As an avid reader of fiction (and an author who one day hopes to make the list) I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE checking out the New York Times Best Seller list. So, here it is… The independently ranked top 10 Fiction selections for September 2019!
If you’ve read any of the TOP 10 selections and recommend them, please comment below and let me know. If you see something you like and plan to pick up a copy, you can do so by clicking on the title or the [BUY IT HERE] button.
#1 Where the Crawdads Sing
by Delia Owens
Ina quiet town on the North Carolina coast in 1969, a young woman who survived alone in the marsh becomes a murder suspect.
Sometimes, you just have to get
away. That’s how I felt, every second of every day, after my mom and sister
died. Life just wasn’t the same and I knew it never would be. So, I left.
I had been training, learning
everything I could about being a tracker. I knew it wasn’t in my blood, not
like it was for my sister. She was amazing. Me, I had to work at it, hard. That
didn’t mean I wasn’t good, I was… I am.
After just a week on the road, I
had managed to get the attention of the High Council. No, that isn’t always a
good thing, especially when they send someone like me to find you. In this
case, I wanted to get their attention. I wanted them to know who I was and what
I was planning.
I made my way from Atlanta, Michigan
where I had grown up, all the way out West to California. Along the way, I
worked as a High Council tracker. I was taken in on a trial basis, but by the
time I landed my fifth capture, they hired me full-time and were giving me the
best cases. Having magic on my side didn’t hurt things.
Being out there, on the road, alone
was eye opening. I didn’t have a car, so I hitch-hiked and took the bus just about
everywhere I went, but it didn’t slow me down. I saw the world with new eyes.
My sister and mother had never left Michigan, so I was seeing it for the first
time, for all of us. I needed it. Though I was alone, I never felt lonely. I
could feel them there with me, in spirit, guiding me… helping me. It was the
best time of my life. Why it had to end… that’s another story.
Alright,
now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in
you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing.
Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
What is the best road trip you have ever taken?
What books have made your September
reading list? Comment below and let me know!
One thing I love to do is interview other authors. Not only does it introduce me to potential books I can add to my ‘to read’ list, but it also helps spread the indie-author love to other readers. Marketing is hard and if I can help a fellow author, I’m happy to do it. With that in mind, I’d like to welcome Matt Nagin, author of Feast of Sapphires, to my blog.
Matt Nagin, author of Feast of Sapphires, AKA Bart Schumacher (Standup Comedian)
What is your name and do you write under a pen name? My name is Matt Nagin. I do not use a pen name, but I do have a comedy alter ego, a standup comedy character, if you will, named Bart Schumacher.
Where do you call home? I live in New York City.
Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do? I am an actor, a comedian, and, when I can find the work, a college professor. Yes. I believe I became a better actor and educator over time. I enjoy very much the areas in which I work since I am passionate about them and they are connected to my overall artistic orientation.
What is your family like? I have a large family; four brothers, a nephew, thirteen cousins, many uncles and aunts etc. In addition to my parents, I’m fortunate enough to have a 99 year old grandma who turns 100 in January.
Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing? I love watching films, particularly classic films and/or films that in some way tell an innovative story. I also enjoy traveling, since it expands your understanding of your own little area of residence, helps you get a better grasp of your particular social and cultural predilections, and occasionally even inspires creative work.
What is your greatest dream? To make a living as a writer by completing works others find meaningful.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you? I would like to be working creatively at a higher level than I am now. By this I mean I would, ideally, like to be more productive. What is stopping me, I suppose, is I get distracted easily and I have a million little obligations that keep me from focusing and completing work. I’m also a bit of a perfectionist, which, at times, can be a hindrance.
Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love? Yes. Lasted a year and a half. Unfortunately, she became a lesbian. It broke my heart at the time. Now it seems vaguely humorous.
What is the most terrible thing that ever happened to you? Getting hit by a speeding car while walking across the street in a construction zone with an obstructed view was one of the worst things that ever happened to me. More than twenty stitches in my wrist. Glass in my arm. Ten herniated discs in my back. A number of ongoing issues with my knees. There have been a few others. A plane nearly crashing–the gas masks coming down. A boat nearly going under during a storm. Three surgeries for Crohn’s disease. The point is it has been a struggle, at times, just to persevere.
And how long have you been writing? I have been writing around 25 years, but the first five years I did not work with any level of seriousness. There have been periods where I didn’t write at all, but, eventually, I always came back to it. Of late I’ve been trying to maintain a regular schedule.
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not? To be a writer/actor/filmmaker etc. To a certain extent, I achieved my dream. This is because in pretty much all the fields I’ve pursued I’ve had at least a few accomplishments. All that being said, I still feel I have a long way to go.
Who is your role model? Most of my role models are artists with an uncompromising yet powerful vision. Examples include Stanley Kubrick, Charles Bukowski, Phillip K. Dick, Emily Dickinson, William Blake and Salvador Dali.
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books? Paperbacks. The presentation is generally the best. I also think the idea of a book as something really special and unique is lost when you read it on a Kindle.
What is your opinion of novellas? Novellas are a great form. I enjoy the unusual length very much. I also think it is a great way to develop characters, setting, and a compelling plot without dragging a story on endlessly. Finally, in the age of social media, where readers have very little free time, novellas make a whole lot of sense.
What is your favorite film based on a book? Barry Lyndon. It’s based on a Thackeray novel.
What is your favorite book genre at the moment? Satire/Humor.
What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why? Stephen King’s “The Stand.” I have read many King books, but never actually got to “The Stand.” I’m looking forward to reading this classic.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format? I’m reading the book of a friend, David Voice, “The Can Man: My Five Cents Worth,” that I’m enjoying. Kindle format. I generally don’t read much on my Kindle, but, since this is a relatively short book, it made sense.
Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say? My book is ‘Feast of Sapphires.’ It is a poetry collection that aims to be illuminating in a variety of ways. I take daily experiences, or interesting phrases, or magnetic ideas, and use them as a springboard for poetic exploration.
“Feast of Sapphires,” is a compendium of poems covering topics both timely and universal. There are poems of psychic revolution, poems on social media and gun control, poems about MRI’s, gambling, and mystical storms of all varieties; then, too, on a deeper level, more than a few of these poems are about the desire to surmount the collective facade in search of a kind of truth that cannot be hyperlinked.
Located from Costa Rica to the LIRR, this metaphysical cartography of anticipation and despair is perfect for those seeking answers in the bottom of the tea, in the resonance of a thunder storm, or, even, in the ethereal high of a linguistic flight of fancy. From comedic monologues to existential reflections, from angry rants to countercultural analysis, from wily narratives to verbal pyrotechnics, this is a book that strives, in new ways, to be illuminating… CONTINUE READING
Is the above book part of a series? No. That said, it is a follow-up to my first poetry book, “Butterflies Lost Within The Crooked Moonlight,” which did fairly well on Amazon.
This highly-accessible, dynamic collection offers existential ponderings, comic situations, poetic meditations on death, musical riffs, political commentary, striking imagery and more. The 45 poems in this collection represent a range of styles and subject matter. 18 of these poems were previously published in such journals as Antigonish Review, Grain Magazine, Arsenic Lobster, Dash, Spillway, The Charles Carter, Downtown Brooklyn, and many, many more. This debut collection of poetry from Matt Nagin is sure to, as the title suggests, comment on the way even the most delicate and majestic of us tend to be drawn, willy-nilly, towards the crooked moonlight.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?Julia Noel Goodman designed the cover. We reviewed the concept together and went through a number of iterations of it till we settled on one we thought best.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)? I pick a bunch of different possible titles and go with what sounds best. I also ask friends/associates for input.
Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it? I created a trailer for my first book, ‘Butterflies Lost Within The Crooked Moonlight.’ Watch it below:
Also, I have videos of readings of individual poems from ‘Feast of Sapphires,’ set to imagery. One of these, ‘Regret,’ is available below:
Let’s talk now about your writing process.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantser or a plotter? I am a pantser. I go with what inspires me–allowing it to lead the way. Then I go back and edit. At times this editing is extensive. At others very little is required. It totally depends on the state of the first draft. I sometimes edit immediately after I complete the writing portion. At other times, I like to wait a few weeks till I return to the work, since I often can then see it much more clearly.
Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time? The biggest challenge I’ve encountered with publishing is properly formatting poetry for Kindle on KDP…something that sounds easier than it is. The second biggest challenge is acquiring new readers in an oversaturated marketplace.
What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? Not sure if I was ever specifically given this advice, but it is what I always tell others: keep at it! This is the key to success in any field, but particularly with writing a high level of self-discipline is required.
Where can your readers follow you? Please list links to any applicable websites and/or social media accounts.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I hope to have several other books published by then. Right now I have a humor book coming out in the next few months with an indie publisher, and, after that, I am looking to publish a short story collection. There are a few more books, as well, I’m at work on, so I am really hoping to get a lot of work out into the world soon.
Any last thoughts about your overall journey? It’s been a wild ride–these last few years–and I have really enjoyed expressing myself creatively and reaching out to others with my creative ideas. I’m also grateful to be doing something I’m passionate about, something that fills me with a sense of purpose. What can I say? I’m very lucky!
CALL TO ACTION: If you have questions for Matt that weren’t addressed in this interview, I invite you to comment below and he will respond here!
Remember,
#WritingWednesday is an EASY, STRESS-FREE, weekly writing challenge.
Read the
writing prompt below,
Spend 5
minutes writing (in your own voice or the voice of a character you’re writing) whatever
comes to mind,
DON’T
EDIT what you write! IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PERFECT!
The goal
is 5 minutes of creativity.
Today, I am writing in my own voice. As a mom, this writing prompt really spoke to me!
Today’s writing prompt:
What do you think is the most important thing for today’s kids to learn in school?
When I was growing up, school was
all about projects, research, learning, and even discovering new things. Sure,
I was a kid so I thought of it as work… I complained about all the homework and
tests and time. Yes, it took time to get everything done. We didn’t have the
internet. We didn’t have access to unlimited knowledge at our fingertips. We
actually had to go to the library, search the stacks, and often time resort to
reading the encyclopedia to find the information we needed.
Today, school seems all about test
scores and less about actual learning. Sure, kids do gain knowledge from
attending classes, but more importantly I think they gain social skills. Outside
of the classroom, kids are often sitting with their noses pointed at either a
phone, a computer, or some form of gaming device. Kids don’t interact the same
way they did when I was younger. If I wanted to talk to a friend, I had to call
them on the phone (which was connected to the wall with a cord) and have a real-life
conversation. Today communication is done through sending photos, emojis, and poorly
written (often abbreviated) text messages. I fear that kids are losing the
social skills that are essential to a successful future. That is why I feel
that the most important thing for kids to learn in school is communication!
Alright,
now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in
you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing.
Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
What do you think is the most important thing
for today’s kids to learn in school?
What books have made your August reading
list? Check out the New York Times bestsellers for August 2019 by CLICKING
HERE!
Are
you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all
your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all
the tools I use in my writing process!
Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal a planner-journal hybrid to help new and experienced writers stay organized while still fostering creativity. Track your progress with daily/monthly word count goals. Plan your writing/publishing goals, manage your to do list, never miss another deadline or appointment again, keep track of writing ideas, schedule/log social sharing and blog post ideas, keep a record of books you’re reading or want to read, maintain a running playlist, etc.
Would you prefer to watch the video tips rather than reading them? CLICK HERE
Today’s #MindfulnessMonday Tip: Feeling exhausted or just not yourself? Take a nap!
The Power of Napping:
Napping
can boost your immune system.
Napping
can improve both your daytime and your nighttime alertness.
Napping
plus a little caffeine boost are a one-two punch against sleepiness.
Napping
can help you learn new skills and improve your memory.
Napping
can improve your physical stamina.
Napping
for as little as 90-minutes is as good as a full night’s sleep for perceptual
learning.
Today’s Mindfulness Exercise:ENERGY BOOSTING NAP!
Studies show that taking a 10 to 20-minute nap in the middle
of the day can help boost your energy and get you right back in the swing of
thigs immediately after you wake up. Need a little memory jogger or are you focusing
on a big project with quickly approaching deadlines? A 60-minute nap is a great
way to increase focus and an excellent memory booster.
With that in mind, what type of nap do you need today?
I want you to allow yourself a little time, even if its
just 10-20 minutes in your car on your lunch break, to close your eyes and take
a nap. Napping gives your brain a reboot. When you wake up, you’re refreshed
and ready to get back at it. *Note: Make sure you set an alarm on your phone or
other devise to ensure you wake up on time.
Mindfulness Journaling:
Today’s mindfulness
journal is a two-part journaling exercise.
PART 1 – Prior to your energy boosting nap, write down how you’re feeling. What is your energy level on a scale of 1 to 10? Do you feel like you got enough sleep last night? How many cups of coffee have you had today and do you think you’ll have another?
PART 2 – After your energy boosting nap, write down how you’re feeling. Did you fall asleep quickly? Was it easy to wake up? Do you feel more or less productive after your nap?
Mindfulness journaling can be very
private. However, I would love to invite you to comment below and share your
experiences with the ‘Clean a Room Mindfully’ exercise.
Check out
my #MindfulnessMonday YouTube Series and don’t forget to click subscribe so you
never miss an episode!
I’m certified in Holistic Stress Management and Mind/Body Fitness. I’ve been practicing Mindfulness for 10+ years and am passionate about helping others in their pursuit of a more mindful existence.
When I was just a girl, growing up
in New Orleans, my mother told me, “If your good and quiet, you’ll be able to hear
the voices of your ancestors.” I was naive, so I believed her. I tried so hard.
Every day I’d sit in the corner of our living room, staring at nothing,
focusing on voices that weren’t there. Then, one day, I heard a voice. It was
faint, almost a whisper.
“The ritual won’t work if you don’t
spill a little blood, Clara.” It was my mother. She was talking to my Aunt
Clara on the phone, whispering in the kitchen.
That night, I followed them to the
graveyard just around the corner from our house. You wouldn’t believe me if I
told you what I saw; It’s been over twenty years and I still can’t believe it.
It doesn’t matter that I can raise the dead now too, much less talk to them. It’s
still so surreal.
You want to know the best advice I’ve
ever been given? That’s easy. That night, standing there in the dark hiding
behind a tree so my mother and my aunt wouldn’t see me, they brought my great
grandma back from the dead. She looked passed them, straight at me, pointed her
decayed finger at me and called me out of the dark. Then, standing just three
feet away from my mother, who’s mouth was clenched with fear and anger, my
grandmother told me, “It’s in your blood too, and child, you are powerful. Learn
from your mother. Learn everything, because one day she won’t be here to
protect you and you’ll need to know how to protect yourself.”
Alright,
now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in
you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing.
Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
What books have made your August reading list? Check out the New York Times bestsellers for August 2019 by CLICKING HERE!
Are
you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all
your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all
the tools I use in my writing process!
Want help meeting your writing goals? Check out JUST WRITE: The Ultimate Author’s Bullet Journal a planner-journal hybrid to help new and experienced writers stay organized while still fostering creativity. Track your progress with daily/monthly word count goals. Plan your writing/publishing goals, manage your to do list, never miss another deadline or appointment again, keep track of writing ideas, schedule and log social sharing and blog post ideas, keep a record of books you’re reading or want to read, maintain a running playlist, etc.
Carol
Danvers becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught
in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.
IMDB STORY LINE:
After crashing an experimental aircraft, Air Force pilot Carol Danvers is discovered by the Kree and trained as a member of the elite Starforce Military under the command of her mentor Yon-Rogg. Six years later, after escaping to Earth while under attack by the Skrulls, Danvers begins to discover there’s more to her past. With help from S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury, they set out to unravel the truth.
MY 2 CENTS:
Writing/Story: ★★★ The Marvel Cinematic Universe is
finally introduced to Carol Danvers, played by Brie Larson. She learns about
her past, she discovers who she is, and she finds herself caught in the middle
of a war between two alien races and realizes she is more powerful than she ever
knew or thought possible.
Carol Danvers is the everyday woman turned female hero. In my opinion, we don’t have enough female heroes on screen so I was really looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. I understand that when the lead character doesn’t know anything about their past, it can be difficult to tell the story and portray that disassociation to the audience. With Carol Danvers, we learn about her past at the same time she does, through audio recordings and short flashes of things that happened in her past. It’s similar to when you’re reading a book and the author just word vomits all over you, telling you what happened instead of showing you. I wanted to see Carol physically discovering her powers, reacting to things instinctively, which would then lead to sparks of memories. Instead, more often than not these memories were brought on by the audio recordings, the short flashes of memory, and her visits with the Supreme Intelligence (played by Annette Bening) which is somehow supposed to tell her or show her what she most desires… I won’t even get into that because it was just a really strange plot line to me.
Honestly, for me, this was more of a Nick Fury movie…
It was my first experience really getting to know the Character of Nick Fury
and I thought Samuel L. Jackson did a great job with the role. I loved seeing the
younger version of Nick Fury since my only other experience with him was in Spiderman:
Far from Home earlier this year. Captain Marvel was more of a buddy cop movie
staring Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson. Or an amnesia self-discover movie…
or maybe it’s a fish out of water movie since she comes to earth and has no
idea how earth operates.
Cinematography ★★★ Visually, there just wasn’t much to talk about with this film. There isn’t a whole lot of style with this one. This film felt like a series of storyboard moments. The actors are intentionally framed, and their performing but there is no really remarkable style to speak of. That isn’t to say there aren’t good moments. There are. There are a couple really fun fight sequences and a cool slow-motion walk to the space craft, but other than that there just isn’t a lot of visual style to it.
Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI): ★★★★★ I have to say one of the most noteworthy aspects of this film was the CGI done to de-age Samuel L. Jackson and Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson). Truly amazing CGI. If for no other reason than to see the stunning CGI work, this one is worth the TV rental fee. After the first scene or two, I stopped noticing and they seemed completely natural, which to me is the sign of a truly gifted CGI team. If you stop noticing the CGI and it starts blending into the rest of the film then you know they’ve done a great job.
Character(s)/Acting: ★★★ I felt like Brie Larson, although maybe not my choice for Carol Danvers, she did have some good moments. The chemistry between her and Samuel L. Jackson was fun to watch. They played nicely off of each other and the banter back and forth was very clever and entertaining.
Like
I said, Brie Larson wouldn’t really be my choice for Carol Danvers. It isn’t
because I don’t think she is a good actress, I do. I loved her in Room, and
honestly think she is fantastic in the right role. However, in this film she
just wasn’t the right choice. She doesn’t seem to fit the strong superhero persona.
Her acting style felt forced and she seemed stiff and uncomfortable in the
costume, and her movements were choppy, rather than fluid, during the fight
sequences.
Although
I felt like Lashana Lynch did a decent job at Maria, Carol’s best friend, there
just didn’t seem to be much chemistry between the two actresses. Sure, Carol
doesn’t have any memory of their friendship, but Maria does… There should have
been some sign of that internal struggle she would have been feeling having
lost her best friend, thinking she was dead for years, and then having her show
up on her doorstep. I just wish there had been more of an emotional connection
between the two of them. Without that, I just didn’t really care for the
characters.
MY FAVORITE QUOTE:
“I’m
not gonna fight your war. I’m gonna end it.” ~ Carol Danvers
Honestly, this is a pretty good superhero
quote and to me, probably the most superhero thing Carol Danvers says in this film.
TO SUM IT UP:
I
was more disappointed than I was entertained. The movie isn’t terrible… but it’s
not great… it just seemed to fall flat.
Have
you seen Captain Marvel yet? If you have let me know, in the comments below,
what you thought of it! As always, I do recommend seeing this film and finding
out for yourself what you think of it. My opinions might not line up with yours
and you might just love the film.
Check out my YouTube channel and the video review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.
I have third degree burns down the right
side of my face and body. I’ve been in the Operation Atlas Treatment Center for
over a month and the doctors say I’ll be released in just under a week. The
average human would take months and multiple skin graft surgeries before they’d
be healed enough to leave. Not me, I heal quickly. It’s one of the many benefits
of being a metamorph.
Sure, without the surgeries I’ll
have scars, but I don’t care about the scars. I’ll wear them with pride, like a
badge of honor.
You see, I can do something not
many others can do. I can control fire, or at least I will once I get my powers
under control. I’m still learning.
Being an Incendiary is rare, but
being an incendiary with two of the three primary powers is unheard of. That’s
why Operation Atlas is taking such good care of me. I’m one of their elite.
Alright, now it’s your turn. I’d love to see what today’s writing prompt inspires in you. So, if you are willing, go to the comment section below and start typing. Take 5 minutes and let’s see what you come up with!
What are you recovering from right now?
What books have made your August reading list? Check out the New York Times bestsellers for August 2019 by CLICKING HERE!
Are
you an author who is looking for ways to stay organized and on track with all
your writing goals? Check out my author workbooks below. They are full of all
the tools I use in my writing process!
What does it mean to clean a room mindfully? It means to go slow, to appreciate each and every item in the room. As you clean, ask yourself how you feel about each item and what each item means to you. What emotions do you associate with each item as you pick it up, dust it, polish it, etc. Explore feelings of self-appreciation. Appreciate your physical ability to clean: the ability to bend, stretch, lift, and carry. How does the room feel when you’re finished cleaning? How do you feel?
Mindfulness Journaling:
After completing the ‘Clean
a Room Mindfully’ activity, describe how both you and the room have changed.
How do you feel now that the chore has been completed? How does the newly
cleaned room make you feel?
Mindfulness journaling can be very
private. However, I would love to invite you to comment below and share your
experiences with the ‘Clean a Room Mindfully’ exercise.
Check out
my #MindfulnessMonday YouTube Series and don’t forget to click subscribe so you
never miss an episode!
I’m certified in Holistic Stress Management and Mind/Body Fitness. I’ve been practicing Mindfulness for 10+ years and am passionate about helping others in their pursuit of a more mindful existence.
Nina Soden 