Book Review: Sean Griswold’s Head by @lindseyleavitt Two thumbs up! Good thinkin’ too! July 3, 2011

This was a good story. Better than good… it was real. I’m not sure if that will make sense, but it’s a real, good, fun story.
I kept forgetting to write my review and I found several hours of sitting in ICU gave me some time to reflect on things I hadn’t taken care of like this.

Sean Griswold’s Head is a great story for many… it would be a great talking point for the young ones. A great way to bring up tough topics like diseases and mortality, things that younger folks don’t really contemplate at all until they’re faced with it.

Now that I’ve been sitting in an ICU hospital room with my mom, I think I appreciate Lindsey’s book even more.

When I first started reading I thought it had a good Sloppy Firsts kind of vibe, I loved the language and slang, the quick pace, all of it meshed well together. Now that it’s been a bit and I’m staring at tubes and talking to nurses and smelling that disgusting over-clean smell, it makes you really think and take stock.

Just like Payton, many of us, myself included, kind of just take stuff for granted… you assume it’s all well and good when no one tells you it is not well and good.

Naivete can be a good thing, but it can also be not at all good. Payton comes to this realization, but she kind of has to hit every branch as she falls out of the Real Life Sucks Tree.

I was completely head over heels for Sean.. he’s a good male protag. He reminds me of the perfect sitcom boyfriend. I also loved the sarcasm. Snark is hot people. Payton and Sean have a fun dynamic.

I wasn’t thrilled with Jac, the BFF, she was a little much for me. There were a few times I would’ve tied her by her braids to the Real Life Sucks Tree and whacked her with a wiffle bat or something, but that’s okay… we all have a friend like that right?
Some of the topics in SGH can be tough to get into, but it’s done so well. It can really make you think though. At least it did for me.

Lindsey did, yet again, a great job making real-life fiction fun and also a learning moment. It’s nice to be entertained and get a good message. Very after-school special minus the gross outfits and poor acting. 😀

I highly recommend and can’t wait for more from Lindsey.

You can help our friends in the South AND get great goodies! May 9, 2011

Who doesn’t love goodies? Who doesn’t love good karma? Who doesn’t want to assist our dear compatriots who’ve been seriously affected by tornadoes?

Step right up and assist away!

On April 27, 2011 a massive tornado traveled from Mississippi to Georgia destroying everything in its path. The hardest hit areas are in Alabama. The towns of Tuscaloosa, Pleasant Grove, Phil Campbell, Cullman, Pratt City, Hackleburg and many others will never be the same. There are people who lost homes, cars, photographs, books, toys, places of employment, pets and loved ones. Entire neighborhoods cease to exist and there are rural communities who no longer have grocery stores, gas stations and government facilities. Some people have nowhere to go except for a camping tent and forced to rely on the generosity of strangers.

All 4 Alabama will be holding auctions in order to raise money to help rural Alabama communities that may not get the financial assistance that the larger areas like Birmingham and Tuscaloosa will. All the proceeds will go directly to the communities in need (currently Hackleburg, Alabama and Phil Campbell, Alabama).

My dear friend Crystal and several other bloggers, authors, and publishers are all working together to help the folks who were affected by the tornadoes of the South. We would be much obliged if you would take the time to visit the pages of the auctions and bid to your heart’s content.

ALL 4 ALABAMA RELIEF

I’ve donated a query and chapter beta and critique and several authors have donated books and swag bags. I know there is something for everyone to bid on!

Please visit and donate if you can. Any help will be appreciated!