Read this: The Rent Collector

Over the years there have been a number of YA books that captured me completely and for eternity. Off the top of my head, I immediately think of The Book Thief, What the Night Sings and Free Lunch. Interestingly enough, each of these books relates a story of a young person or family struggling under … Continue reading Read this: The Rent Collector

Writer’s tears

I’ve mentioned before that I often find myself weepy when I’m in Ireland. If you know me at all, you’re aware that’s atypical of me. I’m not known to be a crier. On the occasions that I do get teary, it’s likely to be about children and animals, not songs or physical gestures. Last week, though, … Continue reading Writer’s tears

Soaking in dry January

Now that the first month of the new year is firmly in the rear mirror, it’s time to reflect on how things went during my very first attempt at avoiding alcohol (and other legal adult substances) for 31 days. As far as experiments go, I’d have to say that this one was a bit of … Continue reading Soaking in dry January

For lost girls looking to be found

Although I read a lot of books (I’m on my 11th of this new year already), it isn’t often that I find one which speaks to whom I was as a young teen and whom I am now strive to be as a school librarian. Katie Van Heidrich’s memoir, The In-Between, told in verse, manages to … Continue reading For lost girls looking to be found