Writers are readers first, so I’m always looking for awesome gifts (for myself). This year, I thought I’d share some of my finds with you. Click on the thumbnails to see a full-size picture; click the title to go buy these items. Alice in Wonderland Book Scarf Who doesn’t love Alice’s story? It’s a wacky, weird, metaphor-laced journey of self-discovery for us all. For me, it says, “Embrace your own brand of crazy.” I love that. Sherlock Holmes mini-book earrings I can’t even say how much I love these earrings. You must click the link to see them in full-size glory. Sherlock is hot (thank you,Read More →

I love my Google Reader.  I can read it anywhere, I can add feeds from anywhere, and I can organize it easily.  But, when I got my iPhone, I wanted to be able to read my fave feeds on my phone.  I didn’t want to find a new reader; I had everything set up exactly the way I wanted it in Google. (I’m somewhat of an organization freak). First I found Google Reader on Safari, on the phone, and saved the page for easy access.  I am not a fan of the way Safari handled my feeds.  It was too stiff, not intuitive at all,Read More →

At least, it has for me. So convenient. Such a dream come true–any book I want to read is at my fingertips and delivered in less than a minute. I’ve probably read more books in the last month than I have in the year before that. And that’s a really satisfying thing. Anyway, you should totally have one.Read More →

It’s been a while since I’ve done Material Girl post, so I thought I’d do one huge super post full of etsy goodness. For the writer who reads (duh): Both by: TillyBloom I picked this one because I freaking LOVED Nancy Drew growing up and I have many cherished memories of going to the library with my grandmother to pick out another Nancy Drew mystery.  Also… I’m a purse addict.  Ask anyone. This by spoonfulofchocolate who has lots of book goodies. And, just for fun, laptop soap! By pepperapothecary.Read More →

I found Sex and the Single Vampire by Katie MacAlister at the Dollar Store for $1.25! Squee! One’s To Be Read (TBR) pile can never be too large.  Especially when it’s a favorite author. Update 03/14/2011–I think I bought this book for my Kindle because I never get in my TBR drawer anymore.  Those books are all heavy and awkward and stuff. Update 08/26/2011–I gave this paperback to my daughter’s best friend’s because she loves vamps and I love Katie MacAlister.Read More →

Ask me how much I love this necklace.  Yeah, it’s a little clunky, but if you’re a dedicated reader and you agree that censorship is a dirty whore, it makes quite a statement. I Read Banned Books Necklace.Read More →

It’s like the opposite of Write Or Die, but I think it would work just as well.  I can’t tell you, because my fabulous Mac is down and out.  But I’d recommend.  OmmWriter.  Try it. A review from MakeUseOf.com. When I came across OmmWriter, I was intrigued. The concept took writing productivity, mixed in some solitude and added a dash of zen. The results? A beeeautiful and calming full-screen, distraction-free writing application with its own soundtrack.Read More →

Today, I’m going to recommend a book that I don’t even own (yet).  So ordering it today.  Anyway, this book: was recommended by Jennifer Crusie in her essay “Emotionally Speaking: Romance Fiction in the Twenty-First Century”. The psychology of the characters will dictate how and why they fall in love, and their growth as human beings will dictate whether or not the reader believes they’ll stay in love. That’s why, along with researching the genre, it’s a good idea to research the psychology, anthropology, and biology of romantic love (a good place to start is Erich Fromm’s The Art of Loving ). The product descriptionRead More →

Want the awesomest “writing” program I have ever encountered?  Then you need Write or Die – Desktop Edition.  It’s rocks so hard, rock stars are jealous.  First, let me tell you, you can use or try it online, for free.  (I love free).  It took me one session, in which I wrote over a thousand words in half an hour to know I wanted to own this genius piece of software. It motivates in three ways: gentle mode-a box comes up reminding you to get back to writing, normal-annoying sounds start playing (it’s incredibly maddening), and kamikaze-your words start untyping themselves.  In all three, theRead More →

I just ordered some books for my daughter because she’s become hooked on Nora Roberts and somehow I’ve managed to keep one or two books of a trilogy and be short the rest.  So I rounded out about four trilogies for her and placed my order. So you know, I’m a clicker.  I’m one of those people that will totally start out on a page about, say, rabbits and end up on a page about how to make a quilt out of old t-shirts.  That being said, I innocently clicked on the recommendations for me link.  And I saw this. (Digital How to Write aRead More →