I turn 40 tomorrow. To be honest, I feel pretty good about it. My thirties were absolutely bonkers (marriage, baby, moving to a new country), so I’m taking the time to reflect on the decade. I looked back at my trusty Goodreads, and picked a memorable book from each of the last ten years. 2013 … Continue reading Books of my Thirties
My Week in Reading – Feb. 7th, 2023
How to Sell a Haunted House Oh my sweet lord, this book! Grady Hendrix has written so completely disturbing and hilarious. What a ride! Hendrix really takes the time to establish his characters before launching into all-out mayhem; it's an incredibly well-written novel. There was a moment when I literally screamed "OH NO!" I listened … Continue reading My Week in Reading – Feb. 7th, 2023
Alternative Mothers’ Day Books
It is Mothers' Day this coming weekend in the US. And as some marketing emails would suggest, I’m sure there are mothers that do like books with blue covers, with a photo of the back of a woman, staring out to sea. I am not one of those mothers. I have become a different reader … Continue reading Alternative Mothers’ Day Books
My Favorite Books of 2021
Alright lads?! Another year down the shitter, eh? Thankfully, we’ve got books to keep us from going completely mad. And hopefully you’ve read some incredible stories this year. In no particular order, here are my favorites from 2021, with links to my original reviews (if I wrote one). Chouette, by Claire Oshetsky (Virago/Ecco) Every so … Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2021
Review – When Things Get Dark: Stories Inspired by Shirley Jackson, edited by Ellen Datlow (Titan Books)
I am so excited to be able to finally share my love of this incredible anthology! When Things Get Dark is easily one of the best, and most consistent anthologies I’ve read in years. Each writer has brought their A-Game in Shirley’s name. Comparisons to Jackson’s work are a dime-a-dozen, and often completely unwarranted. But … Continue reading Review – When Things Get Dark: Stories Inspired by Shirley Jackson, edited by Ellen Datlow (Titan Books)
Short Story Update
The Saddest Short Story Ever Written Yesterday, I read the saddest short story I've ever read in my life, so I need to share the details with you. I found this little gem in The Persephone Book of Short Stories, which features a wealth of gorgeous stories by well-known and little-known female writers. I urge … Continue reading Short Story Update
Short Stories – A Beginner’s Guide
A dear, dear friend of mine asked for "A recommendation for an introduction into short stories", that would be applicable to adults, and 14-16 year-olds. Oof, what a tremendous request! What follows is not a complete guide, but here are my suggested gateway drugs. The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson Is it the best short story … Continue reading Short Stories – A Beginner’s Guide
June Check In
June been rough with a capital UGH. I can’t even nail down why it has been difficult, it just has. Most of my energy has gone into being a mother, and coping with the increasing demands of my day job (I’m an Executive Assistant at a publishing company, and I bloody love it). There was … Continue reading June Check In
Where To Read Amazing Short Stories
I'm approaching the three-year anniversary of starting my habit of reading a short story every day. I've read over 1000 stories. To be honest, I don't manage to read one absolutely every day; I don't treat it like homework. There are days when I'm just not feeling it, or I'm engrossed in a novel. I … Continue reading Where To Read Amazing Short Stories
Beware the reading slump…
March has been rough. My brain flat-out gave up, and refused to participate. I found reading extremely difficult because I couldn’t focus. Maybe it was because it had been a year since the COVID crisis really blew up in Los Angeles, and I subconsciously wanted to mark the occasion with a bout of mental stillness? … Continue reading Beware the reading slump…
California Reading 