Whether your vacation includes swinging on a hammock or reclining under a beach umbrella, reading a classic novel is the perfect complement. Reading E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web is a vacation in itself from the troubles of the world today. Go back in time with Fern who saves Wilbur, the runt of the litter, from Papa’s…
All posts by Jill M Smith
What I’m Reading: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber
The perfect book to kick off your summer reading list, Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe, by Heather Webber, is a Southern story full of charm, personality, and pie. I love a story set in the South, with family secrets, neighborhood gossip, and a dose of Southern hospitality, and this novel delivers on all fronts. Set…
What I’m Reading: Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March
I’ve recently finished reading Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March, who won an award for First Crime Novel from the Mystery Writers of America with this book. I discovered Nev March in a webinar that she gave about writing and publishing, and I’ve been a fan ever since. While I do not normally read…
A Classic to Consider: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
It’s the time of year for summer reading, and many schools will post lists of recommended books. I believe there is room on every reading lists for a few classics, and for middle school readers, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame is an ideal option. The friendship between Rat and Mole, the adventures…
What I’m Reading: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray
Fans of historical fiction will enjoy The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray. The authors give readers a close-up look at legendary American financier, J.P. Morgan, and the woman he hired to be his personal librarian, Belle Da Costa Greene, in the early 1900s. Unbeknownst to Morgan, Greene was a Black woman…
An Artist’s Date: The Morgan Library
A Classic to Consider: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in A Classic to Consider, Care Givers, What I'm ReadingLeave a Reply
There is a level of comfort in reading the classics. When my life becomes stressful and overwhelming, I find that I seek the classics as I would seek the counsel of a good friend. My mother died one month ago, and during her last week of life, I read aloud to her from Jane Eyre,…
Writing Resource: How To Write Short Stories and Use Them To Further Your Writing Career by James Scott Bell
Writers looking to sharpen their short story skills and increase productivity will benefit from James Scott Bell’s manual, How To Write Short Stories and Use Them To Further Your Writing Career. The slim text breaks down the components of a short story into a shattering moment + the emotional fallout of said moment. Bell likens…
Short Story Spotlight: “The Leaf” by O. Henry
Posted on Author Jill M SmithPosted in Short Story Spotlight, Teacher Resources, Teacher TuesdayLeave a Reply
O. Henry is perhaps most famous for his short story, “The Gift of the Magi.” I would think that most of us who grew up in the States have read it either in middle or high school, and for good reason. O. Henry was a master of short stories, focusing on a simple problem or…
What I’m Reading: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I’ve recently finished The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I have to say that I loved it. Reid is a master of creating complex characters that keep readers engaged in the story. Following Evelyn throughout her career and love life was fascinating – a trip through old Hollywood glamour combined…