1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die: The Experience of Following a Recommended Reading List

I had just finished high school when I joined a site called LibraryThing. I’d seen an article in Writer’s Digest that spoke highly of it. I created an account, felt a thrill of adding books I owned and books I’d read, and began to explore. It was on the forums that I found it, a… Continue reading 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die: The Experience of Following a Recommended Reading List

Should You Read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin?

“Before Mazer invented himself as Mazer, he was Samson Mazer, and before he was Samson Mazer, he was Samson Masur–a change of two letters that transformed him from a nice, ostensibly Jewish boy to a Professional Builder of Worlds–and for most of his youth he was Sam, S.A.M. on the hall of fame of his… Continue reading Should You Read Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin?

Should You Read Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks?

“The ship didn’t even have a name. It had no human crew because the factory craft which constructed it had been evacuated long ago. It had no life-support or accommodation units for the same reason. It had no class number or fleet designation because it was a mongrel made from bits and pieces of different… Continue reading Should You Read Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks?

Critique Circle Premium Review

I’ve reviewed the basic features of this website where writers can exchange critiques before, but today I want to look at the features it offers to paying members. What are they? Do they provide a benefit? As someone who’s been a premium member for over a year now, I want to give my thoughts. As… Continue reading Critique Circle Premium Review

Should You Read Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson?

“The night before the summer solstice, five girls hid in a treehouse. The shack, much too nice to call a shack, was sturdy enough, cradled in the arthritic branches of a three-hundred-year-old oak. Below, in Vance Hall, preparations for tomorrow’s festivities were finalised. It was more an excuse for the grown-ups to fetch up the… Continue reading Should You Read Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson?

Should You Read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde?

“The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn. “From the corner of the divan of Persian saddle-bags on which… Continue reading Should You Read The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde?

What’s Taking So Long? A Novel Update

Those who read the last post related to my novel-in-progress may remember that I had a “nearly completed rewrite” as of last December. Some of you, possibly, are wondering what happened with that. Others, if I may be so fortunate, might be newcomers curious about when they can expect to see the published version of… Continue reading What’s Taking So Long? A Novel Update