Author Archives: Barbara Howe

The Wordsmith Book Launch

Posted on 25 January 2021 by Barbara Howe

For The Wordsmith, the 4th book in my high fantasy Reforging series, I will be having a virtual book launch, via zoom. You don’t have to be here in Wellington, NZ to join in. The event will be on Sunday … Continue reading →

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Arctic Dreams

Posted on 15 January 2021 by Barbara Howe

I learned this week that Barry Lopez, the American scientist and nature writer, died on Christmas Day 2020 at the age of 75. His magnum opus, Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desire is a Northern Landscape, is a classic work of … Continue reading →

Posted in Science (non-fiction) | Leave a comment

2021 TBR

Posted on 3 January 2021 by Barbara Howe

Before the holidays I owned five of the books in Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London/Constable Peter Grant series. I had added the next book to my wishlist, and my family gave me four books in the series (from three separate … Continue reading →

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2020 Recap

Posted on 18 December 2020 by Barbara Howe

The Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóðið (literally, Christmas Book Flood) warms my heart, since it involves settling into a comfortable spot,eating chocolate, and reading books. The custom, as I understand it, of giving books (books are, apparently, the default Christmas gift) … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, On Reading | 1 Comment

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Posted on 5 December 2020 by Barbara Howe

January Scaller, a seven-year-old girl with coppery-red skin, finds a Door and slips through into another world. She’s called back into this one by her guardian, Mr Cornelius Locke, who destroys the Door and does his best to drive all … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy | 1 Comment

Thanksgiving 2020

Posted on 21 November 2020 by Barbara Howe

The American Thanksgiving holiday is this coming Thursday. We have made some adaptations to our celebrations since we moved to New Zealand, but we continue to observe it, even though celebrating a harvest festival in spring does feel a bit … Continue reading →

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Trixie Belden

Posted on 7 November 2020 by Barbara Howe

With all of my psychic energy tied up in the U.S. election for the past few weeks, I just haven’t had the time or attention for anything new or challenging. I’m going on a nostalgia trip today; hope you don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Children's Fiction, Mysteries | 2 Comments

The Black God’s Drums

Posted on 24 October 2020 by Barbara Howe

Creeper—who doesn’t want to be called by her real name, Jacqueline—is s 13-year-old living on the streets in New Orleans. She’s an orphan, but she’s not alone; wherever she goes, Oya, the goddess of winds and storms, is with her, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternate History, Fantasy | Leave a comment

Sorcerer to the Crown

Posted on 9 October 2020 by Barbara Howe

England’s magic is dwindling. It is a matter of great concern to the members of the Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophers, and contributes to the finger pointing, rumour mongering, and agitation in the ranks that is complicating the work of … Continue reading →

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Banned Book Week 2020

Posted on 26 September 2020 by Barbara Howe

I was not thrilled when I realised that this year’s Banned Books Week (September 27 – October 3) was coming up. I have been making annual forays into the arena of banned or challenged books since I started this blog, but I … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Children's Fiction | 2 Comments