What's the best way to unwind after a GREAT party? Cuddle up with a great book, of course. I just finished Sara Zarr's new book ONCE WAS LOST. Now you know I'm a huge fan of Sara Zarr's other two books, SWEETHEARTS and STORY OF A GIRL; both brilliant and full of emotional tension. Her new book intrigued me, as well. ONCE WAS LOST begins with a fabulous first line: "The whole world is wilting." Now as a writer who AGONIZES over first lines (don't we all?), I can really appreciate this line. Our protagonist is certainly wilting. She's having a rough summer, to say the least. Her pastor father works all the time probably to help him forget that his wife is in New Beginnings hospital in treatment for her struggles with alcohol. This work schedule leaves the protag, Sam, all alone a lot which only fuels her obvious depression. She learns in the first chapter that due to her mother's treatment, she will not be able to return to the private school she attended the year before, so she has to gear up for change. Add to her problems, the obvious relationship blossoming between her father and Erin, the young, cute youth minister. Then, to make matters worse, a girl from their church is kidnapped. Sheesh. And you thought YOU had problems. At any rate, it's a good read. Check it out.
What a stunning autumn day here in eastern North Carolina. I hope you have a beautiful one wherever you are. Start a good book TODAY.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Isabel by Donna Jones Koppelman
Major Bear at the Grove Park Inn by Donna Jones Koppelman
No comments:
Post a Comment