Do you love reading? I'd certainly hope so, since you seem to like writing enough to be here right now, and reading and writing go hand in hand. If you don't that's okay. Keep reading anyway - it's worth it.

But if you are like me and happen to love both reading and writing, I've got some recommendations for you!

This past summer, I was lucky enough to be given two spectacular books by my wonderful language arts teacher. These books, The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood and Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg, completely changed the way I think about writing. They give you permission and ideas to simply write and write and not worry about creating anything great. And that's how every writer starts, isn't it? By creating pages and pages and perhaps notebooks full of rough draft; we may only create one paragraph that we truly love, but if we really love it and are able to do something with it, isn't it worth it?

So journey to the bookstore, or even better, the library, and see if you can find a copy! I assure you, it will be worth it. You'll never look at the page or the pencil in the same way again.

Let me know how you enjoyed these books, and go ahead and send me any other book recommendations you have!

Happy reading!