Category: Books & Life

I feel like I’ve been reading up a storm lately, but it’s nothing compared to what I see on booktube. Many of the booktubers I watch, like Marines, Jack, and Jesse, read about a book a day. I don’t know how they do it other than they must be...

One of the most common pieces of writing advice I hear is to join a writing group. And while I wholeheartedly agree with this, it’s a lot easier said than done. First, let’s start with the benefits. Writing groups are a community Writing is a solitary practice. However, by...

I’ve seen several reading challenges and book bingos on Pinterest and other blogs. I love the idea, especially bingo. It’s both fun and interactive. And it encourages reading outside of your comfort zone. However, some of them can be very challenging. Not everyone wants to read a book that...

The third book in the Three Pines/Inspector Gamache series takes us back to the village of Three Pines where we visit again with main cast from the first two books. It’s Easter and to shake things up a bit, a our beloved group of locals decide to have a...

For the first time ever, I’m creating an official reading goal for 2023. I’ve made GoodReads reading challenges in the past. But, that’s a number, I don’t usually plan what I’m reading. I prefer to pick my next book based on whatever I’m in the mood for at the...

Writing tips often focus on the technical aspects of becoming a better writer. And sometimes the abstract. But what is often overlooked is the practical precursor—curiosity. Writing is more than getting words down in the correct order to tell a compelling story. Most of us don’t open a blank...

I wanted to love Amazon’s Wheel of Time TV Series. The previews made the show look so exciting. Magic, great cast, adventure – it had me counting down the days. So much so, I picked up the first book, “Eye of the World,” in preparation. Having only read the...

The most commonly accepted writing advice is reading more will help you become a better writer. Most writers are naturally drawn to reading. For a lot of us, it’s why we want to be writers. Just like people in the film industry like to watch movies, we love to...

Suspense/Mystery/Thriller The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse 380 pages. Penguin Random House The setup for The Sanatorium was so promising. British detective Elin and her boyfriend, Will, travel to the Swiss Alps for her estranged brother’s engagement party. Her goal is to confront him about their little brother’s mysterious death...

Fiction Anxious People by Fredrik Backman 353 pages. Atria Books. A bank robbery turns into a hostage situation. Told in the witty way Backman wrote A Man Called Ove, Anxious People tells the story of two cops, a bank robber, a real estate agent and seven hostages. All of...