Books, Taylor Swift, and other hyperfixations
I pretended to like Ghibli movies for years and years to make friends and influence people. I feel secure enough now to admit that the only Ghibli movie I really like is Howl's Moving Castle. And yet I'm STILL doing this tag that I found on the incomparable Zezee With Books. There are rules, of course.… Continue reading Ghibli Heroines Tag
A couple days ago, I chose protagonist Emi to represent my entire personality. I'd identified closely with Harry Potter in the past, but those days were over... ...right? Then I thought of ANOTHER perfect character. And another. And another. I am a complex cocktail of neuroses and traits. One character is simply not enough. If… Continue reading How to Make a Lauren: A Personality Recipe
"So," the interviewer starts, holding his iPhone near my face. "What books have most influenced your writing?" "Yes, tell us," says Adam Grant, my research hero. I haven't figured out yet why he's here. "Which authors acted as mentors in your youth?" "Interesting question, Adam." I grab the iPhone and speak directly into it "Follow-up… Continue reading Lauren’s Go-To Reads: Old Standbys
I've rejoiced my parents' last day of school. I've purchased aloe for a terrible sunburn. I've broken out the baby powder for 80-degree days. Summer is upon us. That means it's time to read. A lot. If you're looking for suggestions, I have TRILLIONS. I even organized them from fluffy to thought-provoking, with ample gray… Continue reading Summer Reading List
(Catch up on part 1 and part 2.) Good ol' genre fiction. The stories I love tend to be more plot- than character-oriented, promising a fun ride. My favorite genres include chick lit, mystery, romance, and adventure. Meet the biggest offender for each of the above genres. Kale, My Ex, and Other Things to Toss… Continue reading Book Betrayals: A List of Past Hurts, pt. 3
I was the type of teenager who read nothing but corny chick lit and snickered all the while. Feel free to call me a hypocrite. Today's Terrible Prose Tuesday features another letter from a YA book called "Love Undercover" by Jo Edwards. The book is about--I kid you not--a girl named Kaitlyn who falls in… Continue reading TERRIBLE PROSE TUESDAY: 50 Shades of Red
Narrative Paradise 