I cried. I laughed. I celebrated

Reading makes me a more productive writer. When I avoid my desk, become stuck, and listen to my negative self-talk, I read. During the last two months, I faced all three. of these demons. I read a lot. Three novels pushed me back into, not only writing, but enjoying the process. I highly recommend the following books: Okokon’s  memoir (she grew up in Wisconsin), Espach’s literary fiction, and Rutledge’s historical fiction—quick reviews below.  

I cried:

Okokon’s WHO I ALWAYS WAS is about family, identity, and truth: the TRUTH vs. my truth.

I laughed:

Espach’s THE WEDDING PEOPLE is about Lila, an English professor. Her husband leaves her for a co-worker, who is also Lila’s friend. Lila plans to spend a weekend at a posh resort, in luxury, before she commits suicide. This book sounds heavy but it’s been years since I’ve laughed this much while reading a novel.

I celebrated:

To me, Rutledge’s WEST WITH GIRAFFE’S is the essence of Literary Historical Fiction. A seventeen-year-old Dust Bowl orphan, a beautiful woman who dreams of seeing her pictures in LIFE MAGAZINE, and an ornery, but very wise old man all face unimaginable obstacles as they transport two giraffes from New York to the San Diego Zoo.