Dungy invites us into her garden, and from there to explore the world that surrounds us. She mirrors our society and history with the essential messiness of gardening, embracing the struggle and the beauty that lies there. An inclusive and lyrical read that I recommend to gardeners of the soil and the mind. I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This new vision of the Pinocchio tale delighted and amazed me, as do all of Klune‘s stories. And the thing about Klune‘s work is that my heart always breaks open when I read it. Human existence is celebrated in all of its joy and delight and love and heartbreak. When I finished reading the book, I set it on my chest and tried to absorb all of the goodness into my heart and being.

I received this book from NetGalley. Available 4/25

@AsYouWish All your fault I picked up this book and lost sleep reading it!!! Sooooo goood! Thanks for the recommendation.

Laugh out loud funny. Loved it!

Beth Barany of the Writer's Fun Zone is hosting my Writing Creative Exercise column, a brand new venture that helps you pop your brain and play with your writing! Yay!

So, all my writing folx—have fun adding goblins to your stalled scenes and see what happens!

https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2021/08/26/add-a-goblin-a-writing-exercise-by-la...

When I started reading this book soooooooo many years ago, I never imagined it would take so long. But when you're reading a book with so many great creative tips, you have to take your time. I guess. Usually, I'm a pretty fast reader!

Anyway, enjoy the review on the Writer's Fun Zone!

https://writersfunzone.com/blog/2021/08/12/fire-up-your-writing-brain-a-book-rev...

As thrilled with this read as I am with my new rainbow hair! Alison Bechdel dives deep as always in this memoir of her journey through physical fitness, work, and the creative life. ❤

Pride month starts with the new Alison Bechdel!

Returned this book as fast as I could because I couldn't wait for someone else to discover its beauty. What a wondrous read. Marking your life with someone else's art. Serving as the muse. Inspiring to read as a writer and as a supporter of artists. ❤

Happy Star Wars Day! I wrote a blog post for a Thomas Kinkade Studios shop for today. "Do. Or do not. There is no try." So. Much. Fun. And I got to watch the movies as reasearch. What?!!

https://artofentertainment.com/blogs/news/happy-star-wars-day

Squee! I had a piece published on DIYMFA.com! Light up your writing muse with the five creativity exercises I shared. Click here to read on: https://diymfa.com/writing/creativity-exercises-to-fire-up-your-muse

Have a great weekend playing with your muse!

The second mystery starring Perveen Mistry, lady lawyer of Bombay. Love this character! In this story, she travels to a remote kingdom to mediate between the grandmother and mother of a very young Maharaja over where he should go to school. An entertaining read.

This novelization of the life of Hedy Lamarr during World War II reveals the amaxing lufe of this complex woman. It's a thriller about escaping the Nazis and a glamourous trip through the Hollywood of the late 30s and early 40s. What a story!

I laughed so hard at this book that the bed shook and my wife was subjected to repeated readings of the stories which I know were barely intelligible because I was laughing so hard I could barely get the words out. But at least the bed was shaking on both sides at that point. ❤😂

In this murder mystery set in India during the Raj, a biracial ex-soldier investigates the deaths of two women who fell from a high tower. It's twists and turns kept me turning pages through this chunky yet cozy mystery. The main character is inspired by Sherlock Holmes which makes the entire book that much more entertaining. Fun!!!

A wonderful imagining of the mystery of the disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926. This story kept me turning the pages! I didn't know a lot about her early history and loved learning all about it while falling in love with this amazing author. ❤️

Another inspiring read from a comedian! Tig Notaro reminded me of the complexity and compassion we all embrace to get through life. Also, as I pass through this difficult season in my life, her story showed me how it could be so much worse. 😂❤️ Loved it!

Inspired by Sarah Painter on a recent episode of Joanna Penn's podcast, I pondered what it meant to have an attitude of abundance toward my work. Frankly, it blew my mind! Read my blog post and consider the idea in your own work: https://labourgeois.biz/2021/02/22/what-if-we-assumed-success/

An inspiring and funny collection of tales from across Amy Poehler's life. She reminded me of how the creative life is a series of projects, some of which also get to be our jobs, but all of which get to form our careers. I've been sharing this nugget of wisdom with my coaching clients for the past couple of weeks. ❤️ Loved it!

A fun culmination of this charming series! Open enough that there could be more, but ties up the threads quite tidily. ❤️

Another fun and quick adventure with Enola Holmes. In this one, her landlady is kidnapped, and it's up to Enola to rescue her from demons of her past!

A gorgeous adventure of three sisters finding each other and embracing their power. Inspiring to read as both a woman and a writer. Alix Harrow weaves her own spells around my heart with each word. Oh!

An engaging detective duo emerged from this tale, delighting me with their absurd and charming ways. This murder mystery voices back and forth between the first and last cases of Bryant and May. I finished with a smile on my face, ready to plunge into another!

Took me a minute to get back into the story, but by the end I was laughing and crying and worrying about these beloved characters. A wonderful BIPOC, queer-positive reimagining of the wonders and dangers of Alice in Wonderland.

Some nights I wish I slept as well as our little Ty. Being awake is great for finishing books, but my eyes won't close again because of ALL the thoughts. One way I deal us by running the scenarios - Bad/Good/Likely. You can read more about that exercise in my blog - https://labourgeois.biz/2021/01/22/run-your-scenarios/

On the other hand, what are your favorite reads to help you sleep? I'm reading the tagged book right now.

Another enjoyable romp with Enola, this time setting out to rescue a girl being forced to marry. Definitely needed this light read right now!

This book was filled with lots of my favorites - a kick-ass heroine, a charming ghost, and fantastic beasts. However, it fell a little too far over the line into creepy, gross, and horror for me to fall in love. I finished it, but had some rather disturbing nightmares while doing so.

I love this series, but had taken a long time off when this showed up on my radar. Oh! Such fun, and now it's time to catch up! Here, Mary Russell and her husband, Sherlock Holmes, pursue the mystery surrounding their old housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, in Monaco. An enjoyable adventure!

I started posting creativity Exercises on my creativity coaching blog, and this first one is "Let Your Inner Brat Run Free"! Check it out at the link below-

https://labourgeois.biz/2021/01/15/let-your-inner-brat-run-free/

***This exercise comes from the tagged book which is soooooo fabulous!

Also, don't you just love how bratty this stock photo girl is? She looks like she was even being bratty to the photographer! ???

I'm Phee!!!!! Yay!

I never do these, but I couldn't resist. Plus, I trust Your Books.

http://click.mail.macmillan.com/?qs=04fb1d60f982b85badf199bcc100df5f5bbaa18e6825...

As always, Seanan McGuire delivers an engaging tale with a fantastic world. This book is the beginning of the Wayward Children series, and introduces us to a boarding school for children who have walked through doorways into other worlds. A murder mystery unfolds as children begin to be found dead with parts of them missing. Another fun #queerbooks read.

I've been a fan of Eddie Izzard for years, but it took me forever to pick up her book. I'm so glad I did! This memoir contains inspiration for the creative life - including the fact that soooo much of it is about just not giving up! She discusses her coming out and navigating that process, as well as the marathons she runs for political causes. Stamina is her friend.

This is what happens when I set myself up for "Reading Deeply" with a 12 book challenge. Whoopsie!

Reminiscent of the Frankie Drake TV series, but with a fun queer foundation. This cozy mystery is set in the 1920's in New Orleans at a gay club called "Cloak and Dagger." When a debutante turns up dead on New Year's Eve, their local drag queen headliner is the main suspect. It's up to our daring young Millie to find the real killer. Soooooo fun!

Enola Holmes continues her adventures - this time using her skills to find Dr. Watson! As always, an entertaining tale of this precocious young woman.

Snuggly Christmas evening, snowed in and catching up on Christmas movies. Merry happy, everyone!

A group of high school witches, the best of friends, bands together as one of them discovers a terrible part of themselves. A grand adventure with a sweet queer love story at the center.

This heist kept me reading all night. These characters enveloped me in their world, and I regret nothing. "The deal is the deal."

What a fabulous adventure! Yadriel, a teenage trans brujo, accidentally summons a ghost. The mystery of where his body lies - and where is cousin Miguel? - consumed me. Loved it!!!

A super fun little tale of a girl who can see ghosts, and her ghostly best friend.

A delightful journey through the world of lexicography! I enjoyed this memoir while learning a lot about the business, practice and history of writing dictionaries. Quite a lovely way to spend several Sunday mornings.

What a fabulous adventure! ❤️ This story swept me through a sci-fi version of the Aztec Empire with them as the colonialists. Told from the point of view of an ambassador from a small space station community, I was immersed in this new world and a political uprising. Absolutely engrossing!

Maggie is back, on a search for a super-creepy locust man who has kidnapped (?) Kai. Cults and gods and brings with clan powers combine for a rollicking adventure I couldn't put down. Plus, it all happens around "Keshmish." Yes, please with the alternate holidays!

These little novellas are darling and still keep me on my toes. This young sister of Sherlock Holmes keeps her mother's trust and continues to fulfill her promise of being a great detective. This adventure focuses her efforts on saving a missing heiress who has mysteriously disappeared.

Another fun adventure for Lady Sherlock-this time in France with a daring art theft in the works! The worst turn? Charlotte is in France and on a diet. The horror! I love this series so much! The sharp Sherlockian mind in this rounder, flouncier body delights me!

Another fun adventure in the Lady Sherlock series! I very much enjoyed myself - a perfect accompaniment to the holiday weekend.

Maggie Hope is in a bad way at the beginning of this one, fighting her demons with a disregard for her own safety. Dragged into another murder investigation, her adventure kept me on my toes - hoping for the capture of this killer and for the salvation of Maggie. Page turner!!!

Maisie Dobbs investigates again - this time searching for the murderer of a young female journalist. I feel like this was the most emotional I've ever seen the character, and found myself both smiling and in tears at multiple points. I loved it!

Well, I'm just getting all into this series. So much fun! This book picks up exactly where the last left off, swooping you into a new adventure filled with excitement and a little romance! Loving this reimagining of the Sherlock stories.

What a fun novel! I loved this fabulous romp with this alternate Sherlock - especially with her love of frothy fashion and yummy food. Off to grab the next one from the library!