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Cat Thursday - It's all about the markings More here: https://www.truebookaddict.com/2025/03/cat-thursday-its-all-about-markings.html

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Holly by Stephen King̵

I always say, "If you have anything you're supposed to be doing, DO NOT pick up a Stephen King novel." Truth! I read this in three days, which is pretty good for me...it is 450 pages after all. I've said this before and I'll say it again. Holly Gibney is one of my most favorite characters, certainly in my top three of King's characters. This case in particular had no supernatural element, as in other Gibney tales, but it is no less riveting. Holly says it best on page 442 (paraphrasing slightly):

"...Roddy and Emily Harris were worse. Why? Because there was nothing supernatural about them. Because you couldn't say their evil came from outside, and comfort yourself with the idea that if there were malign outside forces, there were probably good ones as well. The Harris' evil was both prosaic and outlandish...Holly isn't sure she wants to revisit a world capable of holding people like Rodney. Or like Emily, who was...more calculating and at the same time much, much crazier."

I can't wait to read what Holly does next.

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Portent by James Herbert

A story about a metaphysical explanation for the mounting natural disasters occurring around the world caused by mankind's abuse of the planet. It was a fast-paced, riveting read. Why I keep reading books like this during these times of strife I have no explanation for (though I did read it for a reading challenge prompt).

"All that the various working groups could offer was possibilities; and since the climate changes had become so erratic--and often, so violent--over the past few years, even possibilities were based mainly on calculated guesses. The truth was, the world had fucked itself up and nobody--scientists, climatologists, meteorologists, and little old men with seaweed, NOBODY--was able to say just what lay in store for the human race during the next few decades. Nor even the next few weeks."

"...mankind was born OF the Earth, its earliest life forms crawling from the muddy depths of the ocean and seas, the light giving it energy, taking away the darkness, the part that was the absence of energy. The light became part of the human psyche, for the light was hope, it was faith, it was life itself. Its warmth was the very essence of feeling. It became the metaphysical symbol for love, for compassion, for the SPIRIT of life. The light had enabled mankind to rise above the underworld, to become more than a mindless organism existing in the world's crust. And even now, the light was mankind's focus, it was showing the way, just as some believed it showed the way at the moment of death."

You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children, that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. If men spit upon the ground, they spit upon themselves.

This we know. The earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood which unites one family. All things are connected.

Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand on it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.

Chief Seattle's Testimony, 1854

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The Life-Changing HB90 Method

HB90 Qtr 2 2025 is coming up soon. If you need help getting organized and making time to write, this course is for you. Sarra Cannon is so inspiring and she has developed a system that really works. This is the last time the course will be offered for a while, but once enrolled, you get lifetime access.

Course starts Saturday March 15th with the live kick off call on the 15th at 4PM EST via YouTube. Enrollment will close at Noon EST March 15th Complete details and enrollment here: https://tinyurl.com/michellehb90

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Cat Thursday - Cats Being Cats More here: https://www.truebookaddict.com/2025/03/cat-thursday-cats-being-cats.html

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Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling

Another impressive debut novel. Not sure I should be reading dystopian novels right now though. The timing is in the not so distant future. It felt like a chilling prediction, and I warrant not so far from the truth of what will probably happen.

This, from the final pages…

"But it's a shit world, isn't it?" Willow grabs Nari's hand. "I need to hear it from you."

"Of course it's shit." Nari squeezes her hand. "But it's the only world we have."

Truth.

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Another quarter of HB90 boot camp starts on March 15. This course has really helped me prioritize my time and work on what is important to me. Get more info and sign-up here: tinyurl.com/michellehb90

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Happy International Women's Day!

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HB90 Bootcamp is open for enrollment again!

Another round of HB90 starts March 17th (2nd quarter)! Seriously, the best planning system I've experienced, and Heart Breathings is the best community around. Registration closes March 17th at 12:00pm EST. Once you join for the first time, you're a member for life! All the details and registration here: https://tinyurl.com/michellehb90

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Book Thoughts

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

I'm honestly surprised that the average rating for this has been toward the middle range of stars. I really liked this one. I rarely finish a book within three days. I kept reading this instead of doing anything else. I'm a sucker for books about writers. Add in a mystery/horror aspect and I'm down. It really kept me guessing. I'm impressed that this is her first novel. Looking forward to reading her future work.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Wonderful book! I can't believe I waited this long to read it. Angelou relates her experiences growing up in the South, and then later in California, with candor. Touching and vivid, it's like reading a novel until you remember..."This really happened!" Angelou was an icon. Her description of the black experience is important. This book should be read by everyone.

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Cat Thursday - Only cat parents truly understand More here: https://www.truebookaddict.com/2025/02/cat-thursday-only-cat-parents-truly.html

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Sit Down and Write Month - March 2025 - Join us! Set your own goal...word count, editing, time, or pages.

https://msmwriter.blogspot.com/2025/02/sit-down-and-write-month-march-2025.html

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Cat Thursday - Funny Cat Valentines More here: https://www.truebookaddict.com/2025/02/cat-thursday-funny-cat-valentines.html

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Publish and Thrive is open for enrollment!

I'm getting ready to go back through Publish and Thrive. You can too!

Are you a writer and planning to self-publish at some point? Publish and Thrive is for you! This course takes you from deciding on a genre all the way through what to do after you've published (marketing, email lists, etc.)...and you get LIFETIME ACCESS!

I cannot recommend it highly enough. Enrollment is open! Class starts February 1st. Get all the details here: http://tinyurl.com/msmpublishthrive

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Cat Thursday - Yes, cats will help More here: https://www.truebookaddict.com/2025/01/cat-thursday-yes-cats-will-help.html

[truebookaddict]

Are you a writer and planning to self-publish at some point? Publish and Thrive is for you! This course takes you from deciding on a genre all the way through what to do after you've published (marketing, email lists, etc.)...and you get lifetime access!

I cannot recommend it highly enough. Enrollment is open! Class starts February 1st. Get all the details here: http://tinyurl.com/msmpublishthrive

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Sign up now!

https://seasonsreading.blogspot.com/2025/01/2025-winters-respite-readathon-sign-up.html