My favorite books of 2020

This tumultuous year, I have found refuge and inspiration in books. (No surprise there.) So far, according to Goodreads, where I keep track of my reading and occasionally write reviews, I’ve read 36 books (perhaps more; back in the spring I was not being as, shall we say, thorough in my self-reporting). Over the year…Continue reading My favorite books of 2020

Grimly fiendish

Hopefully I’ve got you thinking more about the Damned than current events, but my true intention (rubs hands together) is to introduce you to two brand-new kidlit books perfect for Halloween…or whenever you want shivers crawling up your neck. A sweet, slightly spooky story inspired by the author’s Dominican heritage, Ghost Squad by Claribel A.…Continue reading Grimly fiendish

Bright spot

Look at what arrived on my porch today! Kat Pigott is a fellow member of SCBWI here in Louisiana, and last fall she showed me proofs of her new picture book. I thought it was so cute and charming. The finished product with Tami Curtis’s beautifully expressive illustrations is even more magical! My thanks to…Continue reading Bright spot

Spooooky books for kids

I LOVE Halloween! I’ve been reading spooky books all month (oh who am I kidding I read them all year) and I have a couple to recommend, organized by age group. Middle Grade: Small Spaces by Katherine Arden I may never see a scarecrow the same way again. Terrifically creepy with gorgeous writing, tangible settings,…Continue reading Spooooky books for kids

Shoutout to librarians!

April whizzed by! Between oral surgery (bleh) and the kids’ spring break (whee?) I got a lot of reading (and some writing) done. My younger son & I visited the main branch of the New Orleans Public Library, and the kids’ room librarian was so excited to offer us books based on what we were…Continue reading Shoutout to librarians!