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...

09 Aug

Posted at 13:07h in Reviews by

Review of The Index of Self-Destructive Acts by Christopher Beha When I first stumbled upon The Index of Self-Destructive Acts, the title and its association with baseball statistics instantly piqued my interest. As someone who appreciates the rich metaphors that sports can bring to life, I was eager to dive into a narrative woven around America’s favorite pastime, crafted by Christopher Beha. Unfortunately, while the book presents itself as an exploration of baseball, it morphs into a weighty examination of personal failings and deeply flawed characters. At the heart...

09 Aug

Posted at 00:28h in Reviews by

Unleashing Imagination: A Reflection on How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card As a lifelong lover of both science fiction and fantasy, I’ve often wondered how authors create those expansive worlds brimming with magic, technology, and complex characters. Enter Orson Scott Card, the genius behind Ender’s Game, and his illuminating guide, How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy. This book immediately caught my attention, promising to unlock the secrets behind crafting speculative fiction, and I found myself both eager and anxious to dive into its...

03 Aug

Posted at 15:28h in Reviews by

Title: The Library at Hellebore: A Gripping Exploration of Power and Survival As I cracked open The Library at Hellebore by Tiffany D. Khaw, I felt a familiar thrill—the kind that echoes through the hallowed halls of dark academia and whispers promises of tension, intrigue, and a touch of the grotesque. It’s not often that a book unearths such potent themes wrapped in a narrative that’s not just compelling but deeply personal. Narrated by the sardonic and engaging Alessa Li, this story pulls you into a world where survival...

03 Aug

Posted at 06:24h in Reviews by

Discovering the Threads of Time in A Little History of Poetry As an avid reader, I often find myself mesmerized by how poetry acts like a mirror, reflecting the individual and societal ethos of its time. This intimate connection is what drew me to A Little History of Poetry by the insightful James Carey. Right from the first pages, I realized that this book was not merely a history lesson, but rather a tapestry woven from the lives of poets whose experiences shaped the verses that have colored our...

02 Aug

Posted at 05:51h in Reviews by

A Deep Dive into the Writing Life: Reflecting on Swallowed by a Whale As someone who often finds solace in the comforting embrace of a well-written book, I was drawn to Swallowed by a Whale: How to Survive the Writing Life from British Library Publishing. The title alone evokes a powerful image of struggle and survival—something every writer can relate to—even if we haven't literally faced the belly of a great beast. This anthology, brimming with wisdom from sixty esteemed authors, sets out to unravel the myriad complexities of...

31 Jul

Posted at 17:46h in Reviews by

Embracing the Craft: A Personal Journey Through "F. Scott Fitzgerald on Writing" There’s something undeniably magnetic about F. Scott Fitzgerald—the man behind literary marvels that continue to captivate readers a century later. When I stumbled upon "F. Scott Fitzgerald on Writing," I felt as if I had discovered hidden treasures amidst the clutter of modern writing guides. The prospect of diving into Fitzgerald’s thoughts about his craft, gleaned from his personal letters and musings, seemed too enchanting to resist. What better guide for writers today than the voice that...