COMPULSION by Martina Boone

How was your New Year's Eve?

I realize this seems like an old topic already (what a fast-paced society we are nowadays, at times to our detriment, I believe).

I ask you this question, because I know my answer.
Mine was fantastic.
Why?
Because I read Compulsion by Martina Boone.

Actually, I was a bit stressed because I was so close to the end, which was very exciting and I needed to finish quick because I'd promised my kids we'd play games.

However...I just wanted to read one more chapter first.
And then another.
And another.

Well, you get the idea.

I can't say enough positive things about this book.
For starters (although I'm beginning at the end...so to speak), in her hefty acknowledgments section Martina Boone thanks Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl for "reminding me (her, the author) how much I (again, her, the author) adore Southern Gothics".

Remember Beautiful Creatures?
Of course you do.

And I liked Beautiful Creatures. Was disappointed in the movie, however, despite the fact it had Emma Thompson in it.
(How could you go wrong with Emma Thompson?)

And I thought I had bad hair days...sheesh!

Okay, so neither of these are from the movie I'm talking about,
but how could I resist?

But here's the thing...I like Compulsion way better.
Way, way better.
Super way better.
(Why, yes, I'm an 80s girl...why do you ask?)

Here's why:
1) Romance
Those who know me, know I'm not very romantic. I like a little romance in my plot, not a little plot in my romance, if you get what I mean. I also like a romance that seems real. And Barrie and Eight fight. (Love those names, don't you?) All the time. Like real people.

I get so tired of "no one has ever loved anyone like I love you..." romances. They annoy me with their egocentricity (which is a word that I might have just made up for the occasion).

2) Characters
The characters in here are like a fun show. Good guys. Bad guys. Weirdos. Goofy, loving caretakers. Stab in the back friends.

And everyone was so unique and fleshed out, even if they mostly appeared over the phone.

Just READ this book.
That is, if you like magic, curses, family sagas, humor, mysterious settings, etc.
It's awesome.

So awesome that I didn't know what to do with myself after finishing.
I took a small break (like a few days) before moving on. I wanted the mood to last.

What am I reading now? A myriad of things.

1) My children and I are loving this one. The drawings injected throughout the storyline are amazing, as is the storyline itself.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The movie is lovely as well.
Need to re-watch it after finally reading the book.

2-4) For extra or repeat research for my Under the Blood Moon Series, book #3
  How to Destroy Dead Guys:

This is a bit of a reread, since I've used his one before.

Another reread, same reason as above, but it's been awhile so I need a refresher.

This one I haven't used much yet, but will need it this time.
This is also the only one I feel a bit hesitant to read.
(Due to the topic)

What else am I reading?
- I've been doing a lot of beta reading lately. It's exciting to see books long before everyone else does.

One more thing:
Here's a lovely author interview that Katie Teller did for me on her blog:
http://kjhstories.blogspot.com/2015/01/curiosity-quills-author-ann-m-noser.html