What's Up Wednesday: Hey Jude Edition

I'm catching the What's Up Wednesday hot air balloon from the blogs of Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk. Go to Jaime's blog to add your link and make the rounds to get to know other bloggers!

Here's how it works:

WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY

It's similar in some respects to the Currently... post, but it's been whittled down to only four headings to make it quicker and more manageable on a weekly basis. You're invited to join us if you're looking for something to blog about, a way to let your blog friends know what's been going on with you.

  

WHAT I’M READING

Last Thursday night, I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish Sarah Ockler’s THE BOOK OF BROKEN HEARTS by flashlight because the power was out.

And seriously, I cannot tell you enough how much I love this book. Admittedly, much of what I adored about it is incredibly personal, so no one else will have exactly this same reaction.

Here are a few of the surface details that struck me:

The main character is called Jude, and we learn late in the book that she was named for Hey Jude by the Beatles. My son, who is usually known as Toad in social media circles, is actually named Jude after the same song. (I may have mentioned my love for the Beatles once or twice.)

In the opening scene, Jude wears a vintage Van Halen t-shirt. My daughter, who is usually known as Birdy in social media circles, is actually named Halen. As in Van Halen.

Jude’s father’s name is Ted. My father’s name was Ted. Jude’s father belonged to motorcycle gang. My father belonged to a motorcycle gang.

Twin Cities - Northern Minnesota Gypsy Tour - Alexandria, Minn. Aug 27-28, 1948

On a deeper level, I was extremely moved by Jude’s relationships with her family. Her father suffers from early onset Alzheimer’s and she must come to terms with his mortality. Her sisters are several years older than Jude, so her relationships with them are much different than with typical siblings. I understand and identify with both of these situations.

Take a look at that Magnificent Seven photo to the right. That cute little thing in the pink dress, looking up at her big sister? That’s me, the youngest of seven. My sister Amy was 7 when I was born and my other sisters – Susan, Julie, and Mary – were in their teens. I can completely understand much of what Jude experiences with her sisters.

My dad died of cancer nearly 7 years ago, so please just imagine my all-out sobbing while reading this book.

Jude’s is a beautiful, achingly realistic story. I loved it so much. And before I forget, the romance in this book? Wonderful. Just wonderful.

I’m currently reading THE CAGED GRAVES by Dianne Salerni, a delicious historical novel.

WHAT I’M WRITING

I’m plugging away at revisions for BEAUTIFUL BIRD – or at least I was, until I stumbled upon this on page 40: Write scene with Elliot in the kitchen. More description. Typical! I did meet my goal of revising the next 30 pages for Ready. Set. Write! but I already feel like I have to go back and revise my revisions. Anyone else ever feel that way?

So I feel like this week, I stumbled a little with my goals, but for very good reasons. You’ll have to check back next week to learn more about those reasons. 

Seriously, check back next week.

WHAT ELSE I’VE BEEN UP TO

We had a pretty good round of severe weather over the weekend. Like I said, we lost power on Thursday night but otherwise were very fortunate. Days later, there are still thousands of people without power in the Twin Cities Metro, not to mention the storm damage and flooding. We took the kids swimming at my sister’s pool for the first time all summer. Monday we hosted a Blood Drive at work and it was all kinds of awesome. My husband and I happened to donate at the same time and my collection time was five seconds faster. 

WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW

I know I’m repeating myself when I say I’m so inspired by the writing community. But it’s true and I’ll say it again. In particular, I’m inspired by a group of very hardworking YA writers who have something special planned – but that’s all I’ll say. Come back on Monday, July 1 to learn more. You won’t want to miss it!

More than anything, I'm inspired by the promise of good things to come.

What's up with you today? Be sure to visit Kari Marie White and wish her a Happy Birthday! Tweet her at @karimariewhite.