Welcome to the June Insecure Writer’s Support Group. There is virtual coffee and donuts over there and a basket for tear-soaked pages over there. Smirk. If you haven’t visited before, take a ride on some other blogs by clicking the links of my fellow co-hosts’ blogs PJ Colando, Pat Garcia, Melisa Maygrove, and Jean Davis!
The optional June 4 question – What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult?
Beginning when I was a child, Where the Red Fern Grows, all Judy Blume books, and The Hobbitt. Moving into my young adult years, I loved Dean Koontz, Marilyn French, and Stephen Donaldson.
That’s it for my IWSG post. Now, a little taste of my current read, playlist, and news.
What am I currently reading?
Girl One by Sara Flannery Murphy and yet another reread of Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
A song from my current writing playlist:
Last but not least, a silly news story that left me giggling. He was hangry. Someone should have given him a Snickers.
https://apnews.com/article/thailand-wild-elephant-grocery-shop-4e6abf114e8b12e3fb5e3e1c74de2dc4
That’ll do it for me today. I’ll see you next month.
kimlajevardi 
Dean Koontz! Whew! My husband introduced me to him on our honeymoon, and what a story teller! I don’t know of anyone who does better suspense.
He is a very suspenseful writer for sure.
I saw that clip about the elephant too! Very funny and yet I felt kind of sorry such a magnificent animal was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Appreciated your comment about giving him snickers! And thank you for being a co-host this month!
Yeah, we take up a lot of animal space. Thanks for dropping by!
At the risk of sounding ancient (ha!), I read Nancy Drew, and Hardy Boys before graduating to King, Koontz, and Grisham 😉 I discovered Harlan Coben a year or so ago. I couldn’t stop till I’d read them all! Have you read or seen “Where the Crawdads Sing”? Thank you for co-hosting 😉
I’ve heard so many good things about Where the crawdads Sing, but I’ve never read it.
Hi, Kim! The elephant clip was hilarious!! I read all of the books you shared. Wow! The only French book I read was “The Women’s Room.” I’ve probably read the Thomas Covenant series at least three times. What a story! I had a number of Judy Blume books in my classroom library and read some aloud to my kiddos most years. Thanks for co-hosting yesterday. Our neighborhood power and internet were down much of yesterday, so I’m making the rounds now. Happy June!
Glad you have your power back.
Thanks for co-hosting this month and thanks for stopping by my blog. I remeber reading Where the Red Fern Grows in school. It was so sad. Thanks for the elephant story.
Yeah, Where the Red fern grows was my first experience with an impactful book.
Thanks for co-hosting! Great song for a playlist!
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Love the story about the elephant. I think that would make a perfect and hilarious picture book, especially if he’s after Snickers. 🙂
You should write it.
Thanks for co-hosoting and your eclectic offering of words and music and giggle-evoking news.
Here’s a Snicker for you!
Oh, chocolate. 😊
Judy Blume has given us some excellent stories.
https://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/
She really has!
Good grief, that elephant is one huge customer! I’m surprised he didn’t eat more than he did.
Nice piece of humor.
Lynn
https://la-vita.us/iwsg-04-june-2025-books/
He could have polished off so much if he wanted to.
Taylor Swift. Beyond talented. Hadn’t heard that song or seen the video. She’s amazing. Thank you for co-hosting IWSG this month.
She is talented. Thanks for dropping by!
I remember ‘Where the Red Fern Grows,’ but as a movie.
I saw the movie after I read the book.
Interesting how little crossover there is between UK and US child reading. Not read any of those, save the Hobbit which I read after LOTR so when I was already out of my teens, probably. That may be why I’ve always hated it. So patronising.
Thanks for co-hosting today. 🙂
I read The Hobbit in middle school. Age definitely affects impression.
I was also a Judy Blume fan.
I read all of her books when I was a kid.
Where the Red Fern Grows was such a sad story.
It is, but it was the first I felt a story at a cellular level.
Oh my goodness! How did I forget Judy Blume? I read *everything* of hers I could find for many years. @samanthabwriter from Balancing Act
Same! I could not get enough when I was a kid.
Judy Blume was one of my favorites, too. She made a weirdo like me feel less alone.
Same.
The Hobbit was one of those books I read as well.
Thanks for co-hosting!
I loved it!
All good books. I especially loved Crooked Kingdom and Six of Crows too! Thank you for co-hosting this month!
They are amazing books! Thanks for dropping by.