Dear Writer

Dear Writer, by Maggie Smith

7/60 | Started 01.30.26 • Finished 02.09.26 | 4 stars

I aspire to be an aspiring writer. As a recovering perfectionist, I find it quite difficult to put words to a page, whether in prose or poetry, without being hyper-critical and editing on-the-go. Rarely can I just punch something out stream of consciousness style. So, I remain curious about works about writing. Maggie's book is excellent. She writes beautifully about writing: its processes, triumps, struggles, questions, habits, etc. I'm finding it a little bit hard to explain, aside from it scratching that writing itch in me. The book follows a pattern of letter to the reader/writer, then essays on various writing elements, and includes several writing exercises/prompts. Confession: I did not do any of the writing exercises. They seemed to be for more seasoned writers, not for beginning beginners like myself. But I could see how they would be helpful for an actual writer, to challenge and stretch him/her, and open him/her up to new possibilities. Highly recommend for the writers and wannabes out there.

The Stolen Queen

The Stolen Queen, by Fiona Davis

6/60 | Started 01.22.26 • Finished 01.30.26 | 3.5 stars

While I would admit to this being a page-turner of sorts, I found that it was a little too "neat" for me. Just for one case in point - when Annie decides she's going to follow Charlotte to Egypt, she grabs her passport. Was that a common thing in the late 70s for people to have their passports? Especially a young girl who'd never been anywhere and due to economic difficulties, wasn't in a place to go anywhere anytime soon? It didn't pan out for me. It feels like the book was riddled with these kinds of things, but the overall plot was quite good in and of itself. I'd also say that this was more of a plot-driven novel where I'm more drawn to character-driven ones.

Dracula

Dracula, by Bram Stoker

5/60 | Started 12.23.25 • Finished 01.21.26 | 3.75 stars

It's possible that I'm not cut out for classics... or maybe just not gothic literature? I picked this up by recommendation from a new reader friend and it wasn't really what I was expecting. I did enjoy the way the novel is arranged around journal/diary entries by the various characters. I guess I just feel like it was super slow-moving until the final scene, when everything happens lightning quick. The story centers around the enigmatic figure of Dracula and his interactions with Jonathan Harker and two women, Lucy and Mina. It takes Lucy's tragic death for Dr. Van Helsing to discover that there is a vampire at work. He then bands together with Jonathan, Mina (now married to Jonathan), Dr. Seward, Quincy Morris, and Lord Goddalming to root out Dracula and put an end to his evil ways. Dr. Van Helsing is clearly THE hero, though all of the other characters are heroic and brave in their own right. I'm sure this one is more accessible than some of the other classics out there language wise, so maybe if you're looking for one you can manage, this would be an option.