Special News Flash: Congrats to Amy C. and Melissa M. who won copies of Deb Eleanor’s The Weird Sisters yesterday! Now, on to Deb Tawna’s regularly scheduled post!
When you get picked to do a group blog like this with four other authors, there’s a factor no one likes to talk about.
You basically agree in advance to gush with praise over books you’ve never read from authors you’ve never met. There’s no written rule or arm-twisting, but let’s face it – one one’s going to post, “I really didn’t like Deb Eleanor’s book.”
So it is with a huge sigh of relief I can assure you there’s no way in the world I’d ever write that because I loved, loved, LOOOOVED Eleanor Brown’s The Weird Sisters.
Every word of this book was beautifully, delightfully written. Earlier in the week, Deb Elise blogged, “Deb Eleanor is an artist with words. She paints such gorgeously vivid pictures, I feel like I’ve been to the town of Barnwell, and to all its haunts.”
I read that and thought, “Yes! Yes!” (er, that sounded a lot less porny in my mind).
The day I got the advanced copy of Deb Eleanor’s The Weird Sisters, I got so sucked in by the first 10 pages that I literally called and canceled dinner plans with a friend so I could keep reading.
It is that good.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock this week, you’ve probably already heard the buzz about The Weird Sisters. Both Barnes & Noble and Amazon named it one of the “Best Books of the Month for January.” It was chosen as an independent bookstore IndieNext pick for February and for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program in February. It was reviewed in the New York Times, complimented in a starred review from Publishers Weekly, got glowing reviews from Booklist and Library Journal, and was featured in USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, and Woman’s Day.
Earlier in the week, I called a friend who’s part of the same book club I’ve been with for over 10 years. “I have a great idea for a book we can read next month,” I began.
“Oh, me too!” she said. “I just saw author Jennifer Weiner on Twitter talking about reading The Weird Sisters. Have you heard of it? I looked it up and everyone’s going crazy about this book. It sounds amazing!”
Um, yeah. I might’ve heard of it.
The other Debs have already covered the plot and its highlights, so I won’t take up more space with a synopsis. If you’ve missed it, go here for a blurb and info on ordering it.
And thank you to Deb Eleanor for writing a book I’m so thrilled to gush about. There’s a book club in Central Oregon that would love to have you over for dinner.
There’s a book club in South Carolina that would love to have Deb Eleanor over too!
Deb Eleanor would love to come to SC!
Jokes aside, we’ve done tons of phone call chats with authors. If Deb Eleanor would like to visit via telephone with The Bend Book B**tches…. 🙂
Tawna
That settles it. If you loved it, I know I will too. *Adding THE WEIRD SISTERS to my about-to-topple TBR pile* 🙂
P.S. You know, even though I always check the “Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail” box, I never get notified. Weird.
Linda – Thank you for letting me know about the notifications – I’ll try to check into that (things are a little hectic right now!).
My TBR pile is about to topple too – thanks for adding The Weird Sisters to your list!
I’ve had the same issue with the “notify me” feature, but kinda forget about it by the time I leave the site!
Tawna
Congrats on such amazing press, Eleanor. Tawna’s been gushing about the book via email as well. Can’t wait to read it.
Thanks, Michelle!
Indeed, wonder agent Michelle has been listening to me gush about this book for the past week. She’s probably glad I get to gush somewhere else for a change!
Tawna
Please GUSH, Twana, why not when it’s true?! There’s always the concern about having a book, movie, etc., live up to its hype. THE WEIRD SISTERS does, delivering much, much more!
Thank you so much, Larramie! I love having you as a cheerleader!
Amen, Larramie!!
Tawna
I LOVE the story about your friend and the book club – hilarious. So glad to have you as a sister Deb, Tawna, and can’t wait to gush about your book. I’m fairly sure I will be able to gush honestly, since I already think you’re hilarious.
I thought I was going to die laughing when my friend started gushing about this book. I got to say, “oh yeah? Well I KNOW her!”
Tawna
Raising hand!! Come to CT! Come to CT! It has been an exciting week for Eleanor – she’s cruised under 100 on Amazon!!! How LOOOWWWW can she go!
I think now is the time for all of us to start demanding home visits from Eleanor, don’t you agree? Probably within the next week or so.
Tawna
Great post, Tawna! And you can shout pornily about my posts anytime!
Such an exciting week at the Ball, and for such an incredible person and book. Every bit of the hype is more than deserved.
HOORAY, ELEANOR!
xo,
Elise
“Pornily” is officially my new favorite adverb.
Tawna