My total book count for the year is 58--including comfort (or book review) re-reads, skim-reads, and unpublished works. Here's the creme de la creme of my 2021 reading. (You can also find some of the new fiction titles on my virtual bookshelves.) Fiction Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. Reread. Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale. … Continue reading Reading Highlights of 2021
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5 Advantages of Co-Writing a Novel
The Friendship We started emailing in 2011. It was her aunt, my Jedi Master and writing mentor, who suggested that we connect. Elizabeth and I were the same age, both loved writing, and, as we found very quickly, shared a lot of interests. (It took only two emails for us to start fangirling over Christopher … Continue reading 5 Advantages of Co-Writing a Novel
Book Review: The Queen’s Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner
Gripping adventure. Political intrigue. Twist endings. Unexpected romance. Loyal friends. Cunning enemies. Realistic characters. Deep worldbuilding. Mindblowing revelations. Endless wit. My friends, meet the Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. The Series Book 1: The Thief Gen is in prison because he stole the king’s signet ring—a task only an expert thief could accomplish. … Continue reading Book Review: The Queen’s Thief Series by Megan Whalen Turner
Book Review: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Whenever I went to the library, I would pass Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, its books taking up more than an entire shelf in the children’s room. It wasn’t until college, however, that I read the first book as required reading for one of my classes. I was surprised how much I enjoyed … Continue reading Book Review: A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
15 Years of Lord of the Rings
The Story I first read Lord of the Rings when I was nine years old. My family started watching the movies shortly thereafter, and since then, Peter Jackson’s masterpieces have become an integral part of our family culture. This year, after fifteen years of the movies, I returned to the books for the first time. … Continue reading 15 Years of Lord of the Rings
Melissa J. Troutman 