Reading

Make Banned Books Part of Your Summer Reading
Make Banned Books Part of Your Summer Reading 1024 576 Reader Views
I am a staunch advocate for diverse and inclusive books. These books are mirrors for kids to see themselves and know that they are not alone, and windows to let kids see and learn about others. But unfortunately, these books are the ones that are being targeted for removal from school library bookshelves at an alarming rate. read more
Breaking Old Reading Habits
Breaking Old Reading Habits 1024 576 Reader Views
I’ve compiled a list that I hope might convince those who think they hate literary novels to give it a fair try using my list as a guide. I am convinced those who hate, hate, hate it were coerced to read literary before they were ready—that is they were too young or didn’t yet have the background—that can be read as, “didn’t have the equipment yet”—to understand it, much less to appreciate it. I mean, I know of no one who jumped into James Joyce without proper guidance who loves his work. For that matter, I know no one at all who is head-over-heels for it, no matter what the circumstances. read more
Why is The Nightmare Before Christmas still so Popular?
Why is The Nightmare Before Christmas still so Popular? 1024 576 Reader Views
Sometimes a movie comes along and stands the test of time, staying mainstream for generations and influencing culture in ways the people working on the project could have never imagined. read more
When Oprah Tolled the Bell for Her Book Club
When Oprah Tolled the Bell for Her Book Club 1024 576 Reader Views
At first Oprah’s picks were authors of little renown. She chose novelists with important things to say and a unique way of saying them and didn’t give a T-tinkers darn who published the book or if the author’s name was known to anybody. read more
What Have You Done for YOU Lately? Self-Care for Writers
What Have You Done for YOU Lately? Self-Care for Writers 1024 576 Reader Views
How many of you take time out every day for yourself? I don’t mean time out to write or time out to promote and market your book on social media – that’s not time out for yourself, but rather a part of your ‘job’ as an author. No, what I’m talking about here is taking the time to do just a little something for yourself every day to rejuvenate, refresh, and restore. read more
Be Inspired by Strong Women
Be Inspired by Strong Women 1024 576 Reader Views
Today, award-winning author Mark Bello honors Women’s History Month with his thoughts on some historical achievements and celebrates some of our finest champions. read more
National Women’s History Month and the Women in My History
National Women’s History Month and the Women in My History 1024 576 Reader Views
March is National Women’s History Month, so I took the time to think of some of the strong women in my family who lived through WWII in Italy and Libya. read more
How Book Review Strategies Prepared Me for College
How Book Review Strategies Prepared Me for College 1024 576 Reader Views
Many of the skills I developed as a book reviewer have actually been very helpful in my college reading. There are two main strategies I employ while reading a book for review. read more
Long Books vs. Short Books
Long Books vs. Short Books 1024 576 Reader Views
As a kid, I took a lot of pride in reading big books. Most of my favorites were absolutely massive tomes, and I could finish them within a few days. As an adult, the amount of time I’m able to spend reading has definitely been cut down, but I still really enjoy long books. read more
Reading Outside our Genre Circle
Reading Outside our Genre Circle 1024 576 Reader Views
Before I became a book reviewer, I would only read a couple of specific genres, most likely from the same authors. Only when I had nothing to read, and could not find the usual, would I venture out of my comfort zone and read outside my genre circle read more