Welcome travelers! Use the menu to delve into the categories, or scroll down for my most recent posts.
“Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur.
Some seriously amazing poetry. It’s all very raw and honest and gritty. Written by a woman, it covers topics like parents, love, sex, relationships, and sexual abuse. Haven’t read a poetry book in forever it seems, but this one will definitely be added to my collection.
“Stalking Jack the Ripper” By Kerri Maniscalco
Got this gem at a yard sale today for .25¢! Now that I’m two chapters in, this is definitely my current read. “Stalking Jack the Ripper” By Kerri Maniscalco. Her first novel, the language is pretty amazing, and what isn’t interesting about cutting up cadavers or Jack the Ripper?
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Here’s the book description: ‘Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born into privilege but leads a forbidden secret life. Against her father’s wishes and society’s expectations, Audrey spends most of her time in her Uncle’s laboratory to study forensic medicine by dissecting cadavers. But when their work on a series of gruesome murders and savagely killed corpses pulls them into a serious criminal investigation, she may not be able to keep her double life from her father or society much longer. But she is determined to find answers, for both herself and the murdered women. Set in 1888, this seamless blend of history and fiction places its characters directly in the middle of the Whitechapel murders attributed to Jack the Ripper.’
“Dracula” by Bram Stoker
Next to Frankenstein, this is by far, hands down, one of the best Gothic Fiction books ever written, and it continues to be one of my all time favorites. (The film with Gary Oldman is just as sexy.) The entire book is written in newspaper articles, telegrams, phonograph recordings, legal documents, and journal entries.
“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.
Pretty good so far. Traditional archetypes, a good quest, and philosophical and religious themes.
“The Sacred Bee in Ancient Times and Folklore” by Hilda M. Ransome.
Informative and enlightening. Must read for any beekeeper.
“The princess saves herself in this one” and “The witch doesn’t burn in this one” by Amanda Lovelace.
Finally got my own copies so I stop accidentally writing in the ones from the library. (In pencil, calm down.) These are now on my shelf next to the great old classical poets.
“Fire & Blood” by George R.R. Martin.
The 300 year history of the Targaryens in 2 volumes. Been anticipating this book’s release for years, and I finally just unwrapped it at Christmas. (Thank the God’s I was worried Santa wouldn’t bring it.) I’m only a few chapters in, and wow. MIND BLOWN. This is the stuff us hardcore fans have been waiting for. While the HBO show of Game of Thrones is brilliant, epic, and sexy, it is still the tip of the iceberg compared to the world built in these books. And of course I had to take the photo in front of my Night’s Watch banner. Got to represent my people, obviously.
“The Journals of Lewis and Clark”.
Figured it was an appropriate choice for the trip out West. This book is beyond fascinating and informative. It covers many subjects like history, biology, wildlife study, and relationships with native peoples.
“The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien.
Unpopular opinion: The Hobbit is a better book than the entire trilogy. I’m planning on doing the maneuver where I read the book and then watch its corresponding movie (extended edition) for the entire LOTR series. 
“The Elements of Style” by William Strunk J.R and E.B White
When there’s serious proofreading to be done, you have to pull out the big guns. Turns out my love of the semicolon is legitimate. It’s been storming outside since last night; perfect weather to make a nest and edit my writing.
AEL Library & Archives 