Smugglivus 2011 Guest Author: Elizabeth Miles

Welcome to Smugglivus 2011! Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2011, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2012.

Who: Elizabeth Miles, debut YA author! We’ve had the lovely Ms. Miles over for an Inspirations & Influences post.

Recent Work: Both Thea and Ana LOVED Elizabeth Miles’ amazing debut novel Fury,

Please give a warm welcome to Elizabeth!

Hey there, Book Smugglers. Today is a special day for me. In addition to upping my holiday spirit by contributing to Smugglivus, I’m also celebrating my 29th birthday! Twenty-eight was a pretty incredible year for me — DUH! 2011 marked the release of my debut novel, Fury (Simon Pulse), my first-ever book tour, the start of co-habitation with my boyfriend, and a renewed commitment to better managing my time (and staying more sane as a result). I enjoyed great support from fellow authors and amazing book bloggers, not to mention fabulous friends near and far.

That’s not to say it was all flowers and rainbows…my natural response to overstimulation is to feel overwhelmed and then, sometimes, depressed — even if the stimulus is wonderful and positive. I’ve struggled to allow myself to feel the sadness that accompanies such exciting times. So yeah, it’s been quite a year. And, as always, books, movies, smart television, and theater productions were markers and beacons, helping me navigate everyday life. Here are a few of my faves from 2011.

BOOKS

I read some wonderful books in 2011 and included several of them in my “Literary Holiday Gifts” blog post — rather than rehash that list, I’ll just tell you what books I highlighted:

1) The Taker, by Alma Katsu
2) The Last Werewolf, by Glen Duncan
3) Liesl and Po, by Lauren Oliver a/k/a my bestie of a million years
4) The Unwanteds, by Lisa McMann
5) Blood Red Road, by Moira Young a/k/a one of my new favorite people
6) World Enough and Time, by Christian McEwen

There were others, though, that I read and enjoyed and didn’t get to put on that list. Such as Forbidden, by Tabitha Suzuma — the heartwrenching, fearless tale of the love between a brother and sister. Gosh, this book was hard…hard to read and hard to forget. As with Romeo and Juliet, it has you hoping for a happy ending even though you know that one isn’t in the cards.

Dave Eggers’ Zeitoun came out in 2009 but I didn’t get a chance to read it until this year. It’s a gripping non-fiction account of one man’s trying ordeal(s) in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s the story of a family, a city, an individual, and a society. It made me cry, asking, “Is this really what our country has become?”

When Leila Sales’ Mostly Good Girls made me laugh out loud in 2010, I thought it was a fluke. Few books can do that; few authors can achieve humor in their writing consistently. But when this year’s Past Perfect had the same effect on me, I had to admit: this girl just knows how to be funny. And charming, and sweet.

MOVIES

I watch a fair amount of movies (not in the theater — at home on DVD), but I have to admit that it’s not my favorite medium. Like, I think it’s fun to cuddle on the couch and watch a flick and maybe eat some potato chips and ice cream, but I’m never like, this is such an amazing piece of art or whatever. That said, there were a few films I loved this year:

1) Easy A: This movie actually came out in 2010, but I rented it this year, expecting it to be just a stupid “sick-day” movie. Instead, I found it to be thoughtful and delightful — and I totally have an Emma Stone crush now.
2) Bridesmaids: Laughed out loud, a lot.
3) Super 8: Super-cozy! Elle Fanning is such a great actress!
4) Jane Eyre: I was surprised by how much I liked this adaptation of one of my favorite books. I thought Mia Whateverherlastnameis was a great, strong-yet-vulnerable Jane. And Michael Fassbender, hel-LO.

TELEVISION

I’m much more of a TV series person. This year, I got into:

1) Dexter: I finally hopped aboard this bandwagon, devouring several seasons in a matter of a few weeks. Dexter and Deb, I heart you both (especially you, Deb – you make the show, with your sailor’s mouth and hidden vulnerabilities).
2) Modern Family: OMG this show. Funniest thing since Arrested Development. Cam and Phil and Gloria could make me laugh
3) Revenge: This is my guiltiest, most enjoyable pleasure. Emily Thorne/Amanda Clark is THE. BEST. bad girl since maybe Valerie Malone on 90210? And of course the theme of revenge and “what goes around comes around” is one that is close to my heart…

THEATER

Did you know that I’m pretty deeply involved in the local theater scene in Portland, Maine? Now you do! I performed in two shows this year: Blood Wedding, by Federico Garcia Lorca, and Bedroom Farce, by Alan Ayckbourn. In the latter production, I wore a canary-yellow jumpsuit. Sorry you missed it?

And just last weekend, I had the joy of singing in a Broadway/holiday song revue at Good Theater in Portland. Loved it.

COMING UP…

In 2012, I’m looking forward to the release of my second book, ENVY. In it, we’ll follow a few of the same characters and meet some new ones as Em learns more about the Furies — what brought them to Ascension, and how the HELL to get rid of them. It’s even creepier than the first book, with a psycho-thriller edge that gives me goosebumps. And, for those who have asked…Yes, JD is back. Swoon.

I’m also eagerly anticipating: The release of Pandemonium, Lauren’s follow-up to Delirum….More Mod Fam and Revenge…Finally tackling The Mortal Instruments saga…The Hunger Games movie (!!!!!!!)…Hopefully book-touring again with Becca Fitzpatrick and Moira Young…Vacationing with my bf (we’re headed to Mexico, fingers crossed!)…Putting up a production of Ibsen’s Ghosts with my theater company, Lorem Ipsum…Several exciting weddings…A family reunion next November…Too many other book releases to even start to name…

Happy Smugglivus, folks! Thanks for having me! Merry days!
Xo-E

Thank you, Elizabeth!