Friday, September 2, 2016

Julie Eshbaugh

Julie Eshbaugh now lives in Philadelphia after having called Utah, France, and New York City home. Early on, Eshbaugh focused her artistic energies on filmmaking and online video. She made two short films and then spent several years producing an online video series for teens which received several honors from the Webby Awards. Creating videos for teens led to writing novels for teens, and Eshbaugh has never looked back. Ivory and Bone is her debut novel.

Recently I asked the author about what she was reading. Her reply:
The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry

Emily Henry has created something so special with The Love That Split the World. This book stretches beyond genres, with elements of contemporary romance, magical realism, and even fantasy. It's a story about stories themselves and the way the meaning of a story can be so personal and universal at the same time. It's a love story in the broadest sense. It pulses with a vibrant romance, but it also shines a light on family love and even the love and acceptance of self. An energy runs through the pages of The Love That Split the World--the energy of the unseen that is no less real than what is seen. You will feel that energy! This book will make you think about the power of possibilities and the unbounded reach of love.

Underwater by Marisa Reichardt

Underwater by Marisa Reichardt is about the process of healing, and the powerful way our connectedness can influence that process. The central story is about a girl recovering from a terrible trauma, but there are so many other stories here, too, and they all weave together so beautifully. That's the way this book felt to me... woven like a tapestry, with relationships binding everything together. There were scenes that felt like snapshots--vivid and alive like snapshots from my own family's albums. So many moments (even very small, seemingly incidental moments,) would spring off the page with warmth and life and love, and despite the darkness of the subject matter, my heart would fill with light. There's so much hope in this book--the hope that comes from stubborn determination. Morgan struggles, but she's a fighter. I loved her journey, and I loved this book!

The Girl Who Fell by SM Parker

Zephyr and Alec are in love, but their relationship slides into abuse. I'm not sure I breathed while I read the final third of this book. The Girl Who Fell is a startling, compelling, important read. It's the kind of book that you have to put down at times, just so you can walk around and catch your breath and remind yourself that everything's okay because the things happening to Zephyr in the story are not actually happening to you. But the thing is, this book is very real, and the things that happen to Zephyr happen to real girls (and boys) every day. That's the thing that will stay with you after you finish reading. The author portrayed each character with so much empathy... even Alec. The book was gripping and breathtaking and kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to sleep. SM Parker, you have made me a lifelong fan!
Visit Julie Eshbaugh's website.

--Marshal Zeringue