Please welcome Mary O'Connell to Alison Can Read!
November 8, 2011; Delacorte Press
Sandinista Jones is a high school senior with a punk rock name and a broken heart. The death of her single mother has left Sandinista alone in the world, subject to the random vulnerability of everyday life. When the school system lets her down, her grief and instability intensify, and she ponders a violent act of revenge.
Still, in the midst of her crisis, she gets a job at The Pale Circus, a funky vintage clothing shop, and finds friendship and camaraderie with her coworker, a boy struggling with his own secrets.
Even as Sandinista sees the failures of those with power and authority, she's offered the chance to survive through the redemptive power of friendship. Now she must choose between faith and forgiveness or violence and vengeance. (courtesy of Goodreads)
When I'm Not Writing
This is a fun topic for a fiction writer, an excellent opportunity to come up with some fantastic possibilities about madcap escapades and edgy outings But in truth, I have three kids — one in junior high, one in elementary school and a three-year-old, so when I’m not writing I spend a lot of time in a mini van driving people to and from school and activities, and negotiating the finer points of purchasing Fruit Loops vs. Cheerios, that sort of thing.
I suppose it’s not horribly interesting from the outside, but there are those moments when any old day turns suddenly sublime: My three-year-old daughter was looking up at the birds on Sunday and she said, “I wonder if I’ll be big enough to fly next year?”
Of course, when I’m not writing there’s an awful lot of laundry spliced in with the lovely moments. But I’m sort of writing when I’m not writing, too... just trying to figure out scenes in my head as I go about my day. It’s like John Irving says in The Hotel New Hampshire: “You’ve got to get obsessed and stay obsessed.”
Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Alison!
I'm really looking forward to reading this one. I've read a TON of positive reviews for it! Also, it had me at that cover! :)
ReplyDeleteAwww! I have a 16 month old and I agree that no matter how boring you life seems, it's the complete opposite. They're so amazed by every little things.
ReplyDeleteThis book is high on my TBR list it sounds really interesting. I look forward to it! :)
Giselle
Xpresso Reads
The cover is so gorgeous... she looks so much like Vanessa Hudgens, though! Is it actually her?
ReplyDeleteOoh, sounds like a good read! Sandinista's pain comes right off the page in that blurb alone!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd what, writers get free time???? Preposterous! ;)
(And your daughter sounds adorable!!! What did you tell her about being big enough to fly?)
Smiles!
Lori