The Novel Writing How-To Blog

Follow the Write Your Novel Now! Blog to learn how to write your novel in months rather than years!

Book Lists Amanda Webster Book Lists Amanda Webster

Book Review: The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro

The Haunting of Alejandra is a powerful and disturbing novel that explores the dark side of motherhood. It is a story about the ways in which trauma can be passed down from generation to generation. The novel is also a meditation on the power of female rage and the importance of self-preservation.

Photo by @mandy_raine on Instragram

Read More
Book Lists Amanda Webster Book Lists Amanda Webster

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole - A Riveting Blend of Thrills and Social Commentary

When No One Is Watching is set in a rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhood, where Sydney Green, a resilient young woman, finds herself grappling with the haunting realities of her community's transformation. As the familiar faces and landmarks vanish before her eyes, Sydney becomes suspicious of the drastic changes. The story takes an unexpected turn when she teams up with her new neighbor, Theo, a handsome and enigmatic figure, to investigate the eerie occurrences that plague their once-cherished streets.

Read More
Book Lists Amanda Webster Book Lists Amanda Webster

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder

David Grann's The Wager is a gripping and suspenseful true story about a shipwreck, mutiny, and murder that took place in the 18th century. The novel tells the story of the Wager, a British warship that was shipwrecked off the coast of Patagonia in 1741. The survivors of the shipwreck were stranded on a desolate island, and they were forced to make difficult choices in order to survive.

Read More
Book Lists Amanda Webster Book Lists Amanda Webster

Representation for marginalized voices: An #ownvoices book list

The concept of #ownvoices emerged as a way to address the lack of diverse representation and authentic portrayals in literature. It highlights the importance of marginalized individuals telling their own stories as they can bring unique perspectives, insights, and authenticity to their narratives. By doing so, #ownvoices aims to counteract stereotypes, misconceptions, and cultural appropriation that can occur when stories about marginalized communities are written by authors who do not belong to those communities.

Read More
Book Lists Amanda Webster Book Lists Amanda Webster

Book Review: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

The Covenant of Water is a 2023 historical fiction novel by Abraham Verghese. It is set in Kerala, on South India's Malabar Coast, and follows three generations of a family that suffers a peculiar affliction: in every generation, at least one person dies by drowning—and in Kerala, water is everywhere.

Read More