A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

I've been on an Ashley Poston kick lately, as seen by my previous post on The Seven Year Slip. I've also been reading the Once Upon a Con series - I read Geekerella back in 2016, but wanted to re-read it and then finish the series. I also have a post on The Dead Romantics coming soon.

But I think A Novel Love Story kind of ruined me. In the best way! This book sucked me in immediately, probably because I love escaping into fiction, and that literally happens in this story. Plus there are some books and shows I love so much that I'd kill to "live" in that town for a few days. (I kept thinking of the Gilmore Girls tours and Friends experiences as I read this book.) I started reading this book one evening and couldn't put it down - I even dreamed about it that night! I woke up excited to finish it, and did finish it that day, though I wanted it to stretch on forever.

I think what struck me most about this book was that Poston wasn't just writing the story she wanted to write, but also created this back story of another author and her series! It was really engaging and, as a writer myself, I can just imagine all the ideas and characters she was juggling and how they tangled together.

I love how the story came together, though the resolution kind of bothered me a bit. Soft spoilers...

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson

Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson

I love Kevin Wilson’s books and was lucky to get to see him at a bookstore talking about this latest novel. He has such a unique approach to his story ideas and fleshing them out. And then such an amazing way of putting these concepts into words.

I kept flagging certain lines that opened my eyes to how and why I (or other people) think and feel certain ways. It made me feel like I was getting to know these new people on such a deep level - not just the kids, but also their mothers. And then the dad… wow.

When the overall story concept was introduced, I had no idea how it would be resolved. Would they never make it to the dad? Would he be impossible to find? Would he be a jerk? Would he run away? I thought of everything except what actually happened, and it was perfect. It didn’t feel like a rip-off.

I think this might be my favorite Kevin Wilson novel yet, and that’s saying a lot. I think I'm actually going to re-read all of his books this summer.

Check out other posts about Kevin Wilson from the blog:

Favorite Adult Books of 2015

Best Adult Fiction Read in 2019

Kevin Wilson

Skellig by David Almond

Skellig by David Almond

My mom read this book because it was recommended in an author's newsletter. The book won a Printz Award from YALSA, and my mom remembered that I used to be involved with YALSA when I was a librarian, so she thought I'd enjoy this book. I went in without knowing anything about it and I honestly think that was for the best because every page took me by surprise.

Michael's newborn sister has health issues and his parents are worried and distracted. They just moved to a ramshackle house with a falling-down garage which draws Michael in. There, he finds a man seemingly stuck in place, eating bugs. The man hardly talks but Michael is determined to help him. When Michael meets his new neighbor, Mina, he starts to trust her enough to let her in on the secret living in his garage.

The man introduces himself as Skellig... but he's not quite a man. He has wings, which make Michael question what he's learning in school about evolution. The kindness and curiosity Michael and Mina have was really touching and provided brightness in a story that's pretty dark overall.

The story itself is compelling, but the writing really drew me in. At times it seemed dry and timeless in a way, like reading a classic written 75 years ago. But then it would be so poignant and emotional, enough to bring tears to my eyes. I was almost bawling at the end of the book, not because the resolution was overly sentimental, but because it was just right. Even thinking of it now hits me because it was absolutely perfect.

There's a prequel about Mina that I'll read next, along with more of Almond's work because I think his writing style and ideas are so unique.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

A friend recommended this book when I said the most “fantasy” I really read was parallel universes and time travel. This book was perfect for me!

I loved the magical apartment and how it pulled Clementine and Iwan together. I love that the threads of how they encountered each other were clear right from the beginning because it really helped up the tension of what would happen between them in the end.

The writing was so descriptive that it totally pulled me from reality - one of my favorite things about reading fiction, but not every author can pull it off. I also really loved how Poston wrote about the foods Iwan prepared and what they meant to him and Clementine. I think she really nailed the friendships you develop with coworkers, too.

Soft spoiler potential ahead...

The only thing... just to be nitpicky... is that I wish there was some hint of what Clementine was going to do next. Not everyone is defined by their career but it was so important to her throughout the book that I wish she'd even thought of an option or two isntead of making it seem like she was just going to be with Iwan and travel. Although, maybe there will be a sequel and I'll get my answer.

I read Geekerella years ago and will definitely be reading more Poston soon!