt Lake City, Utah, I decided that it was a perfect time to review Across the Universe by Beth Revis. She along with a few other authors are headlining the Breathless Reads Book tour. I look forward to meeting Beth, especially since I devoured her debut novel so quickly. Also meeting Ally Condie, author of Matched, will be fabulous.

Across the Universe is the third book I chose to read for the Off the Shelf Challenge. Twelve more books to go and excited for the journey.

Speaking of journeys, Across the Universe, Beth’s YA sci-fi/dystopian/fantasy novel, unravels while a group of people from the future travel Across the Universe in a spaceship built to sustain life for a LONG time. Definitely, each chapter makes you want to read more.

Some of my favorite words in the book are as follows:

• Whoosh
• Click. Whoosh. Thud.
• Beep, beep-beep
• Aroo! Aroo!
• Plop! Plop!
• Moo-uh-eeee!
• Whirr-churn-whirr 

Yep, they are sounds on the ship. Seriously, without those quirky words describing the sounds, it wouldn’t have been as good. I could distinctly hear what was happening. Well done Beth for the ingenious sounds you gave me—us.

The end was quite a punch in my stomach when I read it. Why? I failed to notice that this book is the first book in a series. Silly me! I thought it was over. And. It sure isn’t. I was thinking, well that’s an interesting way to end a book. Now that I realize it’s a series, I am well-pleased with the ending. It leaves you hanging—wanting more. Phew! Good thing I figured that out. I could have been confused for a long time—maybe long enough to travel Across the Universe. Beth please don't make fun of me for not realizing that. :) *feeling sheepish*

Thanks Beth for writing such a fantastic book—can’t wait for the next two.

Have you read this book? What did you think?

Happy Friday! And have a GREAT weekend!

As an ending, here’s my favorite song from the movie Across the Universe.