Kate Willis's Blog, page 89

Camp NaNoWriMo Update

After some setbacks last week, I started on my Camp NaNoWriMo goal today. Better late than never, right?

Hardwired for Hope

I skimmed the second book in a series the other day. The story was a fascinating concept and well-plotted with a rich cast of characters despite the negative content. Good enough to skim. Skip a few pages here and there.

But when I closed the book, I discovered one more fatal flaw.

There was no hope. Zero.

[image error]

The bad guys were caught, yes. All was “good”, or at least looked good. The best friend who had been manipulated into betraying the main character was safe now. But not forgiven. Not proven to have changed.

I searched the internet high and low for the next book. Surely this was only book two in a trilogy? After all, book one sets up the problem, book two rocks the characters’ world beyond recognition, and book three brings things to a head with a final battle and a wonderful victory, right? There was no third book.

I may be the only reader who was dissatisfied. After all, the story is pretty realistic. Broken relationships very often never get healed. Lies stay hidden. Our world is fractured.

But when I pick up a new book, I read to see what could be and more importantly what should be. I read for “good conquers evil” and “second chances” plots. (Ignore the Disney-fied terms, ya know what I mean.) I am hardwired for hope, and so are you. We live life in the middle book, in the broken pieces between the fall of creation and the New Creation, and sometimes we need a story to remind us that the Prince of Peace is coming.

What stories have inspired hope in you lately?

Book Review: Three Little Words

[image error]“Ava Kingsley and Seth Walker might be the most unlikely friends ever. The only thing these two polar opposites have in common is a knack for wordsmithing. Back in college, they were known for their written sparring in the campus newspaper’s popular “He Says/She Says” column. 

At their ten-year college reunion, they pick up right where they left off. Except this time their squabbling leads to a surprising turn: friendship and a year-long exchange of emails. So when Ava approaches a crossroads in her athletics department career in Minnesota, Seth is quick to offer the open apartment above the restaurant he’s been remodeling in Maple Valley, Iowa.

Ava doesn’t know where her career will lead her next, but she’s starting to suspect she might see Seth as more than a pen pal. Which would be exciting…except for the fact that he only sees her as a friend.

As Maple Valley grows on her, Ava wonders if there might be something here for her even though Seth is unavailable. And maybe, just maybe, after all the words the two of them have exchanged over the years, they’ll finally be able to say the three that matter most.” (from Goodreads)

If a book 1) is highly recommended by friends, 2) looks super cute, and 3) is free on Amazon, you bet I’m gonna snap it up in a heartbeat. This sweet novella certainly did not disappoint!

I loved how the book was built around a friendship (a rocky, sparring fest one at that!). Even when the characters quit fighting as much, they still didn’t lose the small element that made their dynamic hilarious. The town sounded soooo adorable!! I also really enjoyed hearing about Seth’s remodel of the diner, and I think I could probably have read an entire book just about that. (Okay, maybe not, but it was cool.) One of the biggest things I enjoyed about this, though, was how honorable Seth was with his commitment to Maddie (not even an engagement yet, but still) and his growing affection for Ava. High five the man! Also, Uncle Case was the bomb. And the end! *tries not to fangirl* *fails miserably* Could it get any cuter?

Just a note, there were a couple awkward bits (man notices woman’s leg, a woman notices man’s aftershave, all that stuff) but not a ton which was nice.

Plate Update: New Books, Nanaimo Bars, and Progress

March is over, spring has sprung, Christ is risen, and… hello.

Good Friday

Today, I am celebrating Good Friday, the anniversary of Jesus’ atonement for our sins. I’d like to share a couple songs that have lead my heart in worship lately.

This song is a beautiful round of all seven sayings of Jesus on the cross.

And this song is like a responsive reading that dwells on God’s redemption of His people.

I hope you have a worshipful day. And I look forward to Easter when we celebrate the resurrection!

Book Review: Snow & Rose

[image error]“Snow and Rose didn’t know they were in a fairy tale. People never do….

Once, they lived in a big house with spectacular gardens and an army of servants.

Once, they had a father and mother who loved them more than the sun and moon.

But that was before their father disappeared into the woods and their mother disappeared into sorrow.

This is the story of two sisters and the enchanted woods that have been waiting for them to break a set of terrible spells.” (from Goodreads)

The kids’ section at my library has this “new arrivals” shelf where all the books are facing out so you can see their covers. It’s really dangerous. I’m blaming it for the huge stack of books I took home.

The Sunshine Blogger Award

I’ve been nominated by The Honest Avocado for the Sunshine Blogger Award! Thanks so much!

Social Media: The Benefits of an Adblocker

Last fall, I wrote a blog series on social media. I shared about goalsetting, platforms, safeguards, time management, and etiquette. In my post “Embrace Safeguards”, I gave a nod to my favorite adblocker and left it at that.

Lately, I’ve come to realize just how huge of a blessing this tool is and decided there was more to say.

Book Review: Word After Word After Word

[image error]“Every school day feels the same for fourth graders Lucy and Henry and Evie and Russell and May. Then Ms. Mirabel comes to their class—bringing magical words and a whole new way of seeing and understanding.

From beloved author Patricia MacLachlan comes an honest, inspiring story about what is real and what is unreal, and about the ways that writing can change our lives and connect us to our own stories—word after word after word.” (from Goodreads)

There’s so much to say about this book, I’m not sure where to start. It’s funny to think that I, a writer, am freezing up at writing a review of a book about writers. XD

Not everyone will be a novelist, but this book proved that everyone can be a writer (even Ms. Cash). While the children in this book learned how to write (in a very organic, fun way, I might add!), I was reminded of why–to treasure current things, remember lost ones, process change and emotions, and understand other people. The children were great characters, each unique and special. Russell ended up being my favorite, but Henry’s parents were beyond adorable.

Just Another Chapter…

I spent last week on Spring Break. It was quite restful, full, and fun.