K.L. Kranes and I are in the same book club, which is now three years old. I like to think of myself as a reader, and someone who loves learning. I have been in a several different book clubs in... Continue Reading →
We've never needed a day like World Kindness Day more and it is actually today November 13, 2016. Seriously, it's a real thing and feels ironically timely. In honor of that, I pledge to read more books about goodness and kindness overcoming obstacles and prejudice. And, I pledge to talk about those books with my daughter and other children and young adults to help spread kindness rather than hate. Books can change the world, if we just read them. Therefore, here is a World Kindness Day book YA list of books that I want to read to help fulfill my pledge. I'd love more suggestions for adding to the list!
Staunton buzzed with red-cheeked people enjoying the crisp autumn air. It’s a place where everyone smiles, the buildings drip with history on the outside and sing with the unique artisanship on the inside. It’s the kind of place where you want to take pictures of all the doors with their layers of chipped paint and old brass doorknobs (which I did) and make one of those Door of posters (stay tuned).
This weekend I will be in Staunton, VA signing my book, The Travelers, at the wonderful Sacred Circle Bookstore and Gift shop. (If you live or happen to be nearby come and see me!) Sadly, finding a bookstore like this one is rare. While I love my local Barnes and Noble (I will take any place where I can get physical books), I miss the small book retailers, the unicorns of the book world. There are so few now. But, they can still be found, check out a few here.
I went to a pre-election day "end of the world party" (Northern Virginia mama-style) last night with many of my friends from my amazing book club (The Nightlighers). The point was to have a little fun before the dreaded vote the next day. Then the dreaded vote came and went. But, you know what? It wasn't as awful as I thought. It actually made me smile. Then, I wondered. Why is that? I had to find out, of course.
It’s Election Day tomorrow. Tonight, I’m going to an “End of the World” party. Tongue and cheek party name? I really hope so. Personally, as a writer and a lover of books, Facebook and Twitter are not places that I go for my political information. Not that I don’t love the jokes and pithy commentary. (I really do!) But, it can’t be the only source if you want to have a real understanding of issues. (There really should be no one source at all, right?) On that note, I’d like to highlight the power of reading books and thoughtful articles to make you think about the world beyond twitter (I know, it exists right? Crazy)
Today I walked outside, a bright sun shone like a spotlight on all the vibrant reds, mellow yellows, and perfect peaches still clustered in the trees. The rest of fall crunched on the ground beneath my feet. It reminded me of... Continue Reading →
K.L. Kranes 