HANDLE WITH CARE - real literature.

At approximately 1:45 AM, I finished Jodi Picoult's newest read - Handle With Care. This novel definately comes close to being my my most admired JP read alongside My Sisters Keeper. This novel grabs ahold of so many current, controversial ideas: sickness, abortion, cutting, divorce, eating disorders, friendships, economy, love. I felt like this book related to my life so well that it was almost frightening in some ways. The ideas of sickness and mental disorders and divorce - it all hit home.

The ending was quite disturbing, but I will not give that away because I think that this is a novel that needs to be read. I emailed Jodi Picoult directly after I finished reading and she answered immediately, explaining why she wrote the ending the way she did and how she was glad that the book had upset me (like I usually do, I would post that email but it talks about the ending so that is a no-go).

This book made me realize that my love for writing will truly never cease. I need to express myself through words almost like how the mother, in Handle With Care, has a need to keep her children safe and healthy. It's something that comes almost automatically because it's something that makes you feel whole. Without it, you would be empty and alone and no one wants that.

terrible three's.

So, lately I have been feeling off. Everything is bothering me, my mood is weird and every aspect of every day makes me anxious. I'm not sure why this is happening. Maybe it all goes back to the fact that my brother isn't here and the reason he isn't. Maybe it's because I'm confused about things like relationships and guys. Or maybe it is because I'm not quite positive who my real friends are.

I thought about it the other day and realized that I have grown up in the world of three's. This means that I have always been in a group of three people and have never been the best friend or the leading lady. Here is a list of my 'three' past:

1) Stevie, Amber and Jenni (my closest in age cousins)
2) Heather, Katie and Jenni
3) Kylee, Erika and Jenni
4) Dana, Meghan and Jenni
5) Mr. B, Ed and Jenni
6) Sara, Kasey and Jenni
7) Stacey, Skye and Jenni

Notice how I'm always last? Well, maybe it's because I just put my name there or because that's how I feel. I know, I know - I'm paranoid. It just got me thinking about who my real friends are and if it's worth the struggle and effort to be someone in a 'three.' Maybe, I just become attracted to that grouping or ironically I fall into those situations. Maybe I'm just unlucky.

Anyway, I'm almost done with Jodi Picoult's newest book and will blog about that when I finish or find the time. So far, it is terrific - as always. I'm still working, slowly, on my newest book. It's got definate potential and I'm going to keep working on it. I know that if this story finishes and is legit - it's going somewhere.

the madness of march - really?

JODI PICOULT'S NEW BOOK CAME OUT TODAY: HANDLE WITH CARE
It sounds like another thought provoking and controversial novel and I can't wait to begin reading it. I will let you know my thoughts about it when I finish it. Give me a couple weeks, though. I've been busy lately.

So, I've been really thinking about a new book to write. Okay, I know I say this all the time, but I really am researching for this next idea. It's complicated for me to describe it technically, but I will try:
A girl, Josie, who's twin brother, Mason, is diagnosed with Liver Cancer at 19 years old. Josie had Brain Cancer when she was three years old and has been in remission since. When the family moves to Baltimore to treat Mason's cancer at Johns Hopkins, Josie begins to become attracted to a patient, Trace, at the hospital who has Cardiomyopathy - a disease that slows and inflames the heart muscle. He has been sick for years and needs a heart transplant. Soon, the family is told that Mason needs a liver transplant or will become terminal and die. Josie soon finds out that Trace and Mason are blood matches and can transplant their organs to one another. However, who is willing to give up their life for someone else?

So yeah, that's what I'm going for right now. It's a family story; a story of sickness; a story of survival and a story of love. I've begun some research on the medical aspects of the story so I don't sound too dumb. But I'm kind of excited to start this. I miss writing and NEED to get back to it.