In my search for the perfect handbag—which I'm told doesn't exist though that doesn't stop me from shopping for it—I have very simple requirements. You'd think finding the perfect bag with a short list of must-haves would be easy, but no. The perfect bag remains elusive. But wherever it is, I need it to hold my wallet, my phone, my digital reader, spare snack items for young people, and possibly a water bottle.
The digital reader ...
I've noticed a lot of discussion about what "beach reading" or "summer reading" is, and why it's something unique from all the other reading that one might do during the year. Whether your reading tastes vary during the summer or are pretty consistent throughout the calendar—and I'm definitely of the latter reading group—the books we enjoy most when we're trying to relax seem to have all the warmth of good weather without the biting pain and ...
One of the most popular features on SBTB is our monthly 'Whatcha reading?" thread, wherein we talk about what books we're reading or have just finished, and whether we recommend them. One thing I love about this thread is that it shows how the language we use to talk about books has changed. It's one thing to say that you liked a book, or why you liked it. It's another to be able to identify who else ...
Right now, and I hope for a bit longer, Firelight by Kristen Callihan is on sale digitally for $1.99. I bought it last week, thinking that, after reading the comments from all the readers who loved it, I should have read it already. I love layered historicals—in any time period: Victorian, Regency, Georgian, whatever—and I like fierce women. Most reviews said this book had both, plus paranormal elements. It's a mix of historical, fantasy ...
In May, our book club selection was The Windflower by Laura London, a historical romance originally published in 1984 and re-released this year for its 30th anniversary. The Windflower is one of the most beloved historical romances, and is at the top of many reader favorite lists. London, the pen name for authors Sharon and Tom Curtis, took every expected historical trope, from the menacing hero to the ingenue heroine, and subverted and twisted them at the last moment ...
If I had to write a six word review of Perfect Imperfections by Cardeno C., it would be: "Nice, enjoyable, wish there was more." This is a book where, while I was reading it, I was content, though sometimes a little bored. Afterward, the more I thought about it, the less the story held up to examination. It was recommended by a reader who said it was a sweet, happy m/m romance, with not much angst, and I ...
Recently, I was at the Chicago North Spring Fling, a bi-annual conference hosted by the Chicago North chapter of RWA. This was the second time I've attended the Spring Fling, but I've been to enough RWA conferences that I recognize more and more people each time I stand in the lobby of a conference hotel.
This year, two writers I know, Sonali Dev and Robyn Bachar, introduced their books to me, and I think the books ...
It is finally, FINALLY spring here—and yes, I know that now that I've written that tomorrow a snowstorm will be on the forecast, but I'm taking my chances. I've got daffodils, tulips and crocuses growing, and I only needed one jacket to go outside, not three. But the biggest sign it's spring, aside from everyone in my house sneezing explosively, is that I have an uncontrollable urge to clean out everything. Spring cleaning is a ...
