This is a monthly blog tour organized by the super fantastic Nori from ReadWriteLove28. She picks an author that deserves a little more attention and we work to get that author the recognition that they deserve.
I am super excited to introduce another fabulous book to you guys this month...This Ordinary Life by Jennifer Walkup.
This Ordinary LifeBy Jennifer Walkup
Published October 1, 2015
240 Pages
Luminous Books, Inc
High-school radio host Jasmine Torres's life is full of family dysfunction, but if she can score the internship of her dreams with a New York City radio station, she knows she can turn things around.
That is, until her brother Danny’s latest seizure forces her to miss the interview, and she’s back to the endless loop of missing school for his doctor appointments, picking up the pieces of her mother’s booze-soaked life, and stressing about Danny’s future.
Then she meets Wes. He’s the perfect combination of smart, cute, and funny. He also happens to have epilepsy like her brother. Wes is living a normal life despite his medical issues, which gives Jasmine hope for Danny. But memories of her cheating ex-boyfriend keep her from going on a real date with Wes, no matter how many times he asks her.
Jasmine can’t control everything. Not who wins the internship, not her mother’s addiction, not her brother’s health--not even where her heart will lead her. She wishes she could just have an ordinary life, but maybe what she already has is pretty extraordinary after all.
Living an (Extra)Ordinary Life
Guest Post by Jennifer Walkup
The main character in your book just wants to have an "ordinary life." I would love to know how your life is ordinary and maybe how it is a little bit extraordinary. What are the seemingly ordinary things in your life that make you extraordinarily happy? Have you ever wished for a more ordinary or extraordinary life? - Tessa
Hi there! Thanks so much for the great question! I think life in general is full of ordinary moments that add up and into a pretty extraordinary life. Something small can be so meaningful. I see examples of this every day with my family. I have two young boys and our life is crazy – hectic, fun, amazing, busy, loud, sometimes stressful, too. But when you add up all the ordinary moments in our days, they add up to something pretty extraordinary and really pretty wonderful. We were recently down at the beach – it’s off season so we were just strolling on the emptier-than-usual boardwalk and then walking on the beach, collecting shells. The kids decided to plop down and play in the sand a bit – nothing planned, nothing like setting up our spot on the beach and parking our stuff there for the day – just an impromptu short bit of fun. My husband and I sat back, letting the ocean breeze wash over us. Autumn setting in, I pulled my arms into myself, and turned my face toward the late afternoon sun. It was a beautiful day. A perfect day. I buried my toes in the sand, and I watched the waves break just beyond where my kids ran back and forth, building a sand fort. I called out to them so I could take a photo and they looked up, eyes lit with the excitement of their childhood, of having fun together. They didn’t pose into a perfect smile and I didn’t get the picture on my phone, but I got the image of it in my mind.
It was a moment that was so absolutely ordinary, full of ordinary fun and happiness, just an ordinary experience that many people have. But when it’s your life, it’s moments of happiness like those, that add up to something pretty extraordinary.
Writing books feels pretty extraordinary, too. Getting emails from readers is something that I never tire of, and I really appreciate when readers reach out to me to tell me what they thought of my books or to ask questions. Writing stories and getting to share them with the world – it’s an extraordinary thing and something I really don’t take for granted.
It was a moment that was so absolutely ordinary, full of ordinary fun and happiness, just an ordinary experience that many people have. But when it’s your life, it’s moments of happiness like those, that add up to something pretty extraordinary.
Writing books feels pretty extraordinary, too. Getting emails from readers is something that I never tire of, and I really appreciate when readers reach out to me to tell me what they thought of my books or to ask questions. Writing stories and getting to share them with the world – it’s an extraordinary thing and something I really don’t take for granted.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful question and for having me on your blog!
Best,
Best,
Jennifer Walkup
About Jennifer
Award-winning author Jennifer Walkup is most often found writing, reading, and spending time with her husband and young sons. A member of SCBWI and RWA, Jennifer also works as an editor and creative writing instructor, and is an advocate for Epilepsy awareness. This Ordinary Life is her second novel.
Giveaway!
As always, thanks to Nori for organizing this wonderful tour!
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