Happy Friday Links

11-3-23

Hi friends,

How was your Halloween? We had fun in my daughter’s neighborhood trick-or-treating with my granddaughter. She ran from house to house so quickly we could hardly keep up with her. Her enthusiasm was contagious to all of us. There were a couple of houses that we made sure to go to as they gave out full-size candy bars (she remembered this from last year), and that was what my granddaughter really wanted.

My reading life has been going great lately. During October, I had my best reading month ever. I read nine books. I got involved in a 500+ page book the last week of the month, which slowed my reading somewhat, but maybe I can beat that number in November. There are so many things to read these days; here are this week’s links for your reading pleasure:

• Authors retire just like corporate folks do. Succession planning in writing a book series is serious business, and these brothers have nailed it.

• Author Malinda Lo has been following book banning for the last two years as her YA books have been challenged or banned dozens of times. Her analysis is eye-opening, and those against book banning need to read this.

• Author Jesmyn Ward discusses what almost made her quit writing.

• I’ve mentioned Instagrammer @sharonsaysso in the past, and I’m dropping a link to her keynote address at UVU (Utah Valley University) on October 10, 2023. If democracy is important to you, this is a must-watch. The first 20 minutes is her opening, and you can skip that if you want to get to the meat of the talk.

• You Should See Me in a Crown author Leah Johnson has recently opened a bookstore promoting banned books and marginalized authors. Loudmouth Books is her way of highlighting those books and authors that are being banned and marginalized.

• Using books to cultivate empathy is what this author says is needed right now. Also, the Strong Sense of Place creators are quoted in this Shondaland article telling how reading with a strong sense of place is an excellent way to cultivate empathy.

• Check out “Peeks!” guest writer Katy O’s recent newsletter highlighting several bookish newsletters from our group of “Bookstackers.”

• More often than not, I come across something that makes my blood boil, and this did just that. Here is the video of the school board meeting; public comments begin at minute 33, and

  kelly jensen
  encourages you to watch those 23 public comments. And now, my blood can cool down with this article.

• Does anything scare thriller writers? This LitHub article talks to four authors to find out what truly scares them.

• This handy website lists the 2024 book festivals, and you can also sort by state to find the festivals closest to you.

• One of the best things to happen to my reading life a few years ago was abandoning books I wasn’t enjoying. This BookRiot article analyzes why readers keep reading a book they aren’t enjoying.

I love bookish podcasts, and I’ve written a few newsletters celebrating the podcasts that I’ve been enjoying. In this newsletter, I mentioned the Currently Reading podcast, and I think I’m enjoying it more now than I was back then. The way they talk about the books they’ve read reels you in, and I find myself opening the Libby app and checking out books as they talk about them.

I linked to Katy O’s newsletter above, listing some bookish newsletters for you to check out, and in case you want more to read, I’m linking to a couple of my prior newsletters with more links to bookish newsletters here and here. Check them out for some more great reading!

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My sister-in-law is coming to visit on Wednesday, and I can’t wait. I’m just about settled into my new apartment, and I’m looking forward to some great catch-up time with her. We love to play Mexican Train Dominos (not sure why it’s called that), and my daughter wants to get in on the action, too.

What plans do you have for the weekend? Are you reading any good books? I’m sure my reading will slow down while she’s here, so I may have to put my Kindle on airplane mode so I don’t lose a couple of library books that I have checked out. Have a wonderful weekend, and fill your soul by reading some great books. Happy reading!