Posts Tagged ‘coming of age’

Reflections On The Boulevard by Louis J. Ambrosia ~ Cover Reveal And Giveaway

Posted: May 15, 2023 in Cover Reveal, giveaways
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour to reveal the cover of REFLECTIONS ON THE BOULEVARD, the second book in the Reflections of Michael Trilogy, organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win a $10 Amazon/BN GC or an autographed copy of the book.

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Reflections On The Boulevard

by Louis J. Ambrosia

Genre: Coming of age
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Synopsis
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Michael’s story continues from “A Reservoir Man” (2022) where we find him teaching at a university ready to retire. He unexpectedly meets a young man named Ron who becomes his protégé and journeys with him in a haphazard adventure throughout America and Europe. In Michael’s final journey in life, each twist and turn of the road brings unexpected adventures. The journey taken is one of joy, friendship, and discovery.

About Author Louis J. Ambrosia:

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Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at seven universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

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Prepurchase Links:

Barnes and Noble
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Phantom Glare Of Day by M. Laszlo ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: December 29, 2022 in Excerpt, giveaways, Historical, Novella
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Phantom Glare Of Day organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author M. Laszlo will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Phantom Glare Of Day

by M. Laszlo

Genre: Historical (Metaphysical) Fiction / Coming of Age Fiction

Synopsis

In this trio of novellas, three game young ladies enter into dangerous liaisons that test each one’s limits and force them to confront the most heartrending issues facing society in the early twentieth century. The Phantom Glare of Day tells of Sophie, a young lady who has lived a sheltered life and consequently has no idea how cruel public-school bullying can be. When she meets Jarvis, a young man obsessed with avenging all those students who delight in his daily debasement, she resolves to intervene before tragedy unfolds. Mouvements Perpétuels tells of Cäcilia, a young lady shunned by her birth father. She longs for the approval of an older man, so when her ice-skating instructor attempts to take advantage of her, she cannot resist. Not a month later, she realizes that she is pregnant and must decide whether or not to get an abortion. Passion Bearer tells of Manon, a young lady who falls in love with a beautiful actress after taking a post as a script girl for a film company—and is subsequently confronted with the pettiest kinds of homophobia.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

London, 29 September, 1917.

 

Sophie paused beside a stock-brick building, and she listened for the unnerving rumble of an airship’s engine car. How long has it been since the last bombardment? Sometime before, as she had stood in this very spot, she had heard the Zeppelin clearly enough.

 

At that point, a Royal-Navy carbide flare had streaked heavenward. Then, from the neighboring rooftops, fifty or more pom-pom guns had opened fire–and the night air had filled with the odor of something like petroleum coke.

 

Yes, I remember. Now she braced herself for a salvo of fire.

 

No deafening tumult rang out. Neither did any sickening, stenchful fumes envelope her person.

 

No, it’s just my nerves. She glanced at the sky, and she whispered a simple prayer of thanksgiving.

 

From around the corner, an omnibus approached.

 

She climbed aboard and rode the way to Mayfair Tearoom.

 

The establishment had never looked so inviting as it did that night. By now, the proprietress had decorated the tables with Michaelmas daisies the color of amethyst, and she had adorned the china cabinet with ornamental cabbage. Moreover, how appetizing the scent of the fresh Eccles cakes.

 

The tearoom had attracted quite a crowd, too, the young ladies all decked out in silken gowns.

 

I wonder why. Sophie removed her coat, and she suddenly felt underdressed—for she had not worn anything too fancy that evening, just a puffed blouse and a fluted skirt. At once, she sat down at one of the last available dinette tables.

 

An eclipse of moths fluttered through the transom, meanwhile, and even they looked better than she did. What beauty the creatures’ wings—a fine royal purple.

 

Don’t look at them. Alas, when she turned her attention to the doorsill, a dull ache radiated up and down her left arm.

 

Not a moment later, a tall, gaunt lad, his eyes a shade of whiskey brown, entered the tearoom.

 

For a time, he glared at the patrons—as if at any moment he might remove a musketoon from beneath his frock coat and shoot everyone.

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Author M. Laszlo

  1. Laszlo is the pseudonym of a reclusive author living in Bath, Ohio. According to rumor, he based the pen name on the name of the Paul Henreid character in Casablanca, Victor Laszlo.
  2. Laszlo has lived and worked all over the world, and he has kept exhaustive journals and idea books corresponding to each location and post.

 

It is said that the maniacal habit began in childhood during summer vacations—when his family began renting out Robert Lowell’s family home in Castine, Maine.

 

The habit continued in 1985 when, as an adolescent, he spent the summer in London, England. In recent years, he revisited that journal/idea book and based his first work, The Phantom Glare of Day, on the characters, topics, and themes contained within the youthful writings. In crafting the narrative arcs, he decided to divide the work into three interrelated novellas and to set each one in the WW-I era so as to make the work as timeless as possible.

 

  1. Laszlo has lived and worked in New York City, East Jerusalem, and several other cities around the world. While living in the Middle East, he worked for Harvard University’s Semitic Museum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio and an M.F.A. in poetry from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.

 

His next work is forthcoming from SparkPress in 2024. There are whispers that the work purports to be a genuine attempt at positing an explanation for the riddle of the universe and is based on journals and idea books made while completing his M.F.A at Sarah Lawrence College.

On Amazon

 

NOTE: THIS BOOK WILL BE $0.99 DURING THE TOUR.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Charming Life Of Izzy Malone ~ Blitz and Giveaway

Posted: November 25, 2016 in Book Blast, Children's books, giveaways
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The Charming Life Of Izzy Malone

by Jenny Lundquist

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Synopsis

Izzy Malone isn’t your typical sixth grader. She wears camouflage combat boots and tie dye skirts; the Big Dipper and Orion are her two best friends; and she’d rather climb trees or shoot hoops than talk about boys and makeup. And after only a month of middle school she’s already set the record for the most trips to the Principal’s office.

The only time Izzy feels at peace is when she’s on the open water, and more than anything else, she wants to become a member of the Dandelion Paddlers, her school’s competitive rowing club. But thanks to those multiple trips to the Principal’s office, Izzy’s parents force her to enroll in Mrs. Whippie’s Charm School, a home-study course in manners and etiquette, or they won’t let her race in Dandelion Hollow’s annual pumpkin regatta—where Izzy hopes to prove to the Dandelion Paddlers she is more than qualified to be on their team.

When Mrs. Whippie’s first letter arrives it’s way different from what Izzy was expecting. Tucked inside the letter is a shiny gold bracelet and an envelope charm. Izzy must earn her first charm by writing someone a nice note, and once she does more tasks will be assigned.

Izzy manages to complete some of the tasks—and to her surprise, she actually finds herself enjoying the course. But when one of her attempts at doing something good is misinterpreted, she fears her chances at passing the course—and becoming a Paddler—are slipping away. With some unexpected friends there to support her, can Izzy manage to earn her charms and stay true to herself?

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Praise for the Book:

“Izzy’s frank, vulnerable, sassy first-person narration reveals her surprising journey from a solitary girl talking to the stars to a girl with friends to light her way…This story of an atypical girl, her family, and friends, laced with middle school drama, is indeed a charming one.” –Kirkus Reviews

“A heartwarming coming-of-age journey…Lundquist deftly portrays the pain of being odd girl out, both at school and at home.” –Publisher’s Weekly

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Enjoy the excerpt.

The bracelet and the first charm appeared the day I punched Austin Jackson in the nose. I didn’t mean to slug him. His face just got in my way. It was a bruising end to a disastrous first month in middle school.
You know that kid in class that everyone secretly (and not so secretly) thinks is weird? The one people laugh and point at behind their back, the one who gets picked last in gym class, the one you wish you hadn’t gotten stuck with for a science partner?
At Dandelion Hollow Middle School, that kid is me, Izzy Don’t-Call-Me-Isabella Malone.
Truthfully, my slide into loserdom started in elementary school and was pretty much an established fact by the time sixth grade started last month. It’s partly because my mouth often has a mind of its own. But I think it’s also because there are a bazillion other things I’d rather do than talk about boys, clothes, and makeup, and I refuse to wear strappy sandals and short skirts.
(If you ever catch me wearing strappy sandals or a short skirt, you have my permission to kick my butt.)
I do like skirts, though. Really long colorful ones I get from Dandelion Thrift. I like to wear them with my camouflage combat boots.
I call the look Camohemian.

 

jenny-lundquistAuthor Jenny Lundquist
Jenny Lundquist was born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA, where she spent her time unsuccessfully learning how to surf. When she was younger, she wanted to be either a rock star or a published author. After she taped herself singing and listened to it on playback she decided she’d better opt for the writing route. Jenny is the author of Seeing Cinderella and Plastic Polly as well as the young adult titles The Princess in the Opal Mask and The Opal Crown.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

 

 

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amazon or paypal$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/12/16

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Two Brothers, One Redhead, and a Stolen Giraffe ~ Cover Reveal and Giveaway

Posted: April 13, 2016 in Cover Reveal, giveaways
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Today we are excited to share the cover reveal of Two Brothers, One Redhead, and a Stolen Giraffe by Sarah Mandell. It’s a quirky coming-of-age story about the complications of love, loss, and new-found independence. It releases in May 2016.

About the Book:
The McElroy brothers find trouble easily. Dylan plunges headfirst into it, while Daniel cleans up behind him. That’s the way it’s always been, ever since their mother left them to be bounced around the foster system, causing trouble wherever they went. The soon-to-be euthanized giraffe they just stole from the Northside Animal Park may be their biggest predicament yet, in more ways than one, but there’s no undoing what’s been done.

Lost in Nebraska without a plan, clueless how to care for the ornery old beast in the back of the trailer, the well-meaning brothers stop to rest at an abandoned-looking barn. A pretty redhead with a snappy temperament and a shotgun discovers the boys and their sixteen-foot stowaway. Her name is Josephine, she lives on this farm with her father who is spoken of, but never seen, and her root cellar has more locks than a bank vault. She’s got a way with animals and plenty of secrets, not to mention the interest of two brothers who swore they’d never let some girl come between them.

 

 

About the Author:

Sarah Mandell is a professionally trained artist with a background in commercial interior design. She’s also the brains and busy hands behind a thriving indie craft business called Once Again Sam in Greenville, SC. Even with an ever-expanding collection of creative outlets, she’s truly the happiest when she’s writing. Two Brothers, One Redhead, and a Stolen Giraffe is Sarah’s second novel. Her debut novel was Celia on the Run (Untreed Reads, 2012).
 
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GIVEAWAY:

 

One (1) winner will receive a laser engraved giraffe necklace (in the color of choice as shown in the photo) and signed copy of the book (when it comes out)
One (1) winner will receive a $15 gift card
All prizes are open worldwide.
Ends May 5th
Prizing is provided by the author. You must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 18. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win.

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

 

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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From boy to man….Anthony by Harold J. Fischel ~ Tour Review & Giveaway

Posted: May 14, 2015 in Blog Tour, Contemporary Literature, New Adult, reviews
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Harold J. Fischel

Anthony

by Harold J. Fischel

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Publisher:  Harold J. Fischel (April 3, 2014)
Category: New Adult, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fiction
Tour Date: May/June, 2015
Available in: Print & ebook, 309 Pages

My Review

Compelling. That’s the word I’m looking for. This story is compelling.

There isn’t a lot of action, no weird plots. It’s a story about a boy and the events that make him a man.

A shy, somewhat pudgy young boy, Anthony discovers swimming and as his body matures, he grows into a strapping young man.

During those years, he faces many adversities, suffers a tragic loss, and is involved in a taboo affair. The shadows of his past follow him as he goes off to college. There he makes friends, finds his path, and falls in love.

But the past catches up to him. Now he could lose everything. Perhaps love can save him.

This is another of those stories I call life fiction. From boy to man, you follow this character. Feel his insecurities and doubts. His sadness and pain. His hope.

I mentioned compelling. I opened this book, started reading, and the writing compelled me to continue. I read a chapter, then another, and another. Soon, I reached the end. It read almost like a movie. Flashing from scene to scene through the years as Anthony grew up.

A wonderful story.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Life has never been easy for Anthony, the secret love child of a well-known US general and his beautiful mistress. After his father perishes in a plane crash, his cancer-stricken mother, Yuni, is forced to move with him to a tiny New York City apartment. And to make matters worse, he’s flagged as an easy target for neighborhood bullies, who constantly terrorize him inside and outside of school.

But after a brutal attack prompts him to fight back in a fit of rage, things start to turn around for the young boy. He shows promise joining the swim and wrestling teams in school, and begins to grow into the tall and physically fit body he inherited from his father.

Just when Anthony’s situation seems to be getting better, however, tragedy strikes his life yet again. In order to put the pieces back together, he turns to some of the strong female figures in his life. But it’s the one girl whom he least expects who may have the power to heal him—shedding his image as the illegitimate son through the magic of love and helping him leave his tragic childhood behind.

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Praise for Anthony by Harold J. Fischel:

“It’s not often that I find a book that truly moves me, but Anthony may have just been it. Anthony is so real…such a realistic and poignant character. He is bitter, confused, sad, angry, and while his experience is not necessarily the norm of a typical young adult, you can easily relate to him. What a transformation. Anthony goes from a scared and weak child to a fierce, understanding, and competent young man. Fischel writes with skill and craftsmanship that is a joy to read. I would read anything else he has to offer in a heartbeat.”- Katelyn Hensel, Readers’ Favorite

“The young boy, Anthony, captures your heart in the first few chapters, and you will want to continue with him through his happy, frightening, joyful, daunting journey toward manhood. A good read from start to finish.” J. Herrick, Amazon Reviewer

“New Adult, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fiction’s coming of age story, Anthony, is inspiring and heartwarming. Fischel’s writing style is accomplished and smooth, and I quickly became immersed in this athletic and ethical story of triumph over adversity. Anthony is a marvelous book and is highly recommended reading.”- Jack Magnus, Readers’ Favorite

“Loved the story line, could not put it down. Although it is listed as a novel, it is sad to think this is reality for some kids.”- Donna Connely, Amazon Reviewer

“Anthony by Harold J. Fischel is a wonderful coming of age novel. I loved the story of Anthony,…  I welcomed all the surprises and I loved all the characters. Anthony was resilient and strong, even when he was still a kid. Everything he experienced growing up only made him stronger, some of the things that happened to him even made me cry. All the supporting characters also played big roles in Anthony’s success. Overall, a good book with great characters.”- Lorena Sanqui, Readers’ Favorite

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About Harold J. Fischel

Hal at Hunt Ball Sally M

Harold J. Fischel, a graduate of Washington & Lee University and the NYU School of Law, has lived and worked on four different continents. His family fled the Netherlands shortly after the Nazi invasion, moving to Curacao and Aruba before settling in the United States in 1952.

After law school, Fischel served the US Army in Germany, later retiring as a captain. Since then, he again lived in the Netherlands, before returning to the United States to work for the US subsidiary of a Chinese company.

Fischel is now retired and living in Michigan with his wife, Jan, and their  beloved Labrador retriever. He has two daughters, five wonderful grandchildren, and two great sons-in-law. Since retiring, he has published two novels and is working on a third.

Facebook ~ Goodreads

Buy Anthony by Harold J. Fischel

Amazon
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Book Depository
Kobo

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I have one copy of Anthony to giveaway. Winners choice of eBook or Print.

Print copy is US only.

To enter, please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:

“If you could go back and live your life over, would you?”

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Follow the tour for more fun posts!

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Cassandra M’s Place May 7 Review & Giveaway

IndieWritersReview May 8 Excerpt

Indie Review Behind the Scenes May 9 Live Interview  11 am Centeral

Carole Rae’s Random Ramblings May 11 Review

Inspire to Read May 11 Interview

What Jenna Thought May 13 Review

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What Jenna Thought May 14 Interview & Giveaway

Binding Addiction May 15 Excerpt

Housewife Blues & Chihuahua May 18 Excerpt

Random Musesomy May 21 Review & Giveaway

Ordinary Girlz Book Reviews May 25 Review

Confessions Of A Reader May 27 Review

The Book Lover’s Lounge May 29 Review & Giveaway

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Ordinary Girlz Book Reviews June 1 Guest Post

Rockin’ Book Reviews June 5 Review & Giveaway

What U Talking Bout Willis? June 15 Guest Post

Jersey Girl Book Reviews June 19 Review & Guest Post

The Mama Games June 23 Review & Giveaway

Deal Sharing Aunt June 26 Review & Giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Teaser Tuesday #11 ! These Boots Are Made For Walking

Posted: February 12, 2013 in Chick Lit, Meme, New Adult, Teaser Tuesdays, Uncategorized
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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

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My teaser for today is from The Boots My Mother Gave Me by Brooklyn James

The Boots My Mother Gave Me

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My Teaser

As we drove, the dashboard lights reflected off his intoxicating smile. I watched him intently, burning the image into my mind for future recollection. This would be my last year with the person I shared most of my firsts with – my first friend, my first bike ride, my first loose tooth…even my first kiss.

One word about this book ~ INTENSE!

I’m taking a wild guess at it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the author on the cover.

This book makes me think of that song, “These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do. One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!

Can’t wait to finish this and tell you about it!

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Not an E-Book Wish List

Posted: August 1, 2012 in fiction, Wish List
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I am starting a wish list for hard copy books. I want to share my wishes with you. This will also help me to control those impulse buys on Amazon, you know, the one-click grab- its.

For today I WISH for:

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

From Goodreads

Luminous, haunting, unforgettable. The Age of Miracles is a stunning fiction debut by a superb new writer, a story about coming of age during extraordinary times, about people going on with their lives in an era of profound uncertainty.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JDnSiVFc0U]

 

On a seemingly ordinary Saturday in a California suburb, 11-year-old Julia and her family awake to discover, along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the earth has suddenly begun to slow. The days and nights grow longer and longer, gravity is affected, the environment is thrown in disarray. Yet as she struggles to navigate an ever-shifting landscape, Julia is also coping with the normal disasters of everyday life – the fissures in her parent’s marriage, the loss of old friends, the hopeful anguish of first love, the bizarre behavior of her grandfather who, convinced of a government conspiracy, spends his days obsessively cataloging his possessions. As Julia adjusts to the new normal, the slowing inexorably continues.

With spare, graceful prose and the emotional wisdom of a born storyteller, Karen Thompson Walker has created a singular narrator in Julia, a resilient and insightful young girl, and a moving portrait of a family life set against the backdrop of an utterly altered world.

I browsed around and looked at but DIDN’T READ the reviews for this book. I just wanted to see the star ratings. They were all over the place, which makes me want to read this even more.

I also noted the genre classifications were varied.  Everybody has a different one. Here are some of them:

Contemporary

Adult Fiction

YA

Dystopian

Sci-Fi

General Fiction

What is this book? It seems to defy classification and evoke different feelings with each reader. Definitely a must have. Can’t wait to read it and tell you what I think. It is now at the top of my Wish List on Amazon.

For more about the author and her book:

http://www.theageofmiracles.com/

http://www.facebook.com/ageofmiracles

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