Life is a highway, as Amy and Roger learn on their Epic Detour (A Review)

Review of Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour - a YA novel by Morgan Matson

I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting much of this book.  The cover shows a guy and girl holding hands, walking down the road.  I thought that pretty much said it all.  Why read the book?  Obviously, it’s the story of a boy and girl who fall in love on a cross-country road trip.  Right?

Well, only partly.  This is actually a story about two people who are lost.  Amy has retreated far into herself after the recent death of her father.  Her twin brother has been sent away to rehab for his drug addiction and her mother has moved to Connecticut for work and Amy’s been alone for a month while finishing her senior year and waiting for her parents' house to sell.  She has forgotten how to smile and has withdrawn from all of her friendships.  She is a shadow of her former self – buried under a mountain of guilt and grief.

Roger, the son of a family friend, arrives to pick up Amy and drive her mother’s car across the country for her, as Amy refuses to drive after her father’s accident and Roger needs to get to Philadelphia to spend the summer with his own father.  Roger – the seemingly charming, affable traveling companion - is hiding his own hidden pain and has an ulterior motive for accepting the offer to drive Amy to her destination.

For both of them, the trip is a journey of self-exploration.  When they leave California, they are fighting with the inner demons of pain and rejection.  As they drive, and make the irrevocable decision to take a detour from her mother’s very specific traveling route, they are forced to confront their emotions and reevaluate the people they have become.  This is the road trip of self-discovery.  It is really a coming-of-age story.  For the first time, they are defying authority and recognizing the power of free will.  They experience the freedom of making their own decisions and the responsibility of living with the consequences.

While it took me a little while to get into the book – mainly because of personal distractions - once I had the time, I read for hours.  The author of this book added pictures, Roger’s musical playlists to accompany their drive through each state, and commentary from Amy as she created a scrapbook of the journey along the way.  These additions brought the journey to life and as a reader, I really felt that this trip was happening.  I could imagine the author, Matson, traveling the route herself, taking pictures and writing as she drove to make the novel authentic.  And with Amy’s commentary and Roger’s musical selections, it truly was authentic. Their personalities emerged.

Another aspect that made this book special were the characters Amy and Roger met along the way.  Sometimes people come into your life very quickly and leave it just as fast, but they make lasting impressions.  These characters offered Amy pieces of wisdom that helped her to see her world more clearly and with these strangers, she was able to find her voice again.  She was able to face the reality of her father’s death.  I found this realistic.  It is often easier to tell strangers our troubles than it is to talk with the people we love.  They offer an unbiased, nonjudgmental perspective that makes us feel safe and less vulnerable.

Once she has found her words and begins to talk, Amy feels lighter.  The mountain of pain and guilt lessens and eventually, she is even able to tell Roger her darkest secrets, as he confides his own.

This isn’t some cheesy romance novel.  It isn’t just a book about cross-country adventures.  It is actually a story about two people who find themselves again after they’ve lost their way.  And the best part is that even after they’ve reached their destinations, they’ve learned that life will continue to be an unpredictable journey, but now they know they have the strength to face the unexpected.

It is a really sweet story with a great message about life and making it through the tough times.  It makes you think about what “home” really means and how and why we become the people we are, and what we truly want out of life.  Sometimes, it isn't what we think it is.

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you, service men and women!

Homecoming from 2nd Deployment to Iraq

“Courage brother, do not stumble, though thy path be dark as night: There is a star to guide the humble, trust in God, and do the right. Let the road be dark and dreary and its end far out of sight. Face it bravely, strong or weary. Trust God, and do the right.”

~Norman Macleod

Science Fiction and Fantasy emerging as fan favorites - and even for critics!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cotallo-nonocot/3092705806/

It seems science fiction and fantasy authors have never garnered the same respect as other genres – particularly literary fiction, which many critics think of as the true art of the literary world.  But times, they are a-changing.  With the emergence of popular science fiction hits, such as Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse series (which transitioned into the hugely successful HBO series True Blood) and the newly released A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the lines between the genres are becoming blurred.  Suddenly, science fiction can be considered literary.  Paolo Bacigalupi’s The Windup Girl received rave reviews and was named one of the best books of the year in 2009 by Time Magazine, Publishers Weekly, and the Library Journal.  Bacigalupi’s creation of a futuristic world of bio-engineered plagues and calories as currency was compared to the creative world of 1984.  Admittedly, the book was a bit over my head, but my husband really enjoyed it (and he’s not even a regular reader!). 

According to a study by Stuart Johnson and Associate and Simba Information cited in The Wall Street Journal, the number of sci-fi/fantasy books on the bestsellers list in 2010 more than doubled since 2006 – evidence that this is a growing trend in publishing.  Check out the link to their article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304520804576343310420118894.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

If you take a walk through the teen fiction section of any bookstore, it is quite clear that supernatural fiction is hot.  There are shelves upon shelves of books about vampires, werewolves, zombies, fallen angels, etc.  Christopher Paolini and his Eragon series, Stephanie Meyer and her Twilight series, J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potter series, and most recently, Suzanne Collins and her Hunger Games series, have paved the way for other authors to jump outside their norms to create crossover books with imagination and depth that will be well-received.  It was only a matter of time before this supernatural obsession would find its way into adult literature.

I, for one, am thrilled that science fiction and fantasy authors are finally beginning to get the respect they deserve.  Stephen King has sold over 350 million books.  Dean Koontz has sold 450 million books.  Numbers don’t lie.  These books are popular for a reason.  Now authors whose works have always been considered literary fiction are branching out in new directions – with success and accolades! 

What does this say about readers?  I think we’re looking for an escape from reality.  We’re looking for more creativity from our authors.  Literary fiction will always be highly praised and will remain a big seller as well, but the sci-fi/fantasy authors are proving that their work can be just as insightful and profound.  As a lover of all genres of fiction, science fiction and fantasy have remained my favorite since I was young.  It’s the reason the novel I’m currently working on is YA science fiction.  I love it and I’m thrilled to see that this genre is finally gaining the recognition and praise it deserves. 

Good advice to writers from Scott Eagan: Literary Agent (check out his blog!)

Babbles from Scott Eagan: Sorry To Say This But Critiques and Reviews Are Not Always Warm Fuzzies.

This agent always has really sound advice and it’s great to get an agent’s perspective when it comes to the writing business.  His blog is definitely worth checking out.

Regarding this current post, his words are a much needed reminder that our writing isn’t always perfect, even if we put our heart and souls into it.  That doesn’t mean we always have to toss out an entire manuscript after some negative criticism, but it does mean that the critique is worth listening to and the piece probably does need revision.

My first experience with a critique group was enlightening.  I went into it believing that my story was really good and that everyone would be really impressed.  Not so.  While the writing group members liked the story itself, it needed a makeover in order to draw the readers in.  I did far too much “telling,” rather than showing.

Their words were hard to hear.  I’m not going to lie, I went home and cried.  Then, I set the writing aside for a day and faced it again the next day.  Their words hurt a lot less after a night’s sleep and I was able to separate their advice from my emotions.  They had great suggestions.  I may not have taken every piece of advice, because in the end, I have to live with it, but I did heed most of it.  In fact, because of the criticism I was more motivated to prove to them that I could write well.  Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on the situation), I can be quite competitive and instead of giving up, I saw this as a challenge.

I’m happy to report that they were completely right.  While I still love my original version in its own way, the new revised Chapter One of my book is MUCH better.  And I never could have done it without some harsh criticism.

It is hard to open yourself up to criticism, especially after putting your heart and soul into a project, but in order to grow, it’s necessary.  These are words I’m going to have to tell myself time and again as I get negative criticism, because while I’ve also received great feedback, I’ll never be perfect and some of my work will be better than others.  I even know this as I’m writing it.  Sometimes, it just isn’t working.  But that’s why I belong to a writing group.

I am lucky enough to have found a group of people with a true love of writing.  Their ages and backgrounds vary, which provides me with different perspectives and opinions and a lot of wisdom on writing.  As an English teacher, I would be a hypocrite if I couldn’t take criticism when I myself dole it out to my students.  And yes, while I may have to take a day and cry about it before returning to it for revisions, I know that I am benefiting at the end of the day.

What was the first book that changed you?

I’ve always believed that every person has one book that will trigger his/her love of reading.  It’s that one book that shows you that reading can actually be fun!  I know I mentioned it before, but the books that started my love of reading were the Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High books. 

But, what about the books that truly moved you?  What about that book that wasn’t necessarily your “trigger” book, but it was the book that made you learn, think, and most importantly, made you feel?  It touched the very depths of your heart and soul.  Calling it your favorite book seems insignificant.  Maybe I should ask, what was the first book that changed you?

For me, it was A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L’Engle.  What a beautiful, powerful story about living and dying.  L’Engle made me think about life – and death - differently.  She tickled my imagination, allowing me to ponder life’s possibilities and what it all means. 

If you aren’t familiar with the story, the main character, Vicky Austin, and her family visit her grandfather one summer for the last time as he is dying of cancer.  Death seems all around her, hanging over her head like a deep, heavy fog.  As she watches her grandfather face his death with faith, one hand constantly clutching the wisdom of his bible, her friend/love interest Zachary seems to be chasing it.  A thrill-seeker, bordering on suicidal, he drags Vicky into his battle with his own inner demons. 

Fighting for something to believe in, but surrounded by questions and sadness, she can’t seem to escape her overwhelming confusion and despair, except when she is in the presence of her brother’s friend, Adam, and the dolphins he is studying.  She glimpses the true meaning of life through her experiences with these intelligent and enchanting creatures.

L’Engle melded life’s hardest realities with a touch of magic realism to create a story about facing, understanding, and overcoming grief by exemplifying the hope, faith, beauty and mystery that is the circle of life.  

I read this book many times as a teenager.  Being young, I was curious about death and being, at the core, optimistic, I loved that this book provided possible answers to life’s questions and a touch of magic to appeal to the dreamer in me. 

If you haven’t read it, I recommend it to you, or to your kids.  It’s simply a beautiful story.  

Now, tell me.  What book changed you?

In the Woods - Mystery that left me haunted!

Review: In the Woods

by Tana French

Looking for more variety in my reading, I picked up this mystery novel, which has been prominently displayed throughout bookstores. I’ve always been a lover of mysteries, but haven’t read a good one in a while (the Sookie Stackhouse series being the exception!).

This novel is immediately intriguing as it becomes clear that the main character, Detective Rob Ryan, is the sole survivor of a childhood tragedy. The novel is set in Ireland and while Ryan no longer lives in the suburb of his childhood, he is still haunted by the unsolved mystery of the disappearance of his best friends in the nearby woods. Particularly unsettling to Ryan is the fact that he has no recollection of what happened, although he had been with them at the time of their disappearance and was found clutching a tree with blood soaking his socks – not his blood.

The tragedy forces his family to move and Ryan is sent to boarding school where he takes on his middle name (Rob, instead of Adam) so that he can disassociate himself from the event and move on with his life.

Fate brings Detective Ryan and his partner Cassie back to these woods when a young girl is found murdered. Ryan’s inner demons rise up and he becomes lost in his search for answers from his youth as well as the identity of the present day murderer. Are the two events linked?

Ryan is a damaged character with commitment issues and lingering ghosts from his past, but he is likable. The author, Tana French, develops his character in a way that makes readers feel sympathy and fascination for him, even while some of his actions can be frustrating and shocking. He is human. He makes mistakes, but he acknowledges them and that makes all of the difference.

I will admit that I knew the identity of the murderer midway through the novel, but I didn’t know the details and I was still intrigued as to how there might be a connection to Ryan’s childhood tragedy.

The ending of this book will not satisfy all readers – especially those who love happy endings and clear resolutions. And while there is a definite conclusion, some unanswered questions could gnaw at you. Personally, I enjoyed the ending. It left me feeling slightly haunted, but because of this, I know I won’t forget the book any time soon. Besides, any book that leaves you feeling has achieved some measure of success, hasn’t it?

Related articles

• Book Recommendation: The Likeness, by Tana French (exec-comms.com)

Poetry Contest

Children's Writer Poetry or Verse Contest

If you’re a children’s writer or poet, you may want to check this out.  The contest is for poetry – one poem or a collection of poems, up to 300 words.  According to the site, the poetry can be targeted for children of any age.

Best of luck!