It’s the most wonderful time of the year….. We’ve all seen them, those lists of writer gift ideas with suggestions like literary jewelry or a writing themed coffee mug. While I’m as big a fan of writer-themed presents as anyone, there are only so many fun coffee mugs a writer can store in her cabinet….
Bits and Barbs
A sampling of things currently capturing my interest. What I’m Watching Only Murders in the Building – This 10-week whodunit is as much about letting go of the past as it is about finding a murderer. Steve Martin, Selena Gomez and Martin Short play three lonely New Yorkers who are drawn together when there’s a…
Of Cheerleaders, Mentors and Lost Potential
Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of cheerleaders. My parents were good, loving parents who genuinely wanted the best for their children. It’s just that their world was small. Having both grown up poor, they preferred choices that were safe, practical, and responsible. Things like risk and adventure frightened them. After all, on the…
Recommended Read: Shoulder Season by Christina Clancy
There’s something train wrecks. You see the damage, and you want to turn away, but you can’t. The scene won’t let you. That’s how I felt reading Shoulder Season by Christina Clancy. Not that the book is a train wreck. On the contrary, the book is excellent. It should be on the top of everyone’s…
Playing The Long Game Part 3
AKA You’re Probably Not Reading This and That’s Okay “How many people read your blog?” my friend asked. “I don’t know,” I replied, before adding silently, “Very few.” Look, I know blogging feels like a futile waste of time. I know Google discontinued its RSS reader and dumps most RSS feeds into gmail folders. I…
Recommended Reads
September was another eclectic reading month with books that ran from politics to true crime. (And no, the politics and true crime are not related.) The Guilt Trip by Sandi Jones: Sandi, Sandi, Sandi. I had such high expectations. After all, your debut was a Reese Witherspoon pick, and she’s seldom steered me wrong. Alas,…
Recommended Reads – The Philosophy Edition
AKA: What I Learned From a 3000-Year-Old Emperor I spent most of August indulging my nerdier roots by reading philosophy and social psychology. The books were fascinating reading, but realizing most of you aren’t into these topics as much as I am, I’m not going to bore you with minute details. I am however, going…
Barb’s Recommended Read: The Island Queen
Doing something a bit different this month because I got sucked down a rabbit hole of non-fiction reading. I’m posting my review of Island Queen today. Another post, compiling the various followed by a special philosophy next week. And now, without further ado…. THE ISLAND QUEEN Those of you who read my recommendations each month…
Playing the Long Game 2 – Big Dog Summer
If you want to run with the big dogs, you’ve got to learn to pee in the tall grass.
Recommended Reads – August Bookshelf
Settle in for a long blog this month. Thanks to audio books and a seven-hour drive, I “read” a few more books in July. This month’s titles include an amazing non-fiction novel, a couple well-written but depressing fiction books, and one literary classic I should have read years ago. Hey! Do you like these monthWould…