28 Oct

Posted at 12:23h in Reviews by

Review of This Was Never About Basketball (The Zeke Archer Basketball Trilogy) by Craig Leener From the moment I stumbled upon Craig Leener’s This Was Never About Basketball, I was intrigued. The title alone piqued my curiosity—how could a book centered around basketball promise to be about more than just the game? As someone who often finds sports novels outside their comfort zone, I took a leap of faith, and boy, was I rewarded for it. At its heart, this coming-of-age tale follows Ezekiel “Zeke” Archer, an ambitious 17-year-old basketball...

28 Oct

Posted at 03:22h in Reviews by

Unpacking Writing About Writing: A Personal Journey When I first picked up Writing About Writing by Elizabeth Wardle and Doug Downs, I felt a blend of excitement and trepidation. As someone who has always loved the craft of writing yet grappled with its complexities, the idea of delving into “threshold concepts” that could potentially sharpen my skills seemed almost too good to be true. Little did I know, this guide would become a cornerstone in my journey toward better writing. At a hefty 736 pages, Writing About Writing is no...

27 Oct

Posted at 18:20h in Reviews by

Review of The Successful Novelist: A Lifetime of Lessons About Writing and Publishing by David Morrell When I first picked up The Successful Novelist, I was intrigued by David Morrell's reputation as the father of Rambo and a seasoned author with over fifty years in the publishing world. Writing has always felt like both magic and mystery to me; it’s a daunting endeavor that many dream of but few truly understand. David Morrell’s ability to demystify the process felt like just what I needed. This book promised not only...

27 Oct

Posted at 12:09h in Reviews by

Navigating the Hero's Path: Reflecting on The Writer's Journey It’s funny how certain books linger in your mind long after finishing them. For me, The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler was one such book, making its mark during my film school days. Now, with the release of its third edition, I was intrigued to dive back into its pages and see how Vogler’s insights might resonate with my evolving understanding of storytelling. Vogler draws upon Joseph Campbell's seminal work, The Hero with a Thousand Faces,...

27 Oct

Posted at 09:19h in Reviews by

SUIN Hardcover Journal Notebooks: A Gateway to Creativity As a book blogger with a penchant for all things stationery, my heart leaps at the sight of beautifully crafted notebooks. Recently, I stumbled upon the SUIN Hardcover Journal Notebooks, a versatile pack featuring six A5 lined journals in vibrant colors. With their elegant designs, sturdy covers, and ample pages for notes, they instantly caught my attention. There’s something magical about putting pen to paper, a tangible connection that typing on a keyboard just can't replicate. The SUIN notebooks promise just...

27 Oct

Posted at 00:15h in Reviews by

Discovering the Craft: A Review of Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison Every songwriter knows the struggle of finding the right words to capture fleeting thoughts, emotions, and experiences in just a few verses. When I stumbled upon Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison, it felt like finding a hidden roadmap to creativity that I didn't know I was missing. As someone who flirts with songwriting but often feels like I'm lost in a labyrinth of clichés and half-finished melodies, this book promised to be the guiding light I...

26 Oct

Posted at 18:17h in Reviews by

Love at First Fright by Nadia El-Fassi is a captivating blend of romance and the paranormal that promised to tickle my fancy from the moment I laid eyes on its cover. The intriguing premise of a horror author falling for a Hollywood actor (with a generous dose of paranormal flair) left me curious and excited to dive in. As a lover of cozy autumn reads, I couldn’t resist finding out how El-Fassi weaves the magic of love with the thrills of the supernatural. The story unfolds through the dual...

26 Oct

Posted at 15:14h in Reviews by

Unlocking Creativity with Adley Colter's "Writer's Block Is Dead" When I first stumbled across Writer's Block Is Dead: 2000+ AI Prompts To Jumpstart Your Fiction Writing, it felt like a beacon of hope amidst my own writing struggles. I've been there—staring at a blank page, waiting for inspiration to strike. In this era of heightened creativity, the idea of having a reliable resource to guide my writing journey was just what I needed. Adley Colter’s approach, blending traditional writing techniques with AI, piqued my curiosity and promised a fresh...

26 Oct

Posted at 06:13h in Reviews by

Review of Writing Unforgettable Characters by James Scott Bell As a writer, the quest to create characters that leap off the page is a pilgrimage I believe every author must undertake. When I stumbled across James Scott Bell’s Writing Unforgettable Characters: How to Create Story People Who Jump Off the Page, I felt a sense of serendipity. Here was a book promising not just techniques but a transformative approach to character creation—exactly what I needed to breathe life into my own storytelling. The essence of Bell's book revolves around a...

25 Oct

Posted at 21:12h in Reviews by

Title: A Heartwarming Exploration of Food and Memory in The Kamogawa Food Detectives From the moment I stumbled upon The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai, I knew I was in for a treat. Imagine a cozy little diner tucked away on an unassuming backstreet in Kyoto, where food transcends mere nourishment and becomes an emotional bridge to the past. That compelling premise pulled me right in, and I found myself enchanted by Koishi and her father, Nagare, whose culinary detective work helps patrons reconnect with dishes that evoke...