The Shea’s Bookshelf blog contains posts on all things books, incuding Book Reviews and Writing Tips. Book Reviews will include standard reviews divided into four emotional categories, reviews I write for Crawford’s Books, reviews on books that have been made into movies, and author interviews. Writing Tips are full of information I’ve learned in my writing journey. Review the eight categories below for more information.
Emotional Categories: Apple Blossom, Birds of Paradise, Camellias on Moss, Snow Flower
APPLE BLOSSOM
The Giver by Lois Lowry: Books in this category will be stories that seduce and tempt you, just as Johan was tempted by the apple. As Lowry writes, “Following the path of the apple through the air with his eyes…the apple had changed…He had taken the apple home, against recreation area rules…and had held it in his hands and looked at it carefully. But there was nothing at all unusual about it.” Until it happened again with Fiona and the sled and Jonah learned for the first time he was starting to see the color red.
BIRDS OF PARADISE
Every Word is a Bird We Teach to Sing by Daniel Tammet: Books in this category will be nonfiction titles that are magnificent. They will broaden the scope of your world. The narrative will delight you and the words used to tell the story will tickle your fancy.
CAMELLIAS ON MOSS
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery: Books in this category will be stories that transcend the human experience. As Barbery writes, “What is the purpose of Art? To give us the brief, dazzling illusion of the camellia, carving from time an emotional aperture that cannot be reduced to animal logic…What does Art do for us? It gives shape to our emotions…[It gives us] magical interludes, placing our hearts at the edge of our souls.”
SNOW FLOWER
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See: Books in this category will be stories that take you on an emotional journey. As See writes, “I am still learning about love. I thought I understood it…But looking at our secret fan with its messages written between Snow Flower and me over many years, I see that I didn’t value the most important love—deep-heart love…So here I am alone with my thoughts and this fan before me. When I pick it up, it’s strange how light it feels in my hands, for it records so much joy and so much grief.”
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Books in this category will have an exclusive interview with the author at the end of the review.
BOOK TO MOVIE
Books in this category will be stories that have been adapted as movies or TV shows. I review the book and partner with A-Town Movie Reviews to review the movie.
CRAWFORD’S MYSTERIES AND MORE! BOOK CLUB
Books in this category will be stories that have been selected to be read by members of the Crawford’s Books Mysteries and More! Book Club. Books in this category will often be books in the mystery genre, but will sometimes include other works of fiction.
WRITING TIPS
Blogs in this category will offer writing tips that have helped me in my writing journey including how to craft a first draft, how to not give up, and how to find your reader.
Elegance Press 