Author Archives: NeriSiren

Why you should (allow yourself to) read “below your capabilities.”

Posted on Nov 6, 2019

Or:  “Reading Without Limits” Goes Both Ways  This is somewhat of a prelude to my Decade-End Review, and somewhat of a response to: Recent discussions on appropriate tween books (scroll down to the “Clean Teen” section), Debates over appropriate trick-or-treating ages … Continue reading →

Posted in book blogging, opinion | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Salted caramel, with extra foam…

Posted on Oct 27, 2019

An October Report, of sorts. Due to Real World complications and Other Projects, I’m taking a bit longer to read the latest October Days novel than I’d hoped.  Therefore, rather than a full book review, I would like to offer … Continue reading →

Posted in fantasy, folklore/fairy tales, Halloween, mermaids, October Daye, selkies | 8 Comments

La La Land has a new address!

Posted on Oct 25, 2019

Hear ye, Hear ye!   With songs and spells and a pinch of pixie dust, I have finally simplified the portal into La-La Land!  My faithful Postcardians may now enter their beloved land of literary tomfoolery and fairy tale fangirling … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Literary Candy Crushes

Posted on Oct 17, 2019

Last year, Tor.com posted an article on the evolution of “Fantasy Candy Kingdoms” in children’s literature — from Hansel and Gretel’s gingerbread house to Seanan McGuire’s world of Confection in Beneath the Sugar Sky (hello, TBR pile!) Upon re-reading the article, … Continue reading →

Posted in bookish cooking, Halloween | 8 Comments

Mindful Make-believe: “The Gypsy Game” on compassionate cosplay

Posted on Oct 7, 2019

Spooky Salutations, Postcardians!  Welcome to… Halloween Month 2019! Re: this year’s theme.  Rather than Selkies, Sequels, and Second Chances, I’ve decided to focus on Compassionate Cosplay, (Literary) Candy Crushes, and Sinister Selchies (look, there’s a ‘c’ in there!) Today’s post will … Continue reading →

Posted in family, Halloween, opinion, spooky | 6 Comments

It’s still summer in Sweet Valley.

Posted on Sep 26, 2019

If you’re lucky enough to live where the mercury never falls below 50, you can totally still sneak in some beach reading in these early days of Autumn.  And what’s beachier than a nostalgic romp through Sweet Valley, California?  Better … Continue reading →

Posted in favorites, graphic-novels, humor, nostalgic, satire | 4 Comments

Salt inside the words: Helen Frost on writing for children

Posted on Aug 30, 2019

A few weeks ago, Fort Wayne author Helen Frost led a children’s lit workshop at the Allen County Public Library, where she offered advice on historical research, “writing the other,” and not stressing too much about the children’s publishing industry. … Continue reading →

Posted in author focus, family, historical, poetry, writing | 3 Comments

Summer of ’69 / ’94 / ’19

Posted on Aug 3, 2019

Alakazam, Postcardians!  #notsorry, but I did suggest in my previous post (now private) that “Goodbye for Now” might turn into “Merely a Hiatus,” and/or that I might take a break from Other Big Projects to sneak in a post or … Continue reading →

Posted in fantasy, festivals, LGBTQIA, music, re-reads | 2 Comments

The 2018 Review

Posted on Dec 14, 2018

Welcome, Postcardians, to another celebration of a year in La-La Land!  Have a metaphorical seat by the imaginary fireplace, and enjoy a virtual taste of my grandmother’s gingerbread mushrooms! * Overview * First, a big Thank You!!! to everyone who … Continue reading →

Posted in fantasy, favorites, folklore/fairy tales, LGBTQIA, Lithuania, mermaids, meta, music, nostalgic, spooky, year-end review | 9 Comments

The October Report: Night and Silence

Posted on Oct 23, 2018

Apparently, the faeries snuck one last gift into my bag before we left the Twilight Realm. Rating:  4.89 out of 5 nasty, allergy-inducing sachets of marsh magic. The newest October Daye book, Night and Silence, is so amazeballs that the faeries … Continue reading →

Posted in family, fantasy, favorites, folklore/fairy tales, Halloween, October Daye, selkies | 2 Comments