Snowstorms + slow reading
+ a FUNERAL LADIES giveaway!
I’m piled under blankets as I write this. I’ve been crossing my fingers that my kids would have a full week of school after two snow days last week, and with the windchill dangerously low (-32) the odds of a cancellation were high. But after the bus fuel froze and the elementary school parking lot became more chaotic than Coachella, they made it!
God bless a homeschooler, but I am not one. Our family is structured in a way that when the kids are home from school due to inclement weather (which, hi, Wisconsin) the burden falls entirely on me. That’s how it works best for us right now so it’s fine. But each work day I lose out on is a day that matters, because 2024 + Claire = a lot going on.
It would be easy for me to look ahead and become a raging cyclone of anxiety. I’m releasing two books this year. Two books! Two entire books! And every author knows that releasing a book means the work is just beginning. There’s the promo, the interviews, the event planning, the blog pitches, the giveaways, the school visits, the newsletter-writing…it’s a heck of a lot of fun but also a heck of a lot of time. However, I’ve always solemnly sworn to refrain from becoming one of those authors who whines incessantly about their extremely cushy job1 so I’m just going to roll my sleeves up, as my grandma used to say.
Something that’s bringing me a lot of joy right now is a simple tweak in my reading patterns. Last year I made the massive mistake of counting how many books I read. I did it out of pure curiosity but wound up feeling like I had to not only finish every book I started, but quickly move onto a new one. That doesn’t bring me delight; I much prefer to slowly savor + mull over books that are striking my fancy. I’ve been reading much slower this year and am already seeing a lot of fruit from that practice. I may not end the year with a bajillion books read but I think I’ll end it with some really meaningful reading experiences tucked into my back pocket. I’m excited to dig into some classic fairytales this year, as well as a Little Women re-read and a giant book on the history of the suffrage movement that’s been on my TBR for ages.
Ready to go to Ellerie? Less than two months until this little book hits shelves! I’d love to send one of you a signed ARC (advanced reader copy). Just reply to this email with the best book you’ve read lately. Doesn’t have to be new, just new to you! Fiction, non-fiction, a picture book, a memoir…just hit me with the last thing you read that made you think “dang, that was good”. Winner will be randomly chosen on Monday, January 22. USA/Canada only.
Mark your calendars!
3/12/24: Come celebrate the launch of Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County at Books and Company in Oconomowoc, WI at 6:00 PM! Goodies, gift bags, and giveaways will ensue.
3/26/24: Join us at the Waterford Stillhouse in Waterford, WI, at 6:30 PM, where I’ll be the featured author in the very popular Cocktails and Conversation series! I’ll be sipping a cocktail, answering your questions, and signing books.
I’m so grateful for all of the end-of-the-year What Happened to Rachel Riley love. When all was said and done, Rachel was a…
Indie Bestseller
Cybils Award Nominee
New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Title
Amazon Best Book of the Year
SLJ Best Book of the Year
Texas Lone Star Reading List Title
BookPage Best Book of the Year
From the bottom of my heart, to everyone who read Rachel’s story this year: thank you so, so much. It means the world to me that the book resonated with so many readers + that this weird idea I had actually clicked with a lot of kids.
If you want to read more middle grade written by me, I have good news for you—Take It From the Top, my next MG book, releases in November of 2024 (updated release)! There will be more information coming ASAP (like the cover—eek!) but know that it has ex-besties, Northwoods vibes, and a whole lot of musical theater references.
And lastly, a book I’ve loved lately for…
Kids: Love in the Library by Maggie Tokuda-Hall is a really interesting picture book about the Japanese internment camps during World War 2. It’s a beautiful book and made for great conversations with my kiddos.
Middle graders: All I read for middle graders this month were a couple of my old Nancy Drew’s, but they were worth it. Some of the vintage descriptions are more than a bit cringey (Bess…) but the stories are still just truly delightful.
Adults: I love, love, loved Walking on Water by Madeline L’engle. It’s a must read for any writer who also considers themselves a Christian. In terms of novels, I devoured both The Ingenue and The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale. I liked them both for their lyrical prose and amazing descriptions, but The Ballerinas’ ending was a turnoff for me. You’ve been warned!
Thanks for reading along!
-Claire-
Yes, it’s a cushy job. We got almost two feet of snow on Friday and while I was groaning about it from my couch in my sweatpants, some of my neighbors had to go work at Pick N’ Save and Kwik Trip and the police station. Emotionally draining? Perhaps. But also C-U-S-H-Y.
rereading the Harry Potter series and just finished Prisoner of Azkaban! I was able to read a lot of new stuff in 2023 and wanted to go back to the good old reliables. Never disappoints
Over Christmas break, I dove into Fourth Wing and Iron Flame head first and did not come up for air unless dragged to the surface (kicking and screaming) by my family. I’m always a little cautious and a lot cynical going into books that are super hyped but gosh darn it I loved those books so much.