When Cathy of 746 books announced last year that she would not be hosting 20 Books of Summer this year after ten successful years, Emma of Words and Peace and Annabel of AnnaBookBel both volunteered to take it on. Though I have sworn off doing too many reading challenges this year, I couldn't resist joining … Continue reading Ten Books of Summer
I'm always up for checking out an independent book-discovery site, so I was intrigued when I heard of Shepherd, a new platform built around recommendations by authors. Each author picks a theme, topic, or mood and five books they love. Via the site or weekly emails, readers are guided to lists that have something in … Continue reading A new way to find your next favorite read
This month, looking for something to keep my mind off current events, I came across author Lissa Evans in my TBR. Some time ago I had enjoyed a movie based on one of her novels, Their Finest, and wanted to look into her writing. I did get around to that book eventually (originally titled Their … Continue reading In a Time of War #MarchMagics2025
I am doing my yearly review a bit early, and including my December reading, because after this I'll be taking a break -- scroll down to "Looking Ahead" for some news about that. But first, what did I read in 2024? It was quite a year! Nonfiction I had a lot of fun reading books … Continue reading 2024 Reading in Review – and a look ahead
Calling all knitters! Have you ever wanted a resource that would guide you through a process of creating your own clothing, rather than always having to be dependent on patterns devised by others? Are you interested in how the products of the natural world and the human form can come together harmoniously, honoring the beauty … Continue reading Knitting By Heart — A book project worth supporting
As the year comes to an end, I am wrapping up my personal Ozathon -- there is still January to finish if you're following the book-a-month plan, but I read the last two books in quick succession and will discuss them here. The second-to-last entry in the series, The Magic of Oz, was perhaps the … Continue reading #Ozathon24: The Dangers of Enchantment
It's painful to admit, but I am getting tired of the Oz books. Having completed books 11 and 12 -- The Lost Princess of Oz and The Tin Woodman of Oz -- I can feel Baum's weariness and distraction, understandable since his health was failing and World War I was raging. Both books do have … Continue reading #Ozathon24: Losing steam
Before I started blogging, I hardly read nonfiction. Now I can't imagine my reading life without it. During the last decade, which has been tumultuous for both my outer and inner life, nonfiction books have educated, consoled, and inspired me. However bad things get, I am still given hope and strength when I receive news … Continue reading Nonfiction November
Today, over at Calmgrove the Witch Week post is a discussion of Joan Aiken's The Serial Garden, stories in which magic mixes with modern family life in a way that can be hilarious, creepy, or lyrical, or all of these and much more. I hope you'll enjoy our lengthy but fascinating discussion, which includes my … Continue reading Witch Week Day 5: Magical short stories
Please head over to Calmgrove for my post about Joan Aiken's Felix Brooke trilogy, an adventurous journey that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Rare archival images are included, courtesy of Seven Stories museum in Newcastle, which has an unpublished archive of Aiken material. Please do give it a look!
