Writing, Watching, Reading...

Hey!

How are you today? What did you get up to this week?

We started ours with a public holiday, so that was great. What isn't great is how cold it is. As soon as June started, the temperature has dropped dramatically and I'm already over it.

Well, we finally watched SINNERS and absolutely LOVED IT. What an amazing movie. I'm a vampire fan from way back and never get tired of new vamp tales, and this one was original, gory and visually stunning. Not to mention the cool music.

We also finished watching S4 of ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING. This is a show we started years after everyone else, but I'm SO glad we caught up because it's fantastic! Addictive and cozy. Has a great cast and twisty mysteries. Plus it's very funny. I miss it already.

In my last post, I mentioned that I slipped during a rainy walk last week and skinned my knee. Well, it's still scraped and the big band-aid has become a permanent fixture. I mean, it's definitely getting better, but the healing process is slow. Not to mention that the band-aid protecting the wound has kinda irritated the skin around it. 😫

Anyway, let's talk about writing.

Last weekend, while taking it easy on the couch with my husband, I wrote a new short story on my phone. I challenged myself to write it in a style I've never tried before, and had a lot of fun! I even revised it on my laptop on Tuesday, so it's done. Yay.

Final word count is: 1,834.

I then spent a couple of days reading a book called SLAGS. You can read my review below, but spoiler: I really enjoyed it. ☺️

And on Thursday night, after I wrote and posted my review, I ended up writing another story on my phone. It's currently under 1,000 words. To be honest, it's more like a shortie told in verse. Not sure when I'll finalise this one, but I've already started revising and read it to my husband.

I know I've mentioned this before, but the stories keep coming so... Although VampNovel1 and VampNovel2 are done, the secondary characters who live in this world with the two main characters aren't done with me yet. They keep whispering in my ear, pound my brain with ideas, and the words keep coming.

I'm not complaining because I'm having a great time. Writing these tales is fun and exciting, plus I'm doing a lot of research about the twentieth century, which is actually very cool and insightful.

Okay, that's it for today. We've got a week off because my husband has annual leave, and I can't wait.

Have a great weekend!

SLAGS by Emma Jane Unsworth

Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When my husband saw this book on Amazon we both had a good laugh at the title and the cover. And I instantly knew that I had to check it out.

Sarah and Juliette are sisters who decide to go on a campervan road-trip across Scotland. After all, it's Juliette’s birthday and she's about to enter her 40s. The only problem is that they both packed too much baggage from their shared past...

Well, I devoured this book in 24 hours because it totally grabbed me. I had a hard time putting this down. I'm really not surprised because I love reading honest and raw stories about what some might call unlikeable women/girls written by women, but I call interesting and realistic.

The story unfolds in the POV of Sarah, during two separate timelines. Present day, while she's in her 40s. She's a workaholic who loves her job and her close friends, while engaging in a string of sexual conquests. The past focuses on 15-year-old Sarah. A teenager who isn't afraid to get involved in sexual relationships, but is secretly in love with her English teacher.

I enjoyed both timelines. The 90s part is full of nostalgia and the reality of what it's like to be a girl dreaming about love, while also falling into unsatisfying sexual situations. The other shows a grown woman who is content where she is in her life, surrounded by close friends and a job she enjoys, but has quite a few problems with her family. As well as serious issues with alcohol and drugs.

But at the heart of the story is the sisterly love and connection these two women have. I enjoyed how Sarah and Juliette's interactions unravelled the farther they went from home. How the distance, denial, secrets and so many unspoken words come out in the most unexpected ways. Drawing them closer, while also alienating them. The dynamics of their relationship is written really well. It's funny to see them connect with cigarettes, whisky, and 80s movie quotes.

Plus the conversations in this book are a lot of fun to read.

Yeah, I really enjoyed this!


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My Version of a Week Off...

How's it going?

Well, Friday's finally here and when my husband gets home, the long weekend begins. And then, next week, we have another long weekend, followed by a week off. Can't wait! But first we're going to enjoy the next three days. 😁

This week turned out to be a little heavy. Hubby started work earlier than usual so it kinda threw our sleeping out a bit. It's tiring, but we got through it.

Of course, it doesn't help that I spent two nights making more tweaks/additions to VampNovel1 & VampNovel2, when I was supposed to be taking a mental break. LOL. But you see, I wrote a new short story set in this world, and it takes place during these two books. So, while going through the timeline to make sure everything matched, I found something that I had to alter. Nothing big, but minor details that needed to be fixed.

That's one of the coolest things about writing these short stories, they're enhancing the two novels. Tightening threads that I might have missed because on the surface, they don't seem to be important.

Oh, and the best thing? Tonight, I finished the final read-thru of this particular story on my Paperwhite. So it's done!!

Final word count is: 4,861.

This is the longest one (set in this world) so far.

Also, that's my eleventh short story this year.

OMG. On Wednesday, I was walking in the rain and slipped on the wet pavement. Fell on my left knee and ripped my leggings, plus scraped the hell out of the skin underneath. Ugh. So now, I'm walking around with a big band-aid because the skin is screwed up. Not to mention that it's starting to scab so I can feel the tightening of the skin. Your knee isn't the best place to have a giant scab. 😫

So, I did manage to read one book and watch one movie. I read THE VILLA by Rachel Hawkins and absolutely LOVED it! I can't believe this book didn't get more attention. Especially if you're a Mary Shelley fan, like me. And the movie I watched is, THE IDEA OF YOU, which I really enjoyed. It's faithful to the book, but also different. I think both are great!

This weekend I have no definite plans to write anything, but sometimes late at night when I'm checking out my phone... inspiration strikes and I end up starting something. 😅

I'll keep you posted.

Have an awesome day!!

THE VILLA by Rachel Hawkins

The Villa by Rachel Hawkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Last night, while looking through the books on my Paperwhite, this one caught my eye. I didn't know much about it, but I was instantly hooked.

Emily and Chess have been friends since they were kids, but life always gets in the way. So when Chess asks Emily to go on a trip to Italy, she jumps at the chance. Especially since they're going to the Villa Aestas in Orvieto. A place where a murder took place in the summer of 1974...

Wow. This is such a fantastic story. Or should I say, stories? I mean, there's the Emily and Chess story, but then there's also the Mari and Lara tale. Plus all the other cool additions. And I loved them both!

Emily is going through a hard time. Her husband cheated on her, then left and now thinks he deserves money for the cozy mystery series she's writing. And because of all of this, she's barely written a word. Chess is a successful self-help guru. So Emily hopes that spending a summer break in Italy sparks her imagination. But it's not the book she's contracted for that excites her, it's the true crime that happened in the Italian villa in 1974.

Mari and Lara are teenage stepsisters when they fall under the spell of the much-older, Pierce. He's a talented musician, magnetic, and although he's married, Mari knows they were meant to be together. Yet, when tragedy strikes he's not there for her, and the promised stardom never comes. Until the three spend a summer in Villa Rosato with a music idol and everything falls apart.

I REALLY enjoyed how the past and present stories unravel in a way that complement each other. I also love how Mari's life mirrors Mary Shelley.

Yeah, I couldn't put this down. It's a clever mystery, contains the right amount of twists, and is totally addictive.

And you know what? I want to read Lilith Rising! ☺️


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Hey!

How are you today? Can you believe May is almost over? Yikes.

For us, that means winter starts tomorrow. 😫

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of the colder months and shorter days, but what can you do? As long as the overcast days are balanced out with sunny days, I'm cool. LOL.

I intended to take this week off but ended up making a few tweaks to the novels I've been working on. I also started reading Stephen King's latest novel, but put it aside after 122 pages. I don't know why but this story just didn't grab me. I usually love King books and especially Holly. She's a great character, but this book... I don't know.

Anyway, I put it aside.

So, today is Saturday and I finished writing the first draft of another short story on my phone. The word count is: 4,013. It's one of the shorties that have been buzzing inside my brain since I finished the revision of VampNovel2 and the secondary characters won't leave me alone. 😅

And that reminds me, these are the writing/reading things I did this month:

• Completed the full revision of VampNovel2 

• Updated VampNovel1 after changes made to VampNovel2 

• Completed 2 short stories

• Wrote the first draft of 1 short story 

• Read 2 books

I'm very happy with this list. Yay.

I mean, getting through three drafts of a 90k-word novel makes me very happy. That means that my 80s horrormance vampire duology is now complete. Of course, it turns out that I'm not actually done with this world, but finishing the two novels was one of my goals for this year.

What did you get up to this month? Did you achieve much during May?

Okay, that's about it for now. I just wanted to post an update about my week and month.

Have an awesome weekend!!

THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART by Monika Kim

The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At the beginning of this week, I started reading a book but couldn't get into it, so I decided to pick this up... and was hooked instantly.

When Ji-won’s father leaves, her family starts to fall apart. Umma is depressed, Ji-hyun is scared, and she wants to protect her mother and sister. Then George enters the picture. A shitty man who sweeps Umma off her feet, but is obviously hiding things. If only he didn't have such pretty blue eyes...

Bizarre. Surreal. Addictive. Gross.

What a trip this story turned out to be! Ji-won's voice is strong and takes the reader deep into a seriously dark and creepy psychological story. At times, it feels like a fever dream that made me wonder if the things she narrated were actually happening in real time.

There's also a real sense of family shown via the crumbling pieces of what is going on in her life. Situations that affect her studies and personality. I especially love how many times she blindsides the reader with glimpses of terrible traits, as well as some strange surprises that put her motivations into perspective.

Not to mention how the story deals with everyday racism and sexism. Plus white savior complex.

I also love the ending! Those final chapters are so well written and unravel at a great pace. There are also a few twists and a malicious, but very satisfying, ending.

Enjoyed the hell out of this one! 👀


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The Revision is Done!

Hey! How are you today? I hope you all had a great week. Ours started with a long weekend (awesome) and the next four days turned out to be a blur of revision and rain.

Yeah, we've been having some shitty weather in NSW. I really hope the sun makes a comeback and sticks around for a while. Fingers crossed.

Well, as I mentioned above, I got stuck into the final read-thru of VampNovel2 this week. So, after listening to my Playlist during my daily afternoon walks (except for Thursday because it was pouring for most of the day), I grabbed my Paperwhite and some scrap paper. Then, I settled down to read the story, while taking note of any errors.

I cut a bunch of excess, but added quite a bit too. Something peculiar happened. Just before getting started on Tuesday, I decided to add a new subplot that fit the narrative and complicates things a little more. As well as changed a certain detail about a few characters. So that required a little extra work.

Anyway, after working really hard on this final draft, I finally reached The End! 

• New VampNovel1 final word count is: 90,348.

• New VampNovel2 final word count is: 90,746.

I'm SO excited! Not only did I finalise the second novel tonight, but because the two books are connected, I also had to update VampNovel1. Any changes/additions made to VampNovel2, directly affect VampNovel1. That meant a lot of extra tweaking. But I absolutely LOVED every single minute spent with these characters, so I didn't mind.

As I mentioned last month, the initial story idea came to me around this time last year. This 80s vampire story is a violent horrormance with plenty of complications.

I'm very happy because I set myself the personal goal of completing VampNovel1 in April, and VampNovel2 in May. As you can see, I did it. Yay!!

Oh, and one more thing. Do you watch Only Murders in the Building? We started watching it the other day and binged the whole first season very quickly. It's ADDICTIVE & I love it. Love cozy mysteries. They're very comfy and intriguing, with quite a bit of danger. Loving it.

We're also enjoying Murderbot and Duster.

That's about it for now. Have an awesome weekend! 

 

The Revision Continues...

Hey, how are you today? The weekend is finally here, and because my husband has an RDO on Monday, it's a three-day weekend. Awesome!

So, did you have a nice week? We slept in and hung out most mornings before hubby went to work, but today we had to get up early so our apartment intercom could be updated. Ugh. And because of that, I've been feeling wonky all day, especially since I slipped on the tiles in the laundry and hurt my left knee. 😫

Anyway, on Monday, I got stuck into the third draft of VampNovel2 and lost myself in this vampire world every afternoon/night. I love spending time with these characters, so I'm really enjoying the process.

This is how I went:

• Monday: 53/236pgs (90,621w)
• Tuesday: 102/234pgs (90,122w) 
• Wednesday: 158/237pgs (90,214w)
• Thursday: 212/237pgs (90,113w) 
• Friday: 240pgs / 91,125w

As you can see, the third draft is DONE. And I'm SO excited. I worked really hard on this draft because there were certain things I wanted to tweak and rewrite to deepen the characters and story. Nothing drastic, but additions/deleting that had to be made. And of course, any changes in this book, need to be reflected in VampNovel1.

It's challenging, but a lot of fun!

Oh, and did I mention that this 80s vampire world keeps throwing new short story ideas my way? Yeah, I started taking notes because a bunch of these characters refuse to shut up and their whispers are too hard to ignore.

Okay, time to sign out so I can enjoy a three-day mental break. Before hitting the final Paperwhite read-thru next week. 😁

Have a good one!

Time to Revise!

Hey! How are you today? What did you get up? I hope you had a great week.

Last Saturday, was Election Day in Australia, and I'm excited to report that the LNP (right-wing idiots) lost. Big time. And the Labor party won. Actually, it was a freaking landslide, and the election was won by Anthony Albanese in two hours! Yep. Looks like Australia responded to what we think about fascists.

Now, if only the US would get rid of that fucking Orange Turd.

Anyway, let's chat about better things.

After taking a two-week break to read and write short stories, my goal was to complete the second draft of what I'm tentatively calling, VampNovel2.

Here's how I went:

• Monday: 51/231pgs (92,446w)
• Tuesday: 102/230pgs (91,302w) 
• Wednesday: 153/228pgs (89,897w)
• Thursday: 209/231pgs (90,060w) 
• Friday:  234pgs / 90,624w

As you can see, I cut quite a few words. All fat that didn't need to be there.

I reached the end tonight, and I'm really happy. Yay. 😁

Working on stories set in this 80s vampire world is turning out to be SO MUCH FUN, and I don't think I'm done yet. Oher characters are lining up to tell their tales next. LOL.

Now that the second draft is done, I'll put it aside until next Monday and then I'll tackle the third draft. I'm looking forward to it, but first I want to enjoy a few days with my husband.

Well, my brain feels like mush so that's it for now.

Hope you have an awesome weekend!

Reading, Writing & Revising

Hey! It's me again. How are you today? What did you get up to this week?

Personally, I got a bunch of stuff done. Initially, I planned to concentrate on reading, and to be honest, it did start that way. On Monday, I read and thoroughly enjoyed the novelisation of The Lost Boys. I finished it in one afternoon/night because it was SO much fun. LOVED IT! There's just something about 80s movie novelisations that really grab me. Of course, the fact this is based on the screenplay of one of my all-time favourite movies might have something to do with it. 😃

Then on Tuesday, I completed the final read-thru of the monster lovin' short story that I wrote on my phone over the long weekend. Yeah, it's a shortie but definitely a lot of cheeky fun. I even read it to my husband, and by Monday night, it was sitting on my Paperwhite for one last revision/read.

Final word count is: 1,698.

During Wednesday and Thursday night, I read Retreat by Krysten Ritter. It's such a great and totally twisty psychological thriller. Lots of glitzy rich lifestyle vibes, with a good dose of scandalous mystery and plenty of attitude.

Between reading this book, I also wrote and revised another short story. This one came to me on Sunday and I started writing it on my phone. But after the initial 200 words, I stalled. It wasn't until my afternoon walk on Monday that I realised a simple format change was just what this tale needed. And it worked! Because I finished writing it shortly after that.

Tonight, I completed the read-thru on my Paperwhite.

Final word count: 3,147.

This short story ended up a bit longer than I thought it would be, but I'm not surprised because it's set in the same world as VampNovel1 & VampNovel2. Man, the characters in this world are very chatty. Every time I finish one story, another idea drops into my brain. And these side/prequel tales are deepening the overall story. 😳

Speaking of these novels, I'm hoping to get started on the revision of VampNovel2 next week. Fingers crossed.

Anyway, this was the first full working week in three weeks, and it sure turned out to be productive. My muse has been buzzing and I'm having such a great time getting to know all of these secondary characters.

Now it's time to enjoy two days with my husband. Tomorrow it's Election Day in Australia, so we'll be popping in to the local school to vote. I really hope that the LNP (conservative assholes) don't win. They just want to fuck things up with cruelty and bullshit. Wish I could trust people to be smart enough to realise this is the case, but sadly, I don't have much faith in humanity nowadays.

Hope things turn out well, like they did in Canada. Wish us luck. 

Have a great one!

PS. So far, I've written and revised 8 short stories this year.

RETREAT by Krysten Ritter

Retreat by Krysten Ritter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed Krysten Ritter's first book, Bonfire, so I was really excited about reading this one.

Liz is a con artist. She's beautiful, knows how to draw people into her orbit, and she's intelligent. She's also a chameleon and has learned a lot of trades that help her slink in and out of rich people's lives. But when she goes to Mexico for a real job, she gets caught up in the glitzy life of the rich woman who hired her...

Wow. What a great mystery! It's also a terrific psychological thriller that's full of twists, turns, and a cast of characters that keeps you guessing until the shocking truth becomes very clear.

I really enjoyed this book. It's such a great story that starts out simple enough: a con artist has built a busy life for herself that keeps her financially afloat, but when her web of lies starts to unravel, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime.

Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Except it's not. Nothing about this story or characters is as it seems. The Mexican setting is lovely and the vivid descriptions put you right there in the heart of the action, but there's also a sinister underbelly that creeps up on you.

This is one dark and messed-up tale full of lies, secrets, and a bunch of conniving players. And I loved every minute of it. I couldn't stop reading because the author's voice is as compelling as the awesome writing style. The ending was perfect.

Liz is such a great character. I mean, she's definitely no saint and gets up to a lot of awful shit, but there's just something about her that totally captivates the reader.

Loved it!


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THE LOST BOYS by Craig Shaw Gardner

The Lost Boys by Craig Shaw Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's no secret that The Lost Boys is one of my all-time favourite movies. I was a teenager when I first experienced this fantastic movie and have been enthralled with everything about it ever since.

But you know what I hadn't done yet? I'd never read the novelisation. And since 80s novelisations are so much fun, I finally read this very cool book.

Lucy Emerson recently got divorced and decides to move back to Santa Carla with her teenage boys. Lucy gets a new job and fancies her boss. Michael falls for a mysterious girl who leads him down a dark path. Sam makes new friends who help when comic books come true. While Grandpa watches everything from his taxidermy room...

Amazing. Awesome. Enjoyed every minute of this great novelisation.

Not only did this book totally capture the atmosphere of the movie, but it also complements and enhances everything about it. The location, the characters, the mystery, everything!

Several deleted scenes (which we watched not long ago because they were included in the 4k ultra HD+ Blu-ray) are part of this story. And we also get multiple POVs, plus a little more about each Lost Boy. Which was a nice addition. The vamps are still intriguing and cool, but several unexpected tidbits are added to the narrative.

Anyway, I read the whole thing in one night because I didn't want to put it down. Glad it didn't disappoint. I had a blast!!

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A Week Full of Stories!

Hey, how are you today? I hope you're having a great week.

As you know, I finished an extensive (3-week) novel revision last Thursday night and when I woke up on Good Friday, I was mentally exhausted. Seriously drained. So I really enjoyed the four-day break with my husband. Lots of relaxing, nice food, walking, a little shopping, and even some naps. It was awesome!

I felt recharged and ready to take a few weeks off between projects.

Yeah, that was the original plan. But then I decided it was time to complete the final read-thru of the short story I finished a few weeks ago. So I did that on Tuesday.

The final word count is: 3,173.

Very happy with this story now. I changed the ending during the second draft, but by the time the third draft was done, it ended up being more like a complete rewrite. Sometimes I do that. 😅

In the meantime, I wrote a new story on Sunday night. On my phone. See, after our nap on Saturday, I woke up with the first line of the story in my head, and when I typed it out so I wouldn't forget, I didn't stop until the whole first draft was done.

This violent little tale is actually a prequel to VampNovel1/VampNovel2. Yeah, this is the world that keeps on expanding. Just when I think I'm done, another story pops up. LOL.

Anyway, I worked on the second and third drafts on my phone, and read the final read-thru tonight. And now—after marking all the problems, deleting some excess, taking care of rep words, making the changes on Word, and doing a spell check—it's done.

The final word count is: 2,966.

I'm super excited about this story because it came out of nowhere. 

So, that means I've completed six short stories this year. That's 18,720 words worth of shorties. Not bad. 😊

What else did I do? I read the first Murderbot novella and the latest Grady Hendrix short story release. I also went for daily walks, even though it rained a few times. Oh, yeah. We watched and hated the second episode of The Last of Us. Decided we're not watching anymore. After wasting our time on 10 shitty Yellowjackets S3 episodes (this season was seriously bad), we're done watching mediocre shows.

Well, that's it for today. I'm going to enjoy another long weekend with my husband. Three days this time. Nice.

Have a good one!

THE BLANKS by Grady Hendrix

The Blanks by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I found out Grady Hendrix released a new short story, I had to check it out. And I'm glad I did because this is creepy af.

Rachel and Steven take their children to Jeckle Island every summer. It's a way for the kids to roam wild, have a great time, and relax away from the city. But there are rules to follow. Rules that have devastating results...

Yikes! Wow. This is such a terrific story.

I love stories that start from a very chill and fun place. When you get caught up in the atmosphere of the season and can feel/see the location in your mind. Then something dark sneaks up on you and the rest of the tale takes a dive into the terrifying.

And the concept of The Blanks is exactly that. Eerie. Scary. Impossibly heartbreaking. I can't get over that shocking ending.

Also, the writing style is as engrossing as Rachel's voice.

Love this! It's another awesome Hendrix story.

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ALL SYSTEMS RED & COMPULSORY by Martha Wells

All Systems Red by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I've had this novella for a while and decided to read it now because the show starts next month. 😁

A group of scientists are conducting tests on an uninhabited planet, and with them is a robot supplied by the Company. But Murderbot isn't just any old droid, this guy hacked its own module and doesn't like humans much. But when things go wrong, Murderbot might just be the best guy for the job...

I really enjoyed this fun SF novella, and Murderbot is an awesome character. This droid is witty, sarcastic, and doesn't like humans much. At least, that's what it claims, but actions speak louder than words.

Murderbot is also awkward, clever, is addicted to trashy shows, and certainly turned out to be a great narrator. LOL.

Also, the thing about this novella is that it's quite simple. Gets to the point and has plenty of action. The solution to the mystery was satisfying, and I loved the ending.

Yeah, this is a great story and I definitely want to read more stories in this series.

ALSO, READ THE PREQUEL SHORT STORY ON APRIL 16:

  Compulsory by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wanted to read this short story before the first book, and I'm glad I did.

Murderbot is trying to enjoy one of his favourite shows when something goes wrong with a miner. And that's when he has to decide: help or watch?

I really enjoyed this! Murderbot's voice is so snarky, yet very informational. He's robotic, yet so much more. I was also surprised by his bravery and look forward to reading more.

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This Revision is Done!

Hey! How are you today? I hope you're all having a nice week.

I know the world is in a terrible state right now, but I'm trying to lose myself in stories. And when I'm not writing, I love spending time with my husband. 😍

This week I got stuck into the final read-thru of my current revision, which is VampNovel1. I know that's not what I said I would do in last week's post, but after chatting to my husband last Sunday about my change of plans, I realised that completing this project before starting VampNovel2 just felt... right.

That means that after my daily afternoon walks, I sat down with my Paperwhite and read the story from start to finish. At this stage I usually find weird sentences, repeated words, and awkward phrasing. I also cut a lot of excess, and add new details. It's pretty much all about the nitty-gritty.

And I reached The End tonight! I even made all the changes, formatted the doc, did a spell check, and made a few final-final tweaks.

The final word count is: 90,075.

I'm super excited about this story because this character has been with me for about a year. It's a dark vampire story set in the 80s and deals with a lot of issues. Some I added to the plot, and other things that popped up during the revision process. It's also a horrormance novel because I can't stay away from hot vampires. 😅

And there's still VampNovel2 to revise. But that's a story for another day.

Now that my current revision is done, I'm mentally exhausted so I need a break. Good thing it's the Easter long weekend. Yay.

Well, have an awesome break! 

The Revision Continues...

How are you today?

I hope this week turned out to be a good one for you! 

Here, in Sydney, the days got a lot shorter but I'm trying to stay positive. The fact I hung out with my husband every morning, that I went for my daily walks during the day (mostly sunny) and listened to my 80s Playlist (awesome) certainly helped. Not to mention that I spent every afternoon and night working on the third draft of my WIP, VampNovel1.

And I really lost myself in these words.

Seriously, I'm enjoying the hell out of this story and every time I sit down to work on it, I love it a little more. From the start, something about these characters and their world totally drew me in. Even when it was a small idea, slowly gaining momentum in my brain, I knew it would turn out to be a lot of wicked fun.

Vampires are just awesome. 😁

Anyway, this is my progress:

• Monday: 51/228pgs (90,436w)
• Tuesday: 103/230pgs (90,268w) 
• Wednesday: 154/234pgs (90,868w)
• Thursday: 196/235pgs (90,451w) 
• Friday: 236pgs / 90,042w

Yay! The third draft is DONE and I'm super excited. I worked really hard on this draft. 

As you can see, the word count went up and down every single day. I actually cut a lot of excess, but also added quite a few words. All things that strengthen the story and make sure everything ties up nicely.

Usually, after this stage, I'd do one final read-thru on my Paperwhite. But I'm doing things different this time.

And there are two reasons for that:

1. My husband is having three long weekends in a row this month (fantastic!)
2. I have VampNovel2 to consider...

So, I'm looking forward to spending some extra time with my husband during all these days off. And because there are two weeks when he'll work only three days, I've allocated those six days (ends up being two weeks) to work on VampNovel2.

Then I'll work on the third draft during the last week of April. So when that's all done, I can read one book after the other on my Paperwhite and make sure everything makes sense, pans out, and I can catch any last-minute typos, inconsistencies, etc.

Oh, and I also completed the third draft of the short story I mentioned last week. There were some plot issues I had to fix, several rep words that stood out, and have added it to my Paperwhite. Not sure when I'll do the read-thru, but the word count is now: 3,255.

It turned out to be quite a story-heavy week.

Okay, that's about it. I'm going to enjoy a nice mental break now

Have an awesome weekend!

Time to Revise!

Hey! How are you today? How's April treating you?

Daylight savings ends this weekend, which always bugs me because I prefer the longer daylight hours. Oh well, we're already in autumn and I've been dealing with it okay. I'm one of those people who's prone to seasonal mood swings during colder months, so I have to try and go with the flow.

I also wish the world was in a better state at the moment because there's just too much going on. Every single day there are about a thousand new shit things happening. Ugh.

Anyway, my goal this week was to complete the second draft of what I'm tentatively calling: VampNovel1. You know, because I wrote two and therefore have to revise both of them. LOL.

So, here's my progress:

• Monday: 46/230pgs (90,168w)
• Tuesday: 71/229pgs (89,888w) 
• Wednesday: 125/228pgs (89,840w)
• Thursday: 186/228pgs (90,225w) 
• Friday: 231pgs / 91,226w

I'm so happy that I managed to get to the end of the second draft tonight. The word count went up and down as much as my progress. That's not surprising since some areas always need more work than others.

Now that it's done, I'm mentally exhausted. That's why I'm glad that the weekend is finally here. I really need a break between drafts. That's right, next week I'll be working on the third draft because I want to have that done before our first long weekend. This month we have three! Yay. 😁

Before I got stuck into VampNovel1, I worked on the second draft of a short story I wrote in 2022 but put aside because I didn't like the ending. So, last weekend I read it, cleaned it up, and rewrote the end. I'm much happier now that I fixed all the problems.

The new word count is: 2,943. I'm not sure when I'll get the chance to work on the third draft, but that's cool. I'm taking my time with this project. 

Well, that's it for now. I'm going to veg out on the couch tonight while trying not to think (emphasis on try) about VampNovel1 until Monday.

Have an awesome weekend!

CICADA by Shaun Tan

Cicada by Shaun Tan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

•28 March, 2025

Every time I sort through my books or reorganise my bookshelves, I end up reading this beautiful book. I just can't move this book without reading it.

Cicada's story is sad and lonely, heartbreaking and lovely. It's also very bleak, yet hopeful, and the ending is uplifting. Not to mention that the artwork is absolutely stunning.

Shaun Tan is a great storyteller and artist.

•20 October, 2023

I was sorting through some books while adding them to my Keeper Shelf when this one caught my eye. And before I knew it, I was reading it.

This simple, lovely, hopeful and heartbreaking story never fails to make me feel so many emotions. I love this book. There's a reason why it's a Keeper. 😊

•28 May, 2018

I just received this lovely book, and the cover is so adorable I just had to read it right away. Well, I read it to my hubby. :)

Cicada works in a building, and is an overworked, unappreciated data entry clerk. Cicada works and works. No matter how he's treated or ignored or doesn't fit in.

Until one day it's time to retire...

OMG. This book is beautiful. Not just because the artwork is absolutely stunning, but because the simple story is one that hooked me in from the very beginning. I kept reading and went through so many emotions.

By the end, I had tears in my eyes and they weren't entirely from heartbreak.

It's amazing how such a wonderful story unfolds with minimal—but totally gripping—details. A lot of it also has to do with the amazing and eerie art.

I loved this. It's so cute.

Cicada rocks.

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THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I've gone out of my way to avoid this book since it was released a while ago. I mean, who wants to read a whole book about young Snow? Yeah, you know what I mean. Still, when I found a cheap copy in a local thrift store, I picked it up and haven't looked at it since.

Not until I read, and absolutely loved, SUNRISE ON THE REAPING and had to find out what happened to Lucy Gray.

It's time for the tenth annual Hunger Games in the Capitol and Coriolanus Snow is preparing to become a mentor to a tribute. He has personal goals. Plans that will strengthen his family and make their name great again. But when he gets stuck with the District 12 tribute, he realises there's a lot more at stake than he originally thought...

Well, that was disappointing, drab and way too freaking long. Yeah, I found some sections of this book unbearably boring and had to skip ahead several times because I thought I might fall asleep.

I went into this story with an open mind, but also couldn't shake the intense hatred I have for Snow. Still, I tried to push all of my personal feelings aside to concentrate on the teenage version of a disgusting and vile villain. And you know what? Even though he shows traces of humanity throughout the story—especially at the beginning—he's still an arrogant, privileged, asshole who's determined to prove how much smarter and better he is than everyone else. 🙄

What he does to his supposed good friend, Sejanus, is such a betrayal. And how he treats Lucy Gray is pretty gross, too. He convinces himself that he cares about her, but she's just a science experiment. A possession he becomes obsessed with until he decides to throw her away.

Yeah, even the Lucy Gray story was meh. And she's the reason why I wanted to read this! Oh, and by the way, having others watch and narrate what happens during the Hunger Games is definitely not as suspenseful and heartbreaking as when the characters are in the actual arena.

I'm glad I gave this a go because it did answer a few things about the origins of this violent 'game', and at least sorta explains Snow's hatred for District 12. He's just an elitist dickhead with a superiority complex.

Now I can donate it or put it in the bin. Haven't decided yet.


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SUNRISE ON THE REAPING by Suzanne Collins

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVE The Hunger Games trilogy, and when I found out this was Haymitch's story, I had to read it. As soon as it arrived.

Haymitch Abernathy's sixteenth birthday also marks the reaping. And this year, it's the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, so there'll be two girls and two boys picked as tributes. When things go wrong in District 12, Haymitch ends up on a train and on his way to the Capitol...

Wow. OMG. Even though I loved every minute of this book, my heart is broken. 😫

You'd think that knowing how things turn out for Haymitch would make this story redundant. You'd think that knowing his future would make it easier to bear the pain. Well, that wasn't the case. Everything I already knew didn't ruin anything. Actually, it made the experience more interesting, and a lot sadder. I mean, who doesn't want to meet Katniss's parents when they were teens? Or catch a glimpse of so many other familiar characters, situations, and places that take place years before. Or find out how a hardworking, passionate man with so much love in his heart becomes a drunk loner.

I couldn't stop reading this amazing story because I was hooked from the beginning and wanted to know how everything would end. I mean, I knew it was bad because poor Haymitch was never in a good place, but reading his tale shed a lot of light on who he was before the awful Hunger Games ruined him. Before the Capitol edited his role, and the importance of everything he did. And why Snow targets him.

This book is brilliant and I loved every minute of it.


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SAGA #72 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Saga #72 by Brian K. Vaughan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been looking forward to reading this installment for ages, but have to admit that I was a little worried because Ghüs is on the cover and... well, you know how Saga can be sometimes.

Anyway, this is the season finale and starts off with a shocking announcement that sends serious ripples and consequences everywhere. And that leads to a bunch of characters, scattered all over the place, making an appearance.

I really enjoyed it, but I'm a little worried about where this is going to lead. 😫


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SEVERANCE - The Lexington Letter by Anonymous

Severance - The Lexington Letter by Anonymous
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love the show Severance and watched the season two finale this weekend, so I decided to check out this short story and really enjoyed it!

In Severance: The Lexington Letter we meet Peg Kincaid, a former bus driver who decides to get severed. She likes not knowing what happens during work hours and enjoys the pay, but when her innie communicates with her, Peg starts to wonder what's really going on at Lumon...

This is such a great story! I like how Peg/Peggy's story fits perfectly into the Severance world, and I can totally see this taking place somewhere else while the TV show characters are going about their business. Great characterisation. In such a short tale, Peg becomes a fully formed person, and I was very sympathetic towards her.

Sometimes, less is more. And that is certainly the case in this mysterious and tragic vignette with a nice surprise at the end.

Also like The Macrodata Refiner’s Orientation Booklet.


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Doing Stuff...

Hey! How you doing today?

Here in Oz, summer is over and in a few weekends it'll be time to turn the clocks back, which I really don't like. I prefer the long days of summer. The shorter days are too depressing and oppressive. Ugh. Not looking forward to it, but I have to stay positive about the season change because there are enough crappy things going on in the world right now.

I'm not going to bother going into how hard I'm finding it to accept that because of selfishness, racism, misogyny, and hate, the world is in such chaos. Really wish people would show a little fucking empathy and mind their own business.

Anyway, this week I wasn't planning on working on anything, but ended up revising/rewriting another short story. This one is actually part of a novel I shelved but felt that this particular section would make a great shortie. And after a little tweaking and additions, I was right!

The final word count for this one is: 3,410. And I'm really happy with the results. ☺️

So, I now have another complete short story. That's four this year.

We also got our flu shots on Wednesday and felt pretty shit for about twenty-four hours. It doesn't hit as hard or as long as the Covid shot, but we were pretty lethargic and achy that afternoon, plus the next day. Feeling better now and glad we keep up with our vaccines.

I also read a book that took me most of the week because the subject matter was just... It's called My Dark Vanessa, and I found it so frustrating. The main character got on my nerves but the writing kept me reading. Although, I do think it could've been at least fifty pages shorter.

Did you guys watch the SEVERANCE S2 finale? We really enjoyed it. Love how it raised so many (more) ethical questions, answered a few, and presented so many new possibilities. Can't wait to see what they do with the next season.

Well, that's about it... Oh, I did start revising another short story first draft I found on my phone. Also got a whole bunch of dusting, sorting, and donating done. I even started going through photos/pics on my phone and have already deleted hundreds.

Yeah. I'm spring cleaning in autumn again.

Have an awesome weekend!

MY DARK VANESSA by Kate Elizabeth Russell

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I didn't plan to read this next, but it caught my eye while I was going through my Paperwhite TBR pile.

Vanessa Wye is fifteen and attending boarding school when she gets caught in the web of her English teacher. Convinced that they're in love and he cares about her, she doesn't consider herself a victim. But in her thirties, when the world is full of accusations and allegations against abusers, she finds herself examining her affair...

This was a hard book to read and I kept pausing because Vanessa is so damn frustrating. I understand how easy it was for this predator to use, manipulate and groom his student while she's a teenager, but that she keeps protecting her abuser and romanticising their 'relationship' every chance she gets grated on my nerves. Mainly because she's very judgy and critical about the girls and women who are actually brave enough to speak out against their abusers.

Yet, in spite of how much this story pissed me off because of Vanessa's fucking attitude and Strane's despicable grooming, I couldn't stop reading. The writing is great, which made it hard to turn away from this trainwreck.

The story unravels in dual timelines, both in Vanessa's POV. One in her teens, when she's in the thick of things. The other in her thirties, when she's forced to confront the truth while still being in contact with Strane.

Vanessa sure made it hard to like her manipulative and awful ways, but realising that we're dealing with a woman who insists on ignoring the trauma she's still suffering from because she's convinced herself she's not a victim, makes it easier to understand what's really going on. She's suffering untreated PTSD and refuses to see what's right in front of her.

I have to admit that reading about how she stayed in touch and kept seeing the man who ruined her life really infuriated me. Also, the constant mention of Lolita, a book I've purposely avoided for years, got a bit much.

Anyway, I'm glad I read it.


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Checking In!

Hey! How are you?

Can you believe we're almost halfway through March? Yikes.

So, my husband went back to work this week, which is the worst after we had such a great break together. It's always hard to get back into the swing of things and I intended to take it easy. Of course, for me, that means tackling smaller projects.

The other night, while sorting and deleting things off my phone, I found a short story I started last year but didn't finish. It's the prequel short story for one of my completed novels. Okay, it's technically a prequel/sequel because it fits in between the two timelines in the novel, but the main thing is that I finished writing it last weekend and even revised it the next day.

When my husband went back to work, I completed the final read-thru, and made all the changes. It's a story that flows very well and complements the book.

The final word count is: 3,255.

Actually, after I finished this tale, I went back to the completed novel and changed/tweaked a few details that came about because of this short story. Nothing big, but enough that I'm even happier with the novel now. 

BTW, this is the third short story I've completed this year, and I just started tweaking another one. ☺️

Asides from that, I read two books this week. One that I really enjoyed because it was so quirky, Hard Copy by Fien Veldman, and one that was okay but too bleak in the worst way possible, Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor.

The other thing I've been doing is sorting through a bunch of my collectibles and books. We want to cut down our Funko Pops collection, so that means going through the shelves and getting rid of anything that we're no longer excited about having. There's no space for meh. I'm surprised, but glad, that we've already put quite a few aside (30+ so far).

I love sorting through stuff and figuring out what to keep, but it's really exhausting. And mentally draining. Still, it's always worth the work/effort. Especially when you have limited bookshelf space. Oh, and another cool thing about all the moving around I did last night is that my author copies are all in one place and on display. Cool. 😁

That's it for now. It's been a long week and I'm looking forward to spending the weekend with my husband.

Have a great day!

HURRICANE SEASON by Fernanda Melchor

Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm not sure why I picked this up. It could be because I read a translated book earlier this week and really enjoyed it, so I decided to give this one a go. Or maybe it's just because I found it while looking through my Kindle books. Either way, I finished it tonight.

In a small town in Mexico, the 'Witch' is dead and we're about to find out who did it...

Yikes. This sure turned out to be quite the bleak and woeful ride through the miserable lives of some pretty fucked-up individuals with loose morals. A penchant for violence. No future ambitions to speak of. Absolutely no fucking hope in sight.

The book is broken up into several chapters that introduce the POV of a different character to not only fill in the blanks about who killed the Witch, but also so we can get a very thorough peek into just how awful everyone's life happens to be. Some POVs a better than others, but they all share one quality: suffering, in the worst way possible.

While I liked how the story seemed to start at one point and expanded with each growing chapter, the blocky paragraphs and sentences that went on forever started to weigh me down and got on my nerves because you really do need a pause every now and then. Am I right?

Yeah, this isn't a terrible book but the subject matter and the shitty characters got to be too much. And it's not even a long story! It's just an uncomfortable read.


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HARD COPY by Fien Veldman

Hard Copy by Fien Veldman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I stumbled on this book, while checking out a different one on Amazon, it grabbed my attention instantly. I couldn't go past a woman who has a deep connection with her printer.

Working inside a small, stuffy office at a company full of people she can't relate to, in a city full of tourists, a single woman finds a comfortable companionship with her printer. But when she's forced to take leave, she wonders how she'll survive without him...

I love checking out books that are a little strange. Odd and quirky tales that drag me into the heart of the narrative and keep me turning the pages.

Well, that's exactly what happened with this novel.

As soon as I started reading, I was hooked and actually read the whole thing tonight. It's quite the deep and meaningful tale about one working woman's existence. It's about being just another cog in a random company. About how people are treated when they're a bit different, or socially awkward enough to become a target without being aware of it.

Most of the characters in this story are nameless and are referred to by their positions. Or the status in the narrator's life.

She's a lonely woman with only one friend and a lot of memories to crowd her mind. She also thinks about her place in the world, and enjoys Greek mythology. She loves to tell stories and shares details about herself with the printer in her office. The printer who listens and doesn't judge. And even he turns out to be interesting.

I also really like the garbage man because he's such a genuine person. The only one who truly listens without judgement. He's such a lovely man.

This is one of those stories that manages to make everyday work/chores/ponderings interesting. It certainly raises a lot of valid points and introduces a character that seems so weak and small on the outside, but is strong and intriguing on the inside.

Great book!!


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It's March!

How are you today?

It's Saturday here in Oz and we're enjoying hubby's annual leave break. I love staycations. They're awesome and very relaxing. We stay up late almost every night and sleep in. It feels a bit like the vampire lifestyle. 🦇 And I have to admit that some days, it's easy to lose track of time. 😅

I can't believe so many awful things are happening in the world right now. Ugh. If only people paid attention to what's really going on and voted with empathy in mind instead of greed and selfishness.

We've been watching SEVERANCE and YELLOWJACKETS, which are both fantastic shows. SEVERANCE blows my mind and we end up having long discussions about what's going on.

Oh, and we watched COMPANION. What an awesome movie! Really enjoyed this one.

I'm currently taking a break from writing and reading, but I did revise the short story I mentioned in my last post. I actually completed the final read-thru on my Paperwhite this afternoon and just made all the changes. The final word count is: 3,191.

I'm really happy with the result. This is a post-apocalyptic story that has changed direction during every single draft, which is always an awesome surprise.

Also very excited that I've already written and revised/completed two short stories this year. Seriously, last year, I collated and revised two short story collections and even started a few shorties, but I didn't complete any new ones.

BTW, have you checked out my debut short story collection yet? It's called MELANCHOLY DELUSIONS and I'm super excited that it's out in the world. Not to mention that I'm very proud of the 17 tales included in this volume.

You already know that I still play ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS daily, but I've also been playing HELLO KITTY HAPPINESS PARADE on my Switch Lite. I absolutely LOVE this adorable game and finally unlocked all 12 characters. It took me WEEKS to get Kuromi, who happens to be my fave. Now I'm working my way through all the challenges. Very cool.

Well, that's it for now. I just wanted to drop in to post an update at the beginning of the new month.

Have a great weekend!

IN THE PALM OF HER HAND by Lauren Carter

In The Palm Of Her Hand by Lauren Carter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had this story on my phone for a bit and decided to read it tonight.

Brennan and Sophie are siblings who recently lost their mother and suspect she was killed...

This is a great short story told entirely via text messages. I love tales written in this way because telling a story through messages really introduces a great sense of tension. It kept my attention from beginning to end, and when the twist hit: 😳!!

Great fun, but it's also a lovely book. Between how the text messages are accurately shown on the page, to the lovely illustrations, I really enjoyed this eBook.


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Halfway Through Feb!

Happy Valentine's Day! 💕

Hey, how are you today? I hope you're staying sane in this unstable world of ours. Self-care and enjoying the things you love is always very important, but right now it's absolutely essential. So I hope you're all taking care of yourselves and each other.

I've spent most of this month reading. I have a pretty big TBR pile (it's really piles), but during February I've been finding myself going through my Paperwhite and randomly starting whatever catches my fancy. So I've now read a bunch of cool books that I'd forgotten I had and have thoroughly enjoyed most of them. If you're interested, you can read my reviews below.

So, asides from that I've been going for a lot of walks, have been hanging out with my husband, and we're enjoying the hell out of SEVERANCE. It's such a great show! Very cerebral. I always love watching movies and shows that make me think and encourage me to formulate theories. 

Do you remember the short story first draft (2,400w) I mentioned in my last post? Well, I actually worked on the final read-thru last night. The word count is now: 2,747.

I'm really happy with the finished product. The subject matter isn't fun, and at its core this is definitely a horror tale, but it's also a sharp slice of feminine rage. A violent dystopian that came out of nowhere but makes sense because of certain shitty things that are going on in the world right now.

That's not all I worked on last night. I also finished writing another short story that I started on my phone earlier this week. It's an idea that came out of nowhere and I managed to write the beginning, but then had to put it aside because it was missing something... So I couldn't move on until the answer came to me in the form of Joey Tempest.

After this missing piece of the puzzle landed in my head via a dream, and then came together during my afternoon walk, I was able to complete the first draft. That's 2,528 words. Who would've thought that a little Joey Tempest would help me complete this story? Well, teenage me might have. Or that I would write another apocalyptic shortie this week? Well, the state of the world could be responsible for that. 😁

Speaking of short stories, if you'd like a sample of the kinds of tales that I've written through the years, you can check out my very first short story collection HERE.

MELANCHOLY DELUSIONS already has some cool reviews on Goodreads.

OMG, another thing I've been doing is playing HELLO KITTY HAPPINESS PARADE on my Switch Lite. It's SO MUCH FUN and the songs are very catchy. Not to mention that the game is absolutely adorable. I love it!!

Well, that's it for now. I just wanted to drop in to post an update about what I've been doing lately. My husband is going to have a three-week break for the rest of the month, so I'm looking forward to hanging out with him.

Have an awesome weekend!

INK VINE by Elizabeth Broadbent

Ink Vine: A Gothic Sapphic Novella by Elizabeth Broadbent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The weekend is almost here and I wanted to start a novella that I could read in one sitting. I'm glad that I picked this one.

Emmy Joiner lives in a trailer with her family in Lower Congaree. She works as a stripper and because of that, people like to make assumptions and throw out labels that don't apply. Besides, they don't know anything about her ambitions or what's in her heart. The day she meets Zara, her life takes an unexpected turn...

I really enjoyed this! The writing is as lush as the vegetation, and throws the reader into the middle of Emmy's life. The swampy landscape is inspiring and almost as dangerous as the people.

Emmy is such a great character with a very strong voice. A young woman who's only ever known poverty and the cruel words her mother continually spews her way. Still, she keeps going and aspires to become so much more. Yet, everyone is willing to judge her every action and call her names. But she doesn't let their opinions define her.

Another thing that I loved about this novella is the descriptions. Whether inside the strip club, in the deepest part of the swamp, or trapped within the tight walls of the trailer she calls home, I really got a sense of location and could picture everything vividly.

In many ways, this is a sad story about a woman trying to survive in a place where everyone pushes against her desire to grow. Only to find that the one part of herself she's kept secret is her real salvation.

I found the romance to be sweet and hopeful, even a little scary at times because of its intensity. The last bit is only because I suspected something otherworldly was going on, which was later confirmed.

This is a great Southern gothic tale.


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PUNK 57 by Penelope Douglas

Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was checking out the books on my Paperwhite yesterday and this one caught my eye. So, I started reading... and couldn't put it down.

Misha and Ryen have been penpals since they were kids. Maybe even best friends. Now they're both about to finish high school and when Misha decides he wants to break their self-imposed rule of not meeting in person, tragedy strikes and turns everything upside down...

Well, this book sure is awesome!

I honestly didn't expect to like this story as much as I did because I'd heard a little about the toxicity, and I don't usually like toxic assholes. But there was a lot more to Misha than being a total douche. The guy's dealing with a personal tragedy, and is still mourning a loss that made him so angry at the world that he took it out on those closest to him: friends, Ryen, his dad.

This is a peculiar tale because it's friends to lovers, but also enemies to lovers. It's also a contemporary YA crossed with NA about two young people who are trying their best to survive while prepping for the future. It's hard to condense all the inner workings of the relationship between Misha and Ryen because there's a lot going on. And I mean a LOT.

I really enjoyed the characterisation of the two main characters. Sure, there are a few tropey/cardboardish characters—Lyla and Trey, I'm looking at you—but because they were mostly bully background noise, it didn't really matter. Misha is one of those characters who acts the opposite to how he feels, and that can be frustrating at times. But then again, Ryen is the kind of person who acts like she belongs with the popular bullies, which is at odds with who she really is.

I think both of these characters have a great character arc that is fun, interesting, and even heartbreaking.

And another thing, this book is raunchy. Yikes! The chemistry between these two is:🔥! I also didn't expect the final Misha twist at the end. 😫

Anyway, I loved this!


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CYNDI LAUPER: A Memoir by Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper: A Memoir by Cyndi Lauper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cyndi Lauper is an artist that I loved when I was a kid. I never forgot the first time I heard/saw the music video for Girls Just Want to Have Fun, because I loved the catchy tune and cool video. I loved her style and how different she was to other singers. And of course she was involved with wrestling, so it mixed two of my favourite things. Not to mention that she also did the song for The Goonies.

So yeah, she was a big part of my childhood in the 80s, and I still listen to her now.

I wanted to read her memoir because she's always seemed interesting. Plus, I wanted to hear all about her life directly from her. Cyndi's voice shines through every experience she shares. She doesn't hold back.

Another thing I really enjoyed was how her story follows a linear timeline, but at the same time goes off in little tangents that reveal insightful, inspirational, funny, and even sad experiences.

She's quirky and zany, and very creative. I love how much she appreciates art, music and fashion, how she's always combined all of these to make beautiful music and fun, bright visuals. In everything she does.

Her narrative voice is also very interesting and kept me glued all the way through. I remembered a lot of the stuff she covered, but was also surprised by so much of what she revealed. I would've liked to know more about Kinky Boots, but I guess she ran out of room. It's quite a hefty book already. ☺️

Anyway, if you're a Cyndi Lauper fan, you'll definitely enjoy this memoir. It's inspiring because of her creative process and activism, full of surprises, and includes some of the sadder things in her life.

 

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