Today I’m talking about a fiery psychological thriller, Bonfire by Krysten Ritter. I’m not just excited to talk about the plot; I’m also stoked (get it?) to discuss her creative process and some surprising things we can learn from actors who are authors. Additionally, I’m touching on something that’s sparked my attention lately: how books… Continue reading Bonfire by Krysten Ritter & What We Can Learn from Actors Who Write! → The post Bonfire by Krysten Ritter & What We Can Learn from Actors Who Write! appeared first on Plotboilers.

Plotboilers: Book Reviews and Writing Life

Bonfire by Krysten Ritter & What We Can Learn from Actors Who Write!

Fredrik Backman is a Swedish writer best known for his books (A Man Called Ove, My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry, etc.) Today, I’m talking about one of his most recent works “Beartown,” a book that focuses on a small town’s relationship with ice hockey and the interwoven lives of the people… Continue reading Book Review of Beartown by Fredrik Backman → The post Book Review of Beartown by Fredrik Backman appeared first on Plotboilers.

Book Review of Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Let’s talk about that crazy Forbes article that suggested we replace local libraries with Amazon bookstores! Also, I’ve got a first edition book haul to report (Weeee!) and a few suggestions for books about writing that I’ve found practical and think you might too. Most of these books are ones that I use for reference.… Continue reading RE: Amazon Replacing Libraries, Book Haul, & Practical Books on Writing → The post RE: Amazon Replacing Libraries, Book Haul, & Practical Books on Writing appeared first on Plotboilers.

RE: Amazon Replacing Libraries, Book Haul, & Practical Books on Writing

Join me as I discuss The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury with guests Josiah and Benji! For those of you who have tuned in before, you might remember Josiah and Benji from a few months ago when we talked about “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick. (Psssst! We’re also reviewing wine… Continue reading The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury with Josiah and Benji! → The post The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury with Josiah and Benji! appeared first on Plotboilers.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury with Josiah and Benji!

Today I’m sharing an episode from another podcast, How to Write Good. Why? Because the host of HTWG podcast, Daniel Poppie, was kind enough to invite me onto the show as a guest! I’ve never guested on a show before, so this was a new – and super fun – experience. Join us as we talk about a… Continue reading Plotboilers Presents: “The Count, My Grandmother, and Seeing Through Another’s Eyes” by How to Write Good Podcast! → The post Plotboilers Presents: “The Count, My Grandmother, and Seeing Through Another’s Eyes” by How to Write Good Podcast! appeared first on Plotboilers.

Plotboilers Presents: “The Count, My Grandmother, and Seeing Through Another’s Eyes” by How to Write Good Podcast!

Let’s talk about short story writing! On the one hand, short stories are simpler than novels because – as the name implies – they are short. On the other hand, the target is a lot smaller which means the margin for error is a lot bigger. I’ve compiled a few of the things that I… Continue reading Why Are Short Stories So Hard to Write? → The post Why Are Short Stories So Hard to Write? appeared first on Plotboilers.

Why Are Short Stories So Hard to Write?

Let’s talk about collectible books! First things first: Did you know there’s a difference between a first edition and a first printing? Both are cool, but many collectors prefer the first printing to the first edition. I’ll tell you why, and relay a few hacks I’ve discovered in my own book collecting pursuits to help… Continue reading Hacks to Find (And Identify) First Editions of Your Favorite Books + Book Giveaway! → The post Hacks to Find (And Identify) First Editions of Your Favorite Books + Book Giveaway! appeared first on Plotboilers.

Hacks to Find (And Identify) First Editions of Your Favorite Books + Book Giveaway!

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is a novel by Philip K. Dick. It’s also the inspiration for the movie Blade Runner, although I wouldn’t have guessed it by the title. I’ve been meaning to read this book for a long time, and as it turns out, so have fellow book enthusiasts Josiah and Benji.… Continue reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? With Special Guests Josiah and Benji! → The post Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? With Special Guests Josiah and Benji! appeared first on Plotboilers.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? With Special Guests Josiah and Benji!

Today, I’m discussing Happily by Chauncey Rogers – a brand new YA retelling of the classic fairytale, Cinderella.  I know what you’re thinking: Why would I want to read a book if I already what happens? Well, I can promise you don’t know what’s going to happen in this one. I’ve actually had the pleasure… Continue reading Book Recommendation of Happily by Chauncey Rogers (And I Narrated the Audiobook!) → The post Book Recommendation of Happily by Chauncey Rogers (And I Narrated the Audiobook!) appeared first on Plotboilers.

Book Recommendation of Happily by Chauncey Rogers (And I Narrated the Audiobook!)

It’s Plotboilers’ tenth episode! In honor of my longstanding “don’t see the movie before you’ve read the book” tradition, I’m taking a look at A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle. It’s a short book, but there’s a lot to talk about so I’m going to cover characters, body image, and how the story depicts… Continue reading A Wrinkle In Time Book Review → The post A Wrinkle In Time Book Review appeared first on Plotboilers.

A Wrinkle In Time Book Review

May the record show this episode went live in February! Well, at least for those of us on the West Coast. To celebrate the shortest month of the year, I’ve got a quick book review (recommendation, really) for you. And since this book is actually about the writing life, I’ve combined the show’s normal segments… Continue reading Book Recommendation: The Clothing of Books by Jhumpa Lahiri → The post Book Recommendation: The Clothing of Books by Jhumpa Lahiri appeared first on Plotboilers.

Book Recommendation: The Clothing of Books by Jhumpa Lahiri

Today, I’m making up for lost time with a longer-than-usual book review and writing discussion! First up, I’m talking about Pet Sematary by Stephen King. Most of the time, I read King because I want something that’s just straight-up entertaining. In retrospect, this book actually touched on some more discussion-worthy themes than the other novels… Continue reading Pet Sematary Review & Static vs Dynamic Characters → The post Pet Sematary Review & Static vs Dynamic Characters appeared first on Plotboilers.

Pet Sematary Review & Static vs Dynamic Characters

Today’s episode features a review of We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor. When I first heard about We Are Legion, I wasn’t convinced that I’d like it – mostly because the main character is a spaceship. (That’s kind of an oversimplification, but you’ll understand why after hearing the review.) This book… Continue reading We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Book Review and “You’re Not Good Enough” Book Tag! → The post We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Book Review and “You’re Not Good Enough” Book Tag! appeared first on Plotboilers.

We Are Legion (We Are Bob) Book Review and “You’re Not Good Enough” Book Tag!

In my last episode of 2017, I’ve reviewed Veronica Roth’s “Carve the Mark” and put together some tips and tricks for setting challenging yet achievable writing resolutions for 2018. (If I’m being totally honest, I really don’t like New Years’ resolutions – but improving yourself is always a good thing, right?) Carve the Mark is,… Continue reading Carve the Mark Book Review & New Years’ Writing Resolutions → The post Carve the Mark Book Review & New Years’ Writing Resolutions appeared first on Plotboilers.

Carve the Mark Book Review & New Years’ Writing Resolutions

In today’s episode, I’m reviewing The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. This book is not only one of Atwood’s most acclaimed novels, but the basis for the American television show by the same name. If you know anything about Margaret Atwood, you know she has a flair for dark, gritty, and utterly captivating dystopian and… Continue reading The Handmaid’s Tale Review and the Importance of Reaction Scenes → The post The Handmaid’s Tale Review and the Importance of Reaction Scenes appeared first on Plotboilers.

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Plotboilers: Book Reviews and Writing Life

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