Friday 2 September 2011

Friday Fives, Attention Grabbing Titles, and Writing Update

I can't believe it's Friday already. But it is, and that means that it's time for the Paper Hangover blog prompt. Every week the people at Paper Hangover come up with a question for writers and readers of young adult fiction to answer on their blogs. This week they want to know the five book titles that caught my attention.

1: Across the Barricades by Joan Lingard: This is a story about two teenagers who fall for each other in 1970s Belfast. Sadie is Protestant and Kevin is Catholic, and in the political climate of Northern Ireland in 1973 this makes their relationship very difficult. I love the title because it sounds so stark. It lets you know at the start that there are high stakes and possible violence in the story.

2: Divergent by Veronica Roth: I love this title because it works on two levels. Not only is the word used to describe the protagonist, but because it literally means 'going the other way'. Again, this tells you that this is a story about going against the grain of society.

3: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer: I love this title, really atmospheric. It also describes that period in adolescence where you're not quite a child, but not quite an adult either. A time of transition, which is really what the series is about underneath it all.

4: The Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman: This is the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy, known as The Golden Compass in the US. I've always been fascinated by the northern lights, and was taken in by the mysteriousness of the title.

5: Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson: This is a book that I haven't read yet, but the title is attention grabbing. Especially for a book concerning eating disorders.

Writing update: I have my foster placement 24 hours at this point, and I've managed to get 2,000 words down. So I'm not doing too badly. Hopefully I'll get some more work done this evening.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

21 comments:

  1. I really like ACROSS THE BARRICADES, and WINTERGIRLS, too.

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  2. Congrats on getting 2,000 words done! I hope you enjoy the day with your little one!

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  3. I think I like The Northern Lights better than The Golden Compass as a title.

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  4. I would have never picked Twilight as mine, until I read your reasoning. Awesome.

    Have a great weekend! And I hope you get a lot of writing done!

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  5. The Northern Lights is a great title for The Golden Compass. I used to see the northern lights sometimes when I lived in the suburbs but not as much in the city. The are pretty cool.

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  6. #5 caught my attention, too, before I read it

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  7. Out of all of the ones you listed, Divergent is the one that caught my eye the most. I don't know what it is, but everytime I see that title in a book review or even just a passing statement, I get chills!

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  8. I really like Wintergirls--creates a new word with different nuances out of 2 ordinary words.

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  9. Divergent is a fabulous title, and something that's been on my tbr list for a while :-)

    Glad the placement's going well.

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  10. I remember the time a title caught my eye. It was King Rat by China Mieville. I found it in the library one day (this would be somewhere in the vicinity of five years ago or so) and the story was just incredible. I then spent the better part of three years trying to find it in bookstores. Finally, a couple of years ago I did and I'm soooo glad I finally own it.

    Also? I think I'm going to have to check out Across the Barricades!

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  11. Hi Christine! Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm excited to campaign with you. I haven't read Wintergirls, but that title really resonates with me.

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  12. Hi Christine, Congratulations on getting 2,000 words down on your WIP. Saying hello from the writing campaign;)

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  13. Hi Christine, I'm stopping by from the Campaign-Women's Fiction group. Your blog has really drawn me in. I look forward to reading more posts.

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  14. Hi, Christine, I'm one of your fellow Campaigners and am looking forward to getting to know you better. I visited Ireland in 2005 and spent a few days in Dublin exploring--I had a great time! Sorry about the fibromyalgia. I had CFIDS (I think you guys call it M.E.?) for several years, and it wasn't fun. I did get better, though, so there's hope!

    Anyway, glad you're on the Campaign, and I hope it goes well for you!

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  15. I love 5 and 2. Yay for writing progress.

    I'm a fellow campaigner, in a different group than you, saying hello. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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  16. Northern Lights! Let's be friends FOREVER!

    Also, allow me to give you and your lovely blog some awards!

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  17. Just finished Wintergirls actually, and it did not disappoint. Very gifted writer. Good luck with the fosters! I'm sure they'll keep you busy.

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  18. oooh really been meaning to read Divergent, must get round to it!

    Sarah :-

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  19. Thats right play bazaarwebsites new creating ideas satta king going to your way.

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