So, I’m writing a book review today based on a challenge I saw posted on a friend’s blog.  No, really–it’s not because I was too lazy to get a Teaser ready.  Ahem.  Anyway, I saw the challenge on Amy Bai’s The Purple Patch, and I guess it originated from Lisa and Laura Write.  The challenge is to write about a book you read and loved.  Wow–finally a challenge I can meet!  Short, sweet, and something I love to do—blab about books!

So, because my attention span rivals that of a gnat (although, do gnats have attention spans?  Or brains, even?  And hence we see my short attention span at work) I pretty much only read Young Adult novels these days.  While there are so many great ones to choose from, the novel I’m going to spread some love to is:

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr   I really can’t say enough good things about this book.  The author tackles a sensitive subject–a small town, thirteen-year-old girl who’s caught having sex in the back of a car with a seventeen-year -old by her dad–and turns it into something both funny and profound.  Two years after the incident, Deanna Lambert still struggles with other people’s perceptions of her–most notably, her father’s–with wit and angst and the occasional bad choice.  The story chronicles how one moment can define your entire life—if you let it.   

I love the voice in this book, how it’s not preachy at all, and how it shows Deanna ultimately conquering her past and her fears to move on with her life.   The humor isn’t over-the-top, but sly and perfect. Oh, and did I mention–it’s a National Book Award Finalist?  To me, Story of a Girl represents contemporary YA fiction at it’s finest.  Don’t pass up an opportunity to read it.

Now, with my gnat-like (or brainless-like–did we decide yet about gnats and brains?) attention span, I’m off to surf Greek fanvids on YouTube procrastinate on writers forums learn how to hand roll pasta work on my revisions.  Um, wish me luck?