Good Books
What to Read!
Books Read (and listened to) for Pleasure this Month:
Doing Small Things with Great Love: How Everyday Humanitarians Are Changing the World by Sharon Eubank (global humanitarian director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) This is all about the power of one person doing good. Want to feel hopeful? Read this.
The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden. I was critical of some of the writing, but couldn’t put it down, so what does that say? And the ending? It’s actually terrific. Oh, and the real-life author is a physician specializing in brain injuries, whut?!?
Finding Ultra: Rejecting Middle Age, Becoming One of the World’s Fittest Men, and Discovering Myself by Rich Roll. I have mad respect for Roll - and also considered going vegan for five seconds. This is fantastic inspiration! Libby, audio
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Extraordinary research and a captivating listen. Imagine going through a bitter campaign, winning, and then surrounding yourself with all of your former rivals for the good of the nation. Libby, audio
Books Read for MFA Required Reading:
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (Newbery Honor Book): a perfect story
Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin (Newbery Honor Book & National Book Award Finalist): Fascinating nonfiction that reads like a spy thriller!
Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee: LOS ANGELES, 1932. Lulu Wong is the star of the silver screen, the pride of Chinatown, and found murdered. Sisters May, Gemma, and Peony, Lulu’s former classmates and neighbors set out to solve the crime amidst a backdrop of racism. Wonderfully descriptive writing and I’ve discovered a new favorite author (added to my “favorite YA” list).
For each of these books, I’m required to write a bibliography, meaning: write about something the author did well in terms of craft. Not “what” they wrote, but “how.” It’s terrific practice to read like a writer.
Due February 9th:
If you’re interested in what an MFAC degree looks like, my first packet is due Feb 9th:
Read ten books + write annotated bibliographies for each
Write a 5-7 page critical essay (I’ve got a bomb-diggity idea :)
Read three critical essays + write a response1
Write a 1-3 page personal response letter (how it’s all going)
*well right now I’m behind!
On the Manuscript Front:
I’m back to querying three manuscripts…stay tuned.
Stay strong, friends. Do good.
Amy 💕
the last part:
My word of the year has been decided and painted…
read with me:
The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Clair is part-mystery, part understanding of the human heart 💖
Ten Thousand Tries is Golden’s quest to save his dad and the soccer team ⚽
The McNifficents is one summer with six rambunctious kids and their miniature-schnauzer nanny 🐕 New Hampshire’s 2024 Great Reads for Kids selection!
What I read last week: How Woke Went From “Black” to “Bad” (super interesting)
Thanks for the book recs, as always and love your word of the year!
I chose 'present' for my word, as in present in the moment. It is a daily effort.
I've put Doing Small Things with Great Love on my list! I do think that is the key to making the world a better place!