Saturday, December 26, 2020

Links to Pitney and Amelia's Bitchen' Boutique LIVE New Year's Eve Party!

 Hey, Brookworms!


I am so excited about this weekend's episode, where I conclude my review of Volume One of Blanche Wiesen Cook's biography of Eleanor Roosevelt, but I am also gearing up for Pitney and Amelia's Bitchen' Boutique LIVE New Year's Eve Extravaganza!  

Join Pitney, Amelia, and all their pals at 10:25PM CST on December 31st to ring in 2021 and officially kick 2020's ass out!  I will be joining them at 11:55PM EST and I can't wait to see you there!  The link to join, as well as their Twitter handle, is below.  Come celebrate with us!  

Pitney & Amelia's LIVE NYE Show on Facebook

Bitchen' Boutique YouTube Channel

Twitter:  @bitchenboutique


Saturday, December 12, 2020

Jennifer Valenti and The Maverick

     On this week’s episode of Brook Reading, I had the honor to speak with Jennifer Valenti, a tremendously talented author, about her debut novel, The Maverick. We spoke in depth about her story, her work in technology, and her courageous journey telling the stories of women affected by all sorts of challenges. Her characters, based on real women, portray perseverance, determination, and the eternal bonds of sisterhood as they seek out their own personal paths of healing. 

    I also reviewed The Maverick, but I DID leave out the ending, so you’ll definitely need to pick it up and find out what happens for yourself! The read is certainly worth it, you won’t regret it! Stay tuned for more from Jennifer in Spring of 2021, when Book 2 of the Jane Valiante series is released. You can find out more about Jennifer, as well as links to get yourself a copy of The Maverick, at her website:  Jennifer Valenti Home Page

Author Biography

     Jennifer Valenti is a debut author with her first novel, The Maverick, launching in 2020. The Maverick is the first in a series of seven novels entitled “The Jane Valiante Series,” which crosses multiple themes within the women’s fiction genre, particularly focused on stories reminiscent of the “Me Too” movement. Miss Valenti is an Emmy award-winning technology executive whose most recent career success has been in the field of artificial intelligence. Prior to moving into technology, she had a successful career in film and television as a Producer and Assistant Director with credits such as The Waterboy, Men in Black II, and Dawson’s Creek.



Thursday, December 3, 2020

Message to the Brookworms:

     


I wanted to write you all and explain, well, my life in the past couple weeks.  On November 22nd, yeah, oddly, the day JFK was assassinated, my father passed away.  I still can’t write it or say it and actually accept it, but it’s true.  It was incredibly sudden and possibly why I still feel like I can’t wrap my brain around it.  I can spend the rest of this post talking about him -  he was the best man that ever lived.  He would be mad at me, however, if I didn’t get back on the horse and continue my normal life.  I tentatively returned to work this week and luckily, I work for a very understanding and kind woman who has given me plenty of wiggle room.  Other than needing to get back on track and knowing how proud my dad was of me and this show, I miss you all.  I miss putting out episodes.  


     That said, below is a calendar of the remainder of Brook Reading episodes for the year.  I don’t know yet if I will create any special holiday or New Year’s Eve episodes, because honestly, I don’t have it in me.  But there were still many episodes that I’ve worked very hard on, and I can’t wait for you to listen.  In closing, thank you for your understanding, thank you for listening, go call your loved ones, and, as always, I will talk with you soon.  


Love always, Melissa





December 6th, 2020

Re-release of Ep 52 - Bust 20th Anniversary featuring Courtney Love

December 13th, 2020

Episode 113:  Jennifer Valenti Interview, Review of "The Maverick"

December 20th, 2020

Episode 114:  “Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 1:  The Early Years, 1884 - 1933” by Blanche Wiesen Cook - Part One

December 27th, 2020

Episode 115:  “Eleanor Roosevelt, Volume 1:  The Early Years, 1884 - 1933” by Blanche Wiesen Cook - Part Two