Yesterday, my co-worker, LaRene, came to my desk and told me that her daughter, Lisa, was on her way over to bring me an advanced reader copy (ARC) of her new book, The Hourglass Door. For those who don't know, an ARC is an unproofed version of a book that is soon to be published. These are usually sent out to various bookstores to decide if they want to carry the book in their stores, and also to reviewers for them to write reviews of this book. The publication date for this book is May 13, 2009. So, of course it was an honor to be able to hold it in my hands with the promise that as soon as I was done with it, I would write a review on the Deseret Book website.
I made my friend, Annie, read the prologue to me in the car. The language was beautiful. It almost made me cry. I wish I could write that well. I got home and after a run and a shower, I started in. Before I knew it--it was 10:30 and I was on Chapter 13. Today, I finished it.
So, here's the plug: GO BUY THIS BOOK! It was phenomenal. One of my favorite books. Her writing style only enhances the book. Lisa Mangum uses enough descriptions that I know what I should see, but gives me enough freedom to view the story in my own way. And it was fantastic.
The story follows Abby--a seventeen year old senior who is trying to figure out her life. Her life that has been mapped out and planned for her since she was a child. She's dating her childhood best friend and is planning to attend a university in state with her best friend. Although her little sister can be annoying, everything seems to be perfect. But it's also predictable. And not at all what Abby wants. So when the cute foreign exchange student from Italy, Dante, arrives--everything predictable loses its luster for Abby. She is then drawn into the mystery of Dante and the secrets he holds.
I wish I could tell you more, but that's all I can say before I give the secret away. If I was reviewing this book for a magazine I would talk about the language, how she weaves the story without pause. How effortless she helps to make a seventeen year old appeal to a 26 year old. I would tell you how easily it was to read the Italian and even without subtitles get a feeling for what was being said. I would write something about how I loved the pulling in of classics to the story that made me WANT to go read some of the greatest literature ever written in the world.
But because this is a blog, I won't. I'll just say one thing more: this book made me want to BE a writer. I know I've talked about how I go this great story and I've been working on it for a year now--but this book reignited that fire in me.
Just go buy it. Or check it out from the library. You won't be disappointed.
May 13, 2009
The Hourglass Door
Lisa Mangum
The Hourglass Door
Lisa Mangum
