Jessica Shook's Blog

Well, all, this year was a crazy year for most everything, but a great year for reading! I think reading was different for everyone this year, even more than normal. Some people couldn’t focus enough to read. Some people (like me) drowned their overactive minds by reading.

While the fog of 2020 kept me from writing as much as I would have liked, I translated it over to reading. Reading so much, in fact, that I far surpassed my goal and read more books in 2020 than I have ever before in one ye...

Are you a yes person or a no person? Which comes more naturally to you?

I had the privilege of speaking to a couple high school creative writing classes via Google Hangouts this week, talking writing tips and trick Ive learned in my own writing journey.

But only because I determined a few years ago to start saying Yes to opportunities like this.

Im not the girl who says yes to everything. In fact, Im real good at saying no and getting out of things. Sometimes its for legit reasons, but I...

If you are in a book slump or just need a new recommendation, I’ve got you covered! I didn’t think I could narrow all 68 books I read in 2019 down to a Top 3, but I did it!

These three books are very different. But they had a few things in common. Each of these books had me on the edge of my seat, turning pages, unable to stop reading.

And each of these books have strong female characters. Some of whom I loved and wanted to hug, some of whom I struggled with because of how deeply flawed they...

How do you start your year? Do you make resolutions? Do you set goals?

…..But more importantly do you stick with them?

Most of us would answer a resounding, “No.”

I can’t say that I have accomplished every goal I’ve ever set out for in a year. Certainly not. But I can give you 3 ways that I steer my year toward success in the goals I’ve set. And I’m going share them with you, as well as some of my favorite resources that will help you along the way.

This is a practice...

Anybody else spend too much time wishing for the next great thing? Over here wishing for fall. I’m a bit of a homebody, but right now in our life, we have an activity or event going every single day of the week.

I tend to look to future and wish for this busy season to be over so that we can move on to the next. Wishing for October/November because they are my favorite months. Wishing for the next project. Wishing for the next vacation.

Wishing, wishing, wishing…away life.

Instead of being gr...

The post It’s Giveaway Time! appeared first on Jessica Shook.

You guys, I’m so delighted I can finally share this beauty with you!! Woot woot! It goes on sale June 11th. 

Don’t miss any book giveaways or the release date by signing up for my VIP list where you’ll receive all the news straight to your inbox. (Sign up here.)

Keep reading for the full synopsis.

Would you change the day you regret most, if it meant giving up the life you know?

For seventeen-year-old Maggie Thayer, summer days are magical, full of book browsing, late-night swims, and Levi...

Don’t you love Goodreads? I’ve had a Goodreads account since before it was the popular thing for readers to do.

Wait, you haven’t heard of Goodreads? Well let me tell you a bit about it. Goodreads is basically a social media platform for book lovers and readers. On the website or app, you can find pretty much any book, rate it, review it, discuss it, and find other books like it.

Oh, you have heard of it, but don’t know how or if you want to use it? Well, let me help you out. Here are some...

Don’t you love Goodreads? I’ve had a Goodreads account since before it was the popular thing for readers to do.

Wait, you haven’t heard of Goodreads? Well let me tell you a bit about it. Goodreads is basically a social media platform for book lovers and readers. On the website or app, you can find pretty much any book, rate it, review it, discuss it, and find other books like it.

Oh, you have heard of it, but don’t know how or if you want to use it? Well, let me help you out. Here are some...

At the beginning of each month I post a reading wrap up of all the books I read the prior month.

It’s a new month, a new season really, and with it brings all new books to share. It’s been a minute since I posted my reading wrap-up because, well, I only read one book in March. But I made up for it a bit in April.

So here are this month (plus one!) reads:

Us Against You

by Fredrik Backman

Surprise, surprise, I adored this sequel to Beartown. This book left me utterly breathless. I hone...