A Year of Blogging- My Blog’s a year old!

Today my blog, Traveling With T, turned a year old. It’s been a crazy, fun, wild, frustrating, challenging year. But, and here’s the key: It’s been so worth it. Fulfilling. Enjoyable.

When I started Traveling With T, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wanted a blog where I could write about experiences- local restaurants, book signings, events. I wanted some anonymity, I wanted a title that was catchy, but didn’t pigeonhole me- one that I could discuss different things; but still with a focus.

I didn’t start the blog because I had a burning desire to be a writer (although, I have much respect for writers). I’ve thought over the last few years that someone publishing my thoughts from the pitfalls of guys using emoticons in texts, to the art of the road trip, to why being a nail polish namer has to be an interesting job (plus much, much, much more) would make for an interesting book- but I’ve never really had a burning desire to write for a living.

When I was a kid, I used to read Ann M. Martin books, Francine Pascal and more. Reading these books, I always thought it would be so nice to get to meet the people behind the books I loved. But, a small-town girl, states and hours away from these authors never did get a chance to meet them. As I grew up, I put the idea out of my head- reading was not cool (even though I secretly read in high school). The older I got, the more I realized reading was a part of me- it was something I needed. With social media, I can chat with authors, learn about book signings and more. Going to a book signing is the best kind of fun. Proud to report that I’ve been to several book signings over the past year- and I love each and every one.

Part of the reason I started blogging is that while I don’t have burning desire to be a writer/author- I do have a strong desire to be around the writer types. To hear where they get inspiration, to see their works comes to life. To be able to sit down with them- with total wide eyed innocence and discuss the things I love, dislike, and more about their books. An author has a creative energy that I adore being around- a creative energy that fills a place in my heart and life. An author gives me something to think about, something to ponder deeply and maybe even creatively for days, weeks. When I’m around an author-type person, I feel like I’m the best version of myself- the bright, inquisitive person- the person who is fully validated because she is with people who speak a language that she loves. I feel smarter, brighter, almost Wonder Woman-ish.

There have been times over the past year that I thought of just deleting my blog. It seemed like it wasn’t going anywhere, some days it wasn’t even fun. But, slowly, I began to get followers- and then I became involved with She Reads Blog Network- and that for me was all the validation I needed to continue. While, I don’t think I started the blog with the full on intention to review books completely- being able to review books is something I find pleasure in. It’s back to that whole “books fill a place in me, in my creative part”.

My desire for myself and my blog:

1. Host giveaways. I promote other blog giveaways, but have never had one at Traveling With T. 2013 will be the year that changes.

2. Continue to review books. Fiction, #southernlit, cozies and more.

3. To one day, be more involved in the process of an author’s life. A publicist, perhaps? To be more involved in the work of an author from the beginning of the process to the end would be very fulfilling.

On today, as my blog turns a year old- a heartfelt “Thank You” to my followers, the people who “like”, retweet, and share my blog posts. Without you, my blog would be floating around in the internet. Each time you like something I write- I”m reminded of the Sally Field “You Like me! You Really Like Me!”

To MVBClub- thanks for letting me guest blog, for being an inspiration and a sounding board. xoxo

To Melinda McGuire- thank you for letting me guest blog about Oxford and Faulkner- you’re the best!

To Deep South Magazine- thank you for every RT, every comment and more. My appreciation for you is beyond words.

To authors (Erika Marks, Erika Robuck, Nichole Bernier, Michael Lee West, Meg Donohue, Jenn McKinlay, Cleo Coyle,Lucy Burdette,Robin O’Bryant, Claire Cook, Mia March, Sarah Jio, Michael Morris, Peggy Sweeney-McDonald, Megan Abbott) Thank you for your books. For taking time out of your schedules to tweet with me, to call in for book clubs. Thank you for writing great books and books that I anticipate being great.

To She Reads, She Reads Blog Network, and Kimberly Brock- I’m so overcome with happiness for being able to be part of She Reads. Thank you- Thank You- Thank You. Being able to be a part of this great group just makes me feel all sparkly and happy. Honored to be a part of a such a sparkly wonderful group.

To authors everywhere: Even if I don’t know you- you inspire me. To the dreamers, the people with the imaginations and creativity, to the ones who have the desire, drive and determination to write a book: Never change. Keep writing. Keep inspiring people. Write not just because you can; but because you can’t live in a world that’s without your writing.

Best,

Traveling With T

PS: A special thank you to Ann M. Martin, Judy Blume, Francine Pascal and the Nancy Drew books: without your books, I might not be the reader I am today. Beyond grateful for the love of reading the books you’ve written that has instilled a love of reading in me. “Thank you” seems so inadequate- but that’s all I have to say.

Looking for Ideas for the Book Lover?

Book lovers love books. With so many types of books, though, it’s sometimes hard to pick out the best book to give. She Reads is feeling the book buyers pain and has so kindly made a list of books that will make great gifts. With an array of topics, genres, and more- finding a book for the book lover in your life may just be a tad bit easier this year!

She Reads Gift Ideas for the Book Lover in your life– read to see what made the list!

If you are a book lover, what book would you love to see when you unwrap a gift? Is every book a goof gift- or are there some that you never would want to see given?

The Theme Song to Man in the Blue Moon by Michael Morris

Don’t forget tomorrow Novemeber 30th- all DAY long She Reads will be hosting their online book club discussion of Michael Morris Man in the Blue Moon. It’s all day long, so feel free to stop in anytime- ask a question, make a comment, find out what other people are thinking of Man in the Blue Moon!

Before the online discussion tomorrow, read the article about Michael Morris Man in the Blue Moon theme song. Find the song and listen to it- see if the music takes you to era of Man in the Blue Moon.

Links for Michael Morris Man in the Blue Moon and the She Reads Online Discussion:

Man in the Blue Moon

The Theme Song for Man in the Blue Moon

A Room of His Own: The Writing Space of Michael Morris

New Online Discussion Schedule

Come- join She Reads for the November discussion of Michael Morris latest book- Man in the Blue Moon!

Janis Owens, American Ghost, & 2 interviews

First, there will be a Janis Owens Twitter chat, hosted by Deep South Magazine, Friday, Novemeber 16 1-2pmCST. Please use hashtag #southernlit to join in the chat. It’s also best if you use TweetChat (although not required). Join in for the chat- Janis Owens is one of the lucky writers to make Deep South Magazines Fall/Winter Reading List. Come chat to hear about the book and maybe some behind the scene information!

To get you ready for the Janis Owens Twitter chat on Friday- here are 2 interviews to read over!

Deep South Magazine interview with Janis Owens

She Reads: Literary First Loves- Janis Owens

Remember: Be on Twitter from 1-2pm CST time to do the Twitter chat thing with Janis Owens- the chats are fun and informative AND the group is always welcoming- so stop in! Come with a question or not- just come!

The Real Man in the Blue Moon (interview with She Reads)

Michael Morris tells about the story behind the book Man in the Blue Moon (in case you did not know- he based his 4th book on a real-life story that he heard from his family!)

After reading the guest post, be sure and pick up a copy of Man in the Blue Moon! The book is being discussed all month long at She Reads!

Michael Morris: On Story-Telling (a guest post for She Reads)

Michael Morris and his guest post for She Reads: the first questions he’s asked at book club meetings, a teacher who helped him discover his potential, the authors that changed his life, and being from a member of a family of story-tellers.

Heart-warming and insightful guest post by Michael Morris- a story that is defintely worth reading. On Storytelling: A Guest Post by Michael Morris.

Remember to pick up a copy of MAN IN THE BLUE MOON to read and discuss with She Reads online book club all month long!

Man in the Blue Moon- She Reads November Book Club Pick!

Looking for a good book to read? Join in She Reads online book club and spend the month reading and discussing Man in the Blue Moon by Michael Morris. It’ll be a fun and fabulous event!

Plus there’ll be a #giveaway!

To find out more about the book club selection, the giveaway, and how to chat with members of the She Reads online book club- read HERE.

And, seriously, come join us! It’ll be a super-fun month discussing #southernlit.

Man in the Blue Moon by Michael Morris

November’s She Reads book club pick is Man in the Blue Moon by Michael Morris. Besides being a pick of She Reads- Man in the Blue Moon has received some notable praise from other authors- specfically Pat Conroy. When people in high places are praising the book and author, a reader is surely in for a good ride. This book is no exception.

Ella Wallace- a 35 year old woman with 3 kids and a husband who has left her for parts unknow. Her aunt warned her years ago about Harlan- “He’s a gambler at best. A con artist at worst”- but Ella was young, full of dreams and love for this man. Now she’s paying the price. Ella is on the verge of losing the one thing she has left (besides her 3 kids)- her land. Ella speaks of this land similarily to how Mr. O’Hara spoke of land to Scarlett in Gone with the Wind; but the land is important Ella and she needs to keep it- especially since if she loses the land it will be in the hands of a man who is not fit to spit on the land that Ella holds dear, much less own it.

When Ella was a teen, she was involved with Clive Gillespie. Harlan Wallace swept in and stole the young Ella from Clive- and that is not the first embarassment that Clive suffered at the hands of the Harlan- a man who had more charisma than needed. Clive is pressuring Ella to sell her precious land to him or face foreclosure- either way to him, he’ll own it. Clive plays it close to the vest as to why he wants the land, but secrets- they do have a way of coming out.

All while Ella is facing the propsect of losing her land, a package arrives for Ella- only it’s not quite the package that she had expected. It’s a man, Lanier, a relation of Harlan. Lanier has his own secrets that he would rather not tell, as well.

Does Ella lose her land? What is Clive’s secret plans with Ella’s land? Is Lanier a friend or foe? Will Harlan come back to Ella- and if he does, will Ella accept him back into her life after the pain he’s caused? The answers to all the above questions are in this beautifully written book- a book that will move you to tears at times.

This is a wonderfully written book: Themes of desperation, redemption, betrayal, love, loss, learning to become stronger than you ever had to be, and accepting people and yourself- are interweaved through the story- to create a tale that is dramatic, sorrowful, bittersweet, and engaging. This is a book that causes the reader to feel emotions- the reader will find aspects to be angry about, happy, sad, and hopeful. The reader will feel sadness during the book- and ultimately sadness when the book is finished; because Man in the Blue Moon is that good of a book.

She Reads Giveaway: Hemingway’s Girl by Erika Robuck

Today on She Reads, author Erika Robuck talks about her first literary love (The Great Gatsby!) and has given She Reads a copy of Hemingway’s Girl to give away to a lucky person who comments on the post.

Now while I’ve not read Hemingway’s Girl– I do have a copy and I can’t wait to read it. There has been a lot of buzz about the book- and other book bloggers and reviewers have been writing positive comments about the book.

If the book sounds intriguing, go to She Reads and make a comment- maybe today will be your lucky day and you will win a copy of Hemingway’s Girl!

Best of luck!

Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio

Sarah Jio’s third book, Blackberry Winter, is a tale that will leave readers experiencing many emotions: Sadness, happiness, hopefullness, and joy. This is book that the reader keeps on reading not only because they want to know what happens, because they MUST know what happens. Sarah Jio has a gift for sprinkling enough clues and intrigue into each chapter to keep the reader guessing and intrigued. The book is written in a past and present time format with information being left for the readers in both time periods.

Seattle, May 1-2, 1933: Vera Ray, a hotel maid, leaves her 3 year old son in bed while she works the night-shift at the Olympic. She hates to leave Daniel at home by himself, but really has no choice. She reasons that he’ll be ok in the bed asleep while she works. The next morning, she leaves work to see that Seattle is experiencing a heavy snow. When Vera gets home, the bed is empty. And all that she can find of Daniel is his teddy bear-outside in the snowy weather.

Seattle, May 2nd, Present day: Claire Aldridge wakes to see Seattle covered in a snowy blanket. Her editor at the Seattle Herald wants a story on the “blackberry winter” and remarks about the coincidence of the date. Claire, at first, does not think there is much to the story. But as she begins to find out more about the last time a “blackberry winter” happened- she is proved wrong. Not only is the story a much bigger deal, the story has links to the present.

Weaving a tale of 2 women of 2 different decades, Sarah Jio tells a story of strength, weakeness, poverty, riches, and the sadness of a lost child.

Highly recommend.

At this writing, Sarah Jio’s Blackberry Winter has made the NYT Bestseller’s List. Congratulations to Sarah Jio!