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LeonaWisoker

Writing and Reading and Editing, O My!

I am a writer, reviewer, teacher, and editor. I pick up and discard new obsessions on a regular basis. Right now I'm wild about the work of Brandon Sanderson and Bryce Moore. Longer-running favorites include Patricia McKillip and Mary Gentle. Information about me and my humble scribblings may be found at http://www.leonawisoker.com

Currently reading

Writing the Breakout Novel
Donald Maass, Anne Perry
What Would Aristotle Do? Self-Control Through the Power of Reason
Elliot D. Cohen
Coyote Wisdom: Healing Power in Native American Stories
Lewis Mehl-Madrona
Plants of Power: Native American Ceremony and the Use of Sacred Plants
Alfred Savinelli
Tolkien and the Study of His Sources: Critical Essays
Jason Fisher
The Wizard of Oz as American Myth: A Critical Study of Six Versions of the Story, 1900-2007
Alissa Burger
The Unofficial Downton Abbey Cookbook
Emily Ansara Baines
Oy Vey! Isn't a Strategy: 25 Solutions for Personal and Professional Success
Deborah Grayson Riegel
Caution: Faulty thinking can be harmful to your happiness: logic for everyday living
Elliot D Cohen
Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality - Eliezer Yudkowsky I am following this evolving Harry Potter fanfic with intense interest and appreciation. The beginning is funnier than the later segments, but that follows the arc of the series as well. Well worth a read for a logical yet respectful look at the fallacies of this popular series.

An Example of Doing it Right

The Sherlock Files - Guy Adams

Loved this one. My review explaining why is located here: http://sleepinghedgehog.com/books/guy-adams-the-sherlock-files-the-official-companion-to-the-hit-television-series/

Vodnik - Bryce Moore Moore weaves myth and folklore and modern teenage angst into a wonderfully compelling novel. This one will hook you in and not let go. Don't be misled by the YA label, it's perfectly readable for adults too.
Legion - Brandon Sanderson Sanderson has the gift of taking an intriguing concept and turning into a compelling story. Everything of his that I have read is astounding and leaves me frothing loudly to all concerned about how talented he is--which normally only happens to me with Neil Gaiman and Patricia McKillip.
Art and Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking - David Bayles, Ted Orland This book was given to me as a Christmas present in 2012. I devoured it within two weeks, but I suspect I will go back over and over to reread certain sections. A very, very handy, straightforward, and reassuring book that shoves you back into motion when fear has stolen your momentum. I highly recommend this to any creative, anywhere, who's facing The Fear.
The Moon of Gomrath: A Tale of Alderley - Alan Garner My review of this book, and links to many other reviews of Garner's work, can be found here: http://sleepinghedgehog.com/2013/01/02/all-about-alan/
The Fairies Return, or New Tales for Old - Peter Llewelyn Davies, Maria Tatar The review for this book will appear on the Sleeping Hedgehog soon. Please be patient.
Ravens in the Library - Magic in the Bard's Name - Charles de Lint, Carrie Vaughn, Francesca Lia Block, Laurell K. Hamilton, Catherynne M. Valente, Phil Brucato, Phil Brucato, James A. Owen, Amy Brown, Ari Berk, Terri Windling, Nathan Ballingrud, Midori Snyder, Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, Jaymi Elford, Alexandra Elizabeth Ho The review for this book will appear on the Sleeping Hedgehog in due course. I'm a bit behind, please be patient.
The Weirdstone of Brisingamen: A Tale of Alderley - Alan Garner My full review of this book and the sequel, Moon of Gomrath, is now available at the Sleeping Hedgehog.In fact, there are a lot of reviews there regarding Garner's work, so just check out this overview post instead of looking at this specific review. You'll get there in the end. Here you go: http://sleepinghedgehog.com/2013/01/02/all-about-alan/
Collected Folk Tales - Alan Garner My review of this book, along with links to many other reviews of Garner's work, can be found here: http://sleepinghedgehog.com/2013/01/02/all-about-alan/

Writing the Garden: A Literary Conversation across Two Centuries

Writing the Garden: A Literary Conversation across Two Centuries - Elizabeth Barlow Rogers

Delightful and fascinating. Full review here: http://sleepinghedgehog.com/books/rogers-writing-the-garden

New American Vegan

New American Vegan - Vincent J. Guihan Underwhelming but not all bad. The full review is posted here: http://sleepinghedgehog.com/books/vincent-guihan-new-american-vegan/
The Wizard of Oz as American Myth: A Critical Study of Six Versions of the Story, 1900-2007 - Alissa Burger Enjoying it so far; full review will post on Sleeping Hedgehog when I finish.
Writing the Breakout Novel - Donald Maass, Anne Perry This one is going to stay on the "currently reading" shelf for a while, because it's just too "big" to rush through. So far, I'm seriously impressed, and I wish I'd gotten a hold of this book a long time ago. A lot of craft stuff is now making total sense to me.
Tolkien and the Study of His Sources: Critical Essays - Jason Fisher So far, I'm enjoying this one. When I finish reading it, the review of this book will appear on the Sleeping Hedgehog: http://www.sleepinghedgehog.com

Erfworld Book 1 Battle for Gobwin Knob

Erfworld: The Battle for Gobwin Knob (Book 1) - Rob Balder, Jamie Noguchi This is a fabulously fun webcomic that translated beautifully to print. I currently own the first book in softcover and in the more recently issued (and even more gorgeous!) hardcover. I don't normally pimp the books I read, but Rob Balder is exceptionally talented. Find out more about Erfworld and how to get your own copy here: http://www.erfworld.com/