Letting go is easier said than done

So as you may remember from earlier, I had a pretty rough breakup over the summer.  For a long time, writing my book was great catharsis.  It helped me pour out the feelings I needed to pour out.  This blog was that for me too.  An outlet.  Sometimes, though, what was an outlet becomes the pain itself.  I had a friend, a wonderful friend, who helped me write.  Helped me bounce ideas.  Talked with me on the phone for hours, helping me create this new world so I could escape the old, sad one for a while.  It was the best I could hope for in a dark time.

Only there are people who will stick with you, and people who won't.  I won't bore you with the gory details.  Leave it that this friend is no longer interested in being my friend.  Doesn't want to deal with me.  Doesn't know how.  Going through his own stuff, so I can't be too angry...even though I am.  It kills when the people you love the most are the first to desert you.

So that's why the book is making slow progress these days.  I tried working on it again, tried taking ownership of it and making it my own...but there was just too much of my friend in it.  It's hard to go on without that guidance.  I feel lost.  And it's too sharp a reminder.  So Chloe's story will be told.  This blog will go on.  But until I can become a stronger person by myself, it's going to be slow going.  So please, bear with me.  The heart is a funny thing and it likes to take everything with it when it implodes.  I need a little time to watch cheesy romantic comedies and eat some Ben and Jerry's.  And then, I'll be back.

I promise.

If you like these new teen lit hits, check out what came before them

I was reading a review of The Giver on Reading Teen yesterday and it got me thinking.  There are all sorts of popular new books out these days, but what about the ones that came before?  There are people who don’t realize that the “new” genres and plot twists they love were already done ten, twenty, thirty years ago.  So in the interest of giving those books some credit, let’s take a look at the oldies. 

If you like Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, you’ll love . . .

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

-- The nation is becoming overcrowded and the Population Police have taken drastic measures.  Only two children per family, and they’re enforcing it with death.  Luke is one of the hidden, the third child of a family determined not to break the rules again.  Until he meets Jen, another third child who’s been contacting other third children on a secret network.  She’s determined to start a revolution, and escape into the light.  A fast-paced adventure with high stakes and an endearing main character.  (Thanks to C.J. Listro of Sarcasm and Lemons for letting me know about this one!)

Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

-- You’ve read the copies; here’s the crown jewel in the dystopian family.  The world is broken into massive states governed by powerful men who rule with iron fists, including the oppressive Big Brother.  Winston Smith works for the government, but nurses a secret wish to return to a time before the Thought Police controlled every form of communication, before Newspeak replaced creativity.  The famous story of what happens when free thought is taken over. 

If you like Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, you’ll love . . .

The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

-- Starting with Interview with a Vampire and continuing through The Vampire Lestat, Queen of the Damned, and many others, this series was one of the very first to take the undead and make them sexy.  Lestat has all the class of a French noble with old money, twice the allure of Edward Cullen, and adventures that bring the world to its knees:  a dangerous child vampire, an ancient vampire queen who wants to destroy the human race, a body switcher, a demon with a death-wish.  And these vampires definitely have fangs. 

Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

-- When teenager Darren Shan sneaks into a scary freak show with his best friend Steve, he thinks it’s just for fun . . . until they realize that all the tricks are real, and dangerous.  Steve tries to steal a rare and poisonous spider and gets bit.  The spider’s owner Mr. Crepsley will only give Darren the antidote if Darren agrees to become a vampire and become his apprentice.  However Steve’s dream is to become a vampire; he believes that Darren stole his dream, and sparks an all-out war between the vampires and vampaneze, bloodsuckers who live by no rules but their own thirst. 

Evie's New Years Resolutions for 2012

Welcome to the new year!  While I'm still working through books to get you some reviews, I'll take a break to share some of my resolutions for the new year.  363 and a half days from now, you can see how well I did.  ;) 

1. Read 50 books.  I know some bloggers have huge goals like 100 or 200, but I'm going to be realistic.  I have a pretty stressful, time consuming job and that cuts pretty deep into reading time.  So let's make it 50 and if I get past that, yay for me!

2.  Meet new people.  Going to a new place to live is never easy but the people in your life can make it easier, so the goal is to be open and a little more outgoing. 

3.  Get over the past.  I went through some pretty hard stuff this past year, and a big breakup as I've mentioned in the past.  Dwelling on it is never helpful.  This year, I'm going to try to look forward. 

4.  Reach 1000 hits.  Nearly there already!  If I can keep up with it, I know I can make my goal--with all your help!  

5.  Eat healthier.  I know, I know, this is a common one.  I've just been a little neglectful, especially where the greens are concerned.  Woman cannot live on chocolate and chicken vindaloo alone! 

6.  Get Rebellion up on Amazon.  Yep.  I'm going to do it.  First book, finished and published.  Over halfway there! 

So there's the hit list for this year.  Wish me luck, and share your own resolutions!