I was late to the Nicole Baart party. When I read my first of her books, I was gobsmacked. “How have I never come across her before?” I asked. Well, she’s now on my must-read list, and her newest book, The Long Way Back, is coming out in just a few short weeks. When you…
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My Take on “Spare”
OK, I will admit it: I am fascinated with the British royal family. Not nearly as much as some–I never watched the weddings, for instance, not for lack of interest, but because I really don’t have time–and I’ve never bought a magazine with a royal on the cover. After reading Spare, I’m glad of that…
Read More“Wicked,” Gregory Maguire
“Wicked” is a cultural phenomenon, and with a few exceptions (Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter), I am terrible at keeping up with cultural phenomena. I tried to read it a few years ago and found the early chapters too… let’s call it “earthy”… for my comfort. I don’t know the musical, either, despite being a…
Read MoreFive on a Friday with Cara Sue Achterberg
As promised, we’re starting something new today! One of the great things about the publication process is how many other authors I get to “meet.” We all hear about the big, flashy books by big-name authors, but there are a host of gems we as readers may never even hear of. I’m seeing a lot…
Read MoreGifts for Readers
2020 has been a reading year for me–more great books than I could possibly share. But I thought, since it’s gift-giving season, I’d share six of the books that have really stuck with me from my reading this year. How To Walk Away (Katherine Center) is a gorgeous, hope-filled, uplifting story that follows a woman…
Read MoreFree Write: My Bookworm (i.e., why I’m grateful for good librarians)
I love having a real reader in the house. A bona-fide, chapter-book-devouring, one-third-of-the-way-through-summer-reading-in-seven-days reader. But you know what? If I didn’t put my foot down, he’d read nothing but superheroes. Graphic novels, picture books, chapter books–doesn’t matter. As long as it’s a Transformer or a or a LEGO Heroes Factory or a DC or Marvel…
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Kathleen M. Basi 