With the Thanksgiving season approaching, I thought it relevant to excerpt from my short story "Family Values," an offering on the Amazon Shorts program.  In this tale, a family gathers to celebrate the season, but unexpected drama ensues.They huddle around the table like so many crows perched on a fence, all in their own little worlds. At the head of the table and assuming his rightful role as patriarch, Father dictates the flow of the platters, gesticulating and grunting, but otherwise... Read Full Story

This Friday meme is hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog, and in this post, we offer up any new book blog discoveries we've made during the week.Lately, I've been keeping note whenever I click over to a new blog that I enjoy, for whatever reason.  Maybe it's the "look" of the blog, but certainly the content plays into my fascination.Some that I found this week are the following:Fyrefly's Book BlogReading with TequilaYou Can Never Have Too Many BooksWelcome to the Attic GirlNow I'm off to visit ... Read Full Story

J. Kaye's Book Blogs introduced this meme, which focuses on new book blog discoveries each of us has made during the week.I found only one, but it was an intriguing one.  Them's My Sentiments was on my clicking journey one day this week, so now I'm offering it to you.Perhaps others have already discovered it, but it is new to me.My web browsing was a bit "crippled" this week by several issues...my communications center went down for awhile, and then, once everything was up and ... Read Full Story

This meme, hosted by The Printed Page, allows us to share about the books we received in the mail this week, and/or books we bought.Well, I'm trying to stay out of the book shops until my TBR stack diminishes in size—at least to the point that the books don't topple over when I come near them!—so I bought NONE this week.I did receive this delightful book in the mail as a contest win, from Bridget, at Readaholic.  The Wrong Mother sounds so intriguing, I can't wait to begin!On the back fl... Read Full Story

I got this wonderfully adorable award from J. Kaye's Book Blog.When she received it, some questions came with it, so I'm assuming that I should answer these questions as well.1. Where is your favorite place to read a book?      I like to read in bed, but I also like to sit at my Coca Cola table in the dining area.  Or in restaurants or coffee shops.2. Bookmarks or dog ears?     No dog ears!  I use my special bookmarks that are part of my ... Read Full Story

In this meme, hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog, our challenge is to present the titles and links of any new book blogs that we have discovered during the week.Well, I stumbled on a lot of blogs that I hadn't seen before, but none quite fit the criteria for book blogging, except for this one:Notes from the North, a delightful shared experience of a librarian who calls herself a "bibliophile."  I think that qualifies.  Perhaps some of you are already familiar with this one.Then, I starte... Read Full Story

This is a weekly meme hosted by The Printed Page, in which we spotlight those books we received in the mail this week and/or purchased somewhere.Mine both came in the mail and I am definitely looking forward to reading them.  George Pelecanos's "The Turnaround" was a contest win from Under the Boardwalk.  Thanks, Nise!Amazon describes this book thus:  In yet another gem of urban noir, bestseller Pelecanos (The Night Gardener) explores the possibility of making the turnaround, o... Read Full Story

This is a meme hosted by At Home With Books.Happily exploring my books from the past, I came upon this one from Joyce Maynard.Looking Back was written when she was a teenager.  Since then, she has brought us numerous creations, the latest being Labor Day.From the Amazon product page:First published in 1973, when its author was nineteen years old, Looking Back: A Chronicle of Growing Up Old in the Sixties has become a classic to many of the baby boom generation, for its sharply observed a... Read Full Story

Reading progress on my stacks is moving very slowly, but moving nevertheless.This stack pictured here is only one of several, but I have already finished four of these books.  I have completed other books from other stacks—and well, the progress is making me feel very pleased with myself!Reading, blogging, creating—these are all fun activities that have consumed me lately.One of the creative activities that has engaged me in the past couple of days has included using the fun blog backgro... Read Full Story

The Printed Page hosts this delightful meme each week—one in which we share the goodies we have received in the mail (or bought somewhere).My first book received was Cult Insanity.Written by Irene Spencer, this memoir of polygamy, prophets, and blood atonement was a contest win from Christine at booktumbling. Thank you, Christine!  To my surprise and delight, I found that Christine has totally revamped her site, with a new URL and everything, so you should check it out.  Lots of del... Read Full Story