Despite being busy designing and building a new home–not to mention packing up 5,000 lbs of books (and this is after The Great Purge)–I did manage to read a few things in 2018. There are more YA (young adult) and MG (middle grade) novels on my bookshelf than usual, because I’ve been sending subscription book […]
My beloved mentor Michael Levy passed away on Monday. I’m struggling to find words to express how much he meant to me. He was the best and kindest of men, and I loved him dearly. Below is my review of Mike’s book with Farah Mendlesohn, Children’s Fantasy Literature. An engaging narrative history, Children’s Fantasy Literature […]
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, I’m definitely a fan. Some people say there’s nothing magical about starting a new year. They scoff at the idea that opening a new calendar can break you out of a rut. But I believe in new beginnings, in the twin powers of ritual and momentum. I believe […]
I’ve been thinking lately about the nature of hope. Since this is sometimes a bit of a knitting blog, I should mention that in the evenings, while listening to podcasts or Christmas music, I’ve been knitting pink Pussy Hats for my friend Lynne to bring to the Women’s March on Washington. As I move my […]
I’ve always believed that sometimes you simply have to get out of town, burning the bridges behind you if you must. In the weeks following the presidential election, I found myself believing that more strongly than ever. Whenever we feel trapped or powerless, we need to get out of our own heads. We can’t flounder […]
Much of my energy in the spring went to the launch of my first novel, Requiem in La Paz. Along with receiving some lovely reviews, Requiem in La Paz was named a finalist in Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer’s Colorado Gold contest.
I’m delighted today to interview Christine Emmert, author of Lilith and The Nun’s Dragon. Christine Emmert joins a group of contemporary fantasy authors who engage with mythic or religious themes. While writers like Holly McDowell (King Solomon’s Wives) apply elements from religious narratives to a range of historical contexts, others, like The Zombie Bible‘s Stant […]
Here are some of my favorite books read in 2013. As usual, I devoured a lot of fantasy, with Neil Gaiman’s darkly beautiful fictionalized memoir The Ocean at the End of the Lane at the top of my list. I loved Rachel Hartman’s dragon-themed Seraphina and seriously cannot wait for the sequel. Holly Black’s much-anticipated […]