Tops on Mitch's Lit List...

(the first & last in the series pictured here)

#1) The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. A seven book epic story written over the course of more than two decades. When I finish a book, either one I've read, or one I've written, I experience a sense of nostalgic loss, wishing the story of characters I loved could go on forever. This series is the closest experience toward that wish fulfillment I have ever encountered. How can I convey my feelings most adequately? If I was on my deathbed and could only reread one book (I'm being greedy and stalling for time; it is a seven book adventure) I would wish to have my previous memory of The Dark Tower Series erased so that I might reread this epic story with the freshness of first time experience once more.

Mitch Lits
MitchLitsBooks.com

Number Two on Mitch's Lit List...

(first in the series pictured here)

#2) A Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin. A multibook dark fantasy epic, with several books still unwritten, creating an even deeper more multileveled fantasy world than Tolkien. In my own fantasy trilogy, Destiny's Circle, even though it is a young adult novel, it more closely emulates Martin's violent, merciless intensity than any other fantasy writer.

Mitch Lits

MitchLitsBooks.com

Mitch Lits: Number 4 on his top 5 list!

#4) The Time Traveler's Wife byAudrey Niffenegger. A paranormal romance that succeeded big time as a bestselling mainstream novel. This is the book that I hope to emulate in my own fashion with Golden Eyebrows, my attempt at a mainstream thriller/paranormal romance, first draft of which I completed in November 2008 as my NaNoWriMo entry.

Mitch Lits

http://www.mitchlitsbooks.com/

Judi Presnell Recommends These Reads

Peace Like A River, a novel by Leif Enger, is a National Bestseller that takes you on a journey spawned by tragedy but leads you on an adventurous path of intrique, healing, and love.

Peace Like a River is told through the eyes of an 11-yr-old family member, but the story would touch the soul of any age reader. One message points to the blessings of family, faith, and friends when the enemy is in hot pursuit, a message that can be internalized and help the reader in the future when life may seem unsurmountable. I recommend this book for adults/young adults, but teens would enjoy the story as well.

I have yet to see how this intriguing story ends, but I'm looking forward to knowing the "whole" story while feeling sad that the story will soon come to a close. Books like this are a treasure!

Traveling Mercies, a National Bestseller, by Anne Lamott, who was born of mixed-race parents, tells her story of family life, confusion, God, and yes, even her dreadlocks. Laughter and tears will catch you unexpectedly. Though you may not have walked in her shoes, you will empathize with how she feels in her quest to make sense of her faith and life in general. A few spicey 4- or 5-letter words are included but are relevant to her story. Her exuberance, tenderness, and cantankerousness will captivate you. This book will get you to think while you soak in her actions and predicaments! This is a wonderful book if you are trying to "sort out" life a bit yourself!

--Judi Presnell

When Writers Unwind!

Food! Fun! Friends! Family!

The four Fs were on hand Saturday night at the Little Hawaiian on Rome Street when the CCWC members gathered to celebrate the holidays.

Pictured are:
Richard & Dolly,
John & Zan Marie,
Kevin & Joann,
Bev & Bob,
Abbey & Mitch,
Joe & Kathy,
Claire & Paul,
Mary, Ken & Diana,
Shelly & Mermaid...

Those members who could not attend were sorely missed (well, all except "Olivia"!)

Here's to a brave new year!

-- Diana