The blogpost in which Josephine Angelini does NOT talk about her favourite books!

So, we asked Josephine Angelini to tell us a little about her favourite books. I didn't expect what we got back but it sure is funny! Thank you Josephine - you really made me giggle.

I’ve been dreading writing this post. I’ve put it off for days, hoping in vain that the next time I look at the title it will have changed to something else. Like “Favorite Board Games When You Were A Child” or something like that. Mousetrap and Operation, in case you were wondering. I also would have liked Checkers, but my sister Louise would pinch me if I didn’t let her win so that ruined that game for me. I ended up hating playing Checkers because I really wanted to win just once, but Weezie pinched hard.

But this blog isn’t about “Favorite Board Games”. I look at the title, and there it is… staring at me. Not changing. “My Favorite Books” (cue ominous music).

See, I don’t have a favorite book. I don’t have a favorite writer. I have TONS of favorite books and favorite writers. But listing them is like walking into a trap. Think about it. You’re a writer and you meet lots of other writers—imagine you’re a big party where you’re all hanging out, mingling. Now imagine running into a writer who listed everyone in the room as one of her favorites, except for you. Awkward.

Now flip it. You’re the one shaking the hand of a writer who you accidentally left off a list of favorites. You look around the room and realize that you mentioned everyone else but this one person. This goes beyond awkward. This is “Seinfeld” level of uncomfortable.

In fact, I think there must be an episode about this. I couldn’t say for sure because I missed out on “Seinfeld”. For years, starting when I was about 15, I worked too many jobs to watch TV. I’ve also only seen a handful of episodes of Friends. The only character name I know is Rachel, and only because of the haircut. I watched “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” when I could, but later, and mostly in re-runs. I love “Buffy”. The original movie is pretty awesome, too.

*sigh* I guess I just have to bite the bullet, right? I have to give you a few books titles or I just won’t be fulfilling my end of the bargain. The only safe thing to do is list dead people. I certain I won’t run into any of them at a big party, at least for several more decades. But then, what about after I die? Hum.

Could you image listing everyone but Chaucer, and then you die and go to a ghost party with all the greats—Shakespeare, Austin, The Bronte sisters, Homer, and the like. They’re all on your list. And there, over by the wet bar is Chaucer. Just glaring at you. What do you say? Do you suck it up, go over, and start with, “’The Canterbury Tales’ really was super badass and I can’t believe I didn’t list it” or do you avoid him all night? This is just “Seinfeld” with ghosts. Maybe there’s a supernatural YA book in that…

I’m still stalling, aren’t I?

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Synopsis

Destiny brought them together. The Gods will keep them apart.

When shy, awkward Helen Hamilton sees Lucas Delos for the first time she thinks two things: the first, that he is the most ridiculously beautiful boy she has seen in her life; the second, that she wants to kill him with her bare hands.

With an ancient curse making them loathe one another, Lucas and Helen have to keep their distance. But sometimes love is stronger than hate, and not even the gods themselves can prevent what will happen . . .

When I first heard about this book I wasn't sure how a Greek myth based paranormal romance would work. Potentially this combination isn't a bad thing but it sat on my shelf for a while before I dived in. Helen lives with her dad and has one close friend, Claire . Other than that she enjoys running track, working in her dad's shop and being inconspicuous. As the book develops we realise that she isn't just terminally shy - she's aware that there's something different about her. A man who tried to touch her on a ferry disappears with a sizzle of electricity. She has to try to run more slowly in track to avoid bringing attention to herself. Helen is a girl who's spent her life knowing she's different but trying to ignore it.

When Lucas and his brothers arrive at school all her effort goes out of the window in a day. She can't stop herself from throwing herself at him - not to get his attention but to kill him if she can. She soon finds herself a victim of school hierarchy - the one thing that she'd tried so hard to stay away from. Although Helen discovers the answers about her super-human powers she also finds that she could potentially be in danger as could her whole family.

I enjoyed reading Starcrossed, Helen is incredibly likeable and her friendship with Claire is genuine and funny. I also thought that the development of her relationship with Lucas is really well done. I really felt for Helen and the injustices she goes through at first at the hands of his family. The only part that I didn't enjoy was a character who arrives later on in the book. Possibly this is because this character is getting in the way of my preferred ending and all books need conflict but I found myself really disliking this character and the hold they have over Helen. Other than this the mythology aspect of Starcrossed is very enjoyable and gives the book a real structure. Seeing how the Greek gods and their offspring manage in 2011 is very entertaining! One of my favourite characters is Cassandra who, just like the Greek myth, is a prophetess who has a tragic future ahead of her. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of her (and the rest of the characters) as the series progresses. The next book, which I think is called Dreamless, is out in May 2012.