Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Yellowface by R.F. Kuang is an exceptional book that left me absolutely amazed. It delves into the inner workings of the publishing industry, shedding light on a topic that is often overlooked or dismissed. What sets this book apart is its ability to address serious issues with a touch of humor, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read. The book centers around the frustrations faced by marginalized voices in the publishing industry, particularly when it comes to telling stories from their own perspectives. Kuang brilliantly highlights the irony of certain individual ..read more

Seven years ago, a seemingly innocuous Instagram post sparked a profound transformation in my life. Back then, I was knee-deep in blogging and book reviews, driven by an unwavering passion for the written word. Reading had always been my solace, my escape into countless worlds, and it was only natural that the urge to create those worlds through writing followed suit. My educational journey began with dreams of pursuing journalism, a path I believed in. However, external pressures, particularly my mother's perspective on my chosen degree, led me to switch gears to nursing. Looking back, it fe ..read more

I couldn't wait to share this exciting story with you all. So, today, I found myself at TJ Maxx (no surprise there, it's one of my favorite spots!). Little did I know that this bargain-hunting adventure would ignite my creative spark and leave me brimming with ideas for my upcoming author appearance at the Louisville Book Festival on November 10-12, 2023. In this post, I'll spill the beans on how TJ Maxx became the unexpected birthplace of inspiration, and I'll reveal the incredible ideas that sprouted in my mind as I perused their bookshelf. A Magical Encounter at TJ Maxx Picture this: I stu ..read more

Recently, someone asked me a question that lingered in my mind: "Is Isla you?" I hesitated momentarily, then replied with a simple yet complex "yes and no." You see, Isla Delgado, the young protagonist of "Mrs. Franchy's Evil Ring and the Six Months that Changed Everything," is a mosaic of influences in my life. She's not merely a reflection of me; she's a glimpse of my big sister, a fragment of my stepdaughter, and a generous helping of the nine-year-old I once longed to become. In the story, Isla conquers her trauma, albeit through a series of comical and poignant misconceptions. Her victor ..read more

Rating: 5/5 stars In "Home," written by Julio Anta and illustrated by Anna Wieszczyk and Lisa Sterle, readers are taken on a poignant journey through the experiences of Juan, a young immigrant forced to cross the border due to the violence and threats he faced in his home country. The gripping illustrations vividly depict the harsh realities of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies, leaving a lasting impact on readers. While the topic of immigration is not new, the emotional depth with which the characters' stories are portrayed makes the narrative all the more compelling ..read more

Hey there, fellow dreamers and writers! ✨ Today, I want to share a glimpse into the inner workings of a writer's mind—a place where creativity thrives but also where doubt and self-sabotage can rear their ugly heads. It's a journey we all embark on, filled with twists, turns, and a persistent small voice that tries to derail our progress. Picture this: I'm sitting down to work on my latest project, "The Devil That Haunts Me." The story is waiting to be untangled; characters are eager to reveal their secrets, but there's something else in the room with me—the nagging voice of doubt. It's that ..read more

Book Friends! It’s time for a writing update (if you want to see the video format of this update, head over to my TikTok @acupod_jo_hanny). Nevertheless, here I am, a girl, standing before her bookish friends, asking, Do you care? All the while brimming with excitement at the thought that someone would. Well…in case you didn’t know, I am writing a horror-esque novel (or novelette) titled "The Devil that Haunts Me." This spine-chilling novel will take you on a wild ride (it’s doing that to me) through a world of terror and family secrets. It will take you through the slums of the Dominican Rep ..read more

Hey, Y'all! Joa here, bringing you some thrilling news close to my heart. ✨ Guess what? My short story, 'I Love You So Much,' has leaped into the world of audiobooks, and I couldn't be more ecstatic! For those who've followed my journey, you know this story isn't just a tale; it's a piece of my soul. This story sprang from a deeply personal and harrowing experience - one where I found myself in the gut-wrenching position of talking my husband out of ending his life. The emotions are raw, real, and resonate with anyone who's ever faced the shadows of despair in a loved one's eyes. In 'I Love Y ..read more

I am not saying anything new or controversial here. I am stating a belief of mine regarding reading and audiobooks as a form of reading. I come from a family of visually impaired individuals. I've grown up seeing how people adapt methods or processes to live in a world that is not necessarily made for them or with them in mind. Therefore, I've always founded it crass when people turn up their noses or regard listening to books or reading a book from digital mediums as something lesser than reading or look at it as if it doesn't count if the person didn't use their eyes and or didn't read a ph ..read more

Step into the intimate realm of “I Love You So Much: A Short Story,” where every sentence pulsates with the unvoiced battles fought in the quiet corners of a marriage that seems nothing short of perfect. Authored by Johanny Ortega, this moving narrative is born from the depths of genuine emotional upheaval and personal adversity, delving into the profound intricacies of love interwoven with the complexity of mental health and the struggles that go unsaid. Amidst the eerie calmness of an ordinary life, a couple grapples with a normalcy that’s been cracked at its foundation. “I Love You So Much ..read more