Category: reading

Essentials for the Perfect Reading Nook

I think for most of us who love to read, it’s a dream to have the perfect reading space. At least, if the number of images of reading nooks and spaces on Pinterest is any indication! I’m not an exception, and I’ve saved lots of favorites on Pinterest myself. Like all other aspects of home décor, a reading nook is a personal thing. And every reader has preferences about how, when, and where they like to read. That said, there are patterns to these dream reading spaces. After thinking about it, I’ve broken it down to three essentials that add […]

I love to read, but I don’t always have a ton of hours to delve into a new book, depending on what stage I’m in with my own work-in-progress. But earlier this summer, I had a reading marathon before I started drafting the next book in the Belinda & Bennett series. If you’re looking for new reads for the change of season, below are my brief takes on two YA sci-fi/fantasy books and one mystery by the Queen of Crime herself. Loki’s Wolves, #1 The Blackwell Pages (MG Fantasy) K.L.Armstrong & M.A. Marr Snapshot: A group of teens […]

Feasting on Books

I joined the Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge (hosted by Book Chick City) this year, and while I began with good intentions, things slowly unraveled as I had to focus on other projects. I don’t get to read quite as much as I would like, but it’s also my M.O. to read in spurts. I’m a feast or famine reader. Right now, I’m in Feast Reading mode. So who knows? I may make the 12 mark for the reading challenge after all. Earlier this year, I read Georgette Heyer’s The Unfinished Clue, Ian Rankin’s Doors Open, Y.S. Lee’s The Agency, […]

The Changing Face of Bookselling, or R.I.P. Borders

The news that Borders is officially shutting all its doors, and then reading this post on the MaggieCakes blog about the demise of bookshops inspired me to pen this post (figuratively speaking of course). And isn’t it true that expressions like ‘pen this or that’ are becoming more figurative than actual? Many authors start and finish their books and stories and poems today on a computer. And now that is passing over to how readers acquire and often read those books and stories and poems. But let’s go back for a minute to the Borders closing issue. Is it the […]

Today’s post comes to us from one of my favorite people on Twitter, Jennie Ivins, better known as Autumn2May. This is her perspective on how writing her own novel has altered her view of reading. Enjoy! * * * Reading and writing have always gone hand in hand. One really can’t learn to write without knowing how to read. So then knowing how to write well must make reading easier, right? Well, sort of. I started writing my book in October of last year. I had never written before and really didn’t know what to expect. After finishing my first […]

I’m not much for rereading novels. Generally speaking, once I’ve read it, I’m done. Even if I loved the book and will sing its praises for years to come, I will probably never pick it up again. This contrasts greatly with my sister who almost never reads new books but goes back and rereads her favorites. Me, I’m always looking ahead to the next one on my (very) long to-read list. There are exceptions. Pride & Prejudice and Persuasion are two books I’ve read at least parts of more times than I can count. But those two are old favorites. […]

I don’t know what it is about summer, but it makes me want to read. Winter does not have that effect on me, which boggles my mind. But all I want to do in summer is get a few good books, plop down on a beach, and get to it. And I generally reach for the meatier books too; classics like The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe and The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins. Huge books that require more time and mental energy. This year I’m taking a different track. I’m reading the YA fantasy Gladius and the Bartlett Trial […]

Category: reading

Essentials for the Perfect Reading Nook

Book Break – 3 Short Reviews

Feasting on Books

The Changing Face of Bookselling, or R.I.P. Borders

How Writing Changed the Way I Read

What Makes a Book Worth Rereading?

What Are You Reading This Summer?