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Rupi Kaur Poems P2
I’m back with more of my favorite poems from Rupi Kaur’s second collection, the sun and her flowers.
i long/for you/but you long/for someone else/i deny the one/who wants me/cause i want someone else-the human condition (Kaur 39)
i hardened under the last loss. it took something/ human out of me. i used to be so deeply emotional i’d/crumble on demand. but now the water has made its/ exit. of course i care about the ones around me. i’m just/ struggling to show it.a wall is getting in the way. i used/to dream of being so strong nothing could shake me./now. i am. so strong. that nothing shakes me.
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and all i dream is to soften. –numbness (Kaur 60) -
Jennifer Brody Interview
Jennifer Brody, pen name Vera Strange, the award winning sci-fi and horror author of The 13th Continuum, Deep Spectre 6 and the ongoing Disney Chills series kindly allowed me an interview. Here she talks about her previous career as CEO of Continuum Entertainment Group, her pivot to writing and inspiration for the genres.
1. Starting from the beginning, when did you first begin writing?
I’ve always read voraciously and written in various ways, but I didn’t start seriously writing until I turned 28 — and that’s when I began teaching myself how to write prose and novels.
2. However you started your work in film, founding Continuum Entertainment Group, working on films like Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Lord of the Rings. What work did you do as CEO?
I began my career in Hollywood working for A-list directors and movie studios, but now I’ve shifted to writing, packaging and producing my own IP (books, stories, graphic novels) for film/TV. It’s fun to combine both of my worlds — and favorite things.
3. How did (if it did) your experience in film help you as you entered writing?
It helped tremendously! It gave me a solid foundation in shaping ideas and story structure. I also worked on a ton of big book to film adaptations — THE GOLDEN COMPASS, JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL, LOTR — which was a nice gateway to fiction and publishing.
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Sleepaway Girls Review
Ah summer camp, the pine trees, the color wars, the bug spray. I never got the appeal but Calonita makes a good case for it with Samantha Montgomery who heads to Whispering Pines for a change of scenery and to get away from being the third wheel to her BFF and boyfriend love bubble.
Right away she meets camp mean girl, Ashley who is also the director’s daughter (of course!) and is set on that girl’s hit list. She also meets the camp casanova, the true love interest and three close knit buds that make this summer one to always treasure.
I’m not going to go too into the details because then I’d just be explaining the book’s plot but it was an overall enjoyable book.
For one thing, Calonita blessedly cuts the whole love triangle thing short quick and lets Sam figure it out early on that casanova is a a jerk. Such a breath of fresh air so we can enjoy her flirtationship with Cole, the right guy.
Furthermore, Calonita weaves an important personal arc for Sam as she learns to set boundaries for her people-pleasing self in regards to her friend from home and in dealing with Ashley. She’s usually against confrentation but after Ashley oulls one too many, some physically-injurious, pranks, it’s cathartic to see Sam let loose.
Furthermore, the friendship between Sam, Emily, Courtney and Grace is just lovely. Full of gossip, support and giggles as they record their days in their self-named Sleepaway Girls videos. I just ereally enjoyed how they clicked and stood up for each other and help one another whether it be pranking Ashley or finding the courage to confess their crushes.
Another feel good book in Calonita’s repertoire with a distinct heroine and a summery atmosphere.
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Turn It Up Review
As one can tell from the very fun cover, Calonita takes a cue from Pitch Perfect in her new novel about three friends trying to achieve a capella championship by bringing the failing Bradley Academy’s all girl acapella group, The Nightingales from rag tag group to passable winners for the November, Turn It Up competition.
But don’t worry, it’s not a total ripoff I swear.
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When You Get The Chance Review
This book made my musical lover heart sing! The summary was on point when it’s a fun take on Mamma Mia. Or in this case Millie Mia.
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Kathryn Reiss Interview
Kathryn Reiss was a Fulbright Scholar and is currently a professor of English and Creative Writing at Mills College alongside her work as a writer, specializing in mysteries and suspense. Here she kindly answers questions regardingg her work, the genre and writing journey. 1. Your suspense varies from gothic-lite to time traveling adventures to mystical reincarnation. What are some of your favorite tropes to explore in mystery?
I love to write the sort of thing I love to read! Some of the tropes that especially draw me are the baby left on the doorstep, the imposter among us, something hidden in plain sight, a situation thought long gone that rears its head in the present day, or—likewise—a person long gone who is not really gone (ghosts?!). I love stories of memory (especially faulty memory), big old houses (and doll houses), and unquiet spirits who need help to move on.
2. What are some of your favorite suspenses that influenced you or got you into the genre?
I read and loved all the Trixie Belden mysteries when I was a girl, as well as other mystery/adventure series (Robin Kane, Donna Parker, Judy Bolton—these last were from my mother’s generation; I found a trunk of them up in my grandmother’s attic and spent our summer visits lying on her porch, lost in the stories!).
I loved books of magic and mysteries and families with lots of kids who had lots of adventures—such as those by Edward Eager and Elizabeth Enright. I loved series set in the past, especially All of a Kind Family, by Sydney Taylor, and the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace. As a teen I also read gothic romance by Victoria Holt, Philippa Carr, and Daphne Du Maurier. All of these tales and so many more helped shape my imagination.
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The Dirty Book Club Review
This book sucks you in right from the beginning though there is not much sucking involved to be honest. But that’s okay because the book club is lot less about sex but the friendship bonds that form around it. It’s like the next generation of the Sisterhood of Traveling Pants!
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The Pretenders Duology Review
I’m back on the Lisi Harrison train. I mean I always loved her Clique books but it’s about time for me to get into her other YA works so here goes.
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The Amateurs Trilogy Review
Because someone is taking a looong time to read and return Flawless to the library, I decided to get my Sara Shepard fix by reading her Amateurs trilogy.
Taking a step away from the mean popular girl gets murdered and her friends must figure out the truth premise that cover her Pretty Little Liars/The Lying Game series, Shepard goes to the underbelly of true crime.
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The Princess Diaries #1-3 ReRead
After finishing Stephanie Plum I decided to dive into a new reread with The Princess Diaries since my memory is a bit spotty after the first two books.
We all know about Mia Thermopolis and her eventual reign of Genovia’s throne whether it is from the beloved series or the movies starring Anne Hathway.So here goes, rereading it I am reminded how delightful it is. Cabot really hits the mindset of a teenager with the roving swings between utter happiness, angst and preoccupation with self but also wanting to be part of the bigger picture and save the world.
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Rachel Reads & Reviews 