Month: March 2024

Booked On a Feeling

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

The last few weeks I have been so fortunate to share publication news with you. 

This week I am sharing a bit from my most recent read — Booked on a Feeling by Jayci Lee.

Booked on a Feeling is not just a delightful rom-com. It’s a delightful rom-com which also takes place in an independent bookshop. Our main character, Lizzy, is a book lover, with a special affinity for romance novels. 

“Then she wandered to the romance section to read the back covers of all the new releases. There were at least three that she was dying to read, but she promised herself not to buy any more books until she put a dent in her to-be-read pile. She didn’t have much time to read for fun, but when she did, she always turned to her favorite genre — romance. Sure, it was a nice escape, but it was more than that. Those stories healed something inside her and made her feel less alone.” 

“Her mind flitted back to the bookshelves in her condo, overflowing with romance novels. It all made so much sense. The deep human connection inherent in all romance novels was the antithesis to the life she was living. How was this the first time she’d made this connection? ‘And who doesn’t love happily ever afters?’ ”
“The cold bitter people with shriveled raisins for hearts who disparage romance for being formulaic. That’s who.” 
“ ‘Yeah. They suck.’ Lizzy’s response was immediate and heartfelt.”
“Shannon burst out laughing. ‘There’s no bond stronger than the one forged over bashing romance haters.’ ”

“Lizzy loved independent bookstores. Each one had a distinct personality, showcasing the hopes and dreams of their owners. A bookstore was never just a business. They had souls filled with love, passion, and vulnerability. It broke her heart to hear that Sparrow wasn’t thriving.”

Now I should point out that Booked On a Feeling isn’t entirely about independent bookstores and romance novels. But I loved that Ms. Lee included these passages — lovely tributes to bookstores and romance novels. 

Readers, if you enjoy romantic comedies, what is the most recent rom-com you read? Feel free to leave it in the comments.

Please note: I am including a link to buy the book that I’m highlighting this week. If you use my link, I do make a small commission on your purchase at no additional cost to you. I am working with Bookshop.org which also sends a portion of the profit to support local, independent bookstores.

It Feels Like…

Posted on by Wendy Kennar

“In the beginning, it was easier to describe the pain. Because the pain was new. Because the pain was concentrated in my left calf. And, most importantly, because I truly believed the pain was temporary.”

The paragraph above is taken from my personal essay, “It Feels Like…” And I am so proud to share that my essay has been published in The Mersey Review, Issue 2. 

I have never had so many personal essays published one-after-the-other, like I have recently. (Five of my personal essays have been published between January 2024 and March 2024! My Published Work page has a complete listing.)

You can click here to access the entire issue.

And you can click here to be taken directly to my essay.

Also, be sure to read all the way to the bottom. After my bio, you’ll come to a statement that says: “You can read Wendy Kennar’s Few Words here.” Click on the link and you’ll be taken to another page which includes my answers to a few questions the editor asked me about the writing process. Plus, I answer that “eternal question” — hardback or paperback?

Dear Readers, feel free to share your preference in the comments: hardcover or paperback?

Mochas and Me

Posted on by Wendy Kennar
Photo credit: Shanti Arts, Still Point Arts Quarterly

My dear readers,

Something has happened that I don’t think has ever happened to me before. For the third consecutive week, I have publication news to share! (In case you missed it, you can read about week one here and last week’s news here.)

This week I’m proud to share my personal essay, “Mochas and Me,” has been included in the Spring 2024 issue of Still Point Arts Quarterly. The issue’s theme is “Coffee, Tea, Cocoa.” You can click here to access the entire issue online or click here to be taken directly to my essay. 

By the way, do you have a favorite coffee, tea, or cocoa beverage? Let me know in the comments!

One Foot In Front of the Other

Posted on by Wendy Kennar
Photo Credit: HerStry

Dear Readers, I have more publication news to share!

I’m proud to say my personal essay, “One Foot In Front of the Other,” was published by HerStry as part of their Monthly Theme Series. February’s theme was “My Body, Myself.”

Here is just a snippet:

“It’s easy to look at my body and feel disappointed, disheartened, and cheated. I’m in my forties, a time when many women feel empowered, as if they have reached their prime. But that’s not how I feel. I feel like my aging process has been sped up, like a time lapse video. I feel like my body can’t entirely be relied on, as if I’m defective. 

“I’m closer to fifty than I am to forty and am trying to make peace with this compromised body of mine. Occasionally I look at myself in the mirror and linger on my face. I think back to all those days when I yearned for clearer skin. Now, an occasional pimple doesn’t even register on my list of things to be concerned about. Now my self-consciousness has transferred to my left leg with its two scars (from two different muscle biopsies) and prominent red, blue, and purple veins.” 

You can click here to read the essay in its entirety.