Clippings 12: more resources

Last week and weekend were pretty typical:  I did a little reading (not as much as I wanted) and a little writing (not as much as I wanted), spent a little time with nephew and nieces (not as much as I wanted), and completely ignored this blog (oops!).  I have a new review to post this week, but before I get to that I want to pass on a few links.

The first is a review of my last book, Hearts and Hands, spotted last week in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine by my editor.  It may be a bit over the top (and note the title/subtitle are a little confused), but the enthusiasm of the reviewer is a great boost to my sagging creativity!  And as far as I know, it’s the first review of the series in a homeschooling resource of this kind (Susan Wise Bauer has recommended at least one of the books in her revised Story of the World activity books; but other than that, most of the homeschooling references I have seen are catalogs).  So, good to know word is still spreading in that community.

The other links bring you up to speed on a few book sites where I’ve been spending most of my internet hours as of late:

Lots of you are already using BookMooch, but I’ve just gotten into it in the last month or two and have already traded in a bunch of unwanted books for stuff on my To Read list, including decent copies of An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison, The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris, Away by Amy Bloom, and The Known World by Edward P. Jones.  I’ve also made a couple new friends!  Let me know if you’re a member and I’ll “friend” you.

I’ve mentioned DailyLit before, but they’ve been doing a lot of upgrades and now offer a number of recent books in addition to the classics they started with.  Most books are free; a few cost a small fee; all of them can be delivered in brief installments to your inbox on whatever schedule you prefer.  I read a whole classic novel this way without spending that much extra time in my email every day.

And for fellow writers, if you aren’t aware of the online resources provided by Poets & Writers magazine, go check them out.  I spent most of Friday browsing the database of literary publications who accept short stories — and I couldn’t get through them all.  A number of writing contests have upcoming deadlines.  If only I had more stories to submit!  I really need to get more writing done this week…

…so I’ll wrap it up here.  If you use any of these sites and have feedback or tips on how to make the most of what they offer, I’m all ears.  And don’t forget to check back tomorrow for a new review.  Happy reading and writing!

29. September 2008 by Mindy
Categories: Clippings, Resources | 2 comments

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