We were excited to attend the Puget Sound Book Festival in Bremerton again this year, as it was a major highlight of our Summer 2025.
As a book lover, there are few things more exhilarating than rows and rows of books and bookish treasures. And I definitely grabbed my fair share. But, perhaps even more exhilarating still, were the HOARDS of fellow booklovers. Sometimes we are lead to believe that people have stopped reading books, but it is in these moments that I am assured that there are still plenty of folks willing to battle dense crowds to get a tote full of quality reading material. There is still hope for our society, friends! I have seen it with my own eyes! Hurrah!
It was also an absolute delight to meet and chat with local authors at the event. I sometimes forget that there is so much literary talent tucked into this little area of the country. What a joy to spend a few minutes hearing about the inspiration for specific narratives or learning of an author’s favorite of their own books (hint: it’s not always the one you might think).
If you have the chance to attend a local book festival this year (wherever you are in the world), I highly recommend the experience. Buy the books! Meet the folks who pen the books! Chat excitedly with the other bookish humans who are just as giddy about reading as you are! It’s a rush!
P.S. We also had the pleasure of attending an annual, summer reunion with our dearest friends this month. There was hugging, eating, story swapping, and... DANCING! The dancing, friends! What an unexpected highlight! I had not danced like that in as long as I can remember. Talk about a rush! So, go to the book festivals AND do all the dancing! My secret (or not so secret) recipe for summer bliss.
What I’m Reading (some spoilers included)
When Women Were Dragons
By Kelly Barnhill
This novel left me a bit conflicted. The concept had so much potential (women transforming into dragons – as metaphor - sign me up). And there were bits of this book that also offered genuinely lovely prose (Kelly is obviously a capable writer).
BUT it did not all come together for me. I couldn't buy into the magical (metaphor) aspect the way I wanted to, because it seemed to keep shifting on me. And I couldn't buy into the realism aspect, because I didn't have enough information.
The story created so many interesting questions, but it didn’t quite answer them (at least to my satisfaction). Are all women dragons? Why do some change and not others? Why did the protagonist not change? Also, how would her father get away with hiding she and her "sister" in an apartment across town for years without anyone figuring it out? And why wouldn't she confront him? Threaten to disclose his betrayal? And why did her aunt return? And where had she been? And why did any of the women who'd chosen to dragon return for that matter? Wasn't the leaving of their "before" selves/lives the point?
As you can see, while I really wanted to love this narrative, there were just too many things that weren't satisfactorily addressed.
Also... I really (REALLY) wanted the protagonist to dragon in the end, as I felt we were building to that. So, I left this one disappointed on that front, as well. Still, I don't regret reading (and definitely want to read some of Kelly's other books).
If you’re interested in giving it a go yourself: https://bookshop.org/a/120532/9780593466575
And if you have a different opinion on the book, let me hear it.
Oh, and if you haven’t yet read The Book Club for Troublesome Women, definitely grab a copy. Some really great writing (especially for this moment in time). https://bookshop.org/a/120532/9781400344741
[Also read this month: The Night We Met, The Battle of the Bookstores, The Ex Talk]
For more book reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/88169319-gina-ma?ref=nav_mybooks&shelf=read
[Please note: The links for purchasing books are affiliate links and will offer me a small percentage of the purchase price if you choose to grab your copy of recommended books through their site. If you choose to utilize, thanks for the support!]
What I’m Watching
I have continued to enjoy my Gen X Summer movie romp (thanks for your recs), but also… Ted Lasso and Trying are both back on Apple TV! If you don’t know how we feel about Ted Lasso (from previous newsletters), let me reiterate. WE LOVE TED!
But seriously, how good would the world be if we all just asked WWTD on a regular basis?
What I’m Writing
I have started revisions on my short story collection and am working with an editor extraordinaire to get them polished and ready for publication. The current collection includes stories about ghosts, unexpected health emergencies, forbidden love, betrayal, the afterlife, grief, and at least a couple of happy(ish) endings.
I am excited to share more in the coming months!
What’s Making Me Smile
Surprise, surprise, it’s more silly puppy content!
https://youtube.com/shorts/56C3AjFjY-4?si=hVhh1Q6EIKo11R9R
If you have stumbled upon anything extra delightful lately, I always love a good laugh!
A Little Unsolicited Writing Advice
Consider carrying a notebook and pen with you when you're out and about and jot down observations. See something unusual? Overhear something interesting? Snack on something you love? Or maybe better yet, something you hate? Feel a strong emotion about something or someone you encounter? Write it all down. Try to focus on the specific details of each experience.
Then, the next time you sit down to compose a story, pull out your notebook and use all that goodness to inspire a new story or flesh out an existing one. I bet you will start to see your stories transform into much richer, layered, more compelling pieces.
Real life gives us a lot of creative gifts… if we pay attention.
Do you have specific questions about writing that you’d like me to tackle in future newsletters? Send me a quick note and let me know.
BONUS: A Random Fact About Me (For Fun?)
I taught college Psychology classes in the University of Arkansas system for over four years. I absolutely loved the job (even with the inevitable ups and downs). And the pay for adjunct professors wasn’t as abysmal as all of the rumors would have you believe - IT WAS WORSE.
And for those of you who asked for photo evidence of the Cancun study sessions (mentioned in the June newsletter), I am sorry to report I can’t find pics from the trip. But, in lieu of that, I give you this.
AUGUST BOOK HAUL
We had the opportunity to attend the annual Pacific Northwest Book Festival (as mentioned above), and while it was ridiculously crowded (yay, people still read books), we did manage to nab at least a few bookish treats.
One Final Note
As many of you know, we lost our beloved Dolly Parton this month. She was an integral part of my childhood, and I have loved her always. [Did anyone else watch Smoky Mountain Christmas as a kid?] In addition to being a spectacular story teller, she was always unapologetically herself. And even as her fame grew, she somehow found a way to make room for everyone at her table. She was a hero, and I would be lying if I didn’t say that the world feels a little more uncertain without her in it. But I’m trying to remember what Dolly would have us do in this moment, and I’m pretty sure she’d say, “Get on with it, girl.” So, I shall try. Hopefully with an extra dose of her creativity, faith, generosity, grit, and joy.
RIP, beloved Dolly.
As always, thank you all for joining me on this leg of my journey. Please don’t forget to hit me up with some of your responses to posed questions. I always love hearing from you!
And if you have other bookish friends who might enjoy my newsletter content, please (please) feel free to share. I’d really love to grow this community.