Carry On...again

Also, someone needs to stop me from reading this....

#carryon #rainbowrowell #waywardson #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Goodbye March

March who? April what? 

Here I am again checking in with my 2019 resolutions:

(1) Keep learning

(2) Write [almost] every day

(3) Don't stop reading

(4) Complete something (e.g. a manuscript)

(5) Get [a little] professional 

Again, I wasn't super successful this month. I got really sick again (stubborn little germ monsters), and then my motivation just took a hit when the sun suddenly showed up again. Bleh, excuses, excuses, Abby (again).

(1) Again, no real "evidence" of this to share. 

(2) I'm doing a lot better at this. The prompt book is helping. And so is working on #4. 

(3) I read...not a lot in March. I think I read about 6 or 7 books in total. Does it help that I have about 4 work in processes? No? Yeah, I didn't think so.

(4) I've done a lot, a lot better in this aspect, slowly. My manuscript has ~113 pages done (and counting). Most of them still look more like a screenplay than a novel, but again, its a work in progress. But I'm still really happy with it; and really excited about my characters and their journey.

(5) Posts in February: 24 (that includes this one). Squeezed in a few more just at the end there.

I'm going to (try) to do this at the end of every month, or close to it (that is, if I remember, and my life isn't too too crazy at that time).

What are your big April reads?

Anything I should check out?

As we say at the daycare I work at during circle time:

"Goodbye, March!"

"Hello, April!"

It sounds silly, but just imagine 6-10 two year olds repeating that after you. It could make almost anyone smile.

#newyearsresolutions #keeplearning #writeeveryday #dontstopreading #completesomething #getprofessional #goodbyemarch #helloapril #bookstagram #books #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Prince & Knight

Another amazing stumble upon of mine in the last week (through Tumblr this time) was "Prince & Knight" By Daniel Haack.

Who doesn't love a classic fairytale? Who doesn't droll over a handsome prince (or princess, you do you folks)? Who doesn't love a great boys-who-love-boys story?

Well this children's story has it all. Yes, I said children's story. 

This books is some of the first in a generational change in what (small) children need to seen in literature to show them what is normal, what needs to be more widely accepted.

Please, go read it. It's cute and beautiful.

#princeandknight #danielhaack #childrensstory #lgbtrepresentation #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Bloom

While stress book buying the other day, I stumbled upon the graphic novel "Bloom" (written by Kevin Panetta and illustrated by Savanna Ganucheau). And let's just say, what a discovery.

"Bloom" followed Ari during that time in his teen life where he's constantly searching for meaning, validation, and escape. To move into an apartment in the city with friends, he must first find and train a replacement at his family's bakery.

Hector reminds Ari why he loved baking, why he loved spending time with his family. 

It certainly didn't hurt that these two soft, sweet boys fall in some serious love (with each other and with themselves).

What other sweet, full of romance graphic novel can you recommend for me?

#bloom #kevinpanetta #savannaganuchaeu #graphicnovel #books #bookphotography #bookstagram #ilovebooks

Fence (vol 1 & vol 2)

Okay, so I loved, loved, loved "The Captive Prince" trilogy by C.S. Pacat so, so, so much, that I finally, finally, finally picked up her comic book series "Fence". Let's just say, she didn't disappoint. 

Its just a slow burn and high stakes (minus the death thing) as TCP. I was amazed by the diversity of characters and personalities that Pacat was able to shove into only so many (amazing, beautiful, provoking) colored blocks. 

I read Volume 1 and Volume 2 this weekend. They each only took me about 30 minutes, if that. I can't wait until Volume 3 comes out later this summer.

What is something you've read recently that you shamelessly waited far too long to read?

#fence #cspacat #captiveprince #comicbook #fencing #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Peter Pan (take three)

"Peter Pan" by J.M. Barrie. I already told you how much I love this book, love these characters, love this fandom. 

Captain Hook (and Peter Pan, if we're being honest with ourselves) is my favorite villain.

I've seen the movie and the musical (the musical is better) "Finding Neverland" once (and I'd die to see it again, at least two more times). I've seen a ballet adaptation. But I've never seen the original play. Guess what, though? They're coming to Pittsburgh this summer, and I'm soo soo going.

Who's your favorite Peter Pan character? 

What's your favorite Neverland location?

#peterpan #findingneverland #jmbarrie #childrensbook #childrensclassic #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks

Wicked

"Wicked: The Life And Times of The Wicked Witch Of The West" by Gregory Maguire. 

Also known as the backstory of your favorite green-skinned witch. This book makes you fall in love with Elphaba (the witch) and fall into hate with Dorothy (that silly little girl). 

I read this book for the first time in middle school. At that point, it was the longest book that I have ever read. Twice. Or was it thrice? I can't remember.

I saw the musical (and fell in love again) three times? Or was it four? I can't remember that either.

Who is your favorite evil villain?

What is your favorite musical?

#wicked #wickedthelifeandtimesofthewickedwitchofthewest #gregorymaguire #books #bookstagram #bookphotography #ilovebooks