Some people give YA fiction and even middle-grade fiction such flack, and I don’t understand why. As long as a book has relevant themes and characters that you care about, it doesn’t matter who is reading them. I have lots of writer friends who still flock to middle-grade fiction time and again, whether because it … Continue reading Keeping Safe the Stars, by Sheila O’Connor →

Maybe you’re having a gloomy day and you’re already predisposed to depressing thoughts. Or perhaps you read a book that plucks your heartstrings like an instrument and you don’t know whether to scream or cry. That was me after reading the simple, albeit kind of corny novel Love Story, by Erich Segal. I found this … Continue reading Love Story, by Erich Segal →

Having known the biblical story of Esther from a young age, I always thought of perhaps tackling the epic story of courage and betrayal myself. It lends itself well to the “chosen one” formula, except rather than a young farm boy saving a mythic land from an evil overlord, it’s a young girl who becomes … Continue reading Esther, by Rebecca Kanner →

It’s always nice to read a fantasy book that focuses on its story, character, and history rather than becoming the next step in a trend. Even better when a book leaves you legitimately eager for the next installment. You may never have heard of Savannah J. Goins, but if you have an inkling for high-flying … Continue reading The Gwythienian, by Savannah J. Goins →