Book Review Monday

It's Monday, and I've decided that should mean something. Something good. Mondays are not generally a day I look forward to, so I've decided to celebrate them here on the blog with something fantastic: book reviews! Every Monday I will review a new book that I've read. I will only be reviewing books that I truly love and recommend, as I think there's enough trash talk on the internet. So, it's really more of a recommendation. I love getting book recommendations from people (so feel free to give suggestions) and I think they're important to every writer out there. There's no better way to get people to read your work than by word of mouth, and if you love someone's work, why not give them a shout out and let people know about it? So that's what I'll be doing here every Monday. This week, it's all about David A. Poulsen's new book, OLD MAN.

OLD MAN by David A. Poulsen

OLD MAN is a YA novel about sixteen year old Nathan Huffman. Nate has plans for his summer, big plans. And they're all centered around getting a girl. It's going to be the summer of the Huffman, that is, until his dad calls. Nate's old man left when he was five and since then they haven't had too much contact. But now, his old man wants to take him on a trip, a trip that will change Nate's perspective of his dad and life in general.

I can't say enough good things about this book. I really can't. The writing is fantastic, and the story grabs you right from the beginning. I'm not joking, from the first line I was hooked. 

I think what impressed me most was the voice. The author captures Nathan's voice so perfectly, you really feel as though you're inside his head experiencing it all with him. He feels so real and so honest.

From the start, I had a hard time putting this one down. It was like when you announce that you'll only have one bite of dessert, and as soon as you taste it you know you just lied. You can't put the fork down. I was greedy for this book, and like a really good dessert, when it was done I was perfectly satisfied. 

Read this book.

Book Launch

Tomorrow night I'm going to a book launch and I couldn't be more excited. It's for the new book written by the current Writer in Residence, David A. Poulsen. The book is called Old Man and the launch is at 7:00PM at McNally Robinson in Saskatoon, so if you're around you should definitely check it out.

There are several reasons why I'm so excited. First of all, I love book launches. It is my most hopeful dream that I will one day have one of my own, so I would never turn down the opportunity to go to someone else's. Having a book published is an enormous accomplishment (especially in this day and age) and whether it's the first or the twenty seventh, it's worthy of celebration and fanfare.

Second, David is probably one of the nicest human beings on Earth. Seriously, I can't tell you how much he's helped me with my own writing. He is always going above and beyond the call of duty and he's been incredibly supportive. I'm excited to support him in his own endeavors for a change.

Third, and maybe the most important reason, Old Man promises to be an excellent book. I've read the synopsis and I'm desperate to get my hands on it. I can't wait to be the proud owner of one of the first copies. You better believe I'll be getting it signed too.

What's your favourite part of a book launch? Being one of the first to one a new brilliant piece of fiction or non-fiction? Getting to meet the author responsible for some of your favourite reads? Being the discoverer of fantastic new talent? Share below in the comments section!