"I never know what I think about something until I read what I've written on it." -William Faulkner

"When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and clothes." -Erasmus

I was an English major, and I owe most of that to The Babysitters Club. Yes, that series. The one where the babysitters started eighth grade every single school year. At six years old, I read the book where Karen's goldfish died, and I promptly renamed my goldfish Crystal Light and fell in love with chapter books. (The book love lasted longer than the fish, though she was a tough little beast who refused to die.) Whenever I'm tempted to be too critical, I have to remind myself that literature doesn't have to be great to be enjoyable.

"You must write for children in the same way as you do for adults, only better." -Maxim Gorky

"Writing has laws of perspective, of light and shade just as painting does, or music. If you are born knowing them, fine. If not, learn them. Then rearrange the rules to suit yourself." -Truman Capote

I love a good story and when authors play with language. I read tons of children's books because they're just plain wonderful, and I think there's enough kid in me to give a legitimate opinion (but if you could make a time machine, I'd gladly go back and let my 8-year-old self read something, as long as she could ditch the mudflap bangs and stretchy pants).

I like being outside, thinking for myself, randomly bursting into song, art, and belonging to a God who takes me for what I am and, painfully, lovingly, shapes me into what I'm becoming (even if she is uncommonly tall for a woman).

I like concise, creative reviews best because I don't have time to read pages and pages about a single product. However, I know I have a tendency to turn everything into a wordy literary analysis, so I'm working on being concise myself. If your review sounds well-informed and shows some personality, I'll probably like it...and you!

***** I like this so much that I own it and have probably sent copies to all my friends.
**** I enjoyed it, I'd try it again, and I've probably purchased it.
*** It's decent. Over time, I might appreciate it more, but maybe not. That's all.
** The time it took to review the product was more valuable than time spent with the product.
* I'd rather be attacked by large birds than be subjected to this again.

“If you have any young friends who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do for them is to present them with copies of 'The Elements of Style.' The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they're happy." -Dorothy Parker