"I never know what I think about something until I read what I've written on it." -William Faulkner

I like the outdoors, the arts, animals, and telling awkward stories once I have recovered from living them.

"When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and clothes." -Erasmus

For me, reading is a million things. Learning. Stepping into someone else's skin. Gaining perspective. Drinking beautiful language. I think it's so important to read with a sense of wonder and openness, with a heart attuned to the honesty and beauty in the words--but also with a critical mind that processes the book's ideas in light of truth.

It's easier to criticize than to praise, so I constantly have to remind myself that literature doesn't have to be epic to be enjoyable. I never want to become a literature snob who wastes her time picking apart another person's art. And I also don't want to waste time consuming shallow fluff! My main hope in writing here is that these reviews, sporadic as they are, might lead you to some of the worthwhile stories out there!

"Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself." -Truman Capote

I like concise, creative reviews best because I don't have time to read pages and pages about a single product. However, I know I have a tendency to turn everything into a wordy literary analysis, so I'm working on becoming a better self-editor. I probably should have fired myself by now.

(After creating a plethora of embarrassing reviews during my high school days, I've learned a lot about the value and quality of the arts. I think much differently than Shar-of-the-Past, but I've left her reviews up for posterity...or blackmail.)

“If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do for them is to present them with copies of 'The Elements of Style.' The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they're happy." -Dorothy Parker