My Inherited Book Collection
Although I do most of my reading in ebook these days (because it's so much easier than carrying around a heavy book bag), I still cherish my print book collection.…
Reading Indie vs. Traditionally Published Books
I've been reading articles about the potential of a bifurcated market in books right now. Some people believe that there could be actually two different groups of readers: those who…
Blue Rabbit Cover Reveal!
My sister site and author friend Jimena Novaro is throwing a cover reveal tour for her upcoming novel, Blue Rabbit! I'm so excited that she's finally releasing her book, because…
A Flight of Marewings Pre-Release Giveaways!
My next book, A Flight of Marewings, won't be released until next year (January 6!), but you can be ready by entering these two giveaways for a free copy! On Goodreads,…
Lady Warrior: Alanna of Trebond
One of the first lady warriors that I was introduced to as a child was Alanna of Trebond, from the Song of the Lioness Quartet and other Tortall stories by Tamora Pierce. Alanna lives in the fantasy kingdom of Tortall, where only men are allowed to become knights. She swaps places with her twin brother, Thom, and disguises herself as the boy “Alan” so she can train as a knight. Although her true identity is eventually discovered, she manages to become one of the king’s most decorated knights and actually changes the laws of the kingdom so that other women can become knights as well.
Since we see Alanna grow from a young girl into a woman, we get to watch her overcome a lot of her flaws. She struggles to accept herself as a woman and as a wielder of magic, and eventually embraces all of her gifts, not just her talent for fighting. She also has to learn how to control her temper and her stubbornness. Along the way, she learns about friendship and love. (more…)
Book Interview: Serving Time by Nadine Ducca
I asked some questions about Nadine Ducca's new book, Serving Time. These are her answers. What is your story about? When interplanetary pilot and smuggler Tristan Cross decides to do good…
My eBook Reader: My Best Friend
I have always been an avid reader. Once upon a time, that meant carrying a bag full of books with me everywhere I went: usually one set of books for school, at least one book of fiction, and at least one other nonfiction book for non-school-related research. A heavy backpack or messenger bag went with me everywhere. Sometimes people, including my friends, would make fun of me for that: “Why do you have your big bag with all of your books? You don’t have school today.”
Riding the bus everywhere played a big part in why I always carried a large bag (I think that most people take for granted how much stuff they always have with them in their car), but I also just wanted to take my books with me. Even if I only had a few minutes to read while I was sitting and waiting for someone else to show up, or be seated at a restaurant, I liked having my books there. And I couldn’t pick just one book to bring with me, even knowing that I would not read every single one of them on a given day: I wanted the flexibility to choose what I wanted to read in the moment. (more…)
Writer’s Block Glut
I don't know how I'm ever going to keep all of these stories straight in my head. I keep trying to write down notes to keep track of it all,…
Sacred Space
While I was growing up, my parents always had one room of our current house or apartment set apart from the rest. This room was always quiet, kept in a…
Mountains of Books
One time my sister said to me, "You are such a completist."I'm not sure if this is actually a word or not, but I think I know what she meant…