ELEANOR AND PARK . . .

Every once in a while, I finish a book and have to share it with others.  Immediately.

The last book I felt that way about was A MONSTER CALLS by Patrick Ness.  Perfect.  Before that, it was THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie.  True and heart-breakingly hilarious.

I just closed another book and must share.

ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell.

When I first saw this cover, I thought it was a picture book with thumbprint characters.  It's not.

This young adult novel is about Eleanor, a misfit on the outside, who defies the world and falls in love with Park.  Park, who feels like an outsider, sees beneath Eleanor's odd clothing, big red hair and large frame.  He's attracted to her like Romeo was to Juliet. 

Eleanor lives in a dire and dangerous home.  I worried for her and hoped for her the entire book.  I stayed up way too late several nights.  Just one more chapter.  Just one more . . .

This novel is written beat by beat, moment by moment, feeling by feeling -- simply and honestly.

If you don't believe me, read John Green's review in the New York Times.  Or the multiple starred reviews.   Or the blurbs from well-known authors -- all on Rainbow Rowell's site.

But really, forget about reading all of that and read ELEANOR & PARK.

There will be only one thing to do when you're done.  Tell someone else.

WONDER

Did you ever read a book that was so good, you slowed it down, you put it down because you didn't want it to end?

The last book I remember making me feel that way was Sherman Alexie's The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.  Before that, I think Karen Hesse's Out of the Dust swept me away like that.

I've had that experience again.  I've read a book that not only delved deeply into the characters and their relationships, but transcended them and touched on our larger humanity, our inner-connectedness.  This book told the truth in a universal way.  It let us in on sweet bravery and the power of kindness.  It was filled with hope and love.

That book is WONDER by P.J. Palacio.

WONDER's ripples will spread beyond the realm of children's literature to the larger world.  I hope it wins the Newbery Medal.  (Read more at this NPR interview.)

And in the Beginning . . .

Beginnings are hard for me.

I fidget. I make a cup of tea . . . or twelve. I absolutely must take the dog for a walk. In fact, cleaning the toilets can often seem more appealing than staying put and putting pen to paper.

I don't know why. Once I'm in the story world, you can't keep me away. Cleaning, paying bills and speaking to my children often gets neglected.

But, oh, those pesky beginnings.

After a few false starts, I think I finally hooked onto the beginning of my new novel. I'm excited. I'm energized. I'm hopeful that I can sustain those feelings and create a whole new book.

For now, to celebrate beginnings, I'll share some of my favorite book beginnings . . .

"There is no lake at Camp Green Lake." -- Louis Sachar




"I was born with water on the brain." -- Sherman Alexie




"I was supposed to play the piano." -- Linda Urban





"That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me." -- Gail Carson Levine




"Sybil Davison has a genius I.Q. and has been laid by at least six different guys." -- Judy Blume

What are YOUR favorite book beginnings?

What Makes a Book a Best-Seller?

While a big promotion budget helps, it does NOT guarantee a best-seller.

Creating a compelling character who faces obstacles and grows as a result is essential, but doesn't mean you'll rise to the top. Excellent books sink without a trace all the time.

Working your tush off by speaking at schools, conferences, book festivals, etc. will mean more books sold, but probably won't be enough to rocket you to best-seller status.

So, what's a writer to do?

Write the best damn book you can. That means digging deep, facing emotional truths, paying attention to structure, revising till it hurts and then revising some more. Do all those things and more. If you do all those things, you may be fortunate enough to have your book published. If so, celebrate. You've come a long way, baby. Then? Let it go.

That's right. It's not up to you anymore. Sure, you'd better be out there promoting and letting people know your book exists. Write articles. Get on the blog-o-sphere. Do interviews.

But the ultimate success of your book is in your reader's hands now.

What makes a best-seller? This: The moment your reader puts your book down, s/he is compelled to tell someone else to pick it up. When this happens, your book will gain traction organically. And if it happens often enough, you may just find yourself sitting pretty on a best-seller list.

Which books have you read that you felt compelled to share?

Here are three children's books and three adult books that compelled me to tell someone else to pick them up the moment I put them down . . .

Children's Books:

1) A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
2) Rules by Cynthia Lord
3) The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

Adult Books:

1) Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
2) The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
3) The Help by Katheryn Stockett

I found out about these books through reviews in magazines, on blogs, with a YouTube video sent by a friend via e-mail, on the shelf of a favorite indie bookstore, via an article written for Writer's Digest Magazine. I felt compelled to pass these books on because I was riveted by the stories, utterly emotionally involved. I laughed or cried or shook my head in wonder and wanted to share those feelings with friends.

What are your top three books? What drew you to them in the first place? And why were you compelled to pass them on?