18 Aug

Posted at 07:58h in Reviews by

Why I Love Horror: A Journey Through the Shadows As a longtime lover of storytelling, I’ve always found myself drawn to genres that push boundaries and explore the human psyche. When I stumbled upon Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature edited by the insightful Becky Siegel Spratford, I felt an electric pull. Here was an anthology that promised not just to delve into the mechanics of horror but to unravel the very essence of what makes this genre resonate so deeply with us. And let me tell...

17 Aug

Posted at 16:16h in Reviews by

Book Review: Reading and Writing about Literature: A Portable Guide Sometimes a book catches your eye for the simple fact that it promises to unpack the complex beauty of literature in a way that feels accessible and engaging. That was my first impression when I stumbled upon Reading and Writing about Literature: A Portable Guide by the esteemed authors of Bedford/St. Martin's. Even the phrase "portable guide" intrigued me; it felt like an invitation to carry the world of literary exploration right in my bag! At 224 pages, this fifth...

17 Aug

Posted at 11:51h in Reviews by

Book Review: How to End a Story: Diaries: 1995–1998 by Helen Garner From the moment I picked up How to End a Story: Diaries: 1995–1998, I felt as if I were stepping into a world both achingly familiar and rawly intimate, one that only the brilliant Helen Garner could unveil with such exquisite vulnerability. Her writing has a way of peeling back the layers of human experience—an act that feels like both a privilege and a heavy responsibility as a reader. At its core, this collection of diaries is an...

17 Aug

Posted at 07:14h in Reviews by

How Not to Write a Novel: Laughing Through the Literary Minefield As an aspiring novelist, I often find myself knee-deep in various writing guides, searching for that elusive secret to success. It was during one of those moments of desperate scrolling that "How Not to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them" by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman caught my eye. With a title that was both humorous and intriguingly candid, I couldn't resist picking it up. From the very first page, it became clear that...

16 Aug

Posted at 04:09h in Reviews by

The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin: A Heartfelt Exploration of Grief and Friendship I stumbled upon The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin while searching for a middle-grade novel that could provide both depth and insight into complex emotions. The cover, adorned with the delicate tendrils of a jellyfish, piqued my interest, but it was the book's premise—a story about grief, friendship, and the search for answers—that truly drew me in. I was curious to see how the author would weave such profound themes through the innocent lens...

15 Aug

Posted at 19:09h in Reviews by

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King: A Journey Through the Pages As a longtime admirer of Stephen King, I felt an almost magnetic pull toward On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. The intriguing blend of memoir and writing guide promised not just insights into the craft but also glimpses into the life of one of the most prolific writers of our time. Little did I know that this book would ignite a fresh wave of inspiration within me—an experience every aspiring writer deserves. King’s narrative...

15 Aug

Posted at 01:07h in Reviews by

Review of Writing Fiction For Dummies by Randy Ingermanson When I stumbled upon Writing Fiction For Dummies, I was somehow both skeptical and intrigued. As a budding author who often finds herself engulfed in the sea of writing advice, I thought to myself, “Can a legacy series like For Dummies really provide the clarity I need?” However, the name Randy Ingermanson—a bestselling author known for his Snowflake Method—had a certain weight that pulled me in, and I thought, why not give it a shot? From the very first chapter, Ingermanson’s...

13 Aug

Posted at 07:31h in Reviews by

A Dive into the Unfolding Worlds of The Best American Short Stories 2023 As a book blogger with a penchant for exploring voices both familiar and novel, I was thrilled to grab a copy of The Best American Short Stories 2023, expertly curated by guest editor Dinah Cox. Having previously read the 2019 edition, I was eager to see how the landscape of contemporary short fiction has evolved over the past few years. The anthology is a mix of feelings: some stories will resonate long after you close the...

12 Aug

Posted at 18:49h in Reviews by

A Daily Dose of Inspiration: Review of 365 Quotes on Writing That Will Make You a Better Writer by Jerry Payne As a lifelong writer, I’ll admit that sometimes, I feel like I’m wandering through an uncharted forest, unsure which direction to take for my next project. This is why 365 Quotes on Writing That Will Make You a Better Writer by Jerry Payne piqued my interest. A collection of daily inspirations, each quote accompanied by Payne’s thoughtful commentary? It felt like receiving a warm cup of coffee on...

10 Aug

Posted at 19:10h in Reviews by

My Journey with Borges and Me: A Literary Road Trip When I first stumbled upon Borges and Me by Jay Parini, the premise captured my imagination instantly: a 22-year-old student embarking on a road trip with the legendary blind writer Jorge Luis Borges through the picturesque Scottish Highlands. This seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime adventure—both a literal voyage across breathtaking landscapes and a deep, metaphorical exploration of literature and life. As someone who loves both road trips and literary discussions, I simply had to dive into this memoir. Parini’s narrative is...