A little surprising.

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.

This Week's Topic:
What's been your most surprising read of the year so far---the book you weren't sure about going in that really swept you off your feet?

I've read quite a few great books this year but the one that really surprised me was The Name of The Star by Maureen Johnson.

I'm not sure it's the very best but I have to say I didn't think I'd love it. And I did. And I was terrified and it left me thinking for ages. All of which surprised me. I think it was the way just when I thought I was comfortable reading the stakes twisted and upped and I gasped and had to turn the next page.

What about you?

Getting around to it.

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic: What book is your 'one that got away?' (What book have you always been dying to read but still haven't yet?)


Up until this week I had two vying to *win* this for me. However, after much prodding from hubby I've started Game of Thrones at last. He's a huge fan and I've been meaning to start but his whining intellectual discussion about the terribleness of the people and the world put me off.

So that leaves The Book Thief.

I have it. I've picked it up. Managed two pages... and then... nothing. I believe it's good but I haven't managed to get into it. Yet. I will.

What about you?

Looking for inspiration

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
What are some non-writing blogs/Tumblrs/Twitters/Pinterests
/Instagrams, etc., that you follow and get inspired by?


I can't wait to head out to see everyone's answers to this. I have to admit I mainly read about books/writing/authors... these are my happy places.

Alongside that are the blogs/intagrams of some of my fave sport teams. I like the window into the players as people. i am so unathletic, I find it really interesting.

Another is more recent. It's fatmumslim and the photo a day challenge. The pics get me thinking about the different ways to interpret one word and the different meaning it can have to diff people. Which reminds me...

4. In my cup - mmmm coffee... gone.
5. Paper - so she can't spell - cute though
6. Broken - hard to see but mil's gift was missing an udder






 


7. Something beginning with F - bottom pic -Flinders Ranges
8. Shape - hubby's guitar
9. A snack - mmm dip and cider



What's your inspiration?

a picture tells

For ages I've seen the Photo-a-Day challenge on Fatmumslim's blog and thought about participating. And that's about where I stopped.

But it's a new(ish) month and I want to try.
So below is the first three. The pictures are anti-clockwise.

1. I bought this
2. Morning ritual
3. This is really good

1. Hubby actually bought this toaster. I would never have spent so much on something that only cooks bread. And it pretty much needs us to get to the extension just to fit it in the kitchen. Awesome though!

2. Each morning i try to sneak in 10 mins of writing before the school drop. it's a challenge.

3. This is just a box, but inside... inside is a doll for princess 7. She's getting a hearing aid in a week and is terrified. The doll looks just like her including hearing aid. I'm hoping it helps. I opened it and was a little teary. This is really good.

i love taking pics. Do you?

This left me bruised

Road Trip Wednesday is a ‘Blog Carnival,’ where YA Highway's contributors post a weekly writing- or reading-related question that begs to be answered. In the comments, you can hop from destination to destination and get everybody's unique take on the topic.





This Week's Topic:
What was the best book you read in April??

So, I was so busy this month AND school holidays were two excruciating wonderful weeks of children bonding but I also managed to read a few books.

The best was a hard decision (it always is - I'm a Libran and I tend to look for the positives in things) but I'm going to have to go with Bruiser by Neal Shusterman.

I'm on a bit of a magical realism hunt and this came up on a search. I loved it all. The writing felt spare but emotional at the same time. Every character had a flaw (or several) but I was still entranced. It left me thinking. it was 'different' whatever that is.

What was your best for April? Any magical realism?