Blogging A to Z 2016 theme reveal It’s that time of year! Blogging A to Z 2016 is coming April 1! Just in case you need a refresher: Arlee Bird started Blogging A to Z in 2010 as a way to bring bloggers together. The rules are these: Starting April 1st, for 26 days, write a post for each letter of the alphabet. And you just know that’s a challenge for me as I keep no schedule, just sort of…
Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s getting on toward afternoon here in California, and Valentine’s Day is in full swing. After finishing my Valentine’s gifts, I started reading some blogs and listening to comments, including these from Paul Reiser on Sunday Morning. I also learned about the fascinating history of the day properly named Lupercalia from Alison Williams’s blog. Be advised, flayed goat hides are involved. Turns out there are some Valentine’s haters out there. Who knew? Actually, I did. My brother is…
Grammar Books for Writers This week I was hanging out in the Twitter writing chat (@StoryDam; Thursdays, 8 pm EST) when Renee TennisMcKinley (@2old2tap) asked if anyone could recommend grammar books for writers. Since I co-own a writing tutoring center, I decided to jump in the grammar fray and offer some book suggestions. The good news is that these books don’t have to cost you much (with one exception) because, you know, the starving-writer-in-the-garret-with-frayed-cuffs trope didn’t become a cliche for…
Welcome, 2016! It’s that time of year. 2016 has arrived. (Actually, it arrived a few days ago, but who’s counting?) I feel like a bear that’s just emerging from a long hibernation. Or, would you believe a butterfly breaking out of its chrysalis? No, I don’t blame you. I don’t buy that one, either. Maybe I’m Rip Can Wrinkle, a little worse for wear, stumbling down the Catskills to find that everyone is setting goals, making resolutions, envisioning the year…
To Whom It May Concern…Happy Thanksgiving! I came across an article I thoroughly enjoyed called “23 Bestselling YA Authors Share ‘the Book I’m Most Thankful for’” by Sona Charaipotra for Parade Magazine. It’s a wonderful article with lovely tributes about the power reading wields to change our lives. I think you will enjoy reading it. My country has its faults as do all countries (and all people, for that matter), but I am thankful that the first amendment our founders…
Happy Halloween, everyone! I think this is my fourth book review for the R.I.P. reading challenge hosted by the Estella Society. Please hop on over there to see the other wonderful spooky books readers are discussing. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult Publisher: Ballantine Books, 480 pages Format: Paperback Source: Purchased What it’s about: Teen Jenna Metcalf has been searching for her mother Alice for as long as she can remember. Alice disappeared over a decade ago following a trampling death…
Publisher: Jove Books, 338 pages Format: Paperback Source: Purchased Haunted was the subject of a group read over at Supernatural Fiction Readers hosted by Werner A. Lind on Goodreads as well as a R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril X reading challenge at Estella Society. What it’s about: David Ash, a paranormal investigator for the Psychical Research Institute, has taken a case in rural England where he meets the siblings Simon, Christina, and Robert; and their aunt, Nanny Tess. They live in a decaying…
Bag of Bones by Stephen King Well, if you’re anything like me, you are bemoaning the fact that October–the best month in the year–seems to be running away on little ghost feet. If I had my way, October would last for two months! So, there’s nothing for it but to try to eke out all the crisp-leaf, brisk-walking, sweatshirt-donning goodness while we can. That and curl up in your favorite armchair for some ghost novels. To…
A Ghostly Giveaway! “I’ve actually seen a ghost, so I know they’re really around”~James Herbert Whether you’ve actually seen a ghost or not, does not matter. You can join in the fun of the ghostly giveaway. Chilly nights and chilling ghost stories…that’s what this time of year is all about. Although for me, any time of year is the right time for ghosts and ghost novels and ghost movies. Now through November 4th, I hope you will join me…
The Face by Dean Koontz Publisher: Random House Audio Format: Audio Recording Source: Pleasanton Library The Face is my second reviewed novel of The R.I.P. Reading Challenge hosted by The Estella Society. What it’s about: The Face is a poignant but darkly comic novel of suspense. The primary setting of Koontz’s book is the Southern California mansion Palazo Rospo where ten-year-old Aelfric (Fric) resides with a house full of staff but rarely his father, and never his mother. The title…
The 20’s Girl, the Ghost, and All That Jazz by June Kearns Publisher: Amazon Digital Services Format: Ebook Source: Purchased What it’s about: Gerry is desperate for money. Her late aunt thought nothing of leaving their English village and sailing to parts unknown or taking up with a new love at the drop of a feathered silk hat. Along with mounting debt, Gerry has inherited her aunt’s stunning wardrobe and old bookstore. Unfortunately, Aunt Leonie ransacked the bookstore for valuable…
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion Greetings, all! Today I’m excited to be guest blogging about the novel The Rosie Project over at What Has Been Read Cannot Be Unread. The Rosie Project is not the kind of book I usually review. In other words, The Rosie Project is not YA, nor does it contain a single ghost. But I think you will enjoy this dramatic comedy, and so I invite you to take a gander at my review by…
(image courtesy Abigail Larson) It’s that time of year. Or as Shakespeare put it: That time of year thou mayst in me behold When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang Upon those boughs which shake against the cold, Bare ruin’d choirs, where late the sweet birds sang. (Image courtesy flikr creative commons via photopin) In the gray mood yet? Good, because R.I.P. X (R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril) is here, the brainchild of Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings, this year…