This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Carine Engelbrecht for Readers' Favorite
In Weird, Lynette Eklund describes how she knew that she wanted to live and work in Hollywood. It was a dream she had planned from childhood with meticulous determination. At college, she studies fashion design to prepare for a possible career in costume design. But when a chance encounter soon after moving to California introduces her to creature effects design, she is instantly hooked. It's all in a day's work (or sometimes a night's work) for Lynette. While the variety is exhilarating, absorbing new skills at the breakneck speed required to meet deadlines can be extremely nerve-wracking. But behind her drive for perfection lurks a different kind of beast. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can be an ally when attention to detail matters. But at the same time, the dictates of that invisible rulebook often get in the way of connecting on a deeper level with co-workers. A career coup comes when she gets a dream assignment to work for the prestigious Stan Winston's workshop, but then she has to make a difficult choice about her career.
I love the format, which reflects the movie metaphor by styling each chapter as a scene change. The sequence is non-linear, but intuitive, adding a thread of meaning to each change. In Weird, Lynnette Eklund offers a unique, behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of moviemaking, and while the celebrity encounters were a nice bonus, it's the monster-wrangling that provides its truest moments. It was fascinating to see the can-do, in-the-moment improvisation that happens as iconic monsters strut their stuff in real time. In a way, this book is better than any celeb memoir I've ever read. Additionally, her self-awareness and honesty give the narrative an added dimension that is equally compelling. There are lessons to learn in the way she adapts to the inherent insecurity of freelancing and deals with a mental disorder that would paralyze a lesser person. The downside? You may never look at a monster movie quite the same way again. On the other hand, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Recognizing genius and artistry is its own reward.
