Books Distilled » Archive
Posts Distilled: Paris in July
So, it’s official: I have a book addiction. Here’s a roundup of the books on my to-read shelf: (We’re talking physical books on a physical shelf here, people, not a virtual list) From the library Garden Spells, by Sarah Addison Allen (I’m hoping to finish this one at the beach this weekend!); The Half-Known World, by Robert Boswell, which is a book on writing fiction that I’m reading for school; and The Reservoir, by John Milliken Thompson, about … Read entire article »
Filed under: Posts Distilled
Author Interview: Jacquelyn Mitchard
I had the pleasure of attending a workshop with Jacquelyn Mitchard during my ten-day MFA residency on Enders Island in Mystic, Connecticut last week. My fellow students and some of our faculty also had the chance to hear Jackie read from her new novel Second Nature: A Love Story, which comes out in September, as well as from a beautiful article about her son, Robby. I got to sit down with Jackie to talk to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Author Interviews
Book Review: The Deep End of the Ocean
Homeward Bound As you read this, I am headed home from my 10-day MFA residency in Mystic, CT. When I was assigned my workshop faculty several weeks ago, I was thrilled to have one five-day workshop with Jacquelyn Mitchard. Oprah’s Book Club I knew that one of her books, The Deep End of the Ocean, had been an Oprah’s Book Club pick. Through a little digging I discovered a pretty amazing fact: Oprah started Oprah’s Book Club because … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contemporary Literature
Posts Distilled: Why Fairfield MFA is Awesome
Update: Want to join the writerly conversation? Head on over to The Writer’s Cafe, one of the new Books Distilled forums (and while you’re there, check out the new online book club, The Book Circle!). I’ve been sequestered on Enders Island off the coast of Mystic, CT, for 10 days with a bunch of super cool writers for my residency with the Fairfield MFA program. Since I’ve been steeped in beautiful surroundings, learning amazing things about … Read entire article »
Filed under: Posts Distilled
Lessons Learned: 4 Ways to Follow Your Heart, from Letters to a Young Poet
Go into yourself. Search for the reason that bids you write; find out whether it is spreading out its roots in the deepest places of your heart, acknowledge to yourself whether you would have to die if it were denied you to write. This above all–ask yourself in the stillest hour of your night: must I write? Delve into yourself for a deep answer. And if this should be affirmative, if you may meet this … Read entire article »
Filed under: Lessons Learned
Book Review: State of Wonder
STATE OF WONDER, by Ann Patchett, is the best book I have read in a long, long time. Everyone. Is. Talking. About it. Marina Singh is a pharmacologist for the huge corporation Vogel. Her lab partner, Anders Eckman, has been sent to the Amazon on a strange errand: to find Dr. Annick Swenson, whom the firm is employing to research a tribe whose women can bear children for their whole lives. Dr. Swenson has ‘gone off … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contemporary Literature
Posts Distilled: Harry Potter
As you read this, I am in Mystic, Connecticut for my 10-day MFA residency through Fairfield University. I’ll be sure to post pictures and updates at some point! The timing of my residency means I have to wait until Wednesday (my day off) to see the final installment of the Harry Potter movie. I’m not usually one of those die-hard fans, like my sister, who has to see the movie at midnight on opening night. But … Read entire article »
Filed under: Posts Distilled
5 Books I Can’t Live Without: Amanda Teague of Library of my Own
Happy Thursday, folks. Please welcome my friend Amanda from Library of my Own to share the five books she can’t live without! Residing in sunny Las Vegas, Amanda is an aspiring librarian, new mom, wife, and dog owner. Her passions include reading, photography, coffee, and traveling. I grew up loving books. My mom is an early childhood education major and instilled very early in me a love of books. When Brooke asked me if I wanted to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Guest Posts: Books I Can't Live Without
Book Review and GIVEAWAY: Centuries of June
Read on for your chance to win a free copy! When Lisa of TLC Book Tours offered me a slot on the tour for Centuries of June, by Keith Donohue, I thought the excerpt sounded pretty strange. Reading the entire novel did nothing to disabuse me of this notion; it is without a doubt one of the strangest books I have ever read. The narrator, a man (unnamed until the last chapter) wakes up in the middle … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contemporary Literature
Posts Distilled: Small Things
This week, I’m grateful for small things. It’s my first full week working from home, building up my freelance writing and also doing contract work for a fantastic education nonprofit. I’ve been grateful this week for small things. Yesterday I talked with a good friend I hadn’t spoken to in a long time. Then I received news that I’d landed a big freelance project I’d been hoping for. Then, my new office chair came in the mail … Read entire article »
Filed under: Posts Distilled
About Me
Ever stand in the bookstore or library, gazing around blankly, overwhelmed by choices, jealous of the other purposeful browsers? This blog is for you.
I read. A lot.
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