Aless

https://www.goodreads.com/alesstheintrovert

Aless’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (94)
currently-reading‎ (5)
read‎ (377)
did-not-finish‎ (70)
read-at-a-later-time‎ (19)
audiobook-listens‎ (97)

addictive‎ (51)
favorites‎ (42)
school-reads‎ (35)
unexpected-favorites‎ (35)
netgalley-arcs‎ (17)
2019-favorites‎ (13)

2022-favorites‎ (12)
2020-favorites‎ (8)
2024-favorites‎ (8)
2021-favorites‎ (7)
annotated‎ (6)
gifted-for-review‎ (4)

unreleased‎ (3)
2023-favorites‎ (2)
beta-read‎ (1)

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Aless is Currently Reading

Aless is currently reading

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School, #1)

by Gail Carriger (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: favorites, audiobook-listens, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

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progress:

(59%)
"Hopefully I don't let this sit in almost finished hell *crosses fingers*" — Apr 02, 2026 01:52PM

Apr 02, 2026 01:52PM

Aless is currently reading

Mystery of the Tea Cup Quilt (Harland Creek Mystery Quilters, #1)

by Jodi Allen Brice (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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progress:

(page 118 of 214)
"118 of 187 pgs" — Feb 03, 2026 09:43PM

Feb 03, 2026 09:43PM

Aless is currently reading

1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round

by Jami Attenberg (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: unexpected-favorites, 2024-favorites, favorites, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in August 2024

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Aless said: " The only time I pick up nonfiction is for writing craft books. This is the first craft book since Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels, that I did not skim read or get bored while reading. I read this on the recommendation of Kate C The only time I pick up nonfiction is for writing craft books. This is the first craft book since Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels, that I did not skim read or get bored while reading. I read this on the recommendation of Kate Cavanaugh Writes latest video where she tried the 1000 words bootcamp challenge.

I enjoyed this more than I expected. I love that it was written as a conversation instead of this is how writing should be or how you should attack. It was written for a modern audience who has access to a greater writing community that is searching for advice and experiences from other writers. I appreciate that all the authors and Attenberg referred to authors and writers I have never heard of, including ones who wrote a letter. Now, I am like 30 years younger than Attenberg, but one of the ways that I think the U.S. education fails us is by showing us artists of a certain status and background. The examples and authors mentioned are still likely of a white background, but there was something more interesting that the author writing the letter found so impactful. (I'm not sure if that made sense, but I can't think of a way to reword it right now.)

Also, having this reflect on the time between 2018-2021 was interesting. That time feels like a blur and as if 2018/2019 was the end of the world as we thought of it. So hearing how all these creatives went from finding a routine to rediscovering creativity while put into a bubble was enjoyable.

ALSO! As an art student going into her senior year, there were so many quotes that I will be taking with me into my approach as an artist who is struggling to create art for herself. I write what I want and tell the stories I want. But I make art works that I think other people will enjoy. I have maybe 4 pieces from the last 3 years that I am so happy with and proud with because I made them for my enjoyment. Not the grade or critique of my peers and professors.

I have found this summer that writing to a word count does not work for me. I write a scene(s) until I don't have anything left to say for that day/session. I have surprised myself with the word count I have by the end of the day. I still track it, just to find the pattern in when I write and finding my flow. I struggled to write a chapter yesterday but I sat with it all day and I like what I ended with. Today, I feel like my brain is mush. I wanted to read a fiction work, but I was so intrigued by this craft book so I read it first. I didn't even listen to the audiobook. I sat with the text and the words from all these authors. I have so many ideas as a writer, artist, person, for my current project, my last project, future ones, and so many things.

I finally found a writing craft book that made me think and appreciate art and life. This book doesn't gatekeep the writing community or writing. ...more "

progress:

(page 52 of 272)
— Jan 22, 2026 06:46PM

Aug 13, 2024 04:26PM · see review

See all 5 books that Aless is reading…

Aless’s Quotes

“Life isn't about learning how to weather the storm. It's about learning how to dance in the rain.”
― Vivian Greene

tags: difficulties, life-lessons, trials, tribulations

8 likes

“The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.”
― Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

tags: creativity, self-confidence, self-doubt

1671 likes

“A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference.”
― Winnie the Pooh Cddisn 60863

210 likes

“This is the stupidest plan I have ever in my career participated in," Xenophon said.
"I love stupid plans," said Eugenides.”
― Megan Whalen Turner, The Queen of Attolia

tags: attolia, gen

231 likes