Antonia Aquilante
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The Places Where the Books Live

8/26/2015

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Yesterday I was talking with someone whose son is trying to write his college application essay. I say ‘trying’ because according to her it isn’t going so well yet. They’re brainstorming topic ideas right now, and she suggested an essay about how he loves used book stores. Apparently, he wasn’t thrilled with the idea, but she and I got to talking about the idea, which I thought was an interesting one, and then I got to thinking about what it is that I love about used book stores. And not only used bookstores - libraries, bookstores of all kinds. Really anywhere the books live.

There are so many things I love about these places and the books they hold. All that information, all those stories just waiting to be discovered. It’s like a treasure hunt. I walk through the shelves, looking at all the books, and never know what I’ll discover next. A new book by a favorite author? A new author altogether? A book I’ve been looking for for a long time? So exciting. I remember my mom laughing at me (affectionately of course) once when I found a book I’d been looking for and was practically jumping up and down in an aisle in Barnes & Noble I was so excited. I think I was twelve or so. Of course, my mom and I have also been known to rush directly to a book in a bookstore on release day, joking later that we probably pushed people out of the way in our singleminded quest to grab the book. Big readers, both of us.

And that isn’t even mentioning the books themselves. The smell of them, the feel of them in your hands. I’ve gotten addicted to my Kindle and the ability to carry a thousand books around in my purse instead of one paperback, but it will never replace paper books for me because of that visceral feeling of holding a book in my hands. (Definitely going to have to keep both)

I have a lot of books of my own that live on their bookcases in various rooms in my home, and sometimes I just like to go look at them, to scan the shelves, not only to decide what to read (or reread), but to revisit favorite stories or memories that attach themselves to the books. Which ones I read to get me through bad times or that I read during a particularly memorable time in my life. Which one was the first I read in a particular genre or was a particularly beloved childhood book. Even something like which one I read on the plane when I went to Greece four years ago (Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn, if you’re wondering). There is something strangely satisfying about just sitting and looking at the books.

They, the stories they contain, comfort me, sweep me away to other worlds and lives, bring me happiness, and so many other things. I’m always happy where the books are. What about you? 

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Updates and Summer Reading

8/18/2015

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I can’t believe it’s the middle of August already! I keep saying that I don’t know where time went but I kind of do. This summer is flying by in a flurry of edits for The Prince’s Consort and writing the as-yet-untitled Book 3 of the Chronicles of Tournai series. Edits for The Artist’s Masquerade are on the horizon too. So much is happening and all of it is exciting.

I recently attended the RWA National conference in New York. This was my third national conference and it was no less exciting than the first. And this time, I spent the whole time a little giddy at having a debut author ribbon on my name badge. Here are a few photos from the conference:

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As usual, the conference was an exhilarating experience, one that shows me what a great community I belong to and leaves me inspired to keep writing. I attended interesting workshops, spent time with friends, and made new ones. I met some of my favorite authors and came home with a lot of books. Here are some of the spoils of RWA:

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Never let me say I have nothing to read! And speaking of reading, though I haven’t been doing quite as much as usual since I’ve been spending as much time as I can editing and writing, here are a few books I’ve read lately:

Soulbound by Kristen Callihan - This is book 6 in the Darkest London series, a Victorian paranormal series that I love. The writing is wonderful, the plot and romances are compelling. The author just won a RITA for a book in this series, and I highly recommend them all.

Murder and Mayhem by Rhys Ford - I can always rely on a Rhys Ford book for good writing and an excellent story. This was a good mystery and romance put together. It’s the first book in a new series and I’m looking forward to more of these guys.

A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles - KJ Charles has become a favorite author of mine and I eagerly await her books. This is an m/m Regency romance that has me eagerly awaiting the second book in the series. She also had a historical paranormal romance out this summer, The Secret Casebook of Simon Feximal, which was equally wonderful - and had me finding butterflies creepy.

Mocker of Ravens by Jordan L. Hawk - Another favorite author. Mocker of Ravens continues the SPECTR story, beginning a second arc. I loved seeing more of John, Caleb and the drakul Gray and I loved how this world is developing. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Against the Grain by Charlie Cochet - This is the latest in her THIRDS series, a paranormal series full of romance, action and humor. I’m always excited to hear that a new THIRDS book is coming out. This one gave us the long-awaited romance between Ash and Cael.

Lonely Hearts by Heidi Cullinan - I cannot say enough amazing things about this book and this series. They have all made me cry and then left me with a smile on my face and a bit of a book hangover. They all stand alone, but go back to the beginning and start with Love Lessons if you haven’t read the series yet.

I’m reading Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare right now. 

What have you been reading this summer? 

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    Author

    Antonia is a writer and a reader and a copy editor/proofreader. She loves books, travel, art, photography, baking, pasta, and shoes.

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