I have things to share! And I’d better share them right now before drowning in taxes. Yes, it’s that time of the year, which I hate most. Why do I have to waste my time doing these horrible, boring things? Oh, miserable me! But first, some good stuff that I’ve read lately.

My favorite read so far this year is actually a children’s book written in 1986 – Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, best known for the popular Chrestomanci series. It was made into an animated film in 2004 by Studio Ghibli.

Howl’s Moving Castle is a witty, humorous and enjoyable book; I am now reading it aloud to the kids. It features Sophie, the eldest of three sisters, who believes she is doomed to failure on account of being the eldest, and then proceeds to have some amazing adventures while under an aging spell that turns her into a 90-year-old. She ends up as a cleaning lady in a moving castle with doors to different dimensions, and strikes a bargain with a fire demon called Calcifer to lift the spell from her. All while trying to stay disguised from Wizard Howl, who is rumored to suck souls from young girls. (Spoiler: he doesn’t). Highly recommended for all ages.

I also read two recent fantasy novels Everless by Sara Holland and An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard, and enjoyed them both. Everless is a secondary world fantasy with some intricate worldbuilding (time is blood is money). An Unkindness of Magicians is a dark tale of the cost of magic, and who pays the price. Next up in my TBR is Her Body and Other Parties, a short story collection by Carmen Maria Machado that I’m really looking forward to.

As for my own writing, I have completed version 2 of my middle-grade secondary world fantasy novel. Another round of edits, and it might just be submission-ready, fingers crossed. I love this little story, and do hope it sees the light of day, sometime in the future.

I’m planning to spend March-May on edits for Book 2 of Asiana. And then – who knows? Whatever takes my fancy.

I almost forgot – I was interviewed by Nick Patch for The Globe and Mail. That was pretty cool. And I have a couple of readings coming up – the Tartan Turban Secret Readings on 23 Feb, and the Chiaroscuro Reading Series on 21 March. Will post links on my news page closer to the date.

Okay, back to taxes. Sob.