It has been a rough week at my house, for several reasons, many of which I won't write about. But yesterday a lot of emotions overflowed when I received a letter from my piano teacher, Kris Davis, the one who guided me through my adolescent years. More accurately, I received a letter from her husband.... Continue Reading →
What I Read in April & May 2018
Here are my five-word book reviews of what I read this April and May. Here's April. 📚 Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: Seems Lighthearted, Has a Twist 📚 Educated by Tara Westover: Journey Away from Messy Family (I can relate!) 📚 The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch: Comedy of Errors Meets Hamlet 📚 Thimble Summer by... Continue Reading →
What I Read in February 2018
I've settled into my new assistant professor position at a university near my home. This means I commute less and read more! February was a productive month in terms of reading. Here's what I read. My favorite read from February was The Star Side of Bird Hill (2015) by Naomi Jackson. It is a gorgeous story... Continue Reading →
The Best Book I Read in 2017
At the end of each year, many of us reflect on who we are what we did and what goals we may have for the future. I don't tend to set new goals at the start of a new year. I'm not sure why. My life is pretty goal-oriented, so I feel like I just... Continue Reading →
Me Too
When I was in ninth grade, a boy grabbed me, pulled me into a dark doorway, pushed me against the wall, pushed himself against me, and made me kiss him. He shoved his tongue into my mouth and it tasted like Dr. Pepper. I didn't drink Dr. Pepper for 20 years after that. That was... Continue Reading →
Back to Reading for Pleasure
It has been years since I've felt like I've read for pleasure. I mean, of course I have, but even when I was, I felt like I had to post a detailed analysis of it on this blog, or that I had to write a paper about ti for a class, or I wasn't reading... Continue Reading →
What Would Marsha Do?
I’ve had a stressful and unhappy year. My oldest daughter barely survived seventh grade. There were enough tears to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and there were many nights spent worrying over her. There were also many evenings of stressing over homework and grades and friends and boys and teachers and clothes and gym class.... Continue Reading →
What I Bought
My last post gushed over visiting Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon. Today's post is a report of what I bought while there. I also purchased a few books at the CCCC conference. Happy reading!
I Marched
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what it’s for.” –Laurel Clark (astronaut killed in Columbia accident) I marched with a group of 200 men and women on Saturday in one of the sister marches to the Women’s March on Washington. I know there are many who did not think this was “appropriate”... Continue Reading →