What Dayton-area writers are reading (part 3 of 3)
We continue this week with asking what’s on various Dayton-area writers’ reading lists. Here you go:
Jessica Lemmon (www.jessicalemmon. com; “His Forbidden Kiss”):
“I recently finished reading ‘Untamed’ by Glennon Doyle. She has a frank, honest style that is super appealing, and offers up story after story about her life in an effort to teach us about our own. I think I highlighted around 60% of it! After that, I dove into my keeper shelf and dusted off a paperback novel from 10 years ago. ‘Tangled up in Love’ by Heidi Betts is a fun, sexy little romp of a romance. I read it in a day and really loved the light rom-com feel of it. The book reminded me why I wanted to write romance novels in the first place.”
Kristina McBride (www.kristinamcbride. com; “The Bakersville Dozen”):
“‘Save The Cat! Writes a Novel,’ by Jessica Brody. This book on the craft of writing is inspiring in so many ways, making me feel normal and creative and focused in a time where my brain is spinning with too much information. I highly recommend to veteran and aspiring writers alike.”
Martha Moody (www. marthamoody.net; “Sharp and Dangerous Virtues”):
“I was up late reading a book of essays: ‘Too Much,’ by Rachel Vorona Cote. The author is a student of Victorian literature. Her essays show how time-worn tales that include the punishment and shaming of females with strong ideas and desires — women who are too much — are alive and well today. It’s a thoughtprovoking book but also a fun one, because of Vorona Cote’s excellent writing, her personal confessions, and her wide range of cultural references, from Anna Karenina to eating disorders to a New York Times article about the appropriateness of crying at work.”
Leslie Nagel (www.leslienagel.com; “The Codebook Murders”):
“Right now I am enjoying ‘The Luminaries’ by Eleanor Catton, a 2013 Man Booker Prize winner. It’s beautifully written, and the plot is just convoluted enough to keep my mind off of … you know! Twelve very different men gather in the gold fields of 1860’s New Zealand to exchange information about some mysterious happenings. Mischief is afoot!”
Cyndi (C.L.) Pauwels (clpauwels.com; “Burned Bridges”):
“While waiting (im) patiently for the next Maggie Sullivan mystery from M. Ruth Myers, I’m enjoying one of her earlier books, ‘The Whiskey Tide.’ In the 1920s, three sisters from a proper New England family turn rum-runners to provide for their family.”
Raul Ramos (www. raulramos.com; “The Skinny Years”):
“I am currently reading two titles on Kindle … ‘The Widows’ – Jess Montgomery. (Columnist’s note: awwww! Thanks Raul!) ‘Fury: Women’s Lived Experiences During the Trump Era’ – Amy Roost, Alissa
Hirshfield.”
Moriel RothmanZecher (thelefternwall. com; “Sadness Is A White Bird”):
“‘If On a Winter’s Night a Traveler,’ by Italo Calvino and ‘Strange Hotel,’ by Eimear McBride. Both inventive, innovative works of fiction by modern masters of the novel.”
John Scalzi (whatever. scalzi.com; “The Last Emperox”):
“I’m reading ‘The City We Became’ by NK Jemisin, which has the boroughs of NYC come alive to fight a new evil (not the coronavirus, alas); ‘All This Could Be Yours’ by Jami Attenberg, which has all the family drama you could possibly want, and thankfully not your family’s.”
T.J. Turner (tjturnerauthor.com; “Angel in the Fog”):
“I’m about half done with Colson Whitehead’s ‘Underground Railroad.’”
Tim Waggoner (www. timwaggoner.com; “The Forever House”):
“I’m reading two books currently. One is a nonfiction hardcover by horror author Brian Keene called ‘End of the Road.’ It’s the story of a book tour Brian recently went on, but it’s also a meditation on the writing life and aging as an artist. On my Kindle I’m reading the most recent volume in Terry Brooks’ long-running Shannara series, ‘The Fall of Shannara: The Stiehl Assassin.’ It’s the third volume of a four-book saga that heralds the end of a fantasy adventure series that began in 1977. I’ve been reading these books since I was a young teenager, and right now, they’re like comfort food for my mind.”
Other literary news
Dayton Literary Peace Prize email newsletter — The Dayton Literary Peace Prize is sending its enewsletter subscribers reminders of past finalists and links to additional material about the books. It’s a great way to expand your sheltering-athome reading experience, while feeling connected to an award that started here in Dayton and now is world-renowned. Many of the books are available for ebook download through libraries or for purchase from online retailers. Visit www.daytonliterarypeaceprize.org and click on the enewsletter subscribe button in the left column to subscribe for free.
Tuesday, May 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Word’s Worth Writing Connections (online class) — “Craft A La Carte: Description,” led by Katrina Kittle via Zoom. Register by Monday, May 18, 5 p.m. Visit www.wordsworthdayton.com for details and registration.
Tuesday, May 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Word’s Worth Writing Connections (online class)
— “Craft A La Carte: Dialogue,” led by Katrina Kittle via Zoom. Register by Monday, May 25, 5 p.m. Visit www.wordsworthdayton.com for details and registration.
Thursday, May 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Word’s Worth Writing Connections (online class)
— “Writing Workout @ Home,” led by Katrina Kittle via Zoom. Writing exercises, mini-craft lessons and more. Register by Wednesday, May 27, 5 p.m. Visit www.wordsworthdayton.com for details and registration.
Sharon Short writes historical mysteries under the pen name Jess Montgomery (www. jessmontgomeryauthor. com). Send her column ideas, book club news, or literary events at sharonshort1983@ gmail.com.
Vick Mickunas
Our problems can become opportunities. With so many young readers unable to attend school right now, this is a great time for them to spend more time reading books.
Here are some recent titles for readers who are ages 4 through 8.
“The Bold, Brave Bunny” by Beth Ferry (Harper, 32 pages, $17.99)
Teetu the bunny was having a difficult adventure: “Tetu was tired. And hungry. And lost. He hugged his book tightly. Wishing for a carrot.”
“You Are Ready! The World Is Waiting” by Eric Carle (Harper, 32 pages, $9.99)
The world can seem like a frightening place. Especially now. This book offers courage and inspiration to children who are feeling afraid.
“Pete the Cat’s Groovy Guide to Kindness” by Kimberly and James Dean (Harper, 48 pages, $12.99)
Pete the Cat shares some inspirational quotations to try to shine a positive light on things. Like this one from Judy Blume: “Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.”
“Pete the Cat’s 5-Minute Bedtime Stories” by Kimberly and James Dean (Harper, 192 pages, $12.99)
Here are a dozen bedtime stories from Pete the Cat that are designed to last 5 minutes each. From the Cool Caterpillar to the Groovy Bake Sale.
“Pete the Cat’s Family Road Trip” by Kimberly and James Dean (Harper, 32 pages, $16.99)
We all have cabin fever and can only imagine taking any road trips right now. Pete the Cat will take youngsters on an imaginary journey instead.
“Frog and Toad — a Little Book of Big Thoughts” by Arnold Lobel (Harper, 48 pages, $12.99)
Here’s an inspirational book from a pair of friendly amphibians about the beauty of having friends. Friends stand by you, they will still like you when you’re grumpy, and friends cheer you up. Can we ever have enough friends?
“Summer Song” by Kevin Henkes (Greenwillow, 40 pages, $18.99)
Summer is just around the corner and this lovely tribute to the season when “if there is tall grass in a field and the
Book Nook
wind blows, it sounds like music” has gorgeous illustrations by Laura Dronzek.
“Fresh Princess — Style Rules” by Denene Miller (Harper, 32 pages, $18.99)
Destiny is so excited about the first day of school. Autumn seems a long ways off and a lot of children who have had their school days interrupted are probably wondering what school will be like when they return. One thing is for certain, though — some kids will be stylishly dressed.
“Peanut Goes for the Gold” by Jonathan Van Ness (Harper, 32 pages, $18.99)
Celebrity comedian, podcaster, hairdresser, and TV star Jonathan Van Ness has written his first childrens’ book about a guinea pig named Peanut who, like the author, feels empowered to be exactly who they want to be.
“Octicorn Party” by Kevin Diller and Justin Lowe (Balzer and Bray,
Vick Mickunas of Yellow Springs interviews authors every Saturday at 7 a.m. and on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. on WYSO-FM (91.3). For more information, visit www. wyso.org/programs/booknook. Contact him at vick@ vickmickunas.com.