Saturday 29 July 2017

[JULY UPDATE] Cephalopod Book Club & Goals





Oops! I missed the deadline, but oh well, I'm still here to post for this month's book club & goals blog hops.



I've read three novels / novellas this month, and have chosen Eleanor & Park as my novel of the month to share a review for. This is the non-spoilery version of the GoodReads (spoilery) version.


I vaguely remember back when I first heard about this book, reading some reviews of it that were mixed - I remember not everyone loving the book for whatever reason. I admit I was a bit influenced by that memory when I started reading - I was in the first chapter and wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy the read. Well, now that I've finished reading, I can say without hesitation that I loved Eleanor & Park! It was tragic, romantic, and funny. I love the emphasis on music, too.

The book ends on an interesting note that has seemingly divided readers - some are dying to know more, while others (like me) think that what we are left with is enough. It's not a neatly tied up ending, but there is a sense of hope that makes me happy.

Richie was such a creepy character - yech! I felt sorry for Eleanor's mum, but also angry with her, for much of the book. But I loved Park and his family - his parents were great characters.

This is the GoodReads blurb:

"Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor
... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try."


Currently Reading: my own novels...for editing.
But hopefully soon, book #2 in Lydia Kang's duology.








I'm continuing to work on my revisions for DAPHNE II, but now that studies are starting up as of Monday, I'm not sure how much progress I'll be making for the time being. I also did another thing - I logged back into Absolute Write (the Water Cooler forums) after approximately 6 years of absence, and started posting again.

I've shared the beginning of DIE BEACHSIDE and the first chapter of SUNDOWN III. The former has attracted feedback that surprised me - I need to cut out perhaps the first 1k of words. And I thought that little novella was pretty lean. Gosh, critique feedback is good. It wakes you up from your slumber. As for the SUNDOWN III chapter, that also needs some condensing, but the feedback was overall more favourable. I got some great feedback that I can work with for that one.

Oh, oh, something REALLY EXCITING? I finally got those last two songs done and sent them off to Billy. WOO! I just hope he doesn't ask me to do heaps more work on them. But if he does, so be it, I will do what I can. I'm hoping we can get down to the business of getting our second Woody's A Girl album out in the next few months.

I hope you are all doing well!

13 comments:

  1. Awesome you got the songs done.
    Sometimes those fresh eyes spot things we'd never see. Always a good thing.

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  2. Well done on finishing those songs. Interested to hear you are finding Absolute Write useful. It's something I thought about doing, but never really got round to. Hope the revisions go well.

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  3. I think someone else reviewed this one a while back - can't remember who. Glad to know you enjoyed it.

    By the way, I think I can still add your link to the list. I shall endeavor to try!

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  4. Congrats on getting some great feedback. Sometimes it's what we need to shake things up. Great to hear your music is going well. I appreciate the book review - don't know if I would be attracted to it based on the cover alone. Looks a bit too cutesy and twee.

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    1. I agree, it does! The novel is definitely not that way though. :)

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  5. Keep on working! Editing is always a bear. WTG on the song, and on enjoying a book.

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  6. Wow! Way to go! Feedback is tough, but it's definitely helpful.
    Congrats on the song!

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  7. I've heard awesome things about that book, but based on other books I didn't enjoy in the same genre, it probably wouldn't be a good fit.

    Yippee for the songs! That's epic. So a word of warning on critiques. Sometimes they're right, sometimes they're not. Don't let what other people say overshadow how the story should actually be told. No one knows better than you how it should flow.

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  8. Eleanor and Park sound adorable. That's a cool name for a boy, too.

    I think it's so cool that your create songs. I've penned song lyrics for many years and have always dreamed if doing something more with them.

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  9. Sounds like a good book. Good luck with your editing.

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  10. Awesome that you are doing well on the editing/feedback. Congrats on the song.

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  11. Work it girl! Glad you got helpful feedback. Love it when the writing community helps each other.

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  12. Glad that you managed to get some work done. Here's hoping you'll keep making progress even as you're getting busier.

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Thanks for your words, me hearties! and don't forget to leave a link to your blog somewhere I can find it!