Stacking the Shelves #1

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. a chance to share any books you’ve bought, borrowed, or received in the past 7 days. All of the books on this list are linked to Goodreads.

So since this is sort of my first 'Stacking the Shelves' post, I decided I would just include the books I've recieved in the last couple months rather than just this past week. I'll do that post next week. Also I'm pretty sure that the books I list for Stacking the Shelves will be those I review, but not always! Anyway, here they are....

Borrowed

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

I'm currently borrowing this from my mentor who recommended it to me. I'm hoping to read it by Christmas time.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

My old librarian gave this book to me back in August for me to read, so I should probably do so and return it. I don't know if I'm going to review this book. I'm certainly going to read it though.

My Most Excellent Year by Steve Kluger

This is on loan to me from my friend Samantha. It looks pretty fabulous actually.

Bought

The Family Fang by Kevil Wilson

So I bought this book back when I was at the Sewanee Young Writer's Conference. Kevin Wilson also wrote a collection of short stories (Tunneling to the Center of the Earth) which I absolutely adored. I also got to meet with him when he came to talk to the young writers, and he autographed it. I know its going to be a weird and wonderful read, so I can't wait.

            

Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel

These two gems were recommended to me by my cousin/uncle/relative Jan and so I very promptly ordered them off of Amazon while I was still in Europe on vacation so they would be there waiting for me when I got home. However, despite summer vacation I ran out of time to read it. Then my mum borrowed them (and devoured them) and then we lent them out to a bazillion friends. ANYWAY now they are back on my book case and I am determined to dig in as soon as possible!! (But not too soon, because the third and final book isn't bound to come out for another two years!)

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

A rather obvious must-read. I have had it since the day it came out, and yet haven't gotten past the first page due to distractions. 

Gifted

Mirabilis by Susann Cokal

I was given this book by one of my best friends Emily. She loved it and basically forced it on me. I read the first few pages and found it interesting, but had to put it aside because of school. The author used to live in the same region of France as I did, so maybe we'll have something in common there as I read.

La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexander McCall Smith

My mother bought me this a few months ago and I always found the cover very beautiful and interesting. So we'll see how this goes!

So that is all for now! I probably won't do these on a weekly basis because I don't buy books quite THAT often. (*looks at Samantha*) However, I'll do them either every week or every other week if I can. And on Fridays.

So until next time... :)

Julia

Coming soon...

Coming soon to this blog:

Well first of all, you should know that the url has changed. If you have found your way here, you probably already know that. I think it is one of the final milestones that this is no longer a Parelli blog or a horse blog. But a "me" blog, with a heavy focus on writing and reading. That leads me to my next point....

Book reviews. After reading and following the amazing work of a few book review blogs, including my best friend Samantha's blog (which you can check out here). I used to absolutely adore reading books- several in one week. However I've lost that love in the last year or two, probably due to writing and school reading. Which most certainly is not okay. So I've decided to join in on the fun and begin reviewing books. Since I'm graduating in two months anyway (really less, if you count in weekends and Thanksgiving break and such) I need to do something entertaining and productive after I graduate. Especially since the interning thing isn't panning out quite like I hoped.

So that is something to look forward to.

Also, over the next few weeks I will be doing yet ANOTHER makeover and finalize everything design wise. I'll be doing some changes to help promote The Hazel Tree, as well as prepare for book reviews and more posts. Also, I'll be deleting the writing stuff from Sewanee so say goodbye to it now. *waves goodbye*

OH! By the way, I am on Goodreads now. As a fancy professional author thing. Which is awesome.
And I have a website now!

Cheers!

Julia

The Hazel Tree -- Published!

Hey everyone!

You'll never guess what happened last week! The Hazel Tree was finally published! It is now available on Kindle, Nook and in paperback. Just click the word for whichever version you want, and it will take you straight to the page you need to go to!

This is great news for me, because it means that I won't have to wait until the last minute to finish my Capstone project. In fact, I should have it done within the next couple weeks! Whoop whoop. I'm already working on my next project, which is a collection of short stories. I estimate that should be published in the spring.

All my college applications are in. Also, I'm reading Stephen King's book On Writing and it is fantastic. Life is good right now. Who would have thought, eh?

Cheers,

Julia

Do What You Love

by Alan Watts

I am...

“I am...”

            I am not a schizophrenic. The voices in my head aren’t just anonymous, monotone voices. They have full names, extensive, complicated backstories, and complex opinions. Not all are human. Ivy is a werewolf with green eyes, Rosemarie is a fae-being with pink hair and yellow skin. Callum is probably the only one who is completely human.  There are dozens of voices, possibly hundreds- like some sort of unorganized mass of voices and stories. Some who have been around for years, a constant companion with me. Others have not yet earned their names, or learned their life story yet, and rather lurk in the shadowy corners of my mind. I talk to them, and they usually talk back. But the one thing they have in common? I created them. Crafted each individually in my dreams and subconscious, a collage of people I know and people i have never met. I am not crazy. Even though I have worlds ready to spill from the tip of my pen. Constantly creating symbolism and mythology for a land in another dimension. I am not a schizophrenic. I am a writer. (And that is crazy enough.)

Intensity

Friday July 5th 2013

Sewanee Young Writers Conference

Intensity

by Julia Debski

It was not musical tunes that passed through her head, but rather a melody quite unique to a writer, and to the woman on the bed. The hum of stories, worlds, and dramas rose and sunk in her mind, creating a song unique to herself.

The water shut off and soon she was no longer alone in the room, apart from the company of voices in her head and outside the window.

“Oh River, I wish you would get up. It’s almost noon, and lunch will be served.” Amanda said before dropping the towel and walking the length of the room to the dresser. River turned her head an increment of a degree to watch the goosebumps rise on the other woman’s skin. She continued to stare with a seemingly blank stare as silk slipped and curled over the ribs and thighs, wrapped up from the cold. 

“What do you think? Is this alright?” Amanda spun once, for her dress to twirl around her once. Like the ballerina she once was as a child. River’s lips slipped into a small satisfied smile. She loved that dress. It always quieted the voices gushing in her mind. As if they were as in awe of Amanda as River was. Slowly, River’s eyes drifted back up to the ceiling.

On the other side of the room, gentle clicks of lipsticks and mascaras being opened was heard. River’s dearest character hushed the others before voicing her hope for Amanda to wear her dark red lipstick, the color of over ripe cherries. The one that made her skin look pale and soft, and her green eyes dazzle. That was why this one was her favorite. It was much like River, in a sense.

Preoccupied with a discussion occurring between two creatures in their little world, River did not hear the gentle pat of bare feet approaching. Lips upon hers woke River from the trance. She hadn’t realized her eyes had fallen shut. A lazy smile bloomed on her lips, causing Amanda to pull away, amused. River cracked an eye open, and her breath caught. She raised a finger slowly to hover before her lover’s lips. Asking for permission. Amanda smiled and gave her a small nod. The finger landed on the left corner of her bottom lip, gentle. Careful not to mar the heavy color. Then it ran along the length, before traveling back again along the top one. Faded slightly now, but not noticeable. River returned the finger to her own mouth and rubbed the cherry red traces on her own lips. Then she raised herself slightly to capture Amanda’s lips between her teeth, feeling a different type of goosebumps rise on her skin at the thought of the color staining her teeth. 

Dead Before Life

July 4th 2013
Sewanee Young Writers Conference

Dead Before Life

by Julia Debski

Day in, day out,

write

Be good, be great, be the best

Don’t eat, don’t sleep,

write

Ideas flood by

Drowning the pen and paper

No sleep, it’s for the weak,

write

Click clack of keys

The children of others being born

Nothing of my own

It was washed away with

The tide

Laugh, cry

Hands shake,

write

Breath life into something that

Does not yet exist

A stillborn baby 

Presented to the world 4 months too early.

Leave It

July 1st 2013

Sewanee Young Writers Conference

Leave It

by Julia Debski

Alice sits in an armchair, hunched over in a dark room. The black curtains are drawn over the windows, letting no light in. Audience can’t see her face. It’s quiet- no music, no animals, no noise from outside. Then a small clock chimes somewhere in the dark.

Alice Oh shut up with that noise! I heard enough of it already.

Clock continues to chime. Alice turns and throws a glass at the clock. It smashes, and the chiming stops. The audience can now see her face- pale, and set in a frown. Haunted.

Alice  I swear to God, if I have one more interruption...

There is a knock at the door. Alice looks like she is considering throwing something at the door as well.

Alice Don’t come in! That’s what the sign on the door is for- stay out!

Betty (offstage) Oh honestly, you are ridiculous. You open this door this instant. We are going sort you out.

Alice I don’t want to be sorted out, damn it!

Betty picks the lock to Alice’s door and enters.

Alice Oh shit, how’d it open? Doesn’t matter. Get out, out! Leave me alone.

Betty No. You can’t just stay in this room for the rest of eternity, that’s insane. You need to get your life started again. 

Alice I’m perfectly happy in here, really. 

Betty You call living in the dark and isolation being happy? Come on, we both know you are far from happy.

Alice I am happy!

Betty You are not!

Alice So what should I do to become happy?

Betty (hesitant) Well you could...

Alice Spit it out!

Betty You could get a job.

Alice Hell no. Absolutely not. No way.

Betty You need to get your life up and running again, and you need money to do that. To go see movies, go out and eat, buy things. You need a job.

Alice (becoming angry) I don’t want to start my life again. Why should I? I don’t want to do any of those things.

Betty You’ve always been such a pessimist.You can’t live your life out in here. Eventually, the money you have saved for the rent will run out. You will need to step outside this room eventually. Come on, we’ll do it together.

Betty moves forward quickly and grabs Alice’s arm, dragging her out of the arm chair and towards the door. Taken by surprise, Alice doesn’t manage to fight back at first. They struggle for a moment before Alice breaks free.

Alice What the hell? Get off me! Don’t touch me! (pause) How can I make myself clear? I don’t want to go out there, I can’t go out there. How can I go out there and live my life when I can never escape what happened? That town, they don’t want me. I’m dirty to them.

Betty You are not dirty. It wasn’t your fault. Don’t let what happened, and what a few people say affect your life. Otherwise you are letting him win. 

Alice Him. We can’t even say his name. He has won. He took what he wanted and left me behind a building. No matter what, I’m better off here.

Betty Oh dear...

Betty moves forward to hug Alice. Alice quickly steps away, holding her hands in front of her in defense. She trips over something, not being able to see it in the dark.

Alice I don’t want a job. 

Betty Okay, so you don’t want a job. But you have to at least start getting out more.

Alice Why?

Betty Because you are stronger than this. I know you. We’ll do it together, one step at a time.

Hair

June 30th 2013

Sewanee Young Writers Conference

Hair

A Play

Oliver: It’s brown, because it’s leather. A really old-like fancy leather book. No bigger than my hand when it’s spread out. Like this, see? From the tips of my fingers to the palm. No, no, it wouldn’t be like your hand. Too small. It smells kind of funny as well, cause its so old. It was made a long time ago. Hundreds of years old. That’s why the pages are all yellowed and faded. It’s really important I find it. I need it.

Aunt Celine: Why on earth would you want such an awful little book? It was terribly smelly, I made sure it was one of the first things to go. You really mustn't worry about such petty things as little books, Oliver. It isn’t wise.

Oliver: No, no, NO! You don’t understand, you don’t get it! I need it Aunt Celine! It is very important. You have no idea. None! Oh no, no, no. What did you do with it? Where did it go? I need to know now. Oh god, look now my hair is falling out. That’s how important it is to me, Aunt Celine. My hair is coming out in my hands! Well that’s just disgusting. Oh god, oh no! Where is my book? I need it. Do you understand? Need it. What’s this? Why is my face wet? Are these tears? I’m crying, aren’t I? Oh god, my little leather book. What will I do without it? Nothing, simply nothing! Wanna know why? Huh, do you? Is that blood? My nose is bleeding, Aunt Celine! Look what you’ve done to me. This is why I need my little book. Wanna know why  it’s so important? I’ll tell you if you tell me what’s caught in my throat. What is it, Aunt Celine, it’s blocking my throat. I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe! You wanna know why it’s so important?

If My Writing Was A Place

July 1st 2013
Sewanee Young Writers Conference

If my writing was a place...

The sunset highlights the outline of the trees, making it far more dramatic. Creatures not native to this land, this planet emerge and wander. They chatter and meet, discussing through their language barriers. Everywhere I turn is something new and strange and wierd and wonderful. Some animals glow, others have scales, or feathers longer than my arm. The sun is still setting, never quite making it behind the horizon and keeping us, and the forest, from plunging into the night.

 Magic is alive here, walks amongst the trees, dressed in robes and cloaks. It smiles or glares, to each their own. The not-quite shadows shelter things from view, things we know are there yet don't want to see- death, inequality, prejudice, anger, hatred. Walk too close and it will grab you around the ankle and drag you into the shadows. I still sport a handprint scar on my ankle.

The sun will never set, leaving just enough light for life to continue and magic to thrive. Nor will it ever fully rise, never to chase away the shadow things or release the darkness of the forest.