review – Word Junkie

Review: Ghosts

This week I give you GHOSTS by Raina Telgemeier:

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Yes, GHOSTS is a middle-grade comic, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth checking out.

Here is what it’s about: (via goodreads)

Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahía de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahía de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake – and her own.

It’s worth a read. Telgemeier takes the subject of ghosts, illness, family, and first love–and intertwines them into an loving story about two sisters dealing with the one thing no one will discuss: what happens after death.

For more information on GHOSTS and Raina Telgemeier, head over to her website: GoRaina.com.

Happy Reading! -A

January 20, 2017January 15, 2017 by AS Youngless Categories: Friday in Review, WritingTags: book review, breathing, comic books, cystic fibrosis, friday in review, ghosts, graphic novel, Raina Telgemeier, review Leave a comment

Review: Strange Afterlives

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For the first review of the year–I give you STRANGE AFTERLIVES an anthology edited by A. Lee Martinez.

In a short story world filled with a sea of anthologies–some that are good, some that are not–it’s always exciting to picked up one like STRANGE AFTERLIVES. Instead of one or two interesting reads, it’s filled with eleven of them.

I read it in one sitting. I loved it that much.

Here is the Goodread’s summary:

In this anthology of eleven original tales, the undead are never quite expected. From sinister feline mummies to ravenous zombified cars and any and all things in-between, the living dead have returned from their graves, junkyards, and even the war torn skies to haunt the lands of the living. With stories horrific, funny, and weird, Strange Afterlives has a little something for everyone who has ever wondered what terrible secrets could be lurking in that rotting tree or broken toy.

If you’re a fan of horror, and enjoy a bit of humor in the mix–this anthology is for you. As I said before, most times I read anthologies I like one or two stories, but read this one from the beginning, MOUSE TROUBLES by the editor and chief, A. Lee Martinez, to the end, THE SCAVENGER HUNT by John Sanders, Jr.

Happy Reading! –xxoo-A

January 13, 2017January 9, 2017 by AS Youngless Categories: Friday in Review, WritingTags: A. Lee Martinez, anthology, friday in review, Horror, review, short stories, Strange Afterlives, writing Leave a comment

Happy 2016!!

By god, it’s a new year. If I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t really do “New Years Resolutions.” I’m just not that kind of girl. Recently I heard that only 8% of all resolutions are ever completed. That number almost makes me want to play the lottery, because I think the odds may be better. (Not really)

All those life changing ideas that pop into my head do so at birthday time, and I’m never quick to share them with the world. Why? Simple. I don’t see how you knowing my plans will help me reach my goals.

Yes. I did start writing on here about my new yoga regiment, but as you can see–I stopped. A little realization that the only person I should be working to impress is myself. That thought is liberating.

In 2016 I have lots of plans, most of them have been in the works since early last year–and nearly all of them have to do with books. Writing. Reading. Editing. Helping others with their work.

Some of those things I’m willing to share. Like books I’m reading. So, to start off 2016, I shall recommend, “The Girl with all the Gifts.”

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I’ve spent the last month reading books to use as comps for the book that I’m currently editing. I read all the time, but when it comes time to play the comparison game I tend to lock up. Who wants to compare or be compared? Maybe you do–but it’s a hard thing for me. The good part is that along this journey I’ve managed to read a lot of new books I haven’t before.

Like this one.

Maybe it was on the Publisher’s Weekly site, or another list I found in my hours of scouring the internet for science fiction titles–but ‘The Girls with all the Gifts’ appeared AND it was available to download from the library. (I’m on a lot of waiting lists…)

It’s an unsuspecting title and original at that. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Suddenly I’m reading a zombie book, but not the same story that I’ve read a million times before. So to start of 2016, I recommend ‘The Girl with all the Gifts’ (if you like zombie lit.) It’s not your typical zombie story, which you’ll recognize straight away. Read it and let me know what you think!

Does this help me in my quest to find a comp for my book? No, but hey! You only live once and it may as well be filled with good stories.

Cheers to a happy 2016 and time to get back to it!

Happy writing/editing!!

January 2, 2016January 2, 2016 by AS Youngless Categories: WritingTags: 2016, books, review, the girl with all the gifts, writing Leave a comment