I read an article this weekend in The Wall Street Journal and immediately thought about all my writer friends in my WordPress community. It’s a story of never giving up and of writing without worrying where your words will land. Maybe one day your book will be discovered and become a hit—but the writing journey … Continue reading When a Story Finally Finds Its Moment
Tag: Reading
Book Review: Jade’s Broken Bridge
Jade’s Broken Bridge, my notes, and a steaming cup of coffee. I’ve been following Michele Lee Sefton for a while, and her writing has always captivated me. There is depth behind her words, and her growth as a writer shines through in every blog post. Reading her poems and novellas, Her Coastal Cottage and Honeysuckle … Continue reading Book Review: Jade’s Broken Bridge
Printers Row Lit Fest 2025
As I was reviewing today’s post, I realized that today marks my 2nd year of blogging. I can’t believe it’s already been two years. I guess my trip to the Printers Row Lit Fest in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday turned out to be my 2nd Blogniversary celebration. I didn’t plan it that way, but it … Continue reading Printers Row Lit Fest 2025
Book Bans Hurt Education
This is not the first time I’ve commented on book banning in this country and my frustration with this insanity. Trying to change history or pretending that current events are not occurring by banning books is not going to succeed now, just as it didn’t succeed during the many attempts in the past. To this … Continue reading Book Bans Hurt Education
Book Review: Bittersweet
Bittersweet—that’s a word we hear often, probably several times a week. My 1995 Webster’s New World Dictionary defines it as "pleasure mixed with sadness,” which is okay, but not nearly as powerful as how Susan Cain describes it in her wonderful book, Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole. Here is Susan’s description: “The … Continue reading Book Review: Bittersweet
Book Review: Surviving Sue
As I was preparing this post, I considered writing it in two parts: a book review and my commentaries. However, since this is a blog and I appreciate the flexibility it provides, I decided to write a single post that includes some commentary, personal reflections, and concludes with the book review. In my head, it … Continue reading Book Review: Surviving Sue
My Reading List: 2024-2025
It’s that time of year when I recap the books I’ve read and share my reading plans for the upcoming year. Last year, I managed to read 13 books—one more than my original goal. This year, I read 21 books, and I couldn’t be happier. My reading time feels like a mini-retreat—a chance to lose … Continue reading My Reading List: 2024-2025
Book Review: You Will Not Have My Hate
Over the weekend, I read You Will Not Have My Hate, a memoir by Antoine Leiris. The book, translated from French by Sam Taylor, was recommended by the Secret Library Book Blog, and it’s the most emotional book I have read so far in my life. Knowing the background of the events that led to … Continue reading Book Review: You Will Not Have My Hate
Reflections on a Year of Blogging
I can’t believe it’s been a year since I started this blog! It’s been an amazing experience, far beyond what I expected. One of the things I wanted to do after retiring from the military was to increase the number of books I read each year. The byproduct of reading and taking notes was a … Continue reading Reflections on a Year of Blogging
Thoughts about leadership, history, and more 