The Socialpunk Trilogy

A little while ago I was contacted by Monica Leonelle, blogger and author of The Socialpunk Trilogy. She asked me to write a review on her new book, Socialpunk.

Since I love to read, I was happy to participate. The book is not my usual genre; it’s a bit fantasy and set in the future. I was pretty skeptical I’d like it, but I decided to read it anyways.

My thoughts:

I really, really liked it. Socialpunk grabbed me right away and I read it in a few hours. It has everything in a a book I love: romance, action and suspense. Although it is set in the future, (in a world we do not live) Monica does an excellent job making you feel like you’re right along with the characters, describing their environment really well. I would say this a mix of Twilight and A Girl With a Dragon Tattoo. It has the romance and fantasy of Twilight, with the suspense of A Girl with A Dragon Tattoo (and without the super intense stuff).

My only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough! She leaves you on the edge of your seat. I’m definitely going to be reading the next book in the trilogy (Socialmob), which comes out in July 2012.

My Interview with Monica:

BrittanyandTahn: What motivated you to start writing?

Monica Leonelle: I was inspired by the city of Chicago, by social media issues in our current world, and by the cyberpunk genre. The book is a bit like the Terminator series and I reference that a couple times just for fun. James Cameron is basically my favorite director ever, and he really inspires me with his world-building and storytelling skills.

BandT: Who is your favorite character in Socialpunk?

ML: I would have to say Ima, as she’s the main character and the book is told entirely from her point of view. What I love about her is how much she changes from the beginning of the book to the end. She feels very guilty and is constantly struggling with right vs. wrong. She’s probably one of my favorite characters out of all the ones I’ve written.

BandT: What is one book everyone should read?

ML: When I was a kid I loved this book called The Girl With the Silver Eyes. Here is the exact cover of the book I had: http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Silver-Eyes-Apple-Paperbacks/dp/0590442481. It’s one of my absolute favorite YA novels, and, surprise! Maggie Stiefvater loves that book too. This was the first novel that made me want to write fantasy and science fiction.

If you’re interested in learning more about the book, visit http://socialpunktrilogy.com

Monica Leonelle is a well-known digital media strategist and the author of three novels. She blogs at Prose on Fire (http://proseonfire.com) and shares her writing and social media knowledge with other bloggers and authors through her Free Writer Toolkit (http://proseonfire.com/free-writer-toolkit).

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Things I like this week (vol. 11)

1. As you know, I love Taylor Swift. So clearly, I would love her video she made with her cat, Meredith a few weeks ago for the ACMs. (And I don’t even like cats very much!) (And, she won…)

2. I love this article about the slow book movement. It sparked my interest, and now I am reading Jane Eyre.

3. I thought this was super funny, especially if you’ve had a rough day.

4. This performance is glorious. Makes me jealous for the 1,542 time that I can’t sing.

5. I could have totally written this letter to my boyfriend, Ryan Gosling.

Happy Monday.

The Worst Part of the Day

For reasons I won’t bore you with, I’ve been spending a lot of time home, not at work.  I’ve been home for the past three weeks, reading, cleaning, exercising, organizing and reading again. I’ve kept away from the TV because I find it just makes me want to nap. So instead of napping I’ve read 5 books, donated old clothing, and really organized my life. It’s been productive.

And since I’ve been home most of the day, I’ve been spending almost all of my time with the dogs – Tahnee (of course) and Maya (my roommate’s dog). And since the dogs are both Labradors, they follow me everywhere all the time.

The dogs have greatly bonded to me in these past few weeks; I am their alpha, their everything. Whenever I leave, they sulk and pout and are pitiful. This is a drastic difference from a few weeks ago when I would just get sad eyes. Now every time I leave they ache devastation, unsure of what to do or where to go.

I suspect they just sleep.

I leave at least once everyday – if not to exercise, but to also run errands. Each time worst than the next, each time they are more helpless and forlorn. It is the worst part of their day

I, on the other hand, leave them with no guilt. And for this I believe I am punished.

Everyday, around 3pm it starts.

Tahn will suddenly sit, staring at me.

Maya gets up and paces a bit.

I ignore them at first. “No eye contact” I tell myself.

Tahn’s piercing black eyes start working their way into my soul.

When I cannot take it anymore I tell them both to lie down.

They do. We have peace.

Until 3:30pm.

Tahn is up again, beady eyes on me.

Maya may bark once or twice.

Now I’m getting mad. “No!” I shout. “Not yet.” I scold.

They huff and puff  and lie down.

By 4pm, it gets really bad. (Like yesterday).

They no longer hear anything I say.

They double-team me.

Tahn pokes me with her cold nose and gives me the stare of death.

Maya goes from a high-pitched whine to a full bark attack.

I get incredibly angry. “NO! BAD DOGS!” I yell.

Tahn stares and pokes and Maya barks.

I consider putting them in the backyard and then remember Maya will bark even more and Tahn will eat sticks.

I consider putting them in their respective rooms and then remember Maya will destroy my roommate’s things in anger and Tahn will lie on my bed and pull back the covers and put her head on my pillow.

I scold them once more, really being firm. They coil in sadness.

I can almost hear them talking to each other, “Gosh, she didn’t have to be so mean, Tahn,”

“I know, Maya.”

At 4:30pm on the dot, the dogs are fed and the worst part of my day is over.

Today I’ll be at a coffee shop from 2:30pm to 5pm if anyone needs me.

Pouty Dogs