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!
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!
• This week in Northern Virginia we again saw record highs, all week. Not just one day, not just one afternoon - all week. In February in the Washington, DC area, the cherry blossoms are budding. So, let's talk about climate change and how to educate ourselves and others on this topic through information and books!
Falls City, Virginia is a town I made up in my book, The Travelers. Well, sort of. It's based on a real place called Falls Church, Virginia. And it's a town I returned to yesterday, seeking inspiration again, this time for The Travelers part 2.
I took several wrong turns before I found it, tucked away just off a busy intersection next to a restaurant selling chicken, a place called Sticks and Stones. It's not necessarily where you expect to find a magic shop or, to be more accurate, a spiritual store. Although where do most people expect to find a store like this? The moment I walked in to the cozy shop, it smelled appropriately of earthy incense...
The Travelers and I did not travel anywhere for New Year's Eve. We stayed in our lovely neighborhood in Northern Virginia and hung out with friends. But, that doesn't mean we didn't have fun. Check out these Travelers bookstagrams. I think maybe we had a little too much fun...
I'm a a sucker for a good angsty, teen TV show. And I'm not afraid to quote them. "Sometimes happiness doesn't come from money, or fame, or power. Sometimes happiness comes from good friends and family, and from the quiet nobility of leading a good life." Today I embraced this idea.
When I was in NYC, I got caught right between Rockefeller Center Saks 5th Ave just when their holiday light show started. I was in a hurry and in no mood for a light show. But, I had no choice because of the clogged streets to stop and watch. And, you know what? It was super cool. And, it made me want to see more. So when we get home to Northern Virginia, I was really happy to my parents got us tickets to the Meadowlark Park Winter Walk of Light.
I've lived in 4 places in my life - Northern Virginia, central Virginia, NYC and NJ suburbs. So, essentially, I'm a North East kind of girl. That said, I've seen a lot of places in and outside the US. I've visited Australia, Spain, France, Ireland, Australia, Canada and Mexico. I also get to travel extensively in the US for work. In the last year, for some reason, Dallas is a hot spot for travel. I've gone there 5+ times in the last 12-ish months...
K.L. Kranes 