Spotlight Wednesday: FIXING DELILAH by Sarah Ockler



Despite all evidence to the contrary, I’m really not the car-denting kind of girl. I’m also not the lipstick-stealing, school-skipping, off-in-the-woods-with-someone-I-barely-know kind of girl, or the kind who loses all of her dignity over a scandalous cell phone picture on a trashy blog. But that is the evidence, exhibits A through E, all stacked up against me, and now I’m like the bad guy on one of those cop shows, handcuffed to an airplane seat. Only instead of getting the handsome, tough-but-emotionally-wounded police escort, I’m stuck on a seven-hour road trip with Commander Mom and her arsenal of mobile communications devices.
- From Chapter 1 of Fixing Delilah (read it here!)


I. Love. That. How could you not? Voice, style. I'm immediately drawn into the scene and I want to know MORE. I love writing that takes you places and Sarah Ockler's writing will definitely do that.

You have probably heard of Sarah Ockler--she made waves in 2009 with her beautifully written debut Twenty Boy Summer, which PublishersWeekly dubbed "a poignant summer read" and Kirkus called a "sincere, romantic tearjerker." (You've read it, right? Of course you have!). Now it's 2010 and she's back again with Fixing Delilah, which hit shelves December 1st and we couldn't be more thrilled to celebrate her sophomore release with her!

So what's Fixing Delilah about, you might ask? Well, I gots a summary for ya right here:


Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?


If you're a fan of well written, emotionally strong and amazing fiction, you NEED to pick this up, Internet. Don't make me tell you twice. Check out some of this fabulous buzz it's getting:


"Fixing Delilah is fabulous... Delilah is a girl who I wouldn’t mind being friends with because she’s real."
- Good Books & Good Wine

"Truly impressive in its depth, sincerity and emotional connectivity."
- Persnickety Snark

"Sarah does a fabulous job presenting strong characters that each find their way into your heart as the story progresses."
- Confessions of a Total Bookaholic

"[Sarah Ockler] has written a well-rounded story where she perfectly captures the conflict that can arise within a family when there is dishonesty and secrets kept. It has the perfect blend of romance, mystery and enough family drama to keep you engrossed emotionally."
- All About {n}

"[Sarah Ockler] has a knack for capturing the first-person narrative in such a way that the reader really feels as if she is experiencing the story simultaneously with the protagonist... Delilah is such a fantastic character and her story is so heart-wrenching and poignant."
- As Told By Jen


What are you waiting for?! Go get it!

But before you do, can I tell you something? Fixing Delilah is the book equivalent of the song Tarnation by Max Avery Lichtenstein to me. They are both such amazing works. Check it out:




It has become my unofficial theme song for Sarah's book! (Sarah, I hope that's okay!) So needless to say, I think you should all listen to Tarnation while you read your copy. And then come back and exclaim about how well they go together so I can be all, "I told you so!" Because seriously.

Sarah, CONGRATS on the release of Fixing Delilah! We hope you've had a fantastic launch! And if you've read Fixing Delilah, don't forget to tell us what you thought about it in the comments!

11 comments:

Ashley said...

I loved Fixing Delilah! I thought it was brilliantly written, and incredibly real. It's definitely wonderful.

Romy @ Lost.in.Stories said...

I haven't read Fixing Delilah yet but I've just started Twenty Boy Summer (it's Summer down in Australia and I needed a good summer read), I can tell from the first couple of chapters its going to be an extremely emotional read but I'm loving it so far, it's beautifully written.

I love the song BTW, I'll definitely try and listen to it whilst reading Fixing Delilah (when my copy eventually arrives from overseas, hopefully soon!)

Lydia Sharp said...

Still working my way down the 2010 reading list, and I seriously cannot wait to get to this one!

Anonymous said...

Good song, can't wait to read the book!

Lisa Schroeder said...

Yay - Can't wait to read this when the holiday craziness is over and I can curl up by the fire and read a good book!!

So happy to have another Sarah Ockler book in the world!!

Lindsey Leavitt said...

Can't wait to read this. I love Sarah's writing. I started Twenty Boy Summer inside the bookstore last year, and an hour later looked up and thought, whoa. Guess I'm buying this.

Michael Northrop said...

This sounds fantastic! I mean, who hasn't lost his/her dignity over a scandalous photo on a trashy blog? I mean, right? I probably shouldn't elaborate... What I mean is: Hooray!

Lisa_Gibson said...

I'm in the process of reading Fixing Delilah right now. I'm falling in love with it's gorgeous voice. The imagery is so compelling, I feel as though I could almost crawl in among the pages. So far, it's emotionally riveting.
Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover

Unknown said...

I read an ARC of it (when it was still Fixing Delilah Hannaford) and I enjoyed it BIG TIME. :) Such a great book. Sarah's certainly talented.

Micol Ostow said...

LOVED "Twenty Boy Summer" and have been really looking forward to this one!

aisyahputrisetiawan said...

Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. No matter ga life, not a problem not learn, so enjoy it :)

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