BOOKS AND BLOGGING PHILOSOPHY

Philosophy is defined as a theory underlying or regarding a sphere of activity or thought. Well, my theory is if I can add at least 10 new books to my Wishlist and move at least 5 older Wishlist selections to my TBR list every month, then life is a ice cream sundae. And if I can find those 10 books from at least 5 new blogs each month then that's the cherry on top.

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!

NEW VISITORS AND OLD- WELCOME!
Well, I've made it almost 5 years now, so for better or worse, I continue on. I tend to blog in spurts as the urge to be creative erupts. As I don't have an artistic bone in my body, you will see very few changes in the layouts. Hey, I'm a reader not an artist like so many of the awesome bloggers I follow. I know you don't always have the time but if you stopped and looked, take a half a minute and say your piece. Recommend a book that you have enjoyed or hated for that matter. Thank you to all who visit.
Oh, and I moved my Google Friend Connect info and share this buttons to the top, as without our friends, who are we?


Sunday, May 10, 2015

FFBC: A Matter of Heart by Amy Fellner Dominy


A Matter of Heart
by Amy Fellner Dominy
Publisher: Delacorte
Release Date: May 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Sports





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Readers will happily sink into this emotionally grounded, contemporary young adult novel about the sudden end of one girl's Olympic swimming dreams and the struggles she endures before realizing there are many things that define who we are.

Sixteen-year-old Abby Lipman is on track to win the state swim championships and qualify for the Olympic trials when a fainting incident at a swim meet leads to the diagnosis of a deadly heart condition. Now Abby is forced to discover who she is without the one thing that's defined her entire life.

BOOK LINKS:
Amazon paperbackhttp://tinyurl.com/mr8nntz
Barnes & Noble (B&N) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/99-days-katie-cotugno/1120020199?ean=9780062216380
Bookdepositoryhttp://www.bookdepository.com/Matter-Heart-Amy-Fellner-Dominy/9780385744430
iTuneshttps://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-matter-of-heart/id914351668?mt=11
Kobohttps://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-matter-of-heart-1


Excerpt
I turn and head for my dad.  The sun is hot on my shoulders, and bright enough to make me squint. It’s a little toasty, even for Phoenix, but at least the mornings and nights have started to cool off. Dad has edged back from the crowd and found a shady spot by the building so we can have a little privacy. He waits until I reach him, and then his arms are around me. His words are warm in my ear. “You’re only half a second off the qualifying time.” There’s pride in his voice and the sound of it runs down my spine, raising goose bumps like a standing ovation.  “You know what that means?” he says.  “You can qualify at State this year. That’s three weeks, Ab. We’re that close.” He pulls back, a frown on his face as his hands rub my arms. “You’re shaking, honey.  You cold?  Where’s your towel?” “I’m not cold,” I say.  “I think I’m in shock.” I take a breath.  I’m still recovering maybe, because my lungs feel too tight. Dad looks back at the stopwatch in his hand and shakes his head.  I know he’s itching to get home and plot this on the chart that hangs in his office.  It’s gigantic, the chart.  On it he’s got all my times from every major meet since freshman year. This year, he added a side panel with qualifying times of the other sophomores across the country. This side panel isn’t about charting my personal best.  It’s about me being the best.  About winning Olympic gold. Maybe I am cold.  I shiver again.  I look into Dad’s eyes—a deep olive green, same as mine.  And I think, no, I’m just happy.  Dad was a world-class backstroker.  He would have been where I am if he hadn’t broken his collarbone in a freak accident his senior year of high school.  He never got his chance, but nothing will get in my way. I’m going to win gold for both of us.  Dad’s eyes are shiny.  He’s not a crier.  He’s more the tough guy—work hard and don’t whine.  But this wasn’t just any race.  We both knew I’d need to drop time if I’m going to have any hope. “You did it,” he says.  “You’re there, Ab.  You keep training, and you’re one swim away from an invitation to the United States Olympic team trials.”  He shakes his head, almost as if he can’t believe the words himself. I feel dizzy.  Because of his words, maybe.  The way his head is still moving.  The way there’s cold creeping up my neck and making my head feel numb. Dizzy. I suck in a breath.  My heart is trying to dent my ribs.  My lungs still ache. I want to smile at Dad.  This is amazing.  Life is amazing. First place.  Trials.  Connor. Smile, Abby.  Smile with Dad. Only, now Dad isn’t smiling either.  He looks dizzy.  No—wait.  He looks worried.  I’m the one who’s dizzy. Something. Is wrong.  I can’t breathe.

Amy Fellner Dominy worked as a copywriter in the advertising business before leaving to earn her MFA in playwriting. Her plays for adults and children have been staged in various cities around the country. Amy's novels for teens include OyMG (Walker, 2011) and AUDITION & SUBTRACTION (Walker, 2012.) Amy's next book is a contemporary YA coming Spring, 2015 from Random House. It's called A MATTER OF HEART.

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