Today's an exciting day for readers. TWO amazeballs books are releasing today! TWO books that I am so very excited for readers to get in their hands and devour and love, in different ways.
Something Like Normal by Trish Doller is not your standard contemporary. First, it's from the boy's perspective--but more than that, Travis is a Marine, back from a tour in Afghanistan. Here's the summary:
When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero. (from Goodreads)
I've known Trish since we were both hanging around at Verla Kay's Blueboards, writing different books, querying, going through the process. I always liked Trish's avatar because it looked so hopeful, so friendly. Her posts were friendly too, and smart. I was thrilled when I discovered that my new agent represented Trish too--we're agent sisters!--and she's been very supportive of me.
But that's not why I think you should read this book. It's not why *I* want to read this book. I want to read it because of reviews like this one, about SLN's emotional honesty:
http://youngadultanonymous.blogspot.com/2012/06/review-something-like-normal-by-trish.html
and this one, which says it's an "important, timely novel" but also talks about the strengths of the romance, and the realism:
http://cleareyesfullshelves.com/blog/early-review-something-like-normal-by-trish-doller.html
Yeah. So that's Reason #1 to be excited about today as a reader. You can buy that book!
Second is a book I HAVE read, and loved. GUYS. COURTNEY SUMMERS HAS A NEW BOOK OUT TODAY, AND IT'S ABOUT ZOMBIES!!
This Is Not a Test.
Well. It's not really about zombies. It's about people: damaged, hurting, REAL people who happen to have to deal with zombies. Here's my review from Goodreads:
***
I've loved all of Courtney's books, and I expected to like this one--she is such a talented writer, she can pull anything off. Even zombies! I admit, I'm not a zombie fan--but this book isn't about zombies at all. It's about people: how they relate, how they react in difficult circumstances, and really, how they can completely mess each other up--and redeem each other.
Courtney's amazing skill lies in opening a vein directly to a character and letting us in to that private, real world. That skill hasn't changed just because this book has zombies. Sloane is very, very real and heartbreaking in her pain, but she was still someone I wanted to spend time with and understand. All the other characters are also deeply realized, complex people in their own right.
The zombie setting is well done and keeps you on the edge of your seat, but in the end it's Sloane's journey I found most compelling.
Read it. Trust me.
***
I have to tell you too--in just a little aside--how awesome Courtney is. She's been an incredibly supportive friend to me for years now, and I have a sneaking suspicion she is the same with a ton of other writers. Courtney emails have made me cry, have gotten me through, have made me laugh out loud more than once. I think she deserves the best of everything.
She just also happens to write effing kick-ass amazing books, which I am so happy to support.
So here's where you say WEREN'T YOU GOING TO GIVE AWAY A BOOK, SUSAN?
Why, yes. Yes, I was. Not only that, I am going to GIVE AWAY TWO BOOKS, one of each.
Here is ALL you have to do:
--Comment on this post and tell me which book you'd like, Something Like Normal or This Is Not a Test (or if you want either, say that too!) You'll be entered!
--You get an extra entry if you tweet about the contest! Just make sure to @susan_adrian so I see it!
--Contest will be open until Thursday morning, June 22, 8 am MDT. North American entries only, please (sorry!) The winners will have the books shipped directly to them.
Let's all celebrate this Excellent Reader Day!!
