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Friday, March 18, 2011

Recommended: WITHER by Lauren DeStefano

So I was really happy ECSTATIC to get my hands on this ARC.  Wither so far has been one of the best books I've read this year.  

Now, I'm NOT gonna tell you what this book is about--you can find it yourselves on its Amazon page! And you can read the reviews there, too. But of course you already knew that! Duh! :P

So why am I here babbling about it?
Because I think that, for us (aspiring) authors, there's a lot to learn from the line-by-line writing. For me, the cadence was beautiful and the sentences were mostly great.  DeStephano knew how to convey everything she wanted in a scene, using interesting details (and I mean this, because sometimes too many details bore me to death).  She also knew how to flesh out the characters in a way that kept you hooked, without bogging down the pace.

If you choose to read this one, I'd recommend to pay attention to those things, the way the sentences flow, the way things are described and make you feel you're really there, talking to the MCs.

So.  Do you have any novel you'd like to recommend?  I mean, that will help us hone our writing skills as we pay attention to how pros do it? ;)

13 comments:

  1. I really want to read this one. The cover alone would pull me in, but great writing to boot? Yes please.

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  2. Thanks for the recommendation! That's a tough one, it takes a special kind of book to help us like that. I'll have to get back to you with one.

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  3. I'm going Monday to pick up Wither. I've been looking forward to reading it for a long time. I loved Matched by Ally Condie for the reasons you listed.

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  4. Hey Anne! The cover is great, too--AGREED!

    Heather! It really takes a special kind of book to help us like that :D Totally right!

    Melissa, hey! Oh I have Matched in my TBR pile. I want to start soon! And now I think I'll do that sooner because of you, thanks! :D

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  5. Beautiful cover -- thanks for the recommendation.

    As for what I would recommend...well, anyone who hasn't read Hunger Games (maybe two people on the planet), I would suggest that. Even my hubs, who is not a big fiction reader, devoured it.

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  6. What a gorgeous book! Thanks for the recommendation. I think the 'City of Bones' series by Cassandra Clare is brilliant if you are looking for ways to plot a series and weave together clues about what is going to happen next!

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  7. Check-got it on the list! I always think John Green's An Abundance of Katherines is fantastic. One of my favorites as a reader and a writer.

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  8. This is on my list. I really want to read it.

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  9. This is going on my list. :D

    I've read a number of books like you've described, but I'm drawing a blank on their titles right now.

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  10. I am DYING to read WITHER! Fortunately, one of my friends has agreed to lend it to me. :) Hooray for books I can read for free!

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  11. Linda! YES! There ARE people who still haven't read Hunger Games! My CP is one of them, and I don't know what she's waiting for! LOL I really loved that book too :)

    Hey Carrie! Thanks for the recommendation! :D

    Hey Kim! Oh I hadn't heard of that book till now! On my way to take a look :D THX!

    Hey Kelley! YAY! You won't regret it! :D

    Stina, lol, my mind always goes blank on titles sometimes, too! Thanks for stopping by anyway!

    Caroline! Hey! GREAT! I'm glad your friend will lend it to you! :D You're lucky! YAY

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  12. Just got this...can't wait to read it!

    demitrialunetta.blogspot.com

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  13. Hey Demitria!
    Let me know what you thought after reading it :D

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