Early Posts

Casual Recommendations

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I have a lot of opinions about the things I read and watch. I usually share some of these opinions on the library’s staff picks blogs or save them up for podcasts and programs. But there are still more things I have opinions about that don’t fit into the format of my professional activities. How convenient then that I have this blog where I can post the rest of my many varied opinions!

So, for your reading pleasure, here are some things I’ve recently read/seen and what I think of them:

Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger by Rebecca Traister – This book tackles American politics, inclusive movements, and why the battle for equality concerns us all in way that I, for one, really needed to hear. Rage Becomes Her filled me with anger. Good and Mad showed me what to do with that anger.

Lumberjanes – how has it taken me so long to start reading this graphic novel series? It is delightful! Summer camp, fantastic adventures, and rock solid female friendships. What’s not to love?

The Last of Sheila – This movie came out in 1973. A lot of it doesn’t hold up but it still gave me the creeps for days. It reminds me of Clue the movie, though not as deliciously campy.

A Simple Favor – I did not enjoy this book. The movie, though, was another experience entirely. For one thing is went dark, really dark. Like way darker than the book. But whoever designed Blake Lively’s wardrobe is a genius. Absolutely sensational.

Stay tuned for more.

Favorite 2018 Reads

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Everyone, it seems, is making “best of 2018” lists so I thought I’d jump on board with some of my favorite books from 2018. This year I read just over 100 books, got caught up in numerous series, discovered many new authors, and expanded my literary tastes in unexpected directions. The list is in no way complete, nor is it in order, but it is here!

Mercury Rises by Scarlett Kol – YA, SciFi, hacker Robin Hood from Maid Marian’s POV. So much catnip.

Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie – I read a lot of Agatha Christie this year and have enjoyed all of it. This one is the last in the Miss Marple series. Reading it was bittersweet yet immensely enjoyable.

A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole – If you haven’t read Alyssa Cole, change that immediately.

Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks by Annie Spence – A book for booklovers.

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang – Classic fairy tale elements with a great twist.

Circe by Madeline Miller – An epic in every sense of the word. It will be a long time before I let this one go, if ever.

Heartburn by Nora Ephron – The audio narration by Meryl Streep is insanely good.

Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian – The first historical romance I’ve read with a non-binary main character.

The Adventure Zone: Here There be Gerblins by McElroy et. al. – So dang funny.

The Governess Game by Tessa Dare – Good, fun reading.

Dear Ijeawele by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Another author you should be reading immediately.

Born to be Wilde by Eloisa James – I read the whole series (thus far) in a week. This is the third book and my favorite.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han – The rare instance of a good book that also has a good movie adaptation!

Rage Becomes Her by Soraya Chemaly – Life changing in so many ways. It’s not an easy read but a must read.

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus – The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars. Did not see that ending coming.

Sister BFFs by Philippa Rice – Basically me and my sister Hannah in graphic novel form.

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite – The reviews called it “a small grenade of a novel” and I’m inclined to agree.

Looking forward to so much more reading in 2019!

 

Giveaway Details

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The pre-order giveaway gift box includes:

  • A Lauren Conrad necklace in silver and a Lauren Conrad bracelet in silver
    • Like my main character Lucille, this jewelry is understated and trendy.
  • J Lo sunglasses
    • Lucille has to look like she belongs in the celebrity world without standing out and sometimes the way to achieve that is with a pair of huge sunglasses.
  • Private Show by Britney Spears, a roll-on perfume sampler
    • If Britney had had Lucille when she was when she was going through her head shaving phase, Lucille would have spun the crap out of that. We would all have been convinced that Britney was raising awareness for cancer research.
  • All the swag!

To enter send me a copy of your Celebrity Spin Doctor pre-order confirmation and I’ll add your name to the drawing.

 

Cover Reveal and Pre-order Links

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First things first:

There is so much I love about this cover. I wanted it to look like a gossip magazine and the designer, Najla Qambar, captured my idea beautifully. My favorite part is how it looks like Lucille’s about to crush Christy-Anne under her pointy, red high heel. It really captures their relationship well.

I could talk about this cover all day and probably will at some point. But for now, down to business.

Pre-order Links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2L59iXe
BN: https://bit.ly/2MU0yVB
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2we39lQ

Remember to send me your order confirmation/receipt so I can enter you into the pre-order giveaway!

More details on what exactly that is will be coming later today, after I get some sleep.

Pieces of Things

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Some drafts I found:

From December 30th 2015

I like the idea of starting the weekend with a book suggestion. I hope you do too!

Now, pay attention. If you read NOTHING else that I recommend, read this book. If you read nothing else this year, read this book. If you don’t read, well, I’m not sure how you found this post but I’m glad you did because I’m going to tell you to read this book.

The book I’m talking about? Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

This book does something that should have been done a long time ago. It would have saved all of us, but particularly us women, a lot of heartache. It tells us that we are normal. Specifically, our sexuality is normal. Emily says a lot – we have all the same parts, just organized differently. She tells us that unless you are in physical pain, you are normal, your sexual response is normal, your feelings and attractions and desires are guess what? Normal.

For someone who didn’t absorb anything in science classes, Emily made this stuff approachable through some great metaphors. She walks you through the technical parts and shows how important those are to understanding the social, cultural, self expressive parts of sexuality. She gives us hope that no matter how screwed up your childhood was or what cultural messages made you feel inherently wrong or bad, you can heal and recover and are still normal.

Some of my most deeply held ideas were challenged by this book in the best way possible.

From March 9th 2018

Whew, it has been a long time since I’ve written on here. Part of me wants to delete the whole thing and start again so that no one can read the rambling posts from my years ago self. Only that’s how I’ve ended up with so many internet footprints. One time someone told me they found and read a blog of mine that I was certain had been deleted. Yet nothing is ever truly gone from the internet. Not when sites and companies own all of the content you post.

But I digress.

You are seeing me, dear readers, at the end of my graduate school journey. It has been a long two years and the next six weeks are certain to be an uphill battle to graduation. I am full of trepidation about the future and the constant feeling that there’s something I’ve forgotten in the present.

I have some ideas for the future of this blog. Of course I will continue to write about my writing journey and the weird romance novels I find. But I’m also going to put in some longer pieces about library topics I think are important. If you follow my instagram (and you should) you know that I post there about three things: my life (ok, mostly my cats), library stuff, and writing stuff.

#RT15

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This week I’m writing from the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Dallas, TX. I love conferences. They are full of creative, introverted, weird, wild writers seeking support, inspiration, and new knowledge of their craft. Upon my return, I fully intend to write a top 10 list of my favorite moments this week. In the meantime, here’s a teaser:

Yesterday, I fan girled out (as we at RT are calling it). I was able to see one of my absolute favorite authors, the humorous and sensationally talented, Tamora Pierce. She was everything I didn’t expect and more. And yes, folks, I brought my well worn copy of Alanna from home and I WILL get her to sign it!

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Thank you to Tamora Pierce for this unsolicited photo I took at the panel.

Library Book Sale

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I love book sales. I live for book sales. Last weekend I went to the local public library sale. I got out with only 5 books and they were all ones I was already going to read. I know, I can hardly believe it myself.

I’ve been meaning to post photos on here so here we go, this is my hull from last week:

Processed with VSCOcam with m3 preset
Processed with VSCOcam with m3 preset

When The Internet Seems Unhelpful

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I haven’t been on my schedule lately because, as with most people, a holiday, even one you only sorta celebrate, brings a whole lot.  A whole lot of people, food, board games, social outings, talking, hiking, and drinking.

This is just a pop in to say that when the internet seems unhelpful or unfriendly or full of terrible comments and ads, I like to read the Chicago Writer’s Conference Facebook page.  Whoever they have running it is a beautiful curator of writing and reading related information.  I am so glad I found their conference by chance and continue to be apart of their goings on.

https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoWritersConference

Proud Beginner

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I was talking with some people recently about being a beginner. I have always been a champion of the idea that you can start anything at any age. There’s a quote I love that says:

Question: Do you know how old I’ll be by the time I learn to play the piano?

Answer: The same age you will be if you don’t.

However, I do believe the single hardest thing to be a beginner at is running. Every time I begin running (once every six months or so), it is the most uncomfortable and physically painful experience of my life. Inevitably I pick the wrong clothes – my shirt rides up, my pants fall down. My lungs feel like they’re about to give out at any moment and I think my heart may explode. I feel like everyone who drives by is gawking at me like “whoa, check out that chick with the bright red face who’s somehow tangled her headphones in her ponytail.” I can never breath when I done and I always develop a week long, hacking cough. Yet I still keep trying, every six months, because I really do want to be a runner.  So despite the horrendous wardrobe malfunctions and physical trauma, I am a proud beginner.

A Note on Michiganders

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When it comes to weather, we Michiganders are notoriously stubborn.

A few days ago, it snowed. A lot.  However, at the beginning of the month when we were having a serious thaw and the thermometers hit 50, I shed my winter coat and boots with a sigh and vowed not to wear them again until at least October.  On the day of the snowfall I had woken up, excited to wear my new orange flats and a skirt.  Think my plans were deterred by a bit of snow and 7 degree temps?  Hell no!  I’m a Michigander.  When I declare winter is over, it’s over, whether or not the weather agrees to co-opperate.

I’m not alone in this.  For the past few weeks I’ve seen people out in shorts and tank tops with scarcely a winter coat in sight.  All around me people are packing away winter clothes and turning off their heat. Yesterday in a cafe the woman at the next table proudly announced, “I’m declaring it spring.  I’ve got my flip flops on and everything.”

Tomorrow I fully intend to wear sandals, whether it’s 55 degrees or negative 10.