Writing Journal – Short Story Coming this Month!

Dear Journal,

This month, I will be releasing my next short story! I am very excited about this one. It is episode 2 of The Night Rider Adventures and is a story I have wanted to tell for a while now. For those who have read my debut novel, The Story, this episode of The Night Rider Adventures will dive further into why the story within The Story is so important for the characters and what it does for those who come face-to-face with evil. In addition to learning more about why the story is so important, this episode will dive into Ruth’s original mission and show the audience her first steps toward understanding why the Prince gave her the mission.

I am looking forward to getting this episode released! It will be available exclusively on my website for those signed up for my newsletter. So, I will be emailing information to my newsletter subscribers to tell them how to access it. This story can be read independently of the novels, but it also adds to the experience in the second and third books in The Arlin Trilogy, so I am interested to see what people think!

Sincerely,

Ondrea Keigh

Let’s Talk Books! – Fall Reading List Ideas

It’s fall! I don’t know about you, but I love fall! I grew up in the northwest, where fall is full of trees changing, hills covered in greens, reds, yellows, oranges, and snowcapped mountains everywhere! Rainy days in the fall are made for book lovers who just want to stay inside and read all day long. As you may know, I have been reading through a very long Star Wars reading list, and I have been loving it! That being said, my library has limited Star Wars content, and it is getting closer to the end of the list and harder and harder to find books on the list. As a result, I am gearing up to add another reading list to my TBR pile! Though I am always reading the occasional mystery or spy novel that I throw into the mix, I love to have a list to follow. So today, I am going to tell you about my fall reading list ideas! I will walk about three lists of classics that I have put together as possible fall reading lists, in case you might be interested in them as well! Make sure you sign up for my newsletter, as I will be reviewing my favorite books in the list I choose, and those reviews will only be available in the Let’s Talk Books! newsletter!

List 1 – Romance Classics

The first list (refer to the book list below) I have been thinking about reading through consists of romance classics whose movies and TV shows were very popular and still are. I have seen almost all of the popular movie adaptations of these books, and if I’m honest, I didn’t really like them (except for Anne of Green Gables. I know that one isn't exactly a romance, which is probably why I loved it. But I included it in this list anyways). I didn’t dislike them. I am just not a huge fan of romance, so there are other books and movies I would typically go after if I had the choice. I did, however, enjoy them depending on who I watched them with, usually my sisters. In addition to this, books that movies are based on are generally better than the movies. So, there is a chance that I might enjoy the books. As a result, I thought it might be interesting to give them a listen to on audiobook. Have you read the following books? What did you think?

• Little Woman by Louisa May Alcott

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austin

• Persuasion by Jane Austin

• Emma by Jane Austin

• Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

List 2 – Mythological and Adventure Classics

This second list of books (list below) is more along the lines of mythological (along with some politics) and adventure stories. I have read parts of a few of these books and just haven’t gotten around to finishing them (I started them in college and was too busy to finish them). So, I thought it would be good to check them out again and see what I think of them now that I have time to finish them. I know my library has at least a few of these, but I don’t know if I have enough time to read the longer ones in the allotted rental time (because, you know, work). Still, I may be able to get through them faster than I think. But this list may be better to wait until winter when I have less editing work. Have you read any of these books? Which is your favorite?

• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

• The Iliad by Homer

• The Odyssey by Homer

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville

• A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

• The Count of Montie Cristo by Alexander Dumas

List 3 – Children’s Story Classics

This third list consists of children’s books that have been adapted into movies. I have always wanted to read the novels that inspired Peter Pan and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, so I am very excited about this list. If I don’t do it this fall, I will definitely save it for the future. I have not seen the movie adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, so maybe if I read through this list, I will have to throw a movie into the mix just to see which is better, the book or the movie!

• Allice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

• Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie

• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

• Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

As you may have guessed, I am leaning towards the third list. However, I am curious to see if I enjoy any of the books on the first list or if I end up unable to get through them due to their content. But I would love to hear what list or books in this post you would want to read! If you want to find out which list I choose and what I think of my favorite books in the list, please sign up for my newsletter if you have not already done so! I will include all that information in my Author Life and Let’s Talk Books! newsletters this fall!

Children’s Book of the Month – The Little Bear Treasury

With fall in full swing, it brought me back to my childhood, days reading books cozy and warm in a big armchair by the window, listening to the rain and Jim Brickman Piano. On cold days, I loved to read collections of stories. One of my favorites when I was first learning to read was a book called The Little Bear Treasury. This collection of four stories was read to me by my mother before I could read, and one she used to teach me to read. It was among the first books I read on my own and introduced me to my love of reading and the worlds and adventures that exist in the pages of books. Books like this shaped my childhood in ways that permeated my daily life. Even now, I think of Little Bear and his mother whenever I see a baby bear. These stories still hold a special place in my heart, and I will forever be grateful to have had them introduce me to the world of books!

Book Information

Book Title: The Little Bear Treasury

Author: Else Holmelund Minarik

Illustrator: Maurice Sendak

Theme: Adventures of Childhood

Plot: A collection of three stories about Little Bear and his friends and family

Page Count: 64

Book Review

The Little Bear Treasury contains three stories: Little Bear, Little Bear’s Friend, and Little Bear’s Visit. Each story has its own elements that make it unique, but my favorite growing up was Little’ Bear’s Friend. In this story, Little Bear meets a young girl, and they become friends. I always wanted to be that little girl and make friends with animals! Each story in this book promotes the loving images of the mother-son relationship, sweet family relationships, and an endearing depiction of what it means to be a curious and explorative child. These stories are very simple and straightforward and contain the message of the importance of family as well as friends. As someone who grew up in a close-knit family, I have always been drawn to stories with the same warm feeling of being in a family unit. The illustrations by Maurice Sendak are done in soft colors and a pen sketch style, making them feel inviting and adventurous in and of themselves. Due to the overall feel of this book, the wonderful drawings, and the sweet stories with great family values, I give this book 5 stars!

Let’s hear what Alyssa and Chandler thought!

Family Reviews

Alyssa and Chandler

Alyssa gave this book five stars, saying, “Love the period art! This is a simple story but moves well for kids and adults! And the pictures are beautiful!”

Chandler seemed to agree with her mom on the rating, giving it a five-star rating as well. When asked about her favorite part, Chandler said, “I liked the coldness! (Story about snow).” Her mom offered some help in understanding what she was referring to, adding the part in parentheses.