2020 has been a weird year, and my reading has definitely reflected that. Early on in the pandemic, I had trouble concentrating. On pretty much anything. Then in the months that followed, I was extra persnickety, gravitating toward books that fit my mood. Maybe more than ever before, I’ve leaned on books and stories–as a way […]
I love a good series. Longer story arcs, revisiting favorite characters and worlds, the anticipation for the *next* book… But sometimes I get Series Exhaustion. When this happens, all I want is a standalone novel. A story contained within the pages of a single book. No added expectations, no extra commitments. But so many books these days […]
I finished Doctor Sleep in a whirlwind. I COULD NOT put this book down. It was one of those reads I got so consumed with that I forgot to eat, drink, and sleep because I had to see what happened next. And, you guys, it was seriously brilliant! But when I first started reading it, […]
In Marketing, a ‘sneezer’ is a term for someone who promotes products word-of-mouth, and word-of-mouth marketing is still alive and well in the book world (just ask John Green and his army of Nerdfighters). I’ve been a book sneezer for a long time. In fact, if we’ve had a prolonged conversation about books recently, chances are I’ve […]
Over the past week something has shifted in Colorado. There’s a crisp chill in the early morning air, the days are noticeably shorter, and leaves are changing into a fiery bouquet of warm colors. That’s right, autumn has arrived. Which means football (go Broncos!), pumpkins, that spicy smell of discarded leaves, and reading. Lots of […]
Ah, The End, where all the carefully constructed mysteries are resolved, final gut-wrenching twists are thrown in, and you’re left with either a sense of awe or disappointment. The whole story might be perfect, the beginning engaging, characters compelling, plot fast-paced, but if the ending is off, game over. A less-than satisfying ending can mean […]
Summer is just around the corner *throws confetti* which means: 1. Fabulous new book releases! Which inevitably leads to a reading tan line (you know, that little bit of our neck that never gets any sun because our noses are constantly buried in a book). 2. Seeking asylum from the heat in a cool movie theater […]
I’m reading Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh, a webcomic with quirky graphics and poignant humor. Reading Brosh’s stories reminded me of one of my own childhood memories, and inspired me to share it. When I was 4 years old, I learned how to draw a star. This was a big moment for me because […]
You know what books I’m talking about. The ones that keep you up late at night, that you’ve read more times than you care to admit, that resonate with you. After I read a truly great book, I go through four phases: Enjoyment Where I revel in how much I love the book! Word-envy Where I desperately […]
I made a goal at the beginning of the year to read 52 books, one a week. Now, after spending a year relishing in the worlds and imaginations of some truly brilliant authors, I’m one book and one week away. Huzzah! (I have a perhaps-crazy goal simmering for 2014, but that’s for next week’s blog…) […]