Gossip Time...THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE by Leila Sales

It was kind of interesting how I came to read this book. I had the wonderful opportunity of hearing Leila Sales speak at an SCBWI conference in Birmingham, AL. Ms. Sales is an editor at Viking books and she gave an excellent talk about tropes. How to avoid over done tropes. If you plan on using a trope what are somethings that you can do to make it work and be unique. Anyway, what she said really stuck with me. And I can definitely say the YA Contemporary project I'm submitting to agents and the MG-Sci Fi that I'm currently drafting are trope-free (or at least I'd like to think so).

But enough about me.

We're here to gossip about the amazing book, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE. So when I saw it sitting on the shelf, the reason I picked it up was because it was written by Leila Sales. I recognized her name and was so impressed to see she is an editor and YA author. *Bows Down to Leila* And I knew this story would be unlike any I had read because of the sheer fact that Leila gave an expert talk on tropes. And I was right!

The main character, Elise Dembowski, is the epitome of an unpopular person. She is different to her core and from a young age was never accepted by her peers. And so rather than wallow in her unpopularity, she decides to dedicate her entire summer to learning how to be cool. She immerses herself in pop culture, researches fashion magazines, and even spends money on clothes she doesn't really like. And then when school starts, her efforts turn into an epic fail.

I'd tell you more, but I don't want to ruin the book for you. But, Goodreads has an excellent summary here.

What I loved about this book:

• Voice
• It's funny!
• Voice
• It's sad!
• I love gushy first love stories as much as the next person. But what I loved about this love story, is that it wasn't a mushy love story. It was real, the way often first relationships are. I applaud Miss Leila for capturing that.
• I believe that everyone has something that they're good at. Sometime it takes people awhile to figure it out their talents. The main character, Elise, is no different. But what she discovers she's good at is so unique and special (definitely not a trope!). Again, you'll have to read to figure out what her mystery talent it. 

And last, but not least...
You know how they always say...if you could meet this writer...or do something with so and so...what would it be?

I want to go to a warehouse party with Leila Sales. =)