Imagine riding the bus home from school and being ambushed by the taliban because you blog about girls getting an education. This is what happened to Malala Yousafzai on a Tuesday, October 9, 2012. The young militants opened fire on the bus, shot Malala in the head and neck, wounded two others, and left them for dead. They thought they’d …
Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan 5/5 stars
There are just so many reasons why this book is epic. First of all, it’s written by a dad. Second, it’s written by a dad who loves his kids Third, it’s written by a dad who adores his wife Fourth, it’s written by a dad who is a conservative who takes his kids to church Fifth, it’s written by a …
The Supreme Macaroni Company by Adriana Trigiani — 4.5/5 stars
I don’t know where I’ve been and why I’ve not heard of Adriana Trigiani but here is an author I can’t get enough of. Actually, I think I have read her before, but until I re-read her Big Gap book, I’m not positive. Funny how that happens. This book was kind of surreal for me because it mentioned places I …
I’m baaaaaaack
It’s been too long since I got to blog and I miss it! Juggling life and a book deadline are a huge challenge. But with God’s grace, I’ve emerged from the cave with my mind still intact. (Okay, fine, so that’s a subjective opinion. But just because some people think sitting on the roof singing “Yellow Submarine” is crazy doesn’t …
Happy Birthday, America! To celebrate, here are 46 facts about the first ladies you may not know
46 Facts About the First Ladies – mental_floss on YouTube (Ep.213) – YouTube. Click to tweet: 46 facts about first ladies!
Blogging from a bookstore
So this is a first for me. I’m blogging from Barnes and Noble with a delicious lemonade passion tea drink and cheese soup to keep me nourished. I’m experimenting. I originally intended to go to the “big city” library since I came to the “big city” (Fort Wayne) (let’s face it, any population with more than one grocery store is …
The Daring Ladies of Lowell by Kate Alcott — 4 out of 5 stars
I love historical fiction and when it features a strong and feisty heroine who is true to her ideals, I think I like it most. This book fit the bill. Alice is a farm girl with a dictatorial father. She chooses to leave the farm after her mother dies to work at the cotton mills in Lowell, Massachusetts. While working …
The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg — 5 out of 5 stars
I’m a long, long, long-time Fannie Flagg, author fan. One of my all-time favorite movies is Fried Green Tomatoes. Fannie Flagg wrote that. I love books that explore the lives of women. That’s one of the reasons I wrote my novel, The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots. I yearn for good girlfriend relationships, but I think they’re really difficult. I …
Why I don’t trust mascara
There are a few things in life I don’t trust. Take mascara for example. How do I know which one to buy? There’s mascara that makes your lashes long, others that make them thick. Then there’s 24-hour mascara, waterproof mascara and smudge-proof mascara. But how do I know they really do all those things? I mean, what if every brand …
Live Blogging Realm Makers Conference: Keynote Speaker Tosca Lee
What an amazing day I’ve had at Realm Maker’s conference today! This morning’s Keynote Speaker was best-selling author, Tosca Lee. If you’ve never read any of her books, I highly recommend you do. Her style and voice are unique and powerful. As I wrote before, she has a voice akin to liquid velvet. I can’t get enough of her. Did …