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 […]
2015 is almost over. In some ways, it feels like it just began, but in going through all the books I’ve read this year, I can tell that time has marched steadily past. I’ve read 70 books this year, and there were some real gems among them. Not to mention a refreshing variety–a healthy dose of […]
Spring has *finally* arrived! The signs are everywhere: tulip and daffodil bulbs popping up, longer sunshine-filled days, and the newest resident in our backyard. Okay, so the last thing might not actually be a sign of spring, but it warrants talking about. We have a vole. He lives under the stoop in our backyard. As […]
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 […]
I was lucky enough to get a ticket to see Veronica Roth and Margaret Stohl speak at the Tattered Cover in Denver last week. To be honest, I didn’t see them so much as listen to them as my seat was in the nosebleed section, approximately a football field away from the front. Nonetheless, it was so […]
For the third and final post in my character building series, it’s time to get up close and personal with villains. But not too close because, well, they’re dangerous. I want to find out what makes these wily adversaries tick. What is it that makes us love to hate them, invokes nightmares, and challenges us […]
“I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam.” ~ The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien Nothing says Independence Day like fireworks and sparklers, which is why this week’s post is on sidekicks. There’s a connection there…somewhere. Maybe. Moving on. While main characters (see last week’s […]
I recently finished a draft of Helluva Monday *throws confetti* and am now forcing myself to take a break before diving back into revisions. As a distraction, I’ve been brainstorming/outlining a shiny new project, and musing on characters. Note: I’m limiting this post to strong lead characters and will investigate sidekicks and villains in future […]
Just like ice cream, books come in an assortment of different flavors. Now, I’m not talking about genre but rather mood, which seems to transcend genre. Here are a few of my favorite reading flavors: Comfort (chocolate): These books are so happy and fun they always give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Ironically, I […]