Everyone has a time in their life when they need to escape. Whether it be from a relationship, work, health, family, death, it’s something we all go through and for most people we need to go through it more than once. In this book, Katelyn takes to her imagination as an escape. For her, the only way to get out of reality and the only way to find someone who will understand is to go somewhere else. I take to the road when I need to escape. A good drive always does it for me. When my uncle died recently, he lived 2.5 hours away, so I had 10 hours on the road the week he died travelling back and forth to be with family. Others take to writing, crying, eating…. you do what you need to do to cope.

The thing that I loved about this book most, before I even read it, was the heart behind this story. Emily Beaver wrote this book when she was 14 and in Katelyn’s shoes. Emily’s brother was dying of cancer, just like Katelyn’s. This is one of those books that is filled with so much feeling that you can’t help but feel attached to it if you have gone through similar or even know a family who has felt this pain. There are some books that you read and wonder “Well how would they know how that feels?” Knowing that Emily went through this, I feel that her heart and feelings are bound in this book and I could feel them from the start to the end.

I also loved the lesson I learned from this book and it’s one that anyone can make room to learn. What was originally just a small escape for Katelyn took over her life more than she ever imagined it. After one trip to her fantasy land, she couldn’t get enough and wanted to be there more than reality. It kind of became an addiction for her. In the end of the book, Katelyn ends up escaping so much that she misses out on something she can never get back. It’s definitely something to think about. You can’t, at any point in life, let an escape take over. And these escapes aren’t always going to be something that’s hazardous to your health or harmful to your family, but it’s a lesson that you have to be cognizant of what is going on around you. It may be hard and you may not want to deal with it, but this fictional book is very on point about enjoying what you’ve got while you’ve got it because at any second, it could be gone. And for a 14-year-old to be able to encompass that in a novel? Wow!

If I was a teenager reading this, I probably wouldn’t have had the same reading experience. If I was 14 and reading this, I honestly doubt it would have sunk in the way it did at 25. I think that is definitely something that Katelyn fought through this entire book. Deep down she knew her brother was going to die, but she just didn’t believe it would really happen. We’ve all been there, no matter what age. Believing it won’t happen to us. Bad things don’t happen to us right? But I found myself getting very, very frustrated with Katelyn for not spending what precious time she had with her brother. But I felt like Katelyn was wise beyond her years in many aspects and living with her brother for three years as he battled cancer, it was something I just hoped she would be mature enough to realize what inevitable. I know she is a fictional character, but I can’t imagine what she, and anyone else who has been in her situation went through after they weren’t there when it was most important.

I got this book for review and it came along with a Q&A with Emily who said she wasn’t sure if writing is something she’ll pursue in the future. This book just came to her and felt right for her and it was great. I hope that Emily gets the inspiration because I would love to read more of her work. I will also soon be posting my own Q&A with Emily so stop back by to see what her advice is to aspiring authors and of course who she would have play the roles in this book if it would ever be picked up for a movie!

I give Slipping Reality 4 bookmarks.

 ISBN: 978-1463427146
Released: July 15, 2011
Book Tour Website
Kari got this book for review

I downloaded this app about a week ago, and I’m in love.

I’ve only used it a couple of times, but it’s very easy to use and very helpful when I’m not at my computer.

The thing I think I’ll use it for most is my book reviews. Before I got this app, I would write notes in my note pad on my phone when I was reading. It’s easier to have notes then try to remember everything when you’re done with the book. Right now I’m reading “Son of a Witch” and I copied and pasted all of my notes to my app and they’re waiting for me in my drafts when I’m ready.  It’ll be nice to take out a step. I won’t have to retype everything from my notes.

It did take me a while to figure out how to get a draft sent to WordPress on my computer so I can just edit it from there, but turned out being easy. Just save your post as a draft and then submit it and voila, it’s on your computer too.

I have mine set up to show me my 10 latest posts when I sign on. It also gives me the option to choose my KariAnnAlysis blog or my Wedding Blog.

One thing I don’t think I’ll be using on the app is the photo adder. Most of the posts on my blog are ones that I work on at home when I have been thinking about something for a few days. I don’t think I’ll ever be on the run and need to post pictures. But, you never know. At least I have that option.

As of right now, I am planning on just using this as a note holder until I have time to sit down with it, but I like the fact that if I want to post a blog on the go, I can.

If you use WordPress for a blog, I HIGHLY suggest this app.  You never know when you’ll get inspired to write something. And if you don’t do it at the time, if you’re like me, you’ll most likely forget it.