I love May, and in 2018, the month was more vibrant and appreciated than ever here in upstate NY. As an acquaintance said, 'April made me cranky.' Cold and wet, this April was an extension of a winter that long overstayed its welcome. So May was a special delight. With the first warmth, our world … Continue reading Salutations: May 2018
In this debut newsletter - which I hope will be monthly - I thought I'd review what I read in April 2018. I long have envied a few dear friends who keep a reading list of books they've read - with notes and quotes that struck a chord. I'm more like several other friends in … Continue reading Salutations: April Reading
National Library Week seems an appropriate time to honor and celebrate an institution I love. When in my youth, I wondered where my wanderlust might take me, I remember thinking, 'As long as the town has a library, I can be happy there.' I wasn't far off the mark. My local library isn't the only … Continue reading I Love My Library
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Hmmm… And I thought I was in the hot seat with my book club!
Eighteen months ago, when my debut novel, The Sister, was No.1 in the charts, I was invited along to HMP Thameside to meet their book club. Immediately, The Fear hit and I quickly declined. Not because of the environment, but because I had a massive phobia of public speaking. Those who read my blog know that after turning down numerous talks, I was asked to speak at the Althorp Literary Festival last year and eager to attend, I had a course of hypnotherapy to help me overcome The Fear (you can read about that here). I’ve since spoken at, and enjoyed, several events so when HMP Thameside’s librarian, Neil Barclay, got back in touch and asked if I’d reconsider, grateful of a second chance, I said yes.
I had never been in a prison before and my expectations were very much centred around what I’d seen on TV, rowdy…
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Why book people are my people
Today is my second governmentally-significant birthday. Back in 1974 when I celebrated my 21st (on the 21st!) legality loomed large. Many personal milestones followed, but who considers the government when huffing to extinguish 30 or even 50 candles? But at sixty-five - and running up to it? The government is in one's face! Sign up … Continue reading Birthday Give-Away
Barbara Stahl is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and retired school library media specialist, who is a devoted western New Yorker. She loves her family, circle of friends, reading, history, music, theater, and cat Tarzan. Her "Lucky to be Here" bi-weekly column appeared in the Canandaigua Daily Messenger. Barbara is the author Aviaries of Sonnenberg and other … Continue reading Barbara Stahl Reviews Come Back
I was in the hot seat last week, in the best possible way, as the smartest readers I know – my own book club – discussed my novel Come Back. Lordy, what a night! Several years back – before Come Back had a title, when the manuscript still crawled with red-flag errors and an extra … Continue reading My Hottest Seat
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