I lost a new best friend last night. I'm currently feeling lost, empty, and as if nothing can possibly fill the void this friend left. I had only known this friend for about 48 hours, at best. But in that time, we were inseparable. I had a few moments home alone Wednesday morning, and my friend and I just sat in the living room, in perfect silence, occasionally hearing the wind blown trees tapping on my window.
And then last night . . . just like that . . . the friendship was over.
And then last night . . . just like that . . . the friendship was over.
Ok; so I'm being a bit dramatic, but I'm making a point. A good book is like a best friend.
This book I just finished was seriously one of the best books I think I've ever read. Have you heard of Colleen Hoover? If you have not, allow me to introduce you to my new favorite author. (Previously this honor was held by Nicholas Sparks; however, Ms. Hoover just claimed this title after reading the most recent novel. I do still love him.)
Colleen Hoover is fairly new to the writing scene; I'm pretty sure she's only been writing under 3 years, but WOW - this woman is amazing. A work friend introduced me to her first book, Hopeless, which I thought was some of the best writing I had ever read. And then I read Slammed . . . and I swore there was no way an author could possibly top that. I've read each of her books after that and every.single.time. the novels just get better and better. One of my favorite things about Colleen Hoover is that, for several of the books, she writes the same story a second time, but from a different point of view. For example, Hopeless is told from Sky's point of view; while Losing Hope is told from the point of view of Holder. I'll say it again . . . she is amazing.
The book I just finished, Maybe Someday, was written with an accompanying soundtrack. Who does that? What author contacts a singer/songwriter to create soundtrack for a novel being written? Only one of the best, that's who! I'm not going to say much about the novel (no spoilers allowed!), other than the main characters in it are musicians who begin writing song lyrics together. As songs are completed, in the kindle version of of the novel, there is a link that takes you directly to a page where you can actually hear Griffin Peterson singing the songs. (If you read the paperback version, there is a QR code that will take you to the song). Peterson's voice is honest and sincere; making the novel an even more overwhelmingly breathtaking experience. (Yeah, I know I'm sounding cheesy, but it's all just so true! She inspires me!)
In each of her books, she tackles important issues that are all too relevant in our society today. I'm not going to lie, sometimes a few of her books have been hard to read . . . it gets tense and when bad things happen to the characters I feel attached to, it doesn't exactly make me happy! (This is especially true in Hopeless . . . my friend had to tell me to "just keep reading" and promised it would be ok!)
I've read a lot of great novels, ones I would say "I couldn't put it down," novels ranging from science fiction dystopian societies to mysterious encounters to romantic escapades . . . young adult or adult; it doesn't matter to me. But there is something special about these books . . . the term "I couldn't put it down" is taken to a WHOLE new level, when it is nearing 1:00 AM and you still can't put the book down. The characters she creates become a part of you; you feel what their feeling . . . it consumes you. THAT is a good book.
As I've said several times before, I'd LOVE to write a novel. If I ever do actually meet that dream of mine, I would consider myself successful if I could write even 1/4 as good as she does. If you haven't read one of her books, DO IT. Just do it. I know you're busy; I understand that all too well. But just do it for YOU. Everyone needs a little bit of time etched out in their day just for them. We all need an attitude adjustment every now and then; we need breaks. Do yourself a favor and let reading one of her novels be your break. I wouldn't recommend it so strongly unless I was 99% sure you would love it.
If you don't, well then ... I'm not sure we can be friends.
Kidding.
Kind of. :)
Oh, and FYI; if you like the soundtrack for Maybe Someday you can buy it here
Colleen Hoover is fairly new to the writing scene; I'm pretty sure she's only been writing under 3 years, but WOW - this woman is amazing. A work friend introduced me to her first book, Hopeless, which I thought was some of the best writing I had ever read. And then I read Slammed . . . and I swore there was no way an author could possibly top that. I've read each of her books after that and every.single.time. the novels just get better and better. One of my favorite things about Colleen Hoover is that, for several of the books, she writes the same story a second time, but from a different point of view. For example, Hopeless is told from Sky's point of view; while Losing Hope is told from the point of view of Holder. I'll say it again . . . she is amazing.
The book I just finished, Maybe Someday, was written with an accompanying soundtrack. Who does that? What author contacts a singer/songwriter to create soundtrack for a novel being written? Only one of the best, that's who! I'm not going to say much about the novel (no spoilers allowed!), other than the main characters in it are musicians who begin writing song lyrics together. As songs are completed, in the kindle version of of the novel, there is a link that takes you directly to a page where you can actually hear Griffin Peterson singing the songs. (If you read the paperback version, there is a QR code that will take you to the song). Peterson's voice is honest and sincere; making the novel an even more overwhelmingly breathtaking experience. (Yeah, I know I'm sounding cheesy, but it's all just so true! She inspires me!)
In each of her books, she tackles important issues that are all too relevant in our society today. I'm not going to lie, sometimes a few of her books have been hard to read . . . it gets tense and when bad things happen to the characters I feel attached to, it doesn't exactly make me happy! (This is especially true in Hopeless . . . my friend had to tell me to "just keep reading" and promised it would be ok!)
I've read a lot of great novels, ones I would say "I couldn't put it down," novels ranging from science fiction dystopian societies to mysterious encounters to romantic escapades . . . young adult or adult; it doesn't matter to me. But there is something special about these books . . . the term "I couldn't put it down" is taken to a WHOLE new level, when it is nearing 1:00 AM and you still can't put the book down. The characters she creates become a part of you; you feel what their feeling . . . it consumes you. THAT is a good book.
As I've said several times before, I'd LOVE to write a novel. If I ever do actually meet that dream of mine, I would consider myself successful if I could write even 1/4 as good as she does. If you haven't read one of her books, DO IT. Just do it. I know you're busy; I understand that all too well. But just do it for YOU. Everyone needs a little bit of time etched out in their day just for them. We all need an attitude adjustment every now and then; we need breaks. Do yourself a favor and let reading one of her novels be your break. I wouldn't recommend it so strongly unless I was 99% sure you would love it.
If you don't, well then ... I'm not sure we can be friends.
Kidding.
Kind of. :)
Oh, and FYI; if you like the soundtrack for Maybe Someday you can buy it here