
A Writer’s Defense of J.K. Rowling
Rowling has stumbled for sure, but I think there are a few literary areas where the criticism surrounding her is inappropriate. Here is my writer’s defense of four of them.
Sometimes I write things down, and sometimes my words make it here.
Rowling has stumbled for sure, but I think there are a few literary areas where the criticism surrounding her is inappropriate. Here is my writer’s defense of four of them.
I haven’t read enough self-help books to offer an opinion on the genre, but Girl, Wash Your Face caught my attention because of the controversial reviews and the promise of a “cut-that-shit-out” narrative that would shock me into motivation. It was motivating, but probably not in the way Hollis intended it.
Margaret Fortune’s young adult, science fiction debut novel, Nova, opens with a bang – or at least the promise of one. Lia Johansen is sixteen, a refugee, and a human bomb.
*I received an advanced readers copy (ARC) of Once Upon a Kiss . The following review does not address any potential grammatical or formatting errors as I did not receive a final copy.*
You should read this book if you’re seeking reprieve from rose-colored literature and star-crossed lovers. The Female of the Species is neither pretty nor sweet. Its aftertaste is bitter, and its plot will leave you shifting uncomfortably in your seat, replaying memories of your adolescence under the harsh fluorescent lighting of retrospect.
There are those books that grab you by your collar, pull you beneath their pages, and drown you in adventure before you’re fifty words in.
My review of The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano as featured on Goodreads.com.
Two out of Five Stars
I love to revisit the childhood classics that have shaped my writing and my life. Over the years, I have returned to C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia many times, enjoying the familiar, fantastical world of magic and adventure. But I wasn’t prepared for how different Narnia felt when I wandered through the wardrobe holding my daughter’s hand.
The Hearts We Sold by Emily-Lloyd-Jones (great name!) took me by surprise. Lately, I’ve been working my way through piles of Owlcrate books I’ve yet to read. I promised myself I’d be pickier about reviewing new books, and I have. After a few titles that left me yawning, Lloyd-Jones’ YA novel about demons, deals, and (literal) heartbreak felt refreshing.
My review of Michael Hoard’s The Adventures of Nick and Billy: The Mystery of the Rougarou: a fun, face-paced adventure set in the swamps of South Louisiana. It follows the mis-adventure of two young boys whose love for exploration leads them on a journey through the wilderness where they face not only the dangers of nature, but the darkness of humankind.*
Elle writes contemporary and speculative fiction and performs heart surgery on manuscripts missing their soul. She’s currently obsessing over her debut novel while channeling Hermione Granger at grad school. When Elle’s not writing, you can find her onstage pretending she’s someone else, busy rolling Nat 20s at the D&D table, or discovering dragons with her family in their Northeast home.
Elle attends Southern New Hampshire University for her MFA in Creative Writing. She has her BA in English from Thomas Edison State University.
Looking for a writer? A book review? A quirky friend who often forgets to text you back until days later? You can contact me here.
As a sleepless graduate student, every cup of coffee counts. If you’d like to support my work by buying my next cup of coffee – thank you. I really appreciate it. Every cent goes toward supporting my writing, education, and website costs.
Elle writes contemporary and speculative fiction and performs heart surgery on manuscripts missing their soul. She’s currently obsessing over her debut novel while channeling Hermione Granger at grad school. When Elle’s not writing, you can find her onstage pretending she’s someone else, busy rolling Nat 20s at the D&D table, or discovering dragons with her husband and daughter in their Northeast home.
Elle attends Southern New Hampshire University for her MFA in Creative Writing. She has her BA in English from Thomas Edison State University.
Looking for a writer? A book review? A quirky friend who often forgets to text you back until days later? You can contact me here.
As a sleepless graduate student, every cup of coffee counts. If you’d like to support my work by buying my next cup of coffee – thank you. I really appreciate it. Every cent goes toward supporting my writing, education, website costs.