At our last meeting of the Nightlighters Book Club, I think the we had two firsts - unless I'm forgetting something. The first first was that we read a YA novel (i.e. young adult). The second, and probably more important first, was that we read book with a LGBTQAI main character. The book? If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo.
To an author, especially one like me from a small press (The Travelers, Saguaro Books) without a huge marketing budget, book review bloggers are critical for success. They're also the gateway for readers to a world of undiscovered books. Book bloggers constantly reviews books, feature authors, write profiles on upcoming book events or materials. But, has anyone ever stopped to ask them - you write about everyone else, what about you? What motivates you to write about books? Well, I'm curious about book bloggers....so I asked one if I could interview her...
This will probably be a controversial opinion on Harry Potter, even in my own house...
This week we had our monthly Nightlighter book club meeting to discuss the YA book, If I Was Your Girl, which lead to an enlightening literary and cultural discussion. Obviously as a writer/author (The Travelers), I think books are very important. It's not a stretch to say that I think book clubs are important. So let's talk about why I love my book club and why every person should be in one!
I love strong female characters. And since it's women's history month, I thought a blog about some of my favorite badass female characters in TV, movies and literature and why they rock, would be fun. So here it goes!
On our way to our weekly music lesson on Sunday, my daughter sat in the back seat of the car lamenting that we never do anything interesting on Sundays and that she needed more steps. Apparently, unbeknownst to me, Sundays in our family are "boring." So, you can guess what I suggested - let's check out a new bookstore!
Prior to taking the plunge into the world of being a published author, I was unfamiliar with many things - the publishing industry in general, book marketing, social media, etc. Now things are different. I've started to understand the social in the social media. It's also opened up my creative side, beyond writing, in that I've become a wee bit obsessed with bookstagrams.
Well, I'll admit it! If there is some sort of personality test posted on a blog or Facebook, I'll take it, always, unless they make me sign up for something. Otherwise, I'm all over it. Whatever the reason, for me at least, it's a bit of an obsession. Instead of trying to fight it, I'm embracing it! Actually, I'm blowing it up...
Tuesday marked the end of Mardi Gras. Perhaps you've been or just witnessed it on the internet. Either way, you'll probably agree it's a spectacle. It also gives a glimpse into the the unusual, mystical city itself. In a way, Mardi Gras is the anthem of the musical opus of New Orleans.
K.L. Kranes 