Not Without My Book Bag

Reading, Writing & Random Errata from t.s. davis; whose books, etc., are at http://tanitasdavis.com

[torpublishinggroup]

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews is a thrilling fantasy adventure novel.

“Nothing is more annoying than a man who doesn’t have the decency to die after he’s murdered.” —Solentine Dagarra

Bastard son of a hero margrave and secret head of the Shears. Charming and ruthless. Noble by day, assassin by night, effortless thirst trap on all occasions.

The art featured in this image is by Helena Elias.  

WHAT’S IT ABOUT

Maggie awakens in the familiar world from her favorite unfinished fantasy series. Despite her initial efforts to get home, she finds herself drawn into the lives of the motley crew of characters she’s come to love and care for. With her extensive knowledge of its plot, setting, and characters, she navigates the world of Kair Toren and attempts to save  her new friends from the inevitable war and ruin on the horizon.

[writingwithcolor]

WWC Askbox has reopened!

WritingWithColor.com has reopened to your questions.

Hey everyone,

The WWC Askbox re-opened Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Closing date: No close date set at this time, but we'll let you know when there is one, with sufficient notice.

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But! Before you hit "send" on those asks, make sure you:

Review the Ask Masterpost + FAQ in full. Now is the perfect time to read it, as it's quite thorough.

Explore the blog and our many previous posts fully, as your question may already be answered or partially answered. We delete asks that don't meet guidelines or have already been covered.

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Issues submitting your question? Send us a message and we'll help you out.

Other updates

Stay tuned for an UPCOMING GUIDE/SERIES by Mod Colette on writing Black characters.

Would you like more book recommendation lists from WWC and/or curated by you, our followers? Let us know!

Thank you, kindly!

~WWC Mod Team

[notwithoutmybookbag]

{poetry friday: poetry peeps try the tricube} https://tanitasdavis.com/poetry-friday-poetry-peeps-try-the-tricube/ Welcome to another year of Poetry Peeps Adventures! Poetry Peeps! You're invited to our poetry challenge for the month of FEBRUARY. Here's the scoop: we're composing

[sosuperawesome]

Stained Glass Dragon Pattern // Glass Goddess Studio

[elodieunderglass]

Oh brilliant - looking at the design, this is a puppet; if you pull the dangling crystal ball, it will make the dragon bob up and down, flapping its wings. and for added verisimilitude, it also has a small chance of burning down your house!

[notwithoutmybookbag]

How much do I love that it bobs up and down?

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...little gems like this are why I still read middle grade books, and always will.

[notwithoutmybookbag]

I love Faith Erin Hicks. I think I want to live in this book.

[notwithoutmybookbag]

Another spectacular graphic novel - read it!

A First Time for Everything

A middle grade graphic memoir based on bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat's awkward middle school years and the trip to Eu

Just found out this book was longlisted for the National Book Award. I am in FULL agreement - this lovely, poignant snapshot of a moment of Santat's junior high trip abroad hasn't yet gotten the attention it deserves, so I'm thrilled to see it attract more readers. If you haven't gotten to it yet, DO. It will remind you that there's still space for taking risks to try new things and have adventures, no matter how old you are.

[notwithoutmybookbag]

Yes, I was fully going to DNF this book. And, to be clear: that's 's on me, not on the book. One weird side-effect of reading a lot of YA is that when I am IN A MOOD, it can bum me out. I was never as cool as a lot of the protags in YA novels. I will never BE that cool. I got half of the first chapter in, and the kids seemed brash and mouthy, too wealthy and smart and accomplished, a version of banter that I couldn't get into. And so I set it aside and a week later returned, and read it in a single sitting... One. Big. Gulp. Suddenly the mouthy was clearly forthrightness and honesty and friendship, trying to also smooth the jagged edges of insecurity. Suddenly the wealth and accomplishment had a reason, in NBA crap and constant, jaw-grinding practice. Suddenly the characters just gelled (jelled?) for me, and I was hooked. I've read Ms. Weatherspoon's writing for adults, and loved it, but wasn't sure how she would translate that vibe into writing for young adults ... But she brings more detail, emotional realness and resonance and beautifully clear-eyed pragmatism to characterization than a lot of seasoned YA writers, and I hope she does this writing-younger thing again and again -- she's truly excellent at it. Verdict: if you haven't read this WHYYYYYYYYYY? Even if you don't think you want to read a romance now, grab it anyway. That mood will strike.

[notwithoutmybookbag]

Two books I've read in the last little while that hit a little too close to home... I started Heather Kamins' THE MOTH GIRL when it came out in March of 2022. It's about a girl who begins to ...manifest these odd symptoms, and how those symptoms, which at first weren't that big of a deal, then changed her whole life, and kind of begin to unravel her. I had to put it down. It was ...very true to life, even though the disease is completely imaginary - she's getting lepidopsy: this illness that causes floating, attraction to light, and a craving for sugar... basically she's becoming a moth. It was the struggle it took to find a diagnosis, the distance - unintentional - that it made between her and her community, and a bunch of other things that really resonated in a disturbing way. I once heard someone describe autoimmune disorders as "you don't get it 'til you get it," and I hate how much that's turned out to be true.

The other book that hit me is wildly different, Chloe Liese's ALWAYS, ONLY YOU. It's a big swoony romance, a grumpapotamus-meets-cinnamon-roll tale, and it's adorable (adorkable?) and lovely without too many painful moments that a lot of romance likes to indulge in (love triangles,or Seemingly Insurmountable Issues, etc.). What struck me hard here was that the main character has rheumatoid arthritis, and she kind of... expects disaster. As in, expects people to get tired of dealing with it, expects people to eventually choose to walk away. Yeesh, that was painful to read - and way too relatable. If *I* get sick of the "Hmm, is my body going to hold up today?" query, I can well imagine everyone else clocking out on me before the question comes up.

If you know someone with an autoimmune disorder, or you're not feeling fierce and competent within yourself at the moment with your own, these two books remind you: you're not alone.

[notwithoutmybookbag]

January TBR Add-Ons

Inkyard Press is actually an imprint of HarperCollins - shout-out to the striking Harper Collins Union workers - so this book ISN’T an indie, but I’m looking forward to Alechia Dow’s THE KINDRED. SFF and romance.

Another book on my list this month: HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS AND UNFAIRLY CUTE, by Talia Hibbert. This is her YA debut, but her romances for adults have been around for a long time. Once high school best friends and now enemies, and both high achievers? Sign me up. Bonus goodies: NPR interview with Talia Hibbert - talking mental health rep and bookish background details.

[werenotreallystrangers]

[idonthavevans]

[notwithoutmybookbag]

Whew.

[notwithoutmybookbag]

A fast-paced and tautly written debut featuring a driven female protagonist in a patriarchal setting. This one has a lot of new-things-per-page going on, and also two sequels already in the pipeline!

[notwithoutmybookbag]

The HER INSTRUMENTS series by MCA Hogarth is an excellent and diverse series I read over the holidays. A space freight-hauler with her own ship - and a lot of debt - trying to see the world and Make Something of herself ends up invested and involved in worlds and struggles, risks and rewards she never imagined. Covers by the ever-talented Julie Dillon.

[notwithoutmybookbag]

A new take on the Bluebeard varietal, "Mr. Fox," with a creepy, elegant cover, this short novel is dark, dark, twisty, and awesome. Also contains hedgehogs. Just in time for a mucky winter afternoon.

[notwithoutmybookbag]

A surprise entry from Beth Revis - THE BODY ELECTRIC is set on the dystopian Earth left behind in her famous ACROSS THE UNIVERSE trilogy. It's definitely <a href="http://writingya.blogspot.com/2014/11/turning-pages-body-electric-by-beth.html" target= _blank>one for lovers of the series</a>.

[writingdiversity]

About / FAQ / Guidelines

Are you a writer who wants to write a racially diverse story for Nanowrimo?

Do you want to participate in virtual write-ins with like-minded writers around the world?

If you answered “Yes,” then Nanowrimo in Color 2014 is for you!

This upcoming November, we’d like to have writers of color and white writers alike come together and encourage each other to write racially diverse stories. Virtual write-ins will be held all throughout November. This will include word wars, sprints, brainstorming sessions, and even general feedback opportunities.

We hope that you will make friends and continue to incorporate racially diverse characters past November, in an effort to spread awareness, and create more content for racially diverse stories.

If you’re interested, please fill out this General Interest/Participation Form and we will be in touch with more details soon!

If you have any queries or concerns, feel free to send us a message after taking a look at our FAQ.

[notwithoutmybookbag]

I'm too much of a moral weakling to do NANO - not gonna lie, I tend to lie around and whine a lot about O NOES, THE PRESSUREZ but if *you* are cooler than I am (and, let's not kid ourselves, CHANCES ARE), this is for you.

[yaflash]

Hey all! There’s a Blogger’s Literary Award that just opened up nominations to the public. If you’re so inclined, go nominate a YA, middle grade, or picture book that you feel led the pack this past year. Go go go!

[notwithoutmybookbag]

3...2...1...LIFTOFF! The ball is rolling, the eagle has landed, and any other... um... metaphor mixing you can think of has just kicked it off! The Cybils, 2014! Be there! Or, wait until the last second like me and nominate riiiiiiiight before the deadline on the 15th, just to make sure everything gets on the list that "should." Support  Great Books - indie and otherwise - for everyone!