So this happened:
Tag: unprofessional critic
Direct quote from me to a composer friend the other day: “I’m so fucking sick of being a fiction writer.”
Stacey Ballis: the author who enlightened me that authors are nice people!
It all started with my sister posting a picture on Facebook with the comment, “Who the hell would wear this?” Answer: I would, and I do.
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Book Review: While You’re Away, Part 1
There’s been a lot of buzz in the past year or so about the “new adult” genre. Seems like it’s still finding its legs. From what I can gather, the characters are a little older than those in young adult. There’s often some sort of college setting. Definitely more sex.
Contemporary romance is highly underrated.
Sarah Dessen and I have never met. Someday, hopefully, that will change. In the world of young adult fiction, she’s nothing short of a rock star, she’s also a frequent fixture on The New York Times bestseller list. People have literally run after her at book signings and events. Can you imagine?
I love YA. Anyone who’s ever said hello to me, seen my bursting bookshelves or gone to a book signing where I’m the oldest one there without a tween in tow, knows that.
I’ve been thinking a lot about religion. For many years I tried to avoid the topic. I grew up Catholic, have 13 years of parochial education, and a degree from a Jesuit university. I felt done.Â
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Hot Reads: “Sinner’s Heart” by Zoe Archer
There are many downsides to being a critic. Like when you write a theater review that has people accusing you of being a soulless hipster AND a Starbucks-swilling millenial. Thanks, Internet! But you know what I like about my part-time gig?
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The Psychology of Letting Go
TW: death, suicide Last July, my friend J was found in a park, dead by his own hand. And I lost it. I’m still not completely sure why: though he’d been a huge influence on me, he’d also been out of my life for several years.Â
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Hot Reads: ‘Lush’ by Lauren Dane
Lauren Dane comforts me. When I’m stressed (which is often) or tired (ditto), I turn to Dane’s books. I think it’s a combination of factors: a) she was one of the first romance/erotica authors I got into (after buying Coming Undone at a Barnes & Noble on my lunch break), b) her dialogue and descriptions have […]
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Farewell to the B in Apt. 23
Confession: I don’t own a television. Before you start throwing things, I’m not self-righteous about it. (I don’t think anyone with an affinity for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills can be. Camille forever!) I regularly have TV nights with friends (at their apartments, of course) and I think Hulu is one of the greatest […]
When Chicago winter rears its ugly, black icy, snow swirly head, all I want to do is stay inside and read books. I don’t want to work. I don’t want to go out. I don’t want to get the flu, but that happened last week. But you know the great thing about the flu (after […]
My latest book fetish is edge-of-your-seat awesomeness – so I was happy as a clam to receive an ARC of Jacquelyn Mitchard’s What We Saw At Night. First, it’s a suspenseful and romantic journey with a kickass heroine, who uses a rare light sensitivity to her advantage by practicing extreme sports with her best friends – and […]