Tag: personal

• If We Were Having Coffee…*

  Posted at 4:28 pm by Laura, on January 26, 2020

   

  

  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American.

  Hello! Happy Sunday afternoon! Life’s been busy and hectic, and post-wedding became pre- and during-Christmas, which then became post-holidays and now I’m finally finding the time to sit down and blog. I’ve read books (a couple that I finished at the end of 2019 went up earlier today) and I even prepared a Seasonal Rewind for Summer and Fall 2019 that is so crammed and unfinished it just…makes me cringe.

  So in lieu of the Seasonal Rewind — which I’m thinking of revamping…we’ll see how that’ll look when I post it for the first time in April for Winter 2020 — I’m giving you a quick snapshot update of life pre-/post-wedding and pre-/post-Christmas. Grab your favorite hot beverage and let’s swap updates!

  

  If we were having coffee… I would show you the complete wedding photo gallery so you can see the hundreds of amazing, jaw-dropping shots my photographer took of our wedding! But because the internet is what it is, I’ll redirect you, dear Reader, to my IG page and the photographer’s blog instead. We had some preview shots not long after the wedding, and then as a wonderful Christmas gift we received all the pictures and a lovely golden flashdrive with the hi-res copies. I selected a few here and here to share with the world. And if that’s not enough, you’re welcome to go through the wedding highlight in the profile! All that planning, all that time and energy, was completely worth it. What a wonderful, beautiful, fantastic day we had!

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you how I hit the ground running coming back to work after the wedding, and had very little me-time to process it all, even during the holidays. It was stressful but in the best kind of way. I’m so thankful to have a job that I love. It makes all the crazy ups and downs completely worth it.

  If we were having coffee… I would tell you all about my new and severely delayed obsession with Parks & Rec and Ron Swanson. Oh my god, Ron. I love all of the characters, but Ron is truly my spirit animal. He says and does things I wish I could say and do when working with the public, and he’s so strong in his convictions and no one pushes him out of it (well, except maybe Leslie). He exudes the confidence and lack of interest in drama that I wish I could do publicly, bahaha! Instead I smile, keep quiet, and scream inside. *spins in the infinity desk chair*

  

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you how I’m trying to figure out how I want my social media to look and how to utilize these as tools rather than taking over my life. (A book review to come soon that inspired this.) (Spoiler alert: I went nuts about it on IG.) I want to go back to my hobbies of knitting and scrapbooking (pump the breaks, it’s not that intense — I just stick photos in an album with little captions — but I haven’t put photos into albums since 2016…), yet I claim there’s no time to do those things. But there is. There is time, I’m just scrolling endlessly on social media platforms that don’t always bring me joy. FB is slowly falling by the wayside, Twitter is work-only in promoting clients’ books, and IG was meant to be my escape, but even there it becomes toxic once in a while (for my mental health — they’re actually very calm in their discussions about big issues which I really appreciate!). I do miss the blogging days. I want to make an effort to bring this one back to life, to interact with my friends more on their blogs too, so we’ll see how that goes. Until then…less screen time on my phone, and closing out when I seem to be going down a rabbit hole.

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you about the really cool people I’ve met on IG and overall bookish accounts that I thoroughly enjoy interacting with, namely @justagirlwithabook, @idlewildreads, @theardentbiblio, @thebrunettebookworm, and @bookrepository. Of course there are the usual crew from the blogging and Twitter days, but three I tend to find have the most relatable and discussion-worthy posts and two have really great fantasy recommendations.

  

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you how there are big, happy changes in the air and I’m really looking forward to 2020 overall — even if my brain is hamster-wheeling at the moment. We’re preparing for our springtime Swiss honeymoon, which is all sorts of exciting and fun to look forward to (and then go on!). My clients are awesome and brilliant, and I hope to find more wonderful work in the year. Honestly, I haven’t been more excited for a fresh slate/year in…ever.

  If we were having coffee… I’d pretty much just word-vomit in your general direction all the wild things bouncing around in my head that aren’t emergencies because generally my life is great and I’m happy and content. But at the same time, I’ve always been the kind of person to plan ahead, even though I know that all that planning could be for naught because that’s just how life works. You’re sent curve-balls and bumps and obstacles, and you learn and grow from them. (But I’ll still plan and save and think like crazy.)

  ~

  What’s new in your life? Which posts should I check out, here or on another platform, that you’d like to talk about? What would we chat about if we were having coffee?

  Posted in Update Post | 1 Comment | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal

• MSWL for 2020

  Posted at 10:00 am by Laura, on January 1, 2020

  Also known as
  What I’d Like to See in my Agent Inbox in 2020

  In general, my manuscript wish list stays the same no matter the season or year! But for 2020, I’m really hoping to see these kinds of projects in particular appear in my inbox. Similar to 2018 and 2019, but with some adjustments and additions.

  The biggest “change” this year is I’m seeking more in fantasy. I was hesitant in 2019 since my inbox was already flooded. But last year’s book deals have proven that my deepest and most successful love appears to be in fantasy. So I’m diving into my particular taste below!

  ~~~

  ADULT FICTION

  Fantasy || I adore fantasy inspired by historical events, cultures, folklore, and fairytales. My absolute favorites are The City of Brass (Islamic- and Arabic-inspired, set in 18th-c outside Cairo), Uprooted and Spinning Silver (Eastern European and Jewish fairytale retellings), and Daughter of the Forest (Irish Celtic mythology). Award-winning author and client Tasha Suri‘s Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash are based on 15th-c Mughal-Indian mythology. Each of these books have lush writing and beautiful characterizations, which is what I’m most drawn to in these fantasies. I also enjoy in-depth world-building and unique perspectives, have recently thoroughly enjoyed dragon stories (Priory of the Orange Tree and His Majesty’s Dragon), am seeking more ensemble casts with one POV (a la Kings of the Wyld), and I want to find my own Queen of Blood, Bone Ships, or The Wolf and the Whale.

  Historical Fantasy || Though a branch off fantasy (“low fantasy”), this category is for all those books that have a hint of magic within the historical narrative. Not necessarily magical realism––I like the laws of magic to exist––but a tiny little something sparks that energy and spins into the fantastical. In Another Time explores wormholes in WWII, The Familiars leaves you wondering if she really was a witch, The Winter Witch adds an element of intrigue in a quiet Welsh farm, Outlander has a hint of time travel but is otherwise historical, and A Secret History of Witches explores generations of women in one family and the impact their magic has on the community. Basically if it involves witches, a hint of magic, and the ways in which a community unravels, I’m down.

  Historical Fiction || I love all sorts of historical fiction, especially when it branches off little-known aspects of history, or it takes on a fresh new look at popular historical events (WWI and WWII, for example, are incredibly common on the shelves, but it’s how the story is told or the unique perspective the story is told through that brings them to the shelves). For example, my favorite historical fiction includes Shadow on the Crown (Emma of Normandy and early British history), The Alice Network (WWI/WWII parallel narrative shining light on female spy networks), The Romanov Empress (about Tsarina Maria Feodorovna, wife of Alexander III and mother of Nicholas II), and Dear Mrs. Bird (WWII advice columnist/slice-of-life narrative). I would love to see some more light shed on impressive women in history and the things they accomplished despite society’s limitations (STEM, feminism, code-breaking, politics/reigns). Admittedly, I’m most familiar with European (specifically English) history, but I’m open to reading anything as long as the premise is compelling and fresh and the writing style relatable to a modern audience.

  Contemporary/Historical Parallel Narratives in Fiction || There are great ways to introduce parallel narratives in historical and contemporary women’s fiction. Some of my favorites include anything pertaining to archivists, curators, scribes, researchers, and academics. Sometimes the parallel narrative is in the form of epistolary fiction –– artifacts and documents the curator, archivist, or researcher in the modern day stumbles across that takes us into the historical narrative literally (like The Weight of Ink and Possession) or figuratively (Meet Me at the Museum). I especially adore fiction that follows said curator, archivist, and academic on their journey, like The Clockmaker’s Daughter. I’m open to two historical narratives (Letters from Skye) as well as one historical and one contemporary, just as long as both narratives are tied in some way while still having two separate, compelling journeys.

  Women’s Fiction || I adore women’s fiction that is about the average woman doing average things, experiencing the difficulties of everyday life, and growing from it — such as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, A Window Opens, Leave Me, Goodbye, Paris, and The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living. On the flip-side, I love chick-lit — humorous women’s fiction that’s appealing to a millennial audience, about young women in the workplace and the silly things that happen in their life. My absolute favorite is Sophie Kinsella, along with Don’t You Forget About Me, The Friend Zone, Ayesha at Last, and Attachments. Romance is not a primary draw for me, but it doesn’t turn me off to the story, either!

  YOUNG ADULT FICTION

  Fantasy & Historical Fantasy || The YA world is difficult to break into, especially in fantasy. But I’m such a sucker for YA fantasy — I love all the worlds and ideas and originality that floods the market. That’s the issue at stake, though: it needs to be original. So while I love fairytale retellings, they need to be proper retellings, with twists and turns and (for goodness’s sake) new names. I love culturally-influenced or mythology-inspired stories (like Spin the Dawn and Don’t Call the Wolf), but I’m not interested in Greek or Roman mythology whatsoever. (Never have been.) I love historically-inspired fantasies, too, such as Walk on Earth a Stranger. That said, I’m very much into elemental magic — when magic is innate, a part of the world, or part of the world’s faith/mythology — over all other kinds of fantasies. Think Star-Touched Queen, Shadowfell, Sorcery of Thorns, and Hunted. If you have a YA fantasy, send it my way, especially if they fit into any of the above criteria. I’m especially hunting down a Viking-inspired fantasy…

  Historical || Historical fiction is very hard to break into in YA. Sometimes it needs to have magical elements, sometimes it needs to be an era that readers are familiar with. Look to your own city, look to the history books, look to your family history, and see what seemingly small event had a large impact for that area. A Prisoner of Night and Fog is set in Germany in the 1930s, not quite WWII but through the perspective of someone in the middle of the frightening changes in the country; Outrun the Moon is set during the San Francisco earthquake, and how race and economic status barriers fell in a state of emergency; A Madness So Discreet is set across America in the 1800s, battling patriarchy and standing up for those unlawfully sentenced to mental institutions; The Forbidden Orchid is set in Asia as a Victorian girl hunts down her father, a man in the middle of a race to find a perfect, rare orchid; The Bird and the Blade, though partially based on a folk tale, is inspired by historical events during the Mongol Empire and the Great Khan’s reign of power. There are so many more — but great YA historical fiction requires an intriguing and original premise, a general accessibility, and bringing the past to life. I would love to see historical fiction set outside the US and Western Europe!

  Contemporary Fiction || It is all about the voice for me when it comes to YA contemporary. When I read YA contemporary, I need to feel like I’m talking to my high school best friend. Teen readers can spot inauthenticity in a heartbeat, and you want to make sure you have their desires and heartbreaks in the voice of your protagonist. You’re not an adult trying to be a teen — you are a teen. That said, I am seeking fantastic rom-coms like When Dimple Met Rishi (technology camps!), Royals (royals’ sidekicks fall in love!) and Anna and the French Kiss (study abroad programs!), badass heroines like Dumplin’ (fighting against stereotypes!), and great family and friendship dynamics like Emma Mills, Morgan Matson, and Jenny Han. Perfect examples of this are my own clients Jared Reck (A Short History of the Girl Next Door) and Nina Moreno (Don’t Date Rosa Santos). I’d love to see more characters with fun and interesting jobs, unique hobbies, and (as a past drum major) more marching band narratives! I tend to lean on the lighter side of things, with hope at the end of the tunnel, rather than something dark and gritty from the get go and very little humor to carry throughout. I do like tear-jerkers, but I want that spark of hope and inspiration at the end.

  ~~~

  For a final once-over, feel free to follow my #mswl and #MSWLaesthetic on Twitter, read my Manuscript Wishlist post, follow submission guidelines, read up on Publishers Marketplace deals, and catch up on this blog once in a while to read my thoughts and reviews of published works. Every little bit helps to getting representation! Oh, and as a reminder:

  ALWAYS seeking: diversity. Race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, mentality, health, economic status, religious affiliation, all of it. The obvious shouldn’t need to be said — that I want my projects to reflect the beautiful diversity of the world, that I want to see and share with others life through another’s eyes, that I want to see these differences expressed through art and creation and culture, that these books need to be on bookshelves — but that’s the state of things. So yes, there is no question to it: I want diversity.

  ALWAYS open to queries: even during times of the year when publishing seems extra busy, or extra slow, or I’m on vacation or traveling — I am open to queries. I never close. I read every single query. It’s unfair to you as the writer to try to keep track of all the agents who are opened or closed, and (selfishly) it’s unfair to me to be closed when something truly remarkable could have been in my inbox for me to represent. SO! With that said, if I’m busy or traveling or on vacation, I’ll have an away message up with clear, simple instructions about what will happen with your query in the time I’m away. I am never closed to queries.

  NEVER seeking: anything set in space, anything set in the future, thrillers and suspense (psychological, military, legal, political, or otherwise), all nonfiction (poems, essays, memoirs, how-tos, everything nonfiction), paranormal romance, erotica. If your project uses any of these concepts to describe it, it’s an automatic no. I’m not the agent for any of these projects, so please do not send them to me.

  ~~~

  I hope this is helpful! I’m looking forward to receiving great manuscripts and selling lots in 2020!

  Posted in agenting | 2 Comments | Tagged agenting, personal

• 2020 Bookish Resolutions & Reading Goals

  Posted at 10:15 am by Laura, on December 31, 2019

  

  Major Goals

  READ 45 BOOKS || I barely hit this goal (43 instead of 45) in 2019 for a number of reasons, but just like my goal in 2019 I want to focus on quality over quantity, and I’m very pleased with my reading year in 2019. It is my hope to do the same for 2020!

  READ 15 LIBRARY BOOKS || This shouldn’t be hard, considering I’ve read so much from the library already and I definitely plan to read more again this year too! It goes hand-in-hand with my next goal…

  BARGAIN BUY || In an effort to make better purchasing decisions on a slim budget, I will focus my efforts to reading library books and making bargain purchases––coupons, XY% off, second-hand, etc––and only buy brand new, full price items for hot ticket, highly coveted, would’ve-dropped-money-no-matter-what books I’ve been excited for and waiting on for ages. This isn’t just nice for the wallet, but also for my buckling bookcases, which leads to…

  READ MORE FROM TBR || …reading from those buckling bookcases! I threw my money at all of these books I’m still very excited to read, so perhaps I should read them.

  Bonus Goals

  READ MORE GABALDON / MARILLIER || You guys, I have all of their books. I need to read them. And get back into the binge-reading style I so loved before blogging!

  READ MORE GENRE FICTION || OOOOOOWEEEEE I love fantasy and historical! Last year my goal was to get into more mysteries, and I did via the historical fiction route. I think I’ll continue doing that, and also add some more sweeping epic fantasies on my list too. Many of them I already own. So again…these goals go hand-in-hand quite nicely!

  ~

  What are your reading goals for 2020?

  Posted in books | 3 Comments | Tagged books, personal, resolutions

• Top Five Books of 2019

  Posted at 3:47 pm by Laura, on December 30, 2019

  Though I want to participate in the End of Year Book Survey, I frankly don’t have the time this year to answer the questions, provide links, add images, and be silly with Ron Swanson gifs (that was my plan––I’ve recently started watching Parks & Rec for the very first time and ohmygosh Ron is my spirit animal). So instead I thought I’d highlight my favorite books read this year and point out some honorable mentions.

  Top Five Books of 2019

  

  

  

  

  

  The following books received big fat five stars from me as standout favorites.

  KINGDOM OF COPPER by SA CHAKRABORTY

  THE FLATSHARE by BETH O’LEARY

  AYESHA AT LAST by UZMA JALALUDDIN

  CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC by SOPHIE KINSELLA [review to come!]

  DON’T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME by MHAIRI MCFARLANE [review to come!]

  And of course, my clients…

  If you haven’t already, you need to pick up the books by my clients that came out in 2019: Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood, Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno, and Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri.

  Get a head start on your 2020 reading list by adding Shielded by KayLynn Flanders, These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong, and The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice by Lisa DeSelm to your Goodreads TBR!

  ~~~

  What were your top favorites of 2019?

   

  Posted in books, Update Post | 2 Comments | Tagged books, personal, top five books

• If We Were Having Coffee…*

  Posted at 2:08 pm by Laura, on February 17, 2019

  

  *Titled as such even though I prefer tea because saying “if we were having tea” sounds so high brow for a Midwestern American.

  Hello! Happy Sunday afternoon. It’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog, and I thought I’d gather ’round here and have a little chat about life. Grab your favorite hot beverage and let’s swap updates…

  

  If we were having coffee… I would tell you that I recently purchased a brand new laptop for work, which meant giving up all of my Adobe Creative Suite software. I’m now without my favorite Photoshop and InDesign programs, and relying on Canva until I decide which of the two I’m willing to subscribe to for the year. Y’all, seriously, I understand the cloud is great and everything, but do we really need to do subscription services each year for all of these programs, and therefore boatloads of money down the drain? I’d rather go back to disc downloads…*sigh* I used InDesign for my blog (though it’s not as if I’m designing a whole lot), and I used Photoshop for social media (and again, it’s not as if I was using it a lot), though the thought of going without one of the programs is daunting. Especially when I’m not a huge fan of what Canva can offer so far, at least on the free platform. What do you use?

  If we were having coffee… I would tell you that January was a very difficult month for my family. Without going into detail, let’s just say it made work life, personal life, and me-time a dark and stormy place. Thankfully we’re out of the woods and everything is much better and looking to only get better from here, but man! It really was scary, the beginning of this year.

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that wedding planning is going well and on track. We have the hotel and attendants’ clothing locked in, we’ve narrowed down the florals, we’re going to have linen discussions in March, and all the marriage counseling and church-related elements are underway. We’re even thinking about our honeymoon in spring 2020! Whenever I tell people this they seem impressed and shocked — I guess that means we’re ahead of the game? What else would you expect when bride, groom, mother-of-the-bride, and mother-of-the-groom are all Type A? Spreadsheets are our friends.

  

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that I’ve had a rough time of it with my reading for 2019. I’ve DNF’d as many books as I’ve actually completed reading so far this year (if not more than). I knew going into this year that my challenge would be to read books I genuinely enjoy and to set aside books that just aren’t hitting the right notes for me — to focus on quality over quantity. However, on the flip side, I’m carving out time for myself in the mornings to read for pleasure, and that’s been very rewarding. Instead of hitting snooze several times and racing out of bed to start my day in a rush, I’m getting up with the alarm, taking my time, easing into the day before 8am and feeling refreshed for work by 9am. It’s fantastic! What are your morning routines? In what ways do you carve out time for yourself?

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that I’m debating about doing some sort of social media detox. At least on FB and Twitter. (Perhaps it’ll be my thing to give up for Lent.) It feels so toxic, especially Twitter, with its echo chamber and voices shouting into the void and repetitive drama. At this point I’m here to help my clients promote their books, and that’s it. I’m rarely on there for anything else. Have you had issues with social media? Have you tried going on a detox before (and if so, how’d that turn out for you)?

  If we were having coffee… I’d tell you that agenting is going so well. I’m super proud of all my clients and what they’re accomplishing, and I can’t wait to share all sorts of good news! I’m also incredibly thankful for the encouragement and advice from other agents in the industry. It takes five to seven years (years) to really get your career off the ground, to start reaping the rewards of all the hard work and hours you put into this job, all for a tiny slice of commission. The first two years were very hard, the third year I started to get more clients, more deals, and year four was the best to date. I’m only partially in my fifth year and I can actually see myself living on this income. I can’t tell you how thrilling that is, especially because I’m in a field that’s entirely a game of luck and chance. I’m sure other self-employed / entrepreneurs out there get what I’m saying. 2019 is a catch-22 year for me, though, in terms of time and human ability to get All The Things Done, and I’m already falling behind on reading requested submissions. Cross fingers success continues, and perhaps I’ll be able to step away from my part-time work and truly enter agenting wholly, completely full-time. 

  

  If we were having coffee… I’d confess that I really miss Greece right now. Spring can hurry up and get here, but only if it includes the bluest of blues Aegean Sea and cloudless skies and endless cooling breeze on hot, sunny days. I’m such a fall/winter girl, but Syros really spoiled me for good summer weather. 

  ~

  So, how are you doing? What’s new with you? Let’s chat! 

  Posted in Update Post | 14 Comments | Tagged if we were having coffee, personal

• MSWL for 2019

  Posted at 5:15 pm by Laura, on January 1, 2019

  Also Known As
  What I’d Like to See in my Agent Inbox in 2019

  In general, my manuscript wish list stays the same no matter the season or year! But for 2019, I’m really hoping to see these kinds of projects in particular appear in my inbox. Similar to 2018, but with some adjustments.

  Please note: my inbox is flooded with YA and Adult fantasy. I don’t mind that one bit! But I’m already pretty particular about fantasy, and I do represent a variety of fantasy writers already. To really expand my list, I’d like to see more in these categories and genres…

  ~

  Adult Historical Fiction || I love all sorts of historical fiction, especially when it branches off little-known aspects of history, or it takes on a fresh new look at popular historical events (WWI and WWII, for example, are incredibly common on the shelves, but it’s how the story is told or the unique perspective the story is told through that brings them to the shelves). For example, my favorite historical fiction includes Shadow on the Crown (Emma of Normandy and early British history), The Alice Network (WWI/WWII parallel narrative shining light on female spy networks), The Romanov Empress (about Tsarina Maria Feodorovna, wife of Alexander III and mother of Nicholas II), and Dear Mrs. Bird (WWII advice columnist/slice-of-life narrative). I would love to see some more light shed on impressive women in history and the things they accomplished despite society’s limitations (STEM, feminism, code-breaking, politics/reigns). Admittedly, I’m most drawn to European (specifically English) history, but I’m open to reading anything as long as the premise is compelling and fresh.

  Adult Contemporary/Historical Parallel Narratives in Fiction || There are great ways to introduce parallel narratives in historical and contemporary women’s fiction. Some of my favorites include anything pertaining to archivists, curators, scribes, researchers, and academics. Sometimes the parallel narrative is in the form of epistolary fiction –– artifacts and documents the curator, archivist, or researcher in the modern day stumbles across that takes us into the historical narrative literally (like The Weight of Ink and Possession) or figuratively (Meet Me at the Museum). I especially adore fiction that follows said curator, archivist, and academic on their journey, like The Clockmaker’s Daughter. I’m open to two historical narratives (Letters from Skye) as well as one historical and one contemporary, just as long as both narratives are tied in some way while still having two separate, compelling journeys.

  Adult Contemporary Women’s Fiction || Some of my favorite contemporary women’s fiction tends to be a bit on the morally ambiguous side of things, tackling taboo topics or shedding light on a hot-button issue in a new way. The queen of this, I think, is Jodi Picoult. I also adore women’s fiction that is about the average woman doing average things, experiencing the difficulties of everyday life, and growing from it — such as Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, A Window Opens, Leave Me, Goodbye, Paris, and The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living. On the flip-side, I love chick-lit — humorous women’s fiction that’s appealing to a millennial audience, about young women in the workplace and the silly things that happen in their life. My absolute favorite is Sophie Kinsella, along with The Hating Game, Attachments, and You and Me, Always. Romance is not a primary draw for me, but it doesn’t turn me off to the story, either!

  Adult Historical Fantasy || I’m such a sucker for these, especially if there are elements of romance. The voice and the writing in historical fantasy is exactly what I love about the two genres separately. It’s accessible, even when it’s a world entirely different from our own. The characters’ voices are enticing, their daily life is familiar, as if I’ve always been a part of it, thanks to the historical aspects of the world. Some of my favorite books and series, such as Outlander, Daughter of the Forest, and The Winter Witch, are historical fantasies. Others, such as City of Brass, Uprooted, The Bear and the Nightingale, and The Queen of Blood, are inspired by history and folklore, though not necessarily part of actual historical pasts. I’d love to see more historical fantasies inspired by other cultures’ histories and folklore, much like my client Tasha Suri’s Empire of Sand.

  Young Adult Contemporary Fiction || It is all about the voice for me when it comes to YA contemporary. When I read YA contemporary, I need to feel like I’m talking to my high school best friend. Teen readers can spot inauthenticity in a heartbeat, and you want to make sure you have their desires and heartbreaks in the voice of your protagonist. You’re not an adult trying to be a teen — you are a teen. That said, I am seeking fantastic rom-coms like When Dimple Met Rishi (technology camps!), Royals (royals’ sidekicks fall in love!) and Anna and the French Kiss (study abroad programs!), badass heroines like Dumplin’ (fighting against stereotypes!), books that handle mental states with honesty like When We Collided and What to Say Next, and great family and friendship dynamics like Emma Mills, Morgan Matson, and Jenny Han. Perfect examples of this are my own clients Jared Reck (A Short History of the Girl Next Door) and Nina Moreno (Don’t Date Rosa Santos). I’d love to see more characters with fun and interesting jobs, unique hobbies, and (as a past drum major) more marching band narratives! I tend to lean on the lighter side of things, with hope at the end of the tunnel, rather than something dark and gritty from the get go and very little humor to carry throughout. I do like tear-jerkers, but I want that spark of hope and inspiration at the end.

  Young Adult Historical || Historical fiction is very hard to break into in YA. Sometimes it needs to have magical elements, sometimes it needs to be an era that readers are familiar with. Look to your own city, look to the history books, look to your family history, and see what seemingly small event had a large impact for that area. A Prisoner of Night and Fog is set in Germany in the 1930s, not quite WWII but through the perspective of someone in the middle of the frightening changes in the country; Outrun the Moon is set during the San Francisco earthquake, and how race and economic status barriers fell in a state of emergency; A Madness So Discreet is set across America in the 1800s, battling patriarchy and standing up for those unlawfully sentenced to mental institutions; The Forbidden Orchid is set in Asia as a Victorian girl hunts down her father, a man in the middle of a race to find a perfect, rare orchid; The Bird and the Blade, though partially based on a folk tale, is inspired by historical events during the Mongol Empire and the Great Khan’s reign of power. There are so many more — but great YA historical fiction requires an intriguing and original premise, a general accessibility, and bringing the past to life. I would love to see historical fiction set outside the US and Western Europe!

  ~

  For a final once-over, feel free to follow my #mswl and #MSWLaesthetic on Twitter, read my Manuscript Wishlist post, follow submission guidelines, read up on Publishers Marketplace deals, and catch up on this blog once in a while to read my thoughts and reviews of published works. Every little bit helps to getting representation! Oh, and as a reminder:

  ALWAYS seeking: diversity. Race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, mentality, health, economic status, religious affiliation, all of it. The obvious shouldn’t need to be said — that I want my projects to reflect the beautiful diversity of the world, that I want to see and share with others life through another’s eyes, that I want to see these differences expressed through art and creation and culture, that these books need to be on bookshelves — but that’s the state of things. So yes, there is no question to it: I want diversity.

  ALWAYS open to queries: even during times of the year when publishing seems extra busy, or extra slow, or I’m on vacation or traveling — I am open to queries. I never close. I read every single query. It’s unfair to you as the writer to try to keep track of all the agents who are opened or closed, and (selfishly) it’s unfair to me to be closed when something truly remarkable could have been in my inbox for me to represent. SO! With that said, if I’m busy or traveling or on vacation, I’ll have an away message up with clear, simple instructions about what will happen with your query in the time I’m away. I am never closed to queries.

  NEVER seeking: anything set in space, anything set in the future, thrillers and suspense (psychological, military, legal, political, or otherwise), all nonfiction (poems, essays, memoirs, how-tos, everything nonfiction), paranormal romance, erotica. If your project uses any of these concepts to describe it, it’s an automatic no. I’m not the agent for any of these projects, so please do not send them to me.

  ~

  I hope this is helpful! I’m looking forward to receiving great manuscripts and selling lots in 2019!

  Posted in agenting | 1 Comment | Tagged agenting, personal

• 2019 Bookish Resolutions and Reading Challenges

  Posted at 9:15 am by Laura, on December 31, 2018

  

  To be perfectly honest, there were only a handful of standout books I read in 2018. I see my progress on Goodreads and looking back on the year doesn’t bring me much satisfaction or joy. With precious little time to spend reading for pleasure, I hope my goals in 2019 will help curate a great reading list on which to reflect and be proud.

  Major Goals

  READ 45 BOOKS || I’ve had to come to terms within the last year that challenging myself to fifty books really is, um, quite the challenge. Which is both good and bad. It means I’m spending more time dedicated to reading great manuscripts, but it also means finding the time to read for fun is getting limited. A friend suggested not setting a Goodreads goal, or feeling obligated to stick to it, and the mentality of it would change. Even still, I’ll shoot for forty-five great books this year! (I’ve already accepted there may be lots of DNFing.)

  READ 10 LIBRARY BOOKS || That won’t be hard, to be honest. I’ve been reading more and more from the library recently — I have a feeling I may surpass ten library books!

  READ MARILLIER AND GABALDON || Like I said last year (and failed) and the year before (and also failed), I want to read more Marillier and Gabaldon. It’s almost necessary now for Gabaldon, since Outlander season five will be out in 2019, and I haven’t finished that book yet! And for Marillier, I own so many of her books and left them unread, and really need to get through that pile.

  Bonus Goals

  READ MORE FROM TBR || Last year my goal was to read more from my TBR and less from ARCs. And I think overall an aspect of that went really well — I did read fewer ARCs! But I haven’t been very good with my TBR. Just take a look at my bookshelves, shaming me here in the living room as I type this…

  READ MORE GENRE FICTION || Part of my job at the library is to expand my readers advisory knowledge, and one genre I’m lacking in is mystery. I think I can dive into the genre with something more familiar to me — like historical fiction. There are a few historical mysteries on my TBR so I’ll start with those and go from there!

  What are your reading goals in 2019?

  Posted in books | 6 Comments | Tagged books, personal, resolutions

• End of Year Book Survey V

  Posted at 7:10 am by Laura, on December 29, 2018

  

  This is the fifth year I’m participating in Jamie’s (@ The Perpetual Page-Turner) End of Year Book Survey. In 2015 I shared my bookish life in Hermione gifs, 2016 in Pevensie gifs, 2017 in Gilmore Girls gifs, and this year I’ll share it in Nadiya from Great British Bake Off gifs! I’m looking forward to reading your 2018 book survey too.

  Note: This includes all books read in 2018 – they do not have to be published in 2018.

  

  

  Number of Books You Read: 47
  Number of Re-reads: 0
  Genre You Read the Most From: historical & fantasy

  

  1. Best Book You Read in 2018

  I actually answer this question last after filling out the survey, and I think based on what has stuck with me all these months and what has filled up the most categories, I have to say City of Brass (with Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine a very close second)!

  2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

  From Twinkle With Love, which admittedly was mostly disappointing because I may have expected something else from it. I set the bar super high, and I really was most excited for this book last year. Ah well. I’m still looking forward to There’s Something About Sweetie!

  3. Most Surprising (in a good way or bad way) Book You Read in 2018?

  Spinning Silver — again, I was expecting something more along the lines of Uprooted. I’m quite glad it wasn’t, though! The book went a totally different direction than I expected, with narrators I wasn’t prepared for, and this surprise was definitely a good one!

  

  

  

  4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (and they did) in 2018?

  Uh, well, I push my clients’ work more than anything, so Empire of Sand takes the ticket! I pushed this book hardcore on Twitter and Facebook, to my friends on coffee dates and catching up sessions — everywhere. Seriously, get this book. It’s a gorgeous Mughal-Indian fantasy and it has received four starred reviews (out of four trade reviews!! Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Booklist, Library Journal all love it!).

  5. Best Series You Started in 2018? Best Sequel of 2018? Best Series Ender of 2018?

  Series: Kings of the Wyld — Can’t wait to start Bloody Rose!
  Sequel: China Rich Girlfriend — Looking forward to reading the final book!
  Ender: none! Lots of first and seconds of series read this year.

  6. Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2018?

  I’ve read two Kevin Kwan novels this year, and definitely plan on picking up the third book early in 2019 to round out the trilogy. His writing is fun, witty, and over-the-top, and I devoured every word!

  7. Best Book from a Genre You Don’t Typically Read/was Out of Your Comfort Zone?

  I really don’t enjoy reading nonfiction, but I was fascinated with A Long Way Home. Memory is both a strength and a weakness — how much of this journey does Saroo actually remember versus what he was told or imagined as a child? — but whatever the circumstances, I still found it incredibly moving he survived Calcutta and managed to find his little village via Google Earth.

  8. Most Action-packed/Thrilling/Unputdownable Book of the Year?

  The City of Brass was definitely the most thrilling and action-packed novel I read this year, hands down! When I had to set the book aside (for work, errands, adulthood responsibilities) it was all I could think about. I finished it in January and I’m still thinking about it. It was one of the most complex novels I’ve read in a long time, and I’m very much looking forward to Kingdom of Copper.

  9. Book You Read in 2018 That You are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?

  Honestly, re-reads don’t happen for me much anymore. But if I could re-read a book in 2019 that I read in 2018, it would be The Clockmaker’s Daughter or Once Upon a River. They’re my favorite authors, and there was so much packed in the narrative — interweaving story lines, little details that appear later. Exquisite.

  

  

  

  

  10. Favorite Cover of a Book You Read in 2018?

  The Girl in the Tower is so pretty and wintry. It utilizes the reds and purples in a cool way, rather than a warm one. I could burrow in those colors. The covers for all three of the books in the Winternight Trilogy are great — they look like a sunrise!

  11. Most Memorable Character of 2018?

  A tie between Nahri and Dara, both in City of Brass. Oh, my heart.

  12. Most Beautifully Written Book Read in 2018?

  The Bird and the Blade is just…wow. WOW. It was such an affecting read, even more so that I know the music score to the opera it was inspired by. Like the music, it swelled and soared and ugh what a beautiful ride.

  

  13. Most Thought-Provoking/Life-Changing Book of 2018?

  Since this book made me go down a research rabbit hole, The Romanov Empress takes the cake for most thought-provoking! I was fascinated with the family, the web across Europe, and overall history of Russia as it unfolded, year by year, through Maria’s eyes. There are dozens of parallels from the Romanov dynasty and the country it is today; it’s unsettling as well as heartbreaking.

  14. Book You Can’t Believe You Waited UNTIL 2018 to Finally Read?

  Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Massive thank you to Hannah for saying just the right words to capture my attention and make me read this book. It was nothing like I expected and yet everything I could ever want it to be, and I just want to hug Eleanor and set her next to all of my Jane Eyre copies. Jane, Eleanor, and I are besties now.

  15. Favorite Passage/Quote From a Book You Read in 2018?

  This is what I have always done, how I have always found myself when I’ve been lost. When I first went to music college, eighteen years old and paralyzingly shy, when ringing my parents from the pay phone in the corridor just made me miss them even more, I would feel the strength in the neck of my cello, flatten the prints of my fingers into the strings, and forget.

  […]

  I play and play; through thirst, past hunger, making tiredness just a dent in my soul. […] I play on until the world is flat again and the spaces between my heartbeats are as even as the rhythm on the stave in front of me.

  — Goodbye, Paris

  16. Shortest & Longest Book You Read in 2018?

  According to Goodreads, the shortest book I read this year was Jan Brett’s newest picture book, The Snowy Nap, and the longest was The Queens of Innis Lear (not surprised!!).

  17. Book That Shocked You the Most

  The Glass Castle. I just can’t. Those parents. Jeannette herself. I just can’t.

  

  18. OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

  Royals is probably the only one I can place in this category, as most of the romance story-lines I read this year were tragic or hanging *side-eyes Chakraborty*. So. GO DAISY AND MILES!

  19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship of the Year

  Clay and Gabe in Kings of the Wyld. I mean, come on. Only a bromance would survive all the crap they went through in the Wyld! Their deep friendship and understanding — with each other and with the rest of their band — was awesome to read and experience.

  20. Favorite Book You Read in 2018 from an Author You’ve Read Previously

  The Clockmaker’s Daughter is now my favorite Kate Morton novel. Kate Morton is on my auto-buy list, and she just keeps getting better and better with her already great books.

  21. Best Book You Read in 2018 That You Read Based SOLELY on a Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure

  Goodbye, Paris for sure. I had never heard of this book, and I didn’t see any of my friends reading it either, but a librarian recommended it to me “because [you] loved Eleanor Oliphant” and she nailed it.

  22. Newest Fictional Crush from a Book You Read in 2018?

  Dara in City of Brass, goddammit Chakraborty. *sobs*

  

  

  

  23. Best 2018 Debut You Read?

  Dear Mrs. Bird to add some variety here — I read a lot of great 2018 debuts! Dear Mrs. Bird fits right into my wheelhouse, with its historical WWII fiction, slice-of-life story line, empathetic-to-the-point-of-destruction protagonist. I was so engrossed in the audiobook (seriously, listen to the audio if you can!!) that I missed streets and exits when driving because it was so well-read and well-written!

  24. Best World-building/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

  City of Brass takes the prize again! Cairo and Daevabad were both brilliantly described. I felt I was actually there among Nahri and the people and djinn, could see and smell and taste and touch everything. And not once did it feel like I was being bogged down with descriptions too much

  25. Book that Put a Smile on Your Face/was the Most FUN to Read?

  It’s a tie! Kings of the Wyld and Royals both put ridiculously huge smiles on my face while I read, and I enjoyed every second of them!!

  26. Book That Made You Cry or Nearly Cry in 2018?

  Dear Mrs. Bird — the scenes with London bombings, the fights with best friends, all of it was so gut-wrenching and drawn out and agonizing.

  27. Hidden Gem of The Year?

  Goodbye, Paris was unexpectedly wonderful and perfect. I wish more people knew about it. It’s basically Eleanor Oliphant but with music, which speaks to me on such a deep level.

  28. Book that Crushed Your Soul?

  Sweetbitter, and not in a good way. I wish I could scrub that book from my memory.

  

  29. Most Unique Book You Read in 2018?

  Saga, mostly because I don’t read graphic novels. The librarians have their own internal book club (Genre Study, to help with readers’ advisory-related questions and suggestions from/for patrons) and one particular month’s book was to read Saga plus another graphic novel. I can definitely see the appeal of graphic novels, and they’re good for visual readers, reluctant readers, and readers who want vivid storytelling in a new form. Not for me, but it was definitely a unique experience!

  30. Book that Made You the Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

  Small Great Things, but I wasn’t mad at the book. I was mad at myself. I berated myself for the whole review, really.

  

  1. New Favorite Book Blog You Discovered in 2018?

  I stumbled across more IG bookstagrams than I did blogs. Lately I’ve loved bookcooklook, somekindofalibrary, and idlewildreads. All three of them have, in my eyes, aesthetically pleasing accounts. No extra fuss for props and flashy objects — just books and tea and bakes! (I’m a huge fan of that sort of simplicity, and genuinely don’t understand the appeal of crowded shelves full of POPs, candles, and clingy bookmarks.) Plus they have great snippet reviews on their posts mixed with a bit of behind-the-reader glimpses and discussions, which I enjoy.

  2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2018?

  The Bird and the Blade is probably my favorite, if anything because I enjoyed the book so much.

  3. Best Discussion/Non-review Post You had on Your Blog?

  I didn’t write on the blog as often as I used to outside of book reviews and seasonal wrap ups, but I did post about my reading list prior to leaving for Greece! Sometimes it’s difficult to pick out your vacation reading…

  4. Best Event that You Participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

  I was lame (but mostly poor) this year and didn’t participate or attend any bookish events. I was, however, FaceTimed into Tasha Suri’s book launch in London for a few minutes! Does that count?

  

  

  

  5. Best Moment of Bookish/Blogging Life in 2018?

  *incoherent screaming about a client’s book and exciting news that isn’t public yet*

  That.

  7. Most Popular Post This Year on Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

  MSWL 2018, no surprise there. I’m glad it’s proven helpful to writers, and it has certainly made my inbox full of great stuff, so I’ve made an update post for 2019 already!

  8. Post You Wished Got a Little More Love?

  Weirdly, selfishly, my seasonal rewind post that included my engagement *ducks and hides*

  

  9. Best Bookish Discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?

  Once more, I was over my head in work-related industry stuff and didn’t get to discover a whole lot. However, I’ve really enjoyed browsing IG bookish posts that don’t require a whole lot of props or coffee––simple slice of life posts that happen to have books are totally my aesthetic!

  10.  Did You Complete Any Reading Challenges or Goals that You had Set for Yourself at the Beginning of This Year? 

  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

  Oh, I’m sorry — right, okay, the question…

  Well, I read more library books for fun than intended, but not enough off my own TBR shelves in my home library. I had to lower my goal of 50 books to 45 in order to be anywhere near finishing the challenge. And I read more historical and fantasy this year, but none for my Gabaldon / Marillier self-appointed challenge.

  You know what, though? I won’t feel guilty about that. I surpassed my agent goals in 2018, and that’s what really counted for me personally in the end. This career is about all those baby steps and I walked so many of them.

  

  1. One Book You Didn’t Get To in 2018 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2019?

  OH GOD SO MANY. The one that’s probably staring at me the most is The Poppy War, but I’m also terrified. The rest of the Queens of Renthia series. Basically all my WWII historical fiction books. Yeah…Poppy War may be one of the first…

  2. Book You Are Most Anticipating for 2019 (non-debut)?

  The Downstairs Girl, Her Royal Highness, The Huntress, The Witch’s Kind, I Owe You One, the list goes on and on… They’re all by authors I adore, all covering topics and themes I’m super excited to dive into. What’s not to love?

  

  

  

  

  3. 2019 Debut You are Most Anticipating?

  The Ruin of Kings sounds amazing, Spin the Dawn because duh, and this interesting novel I read about ages ago, The Western Wind, in an interview on Publishers Weekly simply because of the strange historical details the author had to twist in order to incorporate into the plot of the novel. So…why not?

  4. Series Ending/A Sequel You are Most Anticipating in 2019?

  Kingdom of Copper, it’s a given. I have the galley sitting right next to me!

  

  

  

  

  5. One Thing You Hope to Accomplish or Do in Your Reading/Blogging Life in 2019?

  ONE thing?! Oh jeez. Attend Book Expo, writers conferences, online contests…I’m also already scheduled for three writers conferences, Pitch Wars, and WisRWA’s Fab Five contest. But that’s work-related. Bookworm self, I would like to really and truly read the rest of my Marillier and Gabaldon collections, and not feel burdened by blogging a review for them (or any book, really). Blogging shouldn’t feel like a chore!

  I have all these high expectations, plus a wedding to plan and experience, for 2019 sooooooo cross fingers and wish me luck!

  6. A 2019 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone

  Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood and Don’t Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *pushes*

  

  ~

  What’s on your year-end review? Do we have any similar titles? Which books are you going to read, too? Good luck and have a great 2019 reading year!

  Posted in books, Update Post | 8 Comments | Tagged books, End of Year Book Survey, personal

• Just a Bit of Light Reading

  Posted at 6:55 am by Laura, on July 5, 2018

  My choir was given the wonderful opportunity to be a featured choir at an international choral festival in Greece, with top direction by one of the biggest of the big wigs in the conducting world. So of course I threw my money toward it and said I’d go!

  But my usual form of planning (researching everything about the area, coming up with a list of places to visit, costs, hours, travel, etc) rerouted to just planning over reading material––we’re spending most of our time on one island, with morning rehearsals, evening concerts, and free afternoons. I expect to get a lot of reading done!

  

   

  So here I am, sharing with you the books that I’m hoping to start, read, and finish while abroad in the sunshine! (Yes, yes, I know this is not realistic, but I don’t care.)

  FANTASY

  Royal Airs || Book Two in the Elemental Blessings series. I read Troubled Waters last year and enjoyed it enough to want to continue on. I’m curious to see where Shinn takes us with Josetta’s narrative.

  Child of the Prophecy || Book Three in the Sevenwaters series and the original ending of the originally-intended Sevenwaters trilogy. I adored Daughter of the Forest and enjoyed Son of the Shadows, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the child!

  Dreamer’s Pool || I don’t have much of a reason other than I really want to begin Marillier’s latest completed trilogy!

  FANTASY/HISTORICAL BLEND*

  *also known as, Where Laura Starts to Flail

  A Secret History of Witches || I was chatting with an editor about what we love most in historical fantasy blends, and she mentioned this book. When I told her I hadn’t heard of it (assuming it hadn’t published yet, silly me), she completely gushed over it, convincing me to buy it and hopefully read on this trip!

  The Little Shop of Found Things || I really enjoy Paula Brackston’s novels (here & here), and this new series will be available in the fall. The thing is, I can’t take it on the trip if the Goodreads giveaway doesn’t send it…*stares at the Thomas Dunne marketing department*

  

  Sweet Black Waves || Ohhhhhhhhh myyyyyyyyy goddddddd, a Tristan and Isolde epic retelling/expansion/adaptation/inspiration for YA?! YES PLEASE YES PLEASE. *jumps*

  Once Upon a River || WHY WOULD I NOT BRING THIS BOOK DIANESETTERFIELD IS QUEEN I CANNOT WAIT TO GET STARTED ON THIS I AM SO EXCITED I JUST MIGHT DIE IN THE AEGEAN SEA AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

  (which would be quite fitting, upon reflection, considering a girl is pulled from the water dead in this novel…hmmmm)

  (LOLZ omg no worries I WILL NOT DIE IN THE AEGEAN SEA.)

  (I will die in the English Channel because it meant I made my way to England in my final days and I’ve found my resting place.)

  (Let’s move on to some realism…)

  CONTEMPORARY

  China Rich Girlfriend || I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to start Crazy Rich Asians, so I’m hoping to catch up on the trilogy (or at least get through 2/3) before the movie comes out in August. I love how truly crazy it is––the lifestyle is obnoxiously rich, the people seem so very shallow, and here comes Rachel, totally average, bopping around and trying to make sense of it all. Kinda makes me wonder if Meghan Markle (or at least her mother) felt anything like this around the royals initially…

  Riverbend Road || I’m branching out into the contemporary romance sector in my everyday reading, and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked Kristan Higgins (based on Lauren and Hannah’s recommendations) that now I’m trying out another: RaeAnne Thayne (based on Lauren and Kelly’s recommendations). I know I chose a book in the middle of the series, but it was very much a cover-love situation!

  

  I know, I know. It’s a lot. And I don’t care. I’ll probably throw all of these into the suitcase and stare at them till 5 minutes before we have to load the car and head to the airport, and toss out a few impulse choices in the end. We’ll see! Keep an eye on my travels by following my Instagram. I’ll have some quick snippet reviews up––and you can see which books made the last-minute cut. *wink*

  Have you read any of these books? What are your trip planning and packing habits? 

  Posted in books, Update Post | 4 Comments | Tagged books, personal

• Flipping Through the Pages: Winter Rewind 2018

  Posted at 7:30 am by Laura, on April 5, 2018

  

  Instead of participating in the Monthly Rewind meme, every three months I’ll update the world on my life from the previous season. Enjoy the Seasonal Rewind!

  Through the Lens

  

  

  

  As you may have noticed, I did not update and post about October through December. I was barely on the blog then, which in turn meant I barely looked at other blogs, or commented, or any of that. With the start of the new year, I wanted to begin with a blank page! It’s still a bit quiet here and my participation throughout the community, but life happens and I don’t ever want this blog to feel like a chore.

  So in images, here were my top six favorite books of 2017, and celebrating the release of Chainbreaker and Impossible Saints, both on January 2!

  Life Highlights

  So many great things happened between October to now. Nina’s deal announcement! Tasha’s deal announcement! My birthday (here and here)! My friend’s second baby was born! Another friend announced her first pregnancy! The holidays were fun too, with Bach’s Magnificat at Christmas and Beethoven’s Mass in C in March. And finally, my best friend’s wedding just a few days ago, in which I was her maid of honor. Needless to say, life’s been busy.

  Bookmarked in the Community

  Ah yes, this is going to look very sad, okay? Please, no judgement!

  1. A New Year of New Books: My 2018 TBR @ GReadsBooks — Ginger has some excellent contemporary YA and adult recommendations here. She doesn’t go for the overly fluffy or the overly dark. There’s a sweet spot right in the middle of the spectrum, and her recommendations tend to be pretty spot on to my taste, too.
  2. Slacking Off on Your Favs @ Bring My Books — Lindsey talks about how life can really get in the way of doing your favorite things, and when you finally have those free days to do all the things you love, you find yourself…not doing them. Being a couch potato. And that’s okay.
  3. 10 Books I’m Looking Forward to in 2018 @ Pretty Books — Stacey shares some of her most anticipated reads in 2018 and I, too, am looking forward to many of these! Plus, she managed to share some UK recs I have on my TBR now from Book Depository *wink*

  Popular Posts on Scribbles

  1. MSWL for 2018 — Not surprised one bit. I’m glad it’s getting traction. Hopefully writers find it helpful!
  2. Book Cake Tag — This was a lot of fun to put together. Gosh, I love GBBO!
  3. Book Review: The City of Brass by SA Chakraborty — What a beautiful and wonderful fantasy. If you haven’t had the chance yet, read this book immediately. A gem.

  Cherished Reads

  

  

  

  Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan ★★★★

  The City of Brass by SA Chakraborty ★★★★★

  Now That You Mention It by Kristan Higgins ★★★.75 (review to come!)

  Progress Update on Reading Challenges

  Required Library Books: 4 / 17

  The Passion of Dolssa || Big Little Lies || The Zookeeper’s Wife
  Saga Volume 1

  Fun Library Books: 2 / 5

  Mr. Churchill’s Secretary || Surprise Me

  Marillier & Gabaldon Challenge: 0 / 8

  Fantasy:

  The City of Brass

  Historical Fiction:

  Between Two Fires || Mr Churchill’s Secretary || The Passion of Dolssa

  Rock My TBR: 5 / 16

  Crazy Rich Asians || The Passion of Dolssa || The City of Brass
  Between Two Fires || Now That You Mention It

  Overall Challenge: 10 / 50

  Random Obsessions

  On TV/Netflix: I’m including everything I’ve watched since October, so this list feels quite long. I’m all caught up on Outlander and I loved how they tackled all the topics in Voyager. On New Year’s Eve, friends came over to watch The Crown and eat baked Brie with me and the Beau. I’m also caught up on The Great British Bake Off on Netflix, and finished the first season of Big Family Cooking Show (cute and fun, not as perfect as GBBO). Lately I’ve been rewatching New Girl on repeat, waiting for season 6 to arrive (!!!). Otherwise, the TV is on to sportsball for the Beau, so I sit on the couch with him and read instead.

  On Film: Saw and loved The Darkest Hour and OF COURSE  Black Panther (I can’t wait to see how they do Infinity War now!). I also saw Dunkirk and I’m glad I saw it at home and not in theaters. The music put me on edge and I was near sobbing and tense the entire time. If I saw it on the big screen I wouldn’t have been able to finish it!

  In the Shopping Bag: All the new clothes. Seriously. I gained weight in the last year (hurrah! I know that sounds weird but I’ve always been too small for my height and age, and this year I finally reached the goal weight), which means all of my bottoms and some of my tops no longer fit properly or comfortably. So now I’m in the middle of a wardrobe change. Ack!

  Miscellaneous: I kinda splurged on a lot of books when my birthday rolled around… Oh, and raving over my new watch!

  Looking Toward the Future

  I’m looking forward to the most relaxed April through June I’ve had in years. There is literally nothing planned on my calendar, mostly because I needed to afford my trip to Greece in July. So! This means adding cooking classes, getting planters, celebrating the royal baby and royal wedding, shopping for clothes that fit me properly, and lots of spring cleaning. When I moved into this apartment it was very much unpack-and-deal-with-junk-later, but now our closets are overflowing with random boxes and miscellaneous stuff. Time to weed through things!

  What have you been up to this season / this month? Any new obsessions or good reads or great music? Share some of your favorites here, and let me know if I should check out any great blog posts! 

   

  Posted in books, This Season's Rewind | 2 Comments | Tagged books, personal, recap, rewind, this season's rewind

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• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent and librarian, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I have a passion for Victorian culture, Gothic lit, and music. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to knit, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm obsessed with popcorn. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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• Book Review Rating Key

  ★★★ — It’s good
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  ★★★★★ — OMG LOVE!!!

• Recent Posts

  • On Minimizing Tech
  • If We Were Having Coffee…*
  • Book Review: “We Met in December” by Rosie Curtis
  • Book Review: “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Mhairi McFarlane
  • Deal Announcement: Tasha Suri, Fantasy

• 2020 Reading Challenge
  

  

  Laura has
  completed her goal of reading
  1 books in
  2020!

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