Who's Who in the World of Reading

I love books. I love to hang around with people who love books. So, when I queried my Facebook friends about their reading choices, it was an interesting mix.

I’m currently reading Enduranceby astronaut Scott Kelly who spent a year in space. If there’s one specific thing I’ll remember about this book, it’s not his space adventures. It’s his transformation. He hated school. He was bored out of his mind and barely made it to graduation. After floundering a bit, he realized what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to fly. That was the turning point for him and it’s a valuable lesson for the rest of us. We should never give up on our young people. Never. Maturation is not necessarily chronological. If a lackluster student can become an astronaut, who are we to judge an eighteen-year-old who has not yet figured out his/her plan. My mantra: To everything there is a season.

Now, looking for a good book to read? Here’s some suggestions:

My high school buddy, Sharon McCagg, is reading Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty of Big Little Lies fame

Cyber friend, Dawn Miller, is reading Shades of Wicked by Jeanine Frost

Golfer Extraordinaire, Duane Oberlander, is reading The Litigator by John Grisham

Writer, Diane Tolley, is reading The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

My tiny big sis, Beth Cazel, is reading The Other Woman by Daniel Silva

My friend and fellow mahjongg player, Judy Ozanich,is reading Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. She also enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere by the same author

Retired Navy nurse, Debbie Zimmerman,is reading Sarum by Edward Rutherfurd

Apple Valley, CA resident, Phillip Schmeck, is reading The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager.

    My friend, Lee Hamilton, is reading The Bat by Jo Nesbo

So, there you have it. An eclectic mix from my FB buddies. You’re welcome!

If you want to add to the list, feel free to leave a comment.

Refresh, Renew, Refocus

After neglecting Book Blather for way too long, the time seems right for a re-boot. The blog has focused on many things, book-wise, over the years. I’ve featured a number of authors, talked about my own books and shared my thoughts on books I’ve read.

Why the long hiatus? I’ve written eleven books in the last ten years and it’s been quite a journey. My first book, a medieval romance titled Castle Ladyslipper was followed by The Rock and Roll Queen of Bedlam featuring many fictionalized characters based on my career in public education. Then, on to the YA years with the Unbidden Magic series and Baby Gone Bye. Finally, back into the adult world, I wrote the Soul Seeker series, a 3-book trilogy, Affliction, Allegiance and Hope andHonor. Whew! I desperately needed to re-charge my creative batteries.

After taking time off, I’m ready to write again. Because I like a challenge, I’m tackling a genre new to me. Cozy mysteries feature amateur sleuths, dead bodies, multiple suspects, a sprinkling of romance and, for me, a dash of humor. With that in mind, I’m working on a cozy mystery titled, A Woman Scorned. The setting is a golf course named Fairway to Heaven in my home state of Washington. For a peek at the first chapter, check out the Work in Progress page on my website here: https://www.marileebrothers.com/I’m plugging along and hope to have the book completed by early 2019.

In addition, I’ve formed a partnership with friend and fellow writer Jonelle Mejica. Jonelle is a talented writer and editor with many projects under her belt. She recently accepted a job as editor and writer for a local magazine. We’ve launched a website, Two Wordy Women, and offer our services to those who may need help with their writing projects. To learn more about us, visit https://2wordywomen.com/