Elsa Pendleton's Blog

my little notebook

I carry around a little notebook where I keep titles of books I would like to read. We travel full-time, so it is rare that we can use libraries; we count on bookstores and look for both new and used books, and hope on each trip that we can find some good ones. Bob finds surprises because he does not look in advance, usually, for his books; he checks the cover, the blubs, whatever is included on the book including the author's past works.
I tend to check my lists, but I find I often cannot remember where I heard of a specific title. I am disappointed more often than Bob is, because my interests change, maybe, or I overlooked a red flag in a review, or maybe I just picked the wrong list to check.
Now I'm starting a new little notebook, so first I'm going to go over my past lists to see whether there's something I really really want to read. I'll probably use Amazon and see what reviews have been printed with the books still on my list.
Or maybe I'll just give up the idea of lists altogether. I often think I do best when I'm without my little notebook, just flying blind from shelf to shelf.

History and fiction

My book, Ordinary Patriots, connects my fictional family members to several little-known events and groups that were important in World War II. When I learned that the WASP files were sealed in 1944, I began to realize how much information is lost to family members and friends who may never have realized how courageous their aunt/cousin/friend had been.

Now I'm trying to decide how to share my own discoveries with others, by listing some of the major Internet links I have found on these subjects. I'd love suggestions!