Book 28 - A WILD Ride

I was completely ecstatic to meet Hilary T. Smith at the YA panel. She is the cutest, sweetest, most genuine author that I've ever met! When I asked her to sign my book, she said, "You're the first person that I don't know who I'm signing a book for!" YES, I was her very first fan signing!! Hilary told me that she is currently working on her next novel, which I am psyched to read. During her session, she explained that she wrote this novel while living in a rainbow-painted trailer in the woods - how neat is that?! Of the six YA panel authors, Hilary was the one I HAD to take a photo with. I am so glad to have discovered her because she is honest and true in her writing. I was able to really relate to her novel, maybe even to her as a person. Maybe I'll ask her to be my real-life friend sometime! :)

Hilary & I :)
Isn't she just the cutest little thing you ever saw?!

Hilary's note to me!

 

 

Book 28: Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

Wild Awake
(click here to purchase)

Description:
Things you earnestly believe will happen while your parents are away:

1. You will remember to water the azaleas.
2. You will take detailed, accurate messages.
3. You will call your older brother, Denny, if even the slightest thing goes wrong.
4. You and your best friend/bandmate Lukas will win Battle of the Bands.
5. Amid the thrill of victory, Lukas will finally realize you are the girl of his dreams.

Things that actually happen:

1. A stranger calls who says he knew your sister.
2. He says he has her stuff.
3. What stuff? Her stuff.
4. You tell him your parents won’t be able to—
5. Sukey died five years ago; can’t he—
6. You pick up a pen.
7. You scribble down the address.
8. You get on your bike and go.
9. Things . . . get a little crazy after that.*
*also, you fall in love, but not with Lukas.

Both exhilarating and wrenching, Hilary T. Smith’s debut novel captures the messy glory of being alive, as seventeen-year-old Kiri Byrd discovers love, loss, chaos, and murder woven into a summer of music, madness, piercing heartbreak, and intoxicating joy. [GoodReads]

Gosh, this was such an amazing book!! This book is definitely geared toward the older teens. It's the story of a girl who begins losing herself after she learns that her older sister, who she has idolized her entire life, was brutally murdered while living in a dump of an apartment. With her parents away for the entire summer, Kiri learns what life is all about: accomplishments, hard facts, downfalls, true love, etc.

In my opinion, this is a FANTASTIC debut novel. I especially love Hilary's voice. Hilary creates such beautiful imagery as the story progresses that readers feel that they are experiencing everything just the same way as Kiri. Hilary's writing style is one that should not be overlooked.

Hilary T. Smith

Meet the author: If you asked me where I've been over the past three weeks, my face would take on the apologetic puzzlement of a person attempting to recall a series of numbers heard in a dream. I know I slept one night in leaf litter at the side of a forest road, and several in the house of a kindly witch who kept candles burning at all hours, and Portland was in there somewhere, and our old neighbors' house... [GoodReads]

 To visit Hilary, follow this link:
Hilary T. Smith BLOG

UPCOMING BOOK: Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann
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