Growing up like many of my fellow die hard readers, I came to have a bit of a ‘Matilda’ reputation with the elementary school librarians because I was one of the few 9 year olds with a penchant for biographies. I devoured these real life stories of men and women who’d composed symphonies, traveled the world, … Continue reading
“Female characters should be people. Flawed, glorious, interesting, enthralling people. Let them dye their hair and pierce their ears without going “wah wah wah I’m so bad at being a girl wait hey look suddenly I’ve gotten a makeover and I’m gorgeous.” Let them have female friends. Let them fuck up. Let them have bad days, and … Continue reading
At first glance, white tea appears soft and delicate, and one doesn’t expect any surprises from this subtle blend. However, once brewed the White Peony tea takes on another character entirely, as if its true strength is only emboldened when tested with hot water. It gives off a floral aroma, but a rich taste of … Continue reading
The title of Susan Dennard’s A Darkness Strange and Lovely essentially sums up my literary experience of this enriching sequel. While I read her first book, Something Strange and Deadly, and thoroughly enjoyed it, I knew at the end that there was much to be explored and I found myself waiting on tenterhooks for Part … Continue reading
I spent all of last week reading beside a beautifully serene lake, watching thunderheads make their slow climb over the surrounding hillsides, and this image reminds me of the creative energy that I gathered there.
Reading Leigh Bardugo’s writing is like sinking your teeth in to the most decadent macaron. Your palette is submerged in tantalizingly complex flavors and textures, your imagination is lit when your taste buds are left tingling. How is the shell at once crispy and feather light? What witchcraft is it that makes this palm-sized sweet, … Continue reading
Siege and Storm comes out today (!) by the marvelous and creative Leigh Bardugo, and while I’m waiting patiently to get my hands on a copy of the much talked-about sequel to Shadow and Bone, I’ve devoured the novella that Tor Books released today to celebrate, called The Too-Clever Fox (which you can read online for … Continue reading
Isabelle Melançon (aka Secondlina) posted this amazing image she created on her blog recently; I would love to read about this character. Such a great idea: One of my favorite fairy tale figures is Baba Yaga, an old witch who lives in an enchanted forest, rides a mortar instead of a broom, lives in a … Continue reading
Maid of Secrets comes out today, and I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on this engaging, historical tale that captured my imagination and made me long for a sequel. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC a few months ago, and as a dyed-in-the-wool history nerd, always on the alert for original perspectives from … Continue reading
