Category Archives: Fiction

In realistic fiction, we don’t actually imagine the woman slithering on her belly, but Hannah’s quick description immediately describes the kind of character we’re facing. I love those descriptive lines. “The woman moved like a viper in the reeds.” Kristin Hannah, The Nightingale It’s early in the year, but I think The Nightingale will beContinue reading ““…like a viper in the reeds” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah”

This passage sets the stage for a wild and imaginative ride through a small town called Zephyr, Alabama in the 1960s. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one of my favorite 2024 reads–I’m surprised I hadn’t come across it before, as it was published in 1991. Robert McCammon weaves mystery,Continue reading ““We start out knowing magic…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (1)”

I had to dig up some more quotes from the Nightingale. It was full of great ones. Here Hannah describes an enormous crowd moving gradually and without clear direction . . . but still staying together. A neat description that is also filled with foreboding. It’s early in the year, but I think The NightingaleContinue reading ““a thousand-legged centipede…” from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah”

Dakota Moore is a conflicted teen wrestling with faith and friendship, and each new person she meets brings a new adventure–and some are more dangerous than others. Immediately behind Sophia, Makayla and Teagan leaned out, one to the left and one to the right, like some three-headed monster from Greek mythology. One head was snarling,Continue reading “Meet the Triumverate, from Suddenly Rural Girl”

Suddenly Rural Girl’s protagonist is a conflicted teen wrestling with faith and friendship after her father dies and her family moves to a new town–and this neighbor boy is both intriguing and repulsive. Jackson stepped out like a shadow. He was as dirty and di-sheveled as ever, standing silently with his palms up helplessly, butContinue reading “Meet Jackson Redrickson, from Suddenly Rural Girl”

Dakota Moore is a conflicted teen wrestling with faith and friendship, and each new person she meets brings a new adventure–including a cute red-headed classmate. And he was even more adorable up close. His eyes were a brighter blue than I had imagined, friendly and playful. He smiled and the gap between his front teethContinue reading “Meet Liam Finnegan, from Suddenly Rural Girl”

Dakota Moore is a conflicted teen wrestling with faith and friendship, and each new person she meets brings a new adventure–including her Advisory teacher. She was an outgoing and outstanding woman, full-figured and full of bubbly energy with a wardrobe to match. She’s hard to miss, like an enormous used car dealer billboard along theContinue reading “Meet Ms.Bousta, from Suddenly Rural Girl”

Many a teen has imagined a kiss . . . the anticipation, the warmth, the heart-pounding passion of young love. Few take time to think about the end of a kiss. It’s why this quote stands out. The end was as impactful as the beginning. A fantastic description. It’s early in the year, but IContinue reading “The end of a kiss… from The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah”

Dakota Moore is a conflicted teen wrestling with faith and friendship, and each new person she meets brings a new adventure–including this dragon-doodling classmate. “Did you see what Taylor was wearing?” One of them saidthrough her nose. “…some skintight black Poet shirt. Like she’s going to a creepy goth funeral.” But Taylor has a kindContinue reading “Meet Taylor, from Suddenly Rural Girl”

Dakota Moore is a conflicted teen wrestling with faith and friendship, and each new person she meets brings a new adventure. Her mom, Elu, and little brother, Matt, are on that journey, too. Mom cut her hair the next day. It had been a tradition for Sioux women to cut their hair when in mourning,Continue reading “Meet Elu and Matt”

Dakota Moore is a conflicted teen wrestling with faith and friendship, and each new person she meets brings a new adventure. Mr. Young stepped toward me and extended his hands. I leaned my face forward, and his shaky fingers gently found my chin and cheek bones. He lightly traced the edges of my face, seeingContinue reading “Meet George Washington Young, from Suddenly Rural Girl”