Hello blog, my old friend

It’s been an embarrassingly long time since I last blogged and, you know what, I miss it.

I miss chatting about books and writing and other anecdotal tidbits.

I miss the challenge of writing something short and focused.

But most of all, I miss you, dear reader. I miss connecting with friends, hearing what you’re up to, and reading your thoughtful comments.

That being said, I’m back in the blogosphere! Hopefully on a semi-regular basis, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from mom-hood it’s that you can’t really plan anything.

So what have I been up to this past year? Well, a few things…

IMG_1089First off, John and I are now the proud parents of a full-blown toddler. Sophie went straight from walking to running and definitely keeps us on our toes, but she’s absolutely amazing. She loves music, reading, doing anything outside, impromptu dance parties, and, most recently, Elmo. Because I can’t help myself, I’ve included a picture of her reading one of her favorite books, The Rainbow Fish.

Secondly, I’ve been working on a brand new manuscript. Writing has always been incredibly fulfilling for me, but now it’s even more important because it gives me something of my own to pursue, something that I have full control over. And now it’s *finally* getting to the stage where I’m proud of it, or at least don’t entirely hate it. But more on my new novel in a future post…

Thirdly, I’ve been reading. A LOT. Granted, it’s harder to carve out time for books, but I usually manage to squeeze in a few minutes each day. Here are a few of my recent faves:

A Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee: This book has everything: a grand tour through Europe, epic romance, alchemy, and even pirates! It gripped me from the first page and never let go. Good news, the sequel, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, comes out in October!

The Outsider by Stephen King: The premise for this book is simple–a guy with a rock solid alibi has all the evidence stacked against him in a heinous murder investigation. What follows is completely engrossing; how does one come to terms with the supernatural being the only logical answer? Bonus, there’s a guest appearance from my favorite character from the Mr. Mercedes trilogy!

Murder in the Locked Library by Ellery Adams: This series is a total indulgence. A cozy mystery that takes place at a book-lover’s retreat. This is the fourth in the series and they just keep getting better. Sure, the subplot with a Freemason-type society is a little over the top, but that makes it all the more fun.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: I’d heard great things about this book and it lived up to all the buzz! Eleanor Oliphant is at times hilarious, and at times heartbreaking. With a quirky cast of characters, stellar writing, and a twist ending, it’s no wonder Reese Witherspoon is making it into a movie.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik: This adult fantasy is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin with three strong women protagonists. I loved the complexity of the world and how we slowly see the struggles of both the heroines and the supposed villains. The best part though, I could never quite predict where the story was going, and the ending truly surprised me.

What have you been reading? Are there any books that have left you breathless, unable to tear yourself away from, desperate for more? I want to know!

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