Book Stuff

Since my second novel, A Long Thaw, was published at the end of January, I've gotten a few reviews. One of the best parts of this process has been getting feedback from readers. One such reader, Casee Marie of Literary Inklings, wrote a lengthy review, saying (in part):

The pacing of O’Rourke’s prose is beautiful in itself, her narrative handled with serene straightforwardness; the recollections of Abby and Juliet’s New England summers as children captured, at least for me, the truest and most personal essence of familial memories. The novel’s atmosphere had a way of feeling instantly familiar while the story and structure were a constant reminder of its singular uniqueness. That alone makes A Long Thaw a worthwhile read, but perhaps its greatest charm lies in the full-heartedness of its two heroines and the contagious feeling of connectivity we get from them. With its deeply thoughtful prose and warm, honest storytelling, A Long Thaw proves again O’Rourke’s talent for taking us out of our own world and into the realm of truly engaging literature.

Reviews like this one mean so much.

Last week, I was able to write this article for the Women's Fiction Writers blog about the sexist reading habits we develop in school. It's an idea that's been percolating for awhile and a conversation that seems way overdue.

And for those of you who are still resisting the digital reading craze, I've made A Long Thaw in paperback.