I've been eager to read Waking
Up in the Land of Glitter ever since I read that the author Kathy Cano-Murillo wrote the initial draft during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Plus, I'm a fan of her warm and inviting craft blog (Crafty Chica). Needless to say, when the publisher sent me a free review copy, I couldn't wait to start reading!
First Impressions
OMG! Is that real glitter on the cover? Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of glitter, but the cover really pops!
What I Liked Best
Crafty characters: I liked the three main female characters (Star, Chloe, Ofie) who represent three different types of crafters. As someone who works in the crafting industry, I can honestly say I've
met all three of these women in real life. Star considers herself an "artist" and dismisses crafting. She also has trouble getting started on projects. Chloe is the famous TV star/crafter who will do anything for her career. Ofie (my favorite) is the crafter who will try anything. She seems oblivious to her many crafting failures and nearly bankrupts her family by choosing craft supplies over necessities. Who couldn't relate to this:
One shoe had a neat series of dots and sashes, but the other was smeared beyond recognition . . .
"I had a sneeze fit while I made the right one; that's why it's so fuzzy," Ofie confessed.
Southwest setting: I loved how
this novel was deeply immersed in the Phoenix setting, including the heat, the Spanish
and Spanglish words, the celebrations (including Dia de los Muertos), and all the wonderful food. I felt like booking the next plane out.
Positive energy: There's something very affirming about this novel. While some (minor) bad things do happen to the characters, the overall tone of the novel is relentlessly positive and upbeat. It's packed with good creative mantras, the kind of things you need to hear in those all-too-often moments of creative doubt. When Star says, "I want to inspire people to use crafts to better their lives!", I have no doubt that the author feels exactly the same way.
You'll Like This Book If
- You want drama and lots of it. In another novel, so much
drama might be out of place, but many of the crafty people I know are
dramatic. That said, I did have to take a few breaks from reading this book
because it was so packed with drama that I felt a little overwhelmed. I'm the type of person who needs moments of calm in between moments of drama (both in life and in books).
- You're in the mood to laugh. One of my favorite funny lines: "Um, you can't go on live TV with blood on your arm; our viewers are eating breakfast." Most of the humor is situational. I'm dying to share my favorite scenes, but I don't want to ruin it for you, since the surprise factor is half the fun. Let's just say I liked the scene with Star, the plastic sandwich baggie, and the cop. I also liked how Ofie handled herself in the craft store parking lot.
If you're not crafty yet, Waking Up In the Land of Glitter might inspire you to give crafting a try. If you're already a craftista, you can simply relax and enjoy this bookâyou're among friends.