Waiting on Wednesday 1/26

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: Putting Makeup on Dead People
Author: Jen Violi
Publisher: Hyperion
Published: July 26, 2011
Pages: 336
Genre: YA, Contemporary

It's been four years since Donna Parisi's father passed away, but it might as well have been four days. Donna makes conversation and goes through the motion, but she hasn't really gotten on with life. She's not close with anyone, she doesn't have a boyfriend and she's going to college at the local university with a major that her mother picked. But one day Donna has an epiphany. She wants to work with dead people. She wants to help people say goodbye and she wants to learn to love a whole person--body and soul. She wants to live her life and be exceptional...at loving, at grieving and at embalming and cremating,too.

Even as she makes the decision, things start to change. Donna makes friends with the charismatic new student, Liz. She notices the boy, Charlie, at her table and realizes that maybe he's been noticing her, too. And she begins to forgive the rest of her family for living their lives while she's been busy moping.

Jennifer Violi's gentle, moving story of a girl who finds a life in the midst of death will appeal to any reader who's felt stuck and found inspiration in an unexpected place.
Contemporary Fiction has never really been my thing, but I'm branching out this year (so help me, God), and I'm looking for options that break that formulaic mold I feel like I see. Putting Makeup on Dead People sounds powerful and a little bit quirky, which I like because it adds an element to the story that might otherwise feel lacking. Plus, I love the twist on the ordinary "girl-loses-someone-she-loves" plot. Besides, who can resist a cover that makes you turn your laptop upside down to figure it out? No really...I did, and I actually love it. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?
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52 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 26, 2011 at 7:03 AM

    This one sounds sooo good, it's on my list too. Great pick! =)

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  2. S (Book Purring)January 26, 2011 at 7:04 AM

    Oh wow, this looks interesting. I don't read contemps much either, but the title and cover have me interested.

    My Wow

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  3. Jan von HarzJanuary 26, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    I have seen this one a couple of times and am intrigued by the whole makeup on dead people perspective. Quite a different premise and I am definitely wanting to read this too. Great pick Melissa.

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  4. AnachronistJanuary 26, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    Not a stupid book - if you read about vampires and werewolves and other creeps why not... after all it is done in every funeral house.

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  5. Nic @ Irresistible ReadsJanuary 26, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    Great pick. I love quirky books. Can't wait for this one :)

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  6. Jacinda (The Reading Housewives)January 26, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    The title on this one wis great! Thanks for the great pick, added it to my tbr list!

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  7. KayeJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    This one sounds different and very intiguing. Have a wonderful week and happy reading. Here's my WOW

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  8. Laurel-Rain SnowJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:18 AM

    Yes, definitely quirky...and a little bit creepy...LOL. That cover is definitely unique.

    Hope you like it! I started to say "enjoy," but probably not so much.

    Here's my WOW:

    http://lindsaymalone.wordpress.com/2011/01/25/waiting-on-wednesday-jan-26/

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  9. Sally BibraryJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Not sure if I'll pick this one up or not, but it definitely sounds different. I do like things a bit quirky, so I'll have to keep an eye on the reviews.

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  10. Ginger @ GReads!January 26, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    Melissa you find the best books! I'm adding this one to my goodreads TBR list now! I love me some contemporary fiction, but I know what you mean about always reading the same story over & over. It's refreshing to come across a story with a bit of a twist.

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  11. joyousJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Wow! This sounds different! Love the cover.

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  12. MiaJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    I've recently added this one on my Goodreads. Sounds like a really good read ;)

    Here's mine WoW for this week :)

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  13. SavannahJanuary 26, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    This sounds like a great book! I will put it on my tbr pile. Nice pick!

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  14. Danna (Bananas For Books)January 26, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    This book looks really good and I actually just requested to review this awhile ago. Happy Wednesday!
    -Danna

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  15. Tales of WhimsyJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    This does sound cool and mold breaking.
    I like it and look forward to your review.
    Great choice!

    Here is what I'm thinking about this Wednesday

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  16. MishaJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    The title itself grabbed my attention! The synopsis sounds fantastic. New addition to my TBR!

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  17. UnknownJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    I love the cover but I want to flip this book upside down. Sounds like a fun read.

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  18. ElodieJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    Great pick Melissa !! I'm looking forward to this one too !! I love its cover !!

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  19. Jen BigheartJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Wow, awesome! Contemp isn't my thing either. During the month of January, I have been trying to step up my game!

    Jen

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  20. TaraJanuary 26, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    I am so intrigued by this book and the cover is so pretty. I totally turned my laptop upside down too :) Great pick!

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  21. MeredithJanuary 26, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    Yay for a quirky book! This one looks amazing.

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  22. Shannon The BookstalkerJanuary 26, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    I want to read this one really bad too, Melissa. The cover is very stunning, yet also quite creepy. Great Pick! :)

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  23. Jasmine CervikJanuary 26, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Never heard of this one until now! It's definitely going on my to-read list! :)

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  24. CicelyJanuary 26, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    This book looks really really good! I love its cover too. Great pick :D

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  25. Alice January 26, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    It sounds like a great book! I watched a film about this sort of thing and it was very interesting. Great pick!

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  26. JennyJanuary 26, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Fantastic choice Melissa, I'm trying to read more contemporary YA this year as well. And yes, I did turn my computer upside down to get a better look at this cover:)

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  27. bibliophile brouhahaJanuary 26, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    I think this sounds like a great book, and it's one I haven't heard of before! I was on a paranormal kick for a while, but now I am loving a little bit of everything :)

    -Linds, bibliophile brouhaha

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  28. Liz @ Cleverly InkedJanuary 26, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    I can see why it caught your attention

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  29. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Kind of how I feel when I put makeup on to early in the morning...:D

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  30. BookGeekJanuary 26, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Love contemporary fiction and this sounds like a hit already. Enjoy!

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  31. I Eat WordsJanuary 26, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    I've never heard of this! Looks good :D

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  32. Missie, The Unread ReaderJanuary 26, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    I can hardly believe how much Contemporary Fiction I have gotten into recently. It always surprises me. This one is another I'll be adding to my list. Thanks, Mel.

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  33. The Book AngelJanuary 26, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    This book sounds really good! I'm definitely putting it on my list, so thank you for the recommendation! : )

    My Waiting on Wednesday is:
    http://faybaysbooks.blogspot.com/

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  34. BlodeueddJanuary 26, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    It is a bit weird, but the more I look at it the more I like it :D

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  35. BLHmistressJanuary 26, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    This one is on my list, I have wanted to read it since I have seen it a few weeks back.

    My WOW

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  36. Melissa (Books and Things)January 26, 2011 at 5:12 PM

    I want to read it just because of the title. :)

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  37. SandyJanuary 26, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    I haven't heard of this one before but it sounds really different! I like that instead of shying away from the subject of death, the author wrote a story where they throw the character right into it. o.O

    I'm trying to read more contemporary too...but I still love fantasy and paranormal<3

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  38. A Journey in ReadingJanuary 26, 2011 at 5:40 PM

    That one sounds really good!!! I'm adding it to my list now!

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  39. LoriJanuary 26, 2011 at 6:44 PM

    I hope when you get this book, it will be everything you hope it will be. Wanna see what I am Waiting On Wednesday for?

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  40. Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books)January 26, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    I flipped my laptop around too! This book looks and sounds like something I'd enjoy. Added it to my wishlist :D

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  41. danyaJanuary 26, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    This one was a WoW pick for me a couple weeks ago. It does sound quirky and the premise stands out among all the other contemp YA reads. Good pick! :)

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  42. JulieJanuary 26, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    I'm trying to read different stuff, too. This book looks really good. I once worked with a girl who wanted to be a mortician. I think I will add it to my TBR list. But drats it doesn't come out until July!

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  43. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2011 at 10:35 PM

    Oooh, I like the sound of this one. It reminds me a little bit of the movie Sunshine Cleaning with Amy Adams, that I really loved. I do love me some quirky contemporary.

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  44. JessicaJanuary 27, 2011 at 1:22 AM

    Nice pick! I like the premise and the title.

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  45. A Canadian GirlJanuary 27, 2011 at 1:27 AM

    I have this one on my wishlist too. I love the creative title and premise.

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  46. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2011 at 2:35 AM

    I don't know where you find these books, but I'm not complaining. I'm curious how a book about embalming coincides with the life of a teenage girl. Great pick!

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  47. Alyssa KirkJanuary 27, 2011 at 2:46 AM

    I'm trying to branch out too so I'll put this on my list - sounds unique!

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  48. Little Miss BeckyJanuary 27, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    This one sounds interesting! I love that cover, too.

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  49. KatieJanuary 27, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    It does sound very powerful. Plus totally original plot and i really like the cover! I'm looking forward to your review of this and all the other contemps you take on :)

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  50. Carrie at In the Hammock BlogJanuary 27, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    i'd never seen this one before!

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  51. TestJanuary 29, 2011 at 5:14 PM

    I'm really looking forward to this one as well, because not only do I love contemporary fiction but this one doesn't really sound like your average contemporary read.

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  52. OliviaFebruary 1, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    It sounds really good! And I love the cover as well :D

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