UP! – When A Book Moves You…

Posted on June 15, 2017 by writersideup

It’s been a long while since I’ve written a proper blog post, I know. And it’s not that I don’t have plenty of ideas for posts. I do — a couple of them actually valuable — but what can I say? Life “stuff” can do that. I’m also not a book reviewer, so let’s not confuse this post about a book with an actual review. This is different. This is more.

For a very long time my sleep — mostly the lack of — has been an issue, last night being no different. I didn’t fall asleep till after midnight, then woke up about 4 a.m. to a pillow that shunned me no matter how much I tried to re-bond with it. By 4:30 the sun and birds were starting their day so I thought it best to join them. Continue reading →

UP!–The “HARRY POTTER” Clock Strikes MIDNIGHT!

Posted on August 1, 2016 by writersideup

(NOTE: while this post is current, scroll on the sidebar —in a separate tab or window—to click to listen to Hedwig’s Theme while reading 😀)

Back in July 2007, the anticipation was palpable for the release of the last installment in the one-and-only Harry Potter series. The day on which there would be midnight release parties throughout the world for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I made very definite plans to enjoy it. I’d never attended a midnight release and that being the last one (so I thought), I didn’t want to miss it. (You can read about how I spent that unforgettable day in a blog post I wrote when having done a “Harry Potter Re-Read“.)

The question of whether or not there would be additional books to the series was discussed by many and certainly posed to the author herself. J. K. Rowling said she’d “never say never.” The characters and world she built had become a part of her and her life in a very profound way, and the truth is—you can’t turn off the imagination of a writer—certainly not one of her caliber. Aren’t we LUCKY?! Continue reading →

UP! — KIDLIT TV Turns 1!

Posted on December 2, 2015 by writersideup

Every once in a great while, my timing is just right 😀 By an off chance, in the least expected way, I was fortunate to have met KidLit TV founder Julie Gribble (at first, thinking she worked for the Princeton Public Library). I liked her right off, one thing led to another and she was kind enough to extend to me an invitation to attend a very special event—the KidLit TV 1st Birthday party 😎

Was I excited to go? You betcha! Did I have a great time? YOU BETCHA! 😀 In fact, I was Continue reading →

UP!–OK…Wow! Sorcerer’s Stone ILLUSTRATED!

Posted on October 15, 2015 by writersideup

(NOTE: while this post is current, scroll on the sidebar —in a separate tab or window—to click to listen to Hedwig’s Theme while reading 😀)

It just goes to show you how behind I am on news that, several years ago, I would’ve been aware of AGES before it happened. Today, on one of my Barnes & Noble visits, as I was making a bee-line for the Children’s Books section, I passed by a 4-step display and once THIS COVER registered in my mind ❗ , I doubled back to get a better look. As if put under the Imperius Curse 😕 , as I stepped forward my arms raised and I snatched a copy from its perch. I greedily put it in a basket to peruse along with the dozen other picture books I would gather. Of course, I saved looking at this for last 😎 . Continue reading →

UP!–An Unforgettable, “HALLOWED” Conclusion

Posted on March 29, 2015 by writersideup

(NOTE: while this post is current, read it on its own page, then on the sidebar (opens in separate tab) scroll to click to listen to Hedwig’s Theme while reading 😀)

This being my 4th time reading this series, who would’ve thought I’d read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows with pronounced hunger? I knew I’d enjoy it and read ahead of my reading schedule to be done before Sheila’s ReRead-along time frame (now complete), but I finished much more quickly. Even knowing how things turned out, I still found it to be a page turner! What cracked me up is that I still had that “I don’t want the ride to end!” feeling lol To me, this says a LOT about the talent and genius of J. K. Rowling and her gift to us in this way 🙂 Continue reading →