Goodreads: A Few Facts

Coming across sites dedicated to books and connecting bibliophiles from around the world is always a pleasure, and Goodreads ranks among the most famous of them all. Started in 2007 by Otis and Elizabeth Chandler, this website focuses on helping readers to do such things as keeping track of the literary works they have read

Journal Entry #41-Literary Observations and Promotion Questions

This past week has been quite busy. We had a lot of rain where I live, and there was even the possibility of snowfall (although it seems to have passed us by for the time being). I have also writing quite a bit every day, working on another much longer story to eventually self-publish. Literary

Journal Entry #40–Reviews and Happiness

It felt wonderful to start 2023 with a self-published book on Amazon, Literary Observations, and being able to publish a book has been a huge dream for me. But, what really made me smile during this past week was that two people gave the collection very thoughtful reviews, alongside five-star ratings. One of those people

Books I’ve Written (Subject to Growth, hopefully!)

1. Literary Observations (Available in E-book and paperback forms on Amazon.com)–A self-published short story and poetry collection. 2. Narrative Poetry: Real-World Wonders and Fictional Delights (Available in E-book and paperback forms on Amazon.com)–Includes a collection of narrative poetry written over the last few years.

Literary Structures (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: I just love the thought of books being like structures we, as readers, get invited to explore.] A simple pen touched to a blank canvas page      can lay the foundation for a new chapter             in many textual lives—                        born from words to breathe                              upon each reading

Book Review: The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers

Walter Moers’ The City of Dreaming Books is a novel-length declaration of adoration to the writing craft and all its creative possibilities. This fantasy, written in a humorous spirit reminiscent of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, takes us to the vast world of Zamonia, and follows a young Lindworm (basically a dinosaur-like being) named Optimus

Fairy Tale Road (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: I remember hearing about this road of mystic proportions somewhere in Germany a while back, along which the Brothers Grimm drew inspiration for the collection of fairy tales they gathered. Famous fairy tale locations exist along the route, including the town of Hamlin and Bremen. Enjoy!] Someday I would love

Storied Enchantments (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: I’ve looked up to master wordsmiths all my life. They can fill the lives of people with so much joy, and in my mind they are true wizards capable of casting spells and enchantments on their audiences.] On stormy afternoons  when tears     trickle       like  

A Reading Experience (A Poem)

By Joyce Jacobo [Author’s Note: I’ve read that we are never read the same work twice, meaning that each time we approach a text, we approach it from a new perspective. We might think of different things, for instance, as an adult reading a tale we enjoyed as a child–and notice new aspects of the

Wolfwalkers: The Graphic Novel (A Short Book Review)

Based on the film by: Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart Adapted by: Sam Sattin Published by: Little, Brown Books (Hachette Book Group) Trailer for the animated movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Z_tybgPgg The Cartoon Saloon animation studio has achieved a great deal of acclaim with their beautifully drawn movies in recent years, focused around stories and legends from Ireland