Reading, writing, and eating my feelings are my default coping strategies and so far this month I've been averaging 1k+ words per day on a WIP fun idea that's been percolating in my thoughts for almost a year!  My first drafts are always handwritten, which helps me sketch out my thoughts without getting distracted by the allure of a tech device screen.      [a zippered fabric notebook case with a plastic clipboard inside showing above the top with the edge of one sheet of paper clamped under its clip; a mechanical pencil and a large rubber eraser atop a package of 150 sheets of college ruled notebook paper all slanted across the right edge of the notebook case; and all those items sitting atop a lap desk]  An inspiring read + BAC (Book Acquisition Compulsion) Issues [hardcover copy of Uncommon Favor... by Dawn Staley propped in front of a stack of 13 books with a trade paperback copy of To Kill a Badger spine-out to the right of it]  Uncommon Favor: Basketb...

Recording insightful virtual panel chats with a variety of successful authors and publishing services professionals as a continuation of the 6th and final The Write Women Book Fest along with mini-sodes of author interviews for The B!tchy Quill podcast inspired me to start writing every day again, which resulted in thousands of mostly usable output on two different WIPs!  https://www.thewritewomenbookfest.org/2025-program.html#/   It also reminded me to read J.S. Living's work.  [The Covenant of Blood and Blood Ties arranged face up next to Realm of Thieves and The Younger Man stacked]  My BAC (Book Acquisition Compulsion) Issues continue as seen below, where my goal was to dash into the library to pick up the one book that was on hold for me, and ended up being lured toward the "new books" shelves and found irresistible titles, as usual. That was at one branch, then the same mission at the neighboring county's branch yielded a similar outcome.   [photo collage:...

Still reading my feelings with two mysteries that include romance (of course), a romance set in the world of auto racing, and a non-fiction workout book to revamp my fitness routine since I'm also eating my feelings, and not with kale.  [4 books arranged front covers up, from left to right: How to Have a Killer Time in D.C., A Waltz on the Wild Side, Not So Fast, 7-Minute Body Plan]  A Waltz on the Wild Side (Wild Wynchesters #6) by Erica Ridley  historical romance  Forever, August 2025  Abuse of power, voting rights, artistic gatekeeping, and more themes that apply to today's real-life struggles are woven into this entertaining historical romp of a rescue turned mutual courtship. Riffs on how families and communities are chosen and created add poignant notes throughout Viv and Jacob's adventure. Absurdist mayhem involving assorted animals and dangerous, often rebellious activities add fun along with substantial social commentary.  How to Have a Killer Time...

These days it's not an issue of IF a secret gets revealed, but when, how and by whom.   [a bookstack of 9 books from top to bottom: It All Falls Down, Summer's Echo, Only Lovers in the Building, Alice Chen's Reality Check, Ready to Score, Eliza and the Duke, Broken Harbor, The Story That Wouldn't Die, Framed in Death]  It All Falls Down (Trust #3) by Daines L. Reed  contemporary fiction  Juliene Dune is at a crossroads. Every aspect of her life and nearly all of her relationships are forcing her to make hard choices. How will she decide who to keep and who to cut loose? Compelling narrative momentum and complicated characters in messy entanglements make her journey an irresistible read.  Summer's Echo by Robbi Renee  contemporary romance  What happens when unspoken truths fester for years? Summer and Echo discover difficult answers while working to heal and thrive. First love, heartache, and lessons learned the hard way on the path to reconciliati...

Reading is my happy headspace. The more stressful life is, the more solace books offer.  [ 2 trade paperback books face-up - Love on the Rebound and Beautiful Broken Love next to 3 trade paperback books standing spines outward from left to right - Lavender's Blue, Rest in Pink, One in Vermillion]  Love on the Rebound by Aries Skye  contemporary romance  Black Odessey Media, 2024  Angela Richards is recovering from more than one kind of heartbreak and masking her private hurts with public bravado. Kinston Jordan isn't fooled even as he deals with the aftermath of his own romantic disappointments.  The name glossary, acknowledgements, and teaser for Love on Board also entertain and entice.  Beautiful Broken Love by Shanora Williams  contemporary romance  Montlake, 2024  Nearly paralyzed with grief, Davina Klein-Roberts is struggling to move forward. Entrepreneurial success leads her to crossing paths with Deke Bishop who's dealing with his...

Laugh or cry; do or die. [ front cover of a hardcover copy of "That's How They Get You..." ] That's How They Get You: An Unruly Anthology of Black American Humor edited by Damon Young  nonfiction & some fiction  Pantheon Books, June 2025  This scintillating mix of personal essays, short stories, stream of consciousness musings, text threads and more all portray and dissect examples of the sharp observations and fundamental truths of the broad array of Black humor from slapstick absurdities to poignant angst. Make sure to read and savor every word.  Current & previous BAC Issues (Book Acquisition Compulsion) courtesy of the public library, as usual   [ a bookstack of 10 books: bottom showing only the bottom page edges; top 3 with spines outward-from top to bottom; Lavender's Blue, Rest in Pink, One in Vermilion ]  During these very challenging times please make extra effort to prioritize taking care of yourself and make time for enjoying some simple ...