The Next Together Review

How many times can you read a book you love? Easy: an infinite amount of times.

How many times can you lose the one you love? Hard: Katherine and Matthew are about to find out.

The Next Together is Lauren James’s debut about reincarnation and true love. The story follows two characters, Katherine and Matthew, through four different time periods, 2039, 2019, 1854 and 1745. In each time period, each version of Katherine and Matthew are trying to save the world and change history while they fall deeply in love each time. Before any version of Katherine or Matthew can do anything with their love, they are tragically separated just to be reborn again and forget each other.

                This book is extremely original because of its format. Firstly, one of my favorite things about the book non-writing-wise, is how each time period is written in a different font. 2039 Kate and Matt’s story is written a futuristic-looking font, while 1754 Katherine and Matthew’s journey is transcribed in a type-writer-looking font to match the time period. Secondly, I also enjoy the small timeline bar that runs across the top of each page with a little arrow pointing at where Katherine and Matthew are in history (or the future) at that point in the book. Lastly, another treat are the newspaper clippings, text messages, website pages, diary entries and refrigerator notes that each chapter has an abundance of. Each one adds humor to the story and tells the reader something about Katherine and Matthew. They are also really nice because they can break heavy bits of text easily and keep the story interesting.

                Another interesting aspect of this book are all the time-landscape notes at the bottom of each important document, important moment or progression. These short notes make it seem like there’s another element to the story, as if there’s someone watching Katherine and Matthew, which is definitely creepy but keeps readers on their toes. These notes also make readers wonder if there is some sort of technology behind the reincarnation.

                Now onto the actual book. I loved the pacing of it most of all, because I never once mixed up any of the Katherines or Matthews. I personally got a bit confused when the when the one intervention that was allowed happened, and then all the description that followed (if you read the book, do you follow what I mean?) but when I kept reading, everything worked itself out and it all made sense. You just had to read through it. Also, I got confused on who was fighting who over what during the siege of Carlisle in 1754, but that’s probably because I never learned about that in any history class. Although, the nice file note that explained the Crimean War under the map of the route on page 37 was extremely helpful with what was going on in that time period and I can’t help but wish there was something similar for the siege of Carlisle in 1754. My last note on pacing is that even though part of me wishes there was an intervention sooner, where it actually was matched the pacing very well. You could not get mad at the perfect pacing of this book.

                I also loved the effortless way James weaved the time periods together. Readers start to notice that each Katherine and Matthew are essentially the same people when the Katherines of the future time periods start dreaming and imagining their Matthews wearing the same clothes that the historical Matthews might wear. Also, some aspects of other Matthews and Katherines stay connected even as they keep being reincarnated, like how Matt wanted to be a journalist when he was younger like Matthew was in time period 1854 (as explained on page 141). And of course, the traces of witty humor and shy awkwardness stay completely attached to each Katherine and Matthew readers learn to love just as deeply as they love each other.

                In short, this book was amazing, witty, humorous, and a book I would definitely recommend. The format of the book, including all the neat notes, pictures and documents, the font types and the timeline bar added another element of creativity and thoughtfulness. The pacing was wonderful and extremely easy to follow. I never once felt lost and, after reading other reviews, I know other readers feel the same way. The writing was amazing and, even if there were no bibliography, you could tell James did her research on the historical time periods. Each Katherine and Matthew were reminiscent of Katherines and Matthews of other time periods.

                The whole story kept readers on their toes and was definitely worth it in the end. I cannot wait to read the second book and hope to see much more of Lauren James in the future.

Writing Contests!!

Hello all!

Hope your summer is going fabulously. Anyway, I have some great news! Not just one, but two writing contests have popped onto my radar, and I wanted to share them with you! Sorry for all the exclamation points, but I'm seriously super excited to share this with you all.

First, I want to share with you the writing contest for people all over the globe. Lauren James is a writer based in the UK and is hosting a contest for the release of her new book, The Last Beginning, the sequel to her debut The Next Together. To enter, all you have to do is write a review of The Next Together or James's free ebook, The Last Beginning and post it to any platform of your choice (Goodreads, your blog, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, etc.) and then email the link to a specified email in the link below. If you choose to enter this contest, you can win either Runner-Up, Second or First place, and the prizes vary. The links, to be eligible for picking, are to be emailed in by August 6th, 2016. Best of luck if you choose to do so!

More information on this contest can be found here
And more information about Ms. James can be found here

The second contest I would like to share with you is one happening in the Cincinnati area. If you live in this area, you may or may not know about Books by the Banks Book Festival, which will take place at the Duke Energy Convention Center. Now, if you live in the Cincinnati area, you are eligible to enter this writing contest!

The contest has two age groups, the Teen (13-17) and Adult (18+) sections but all writers have to write a 2,000 word piece revolving on the same theme: "the River". You can interpret this any way, shape or form as you like, as long as it's under 2,000 words and emailed or mailed in by September 1st, 2016. The winners are announced the day of the festival, and prizes are handed out that day as well. Best of luck to the people of Ohio who choose to enter this contest!

More information on this contest can be found here
And more information about the festival can be found here (because you can still go to the festival even if you don't live in Ohio!)
Lastly, last year's winners can be found here (you can't read any of their stuff, but you can at least have a look!)

Best of luck to everyone who chooses to enter these contests and any others. Have a great rest of your summer, and keep on writing!

-Natalie

Lonelypeoplemingle.com

By: Danielle Bosma

WELCOME TO LONELY PEOPLE MINGLE, the website proclaimed. WHERE LONELY PEOPLE GET TO MEET OTHERS WHO SHARE IN THEIR SOLITUDE.

What an awful slogan, I thought. Anyone open to online dating already has the self-esteem of a pet rock, why make it worse?

But, it wasn't like I had many options. eHarmoney was bogus and Christian Mingle was absolutely out of the question; at least I could relate to this particular website. I was lonely, like the website said. I hoped to meet someone who could understand me and my peculiar interests that seemed to turn others off.

Hey, I can’t help being eccentric, okay? We all have our little quirks.

Before I could second guess myself, I logged in to LonelyPeopleMingle to check my notifications. While drunk as all get out last night, I had made myself an account and somehow had the mental faculties to remember to jot down the username and password on a sticky note with the words underneath: 'Dear Sober Self, You need this.'

Date after failed date had left me with little confidence in myself. I guess you could say that I had the self-esteem of a pet rock.

I knew that I shouldn’t let someone else’s opinion of me dictate how I viewed myself, but I couldn’t help dwelling on whether it was just me. Sure, I hadn’t many friends growing up. In fact, I’d had none. People tended to move away rather than gravitate towards me, for reasons I hadn’t a clue. Like I said, I’m an eccentric woman, but damn, I can’t be that bad. I’m a hard worker, I say please and thank you, I donate to charity, and I save the worms on the sidewalk that have nearly dried up from the sun. That’s gotta count for something, right?

Yet, desperate times call for desperately pathetic measures.

A little blip chirped from my laptop, drawing my attention back to the screen. I had a date request from Anna Peters, a 24 year old woman who claimed to be “a passionate, outdoorsy extrovert with a witty sense of humor.”

I nearly gagged in my mouth at the cliche-ness. But I guessed it was worth a shot. She was the first one to send me a request and I didn't want to squander my chances at “absolute happiness,” as my idiotic mother had always described being in love.

I selected the little button to initiate an instant message and I began typing:

Hi. Too subtle? Oh shit, I’m already screwing this up. Sarah, calm down. She hasn’t even responded yet. She might like you and your eccentricity. Some people are into that. Just stay positive. What’s that Andy Grammer song again? Gotta keep your head up, or something?

Hey Sarah, how are you? Anna responded swiftly. I nearly fell out of my chair. She replied! Holy shit, this is working!

I quickly tapped back a response, feeling my fingers grow sweaty against the keys.

Great! I like your profile, you seem like a lovely person. Would you want to meet up sometime and chat?

Silence.

Shit. I did it again. I sound so desperate! ‘You seem like a lovely person?’ How pathetic!

Sure! When and where? her response finally came before I could punch myself in the face.

Wait a minute, I thought. She seems way too sure about this. This has to be a red flag or something.

No, Sarah, you’re being stupid. This is a good thing! She’s into you! Go for it!

Alright, alright. Geez.  

There’s a coffee shop on the corner of Elm Street, we could meet there at 6pm? I tapped on the keyboard, heart pounding.

Immediately: Sounds good to me. See you then! ;)

A winky face. That has to be sexual, right? She’s flirting with me? I dunno. Maybe she just wants to be friends.

Sarah, you idiot! You’re on a dating website for loners, for God’s sakes!

I closed my laptop and ran a hand through my hair. How many dates had I been on, and I was still bewildered by flirting? God, this must be why no one had ever stuck around.

I decided that since it was already four o’clock, I might as well shower and get ready.

As I disrobed in the bathroom and stepped into the shower, a horrible thought occurred to me.

What if this Anna Peters was a rapist that targeted young women on online dating sites? I have no idea who this woman is. Oh God, I could be right! I need to call off this date immediately.

Don’t be ridiculous, Sarah! That rarely happens to people, and it’s rarely women who do it.

I sighed as I shampooed my hair, still itching with paranoia. I had a terrible feeling this date would not go as planned.

..............................

Believe it or not, the date went smashingly. I was relieved by the fact that Anna did not appear to be a rapist but in fact was, as she had described, a passionate, outdoorsy extrovert with a witty sense of humor. Normally extroverts irritate me to no end, but Anna was different. She was talkative, true, but she was also an attentive listener and gave feedback to whatever I said. At times during the date I considered that perhaps she had mislabeled herself; she appeared to be more of an ambivert to me, which was perfect for an introvert like myself who really needed to get out more.

Anna was a brunette with long hair woven into a long, beautiful braid that rested on the shoulder of her cargo jacket, with which she wore a simple white V-neck shirt and ripped jeans. Her eyes sparkled as she talked about her passions and they sombered and gazed attentively as I discussed mine; she would blink real slow as she nodded at my words, which made me simply melt inside.

Anna and I truly connected on this date and I really felt something, so I thought it necessary to give her the final test. If she passed this test of gaining my trust, then she would be the first of all of my failed dates.

......................

Unfortunately, things did not work out with Anna. I brought her to my place after our date with an offer of tea and cookies and a good movie. She heartily accepted, not even thinking twice (part of me deemed that unwitting of her, yet adorable). She entered the foyer of my apartment in front of me and delivered elaborate compliments on the decorations of my contemporary apartment. I thanked her, feeling somewhat frustrated at her need to comment on everything, and I led her to the lower level.

I led her down the hallway, feeling anticipation bubbling in my stomach. What would she say? Will she think it is too messy? Will she mock me like the others?

Pushing open the door at the end of the hallway, I let her in first. She smiled her thanks to me and walked in...

And promptly stopped.

Confused and scared, I stepped up beside her and gently asked, “So, what do you think?”

......................

Another failed date. That really sucks because I thought Anna was the one. Oh, well, she will simply join the others in there. It took a while to do the job; first I had to knock her out with the handy hammer I keep in that room and then clean her face. But I felt a certain pride to have a forehead skin from such a lovely lady, so close to perfection, hanging on my wall alongside the other far inferior ones. I gave her a special plaque, too. It reads:

Anna Peters

When she saw me truly, she jumped out of her skin

Hello!

Hi, everyone!

My name is Natalie, and I'm really proud to present that Danielle's new club, So You Think You Can Write, will have a blog under the same name.

This blog was created to help promote a new club at our high school, called So You Think You Can Write. Over the course of the next two months before school lets out, writers in our club will be posting their favorite pieces for praise and critique in a friendly environment. All genres are welcome, so even a reader with a particular taste will be able to satisfy their reading hunger.

Hope you enjoy our blog, and all the wonderful pieces by great writers that'll be posted here soon!

-Natalie