February may be the shortest month, but with all of the arctic temperatures and blizzards we’ve been experiencing here in the Hudson Valley, it felt interminable! Those wintry feelings probably have a large part to do with my amazing book haul for this month, yay for silver linings! There are three categories of books that … Continue reading
I go bananas for books featuring female characters with agency. I go crazy for stories where the heroine’s story is her own, and she isn’t immediately (or at any point of the journey) chasing after a male stud. I go berserk for novels where the ‘strong’ female lead is something other than an Arthurian / … Continue reading
At long last we’ve arrived at that wondrous day, which officially marks an end to Winter and the slow beginnings of Spring! Although it’s currently snowing outside, and I’m nestled under a blanket, in my studio in front of a smoldering fire AND my trusty space heater, I can’t help but frantically search the branches outside my … Continue reading
Growing up on the border of New York and Canada, with winter lingering in our bones from our Swedish mother, and a predisposition for reading in front of the fire, my sister and I embraced snow storms with open arms. And with Blizzard Juno sneaking off in to the night earlier this week, I found myself … Continue reading
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
Holy Crow, there are soo many amazing books coming out this summer that I just had to spread the love/proselytize their greatness! Series Closers! Assassins! Supernatural Creatures! Mystery! Oh my! Cassandra Clare (along with Kristin Cashore) was pretty much my ‘gateway drug’author to YA, thus it’s with baited breath that I reunite with the ole shadowhunter/downworlder … Continue reading
*It is known* that I’m not the biggest fan of contemporary YA fiction around here. Actually, that’s kind of an understatement. Until recently I pretty much avoided this sub-genre like the annoying popular clique at my high school. Rolling my eyes as mentions of it passed me by on twitter, and scurrying down back alleys … Continue reading
There’s a a spectacularly eerie song, called “Danse Macabre” composed by Camille Saint-Saëns, that is woven through the narrative of Samantha Shannon’s The Bone Season. You should definitely listen to it if you’re thinking about reading this book. It’s fevered, emotional, dark, at times frenzied, rich and innovative; a tone poem set for orchestra that is … 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
