FACT: Reading improves our writing. What are you reading this summer? I'll give you my list: * The Heart of the Matter by Frank Hamrick is an older book, but deals with targeting people's hearts instead of their behavior. Aimed at Christian school, it's a great read for anyone in Christian leadership. * Alaska Bound, One man's dream....One woman's nightmare by Tammy Jones is a true-life account of an Alaskan adventure as told by a woman who lived it. I have not yet read this book, so it's risky to put it on my list here, but the title and description so intrigued me that I had to do a Kindle download asap. I'm looking forward to starting this one! * Baby Dust, A Novel about Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss by Deanna Roy is just what the title suggests. I chose this book because I, too, suffered the loss of a pregnancy through miscarriage. I totally love the title, Baby Dust, since it sums up the magnitude of this type of loss for those of us who hav...

Writers, are you reading this summer? Reading is a "must do" for any writer, experienced or aspiring.  Reading expands your thinking, expands your vocabulary, exposes you to new ideas and styles of writing and helps your own writing improve by all these means.  One of the points in the writing class I teach is "Read to Write." Summer is a great time to do some serious reading, at least in my life.  Actually, so if fall, winter and spring for that matter!  So far this summer, I have read: The Devil in Pew Number Seven  by Rebecca Nichols Alonzo with Bob DeMoss       I couldn't put this book down!  It was a fantastic story of how far some people have the potential to go when controlled by their ego. Memiors of a Holocaust Survivor, Icek Kuperberg   by Icek Kuperberg      I read Holocaust survivor books annually, several times throughout the year, actually.  While some parts are very hard to read because I can't ...