A New York Times Notable Book and the winner of the Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize for Fiction, Labrador is anything but what you might expect. Kitty, the awkward, lonely younger sister narrates a long soliloquy to her older, dazzling and wayward sister Willie. The complex relationship between the sisters takes them from childhood when they pretended that they were orphans in their drafty New Hampshire home while their dysfunctional parents resumed life downstairs, to young adulthood where the ties that bind them twist and turn through the choices that they make. But here is where the unexpected kicks in, merging … Continue reading →

Have you subscribed to the newsletter? Here is what is coming hot off the press for April. Don’t miss our updates sent directly to your inbox with highlights of what is going on here at Families.com. Or check in with us by following us on Facebook or Google+. Inspiration from real parents like you. Parents, wondering how on earth we are going to get through this? Read on for inspiration and tips from real parents just like you. Pull up a chair and pour yourself another cup of coffee. Share the struggles and the laughter with us and find strength … Continue reading →

Sunday nights are quickly becoming my favorite night for television. My husband and I eagerly rush the kids off to bed before 8pm and then settle down to watch first Once Upon a Time and then Downton Abbey. We load the dishwasher and pick up stray socks during commercials and give each other recaps if one of use doesn’t get back to the screen in time. In my opinion, Once Upon a Time just keeps getting better. Last night’s episode featured an upcoming wedding, a mysterious stranger in town (I have my own theory) and a deadly disease, otherwise known … Continue reading →

My first media post is going to be about one of my favorite authors, Jodi Picoult. I stumbled across her writing accidently when I picked up a book called “My Sister’s Keeper.” I was hooked. Jodi has a writing style that is warm and familiar, she makes you feel like you are reading about people you know. She weaves a story that is impossible to escape. Jodi’s writing style is unusual, she writes chapters alternating between characters so you never have to wonder why someone did a certain thing, that person tells you about their choices. All of her books … Continue reading →

Anyone who knows me know that I have a passion for European history and historical novels. I also have a passion for my home town, the good ol’ center of the universe, New York (at least from my perspective. That is why I practically devoured Edward Rutherford’s New York like a tasty slice of apple pie and just finished savoring the over the pond version, London. While these two books are each labeled as novels, that is not an entirely accurate description. Instead these books are more like the histories of these great cities, made real, with short vignettes of … Continue reading →

Are your children exposed to more media than you would like? How can you not only block unfavorable media from your children but identify what media that is? I am one of those annoyingly conservative parents that wouldn’t even let my young children watch Sponge Bob Square Pants or Disney’s Lilo & Stitch because the characters were name calling and disrespectful to authority. On the other hand, I have a friend who doesn’t have a problem with his young child watching the gorily graphic The Walking Dead or play rated M video games. Wherever you fall in the amount and … Continue reading →

Yesterday we were joined by author Julie Coulter Bellon who talked with us about her new novel, “All’s Fair.” If you missed that portion of the interview, you can click here to get caught up-to-date. Julie, thanks for being here again today. Let’s shift the focus a little bit to the overall process of writing. You have quite a large family, and you’re a devoted mother. How do you balance all the aspects of your life? Balance is always a fine line, but my children always come first. Interestingly enough, however, I find that I am a more calm and … Continue reading →

Since we last spoke with author Julie Coulter Bellon, she’s released a new novel for the LDS fiction market, “All’s Fair.” I reviewed it earlier today and you can read my thoughts on it here. Now Julie joins us again to talk about this latest development and what might be ahead for her. Julie, “All’s Fair” is your fourth novel for the LDS market and in my opinion, your best to date. Do you have a favorite out of the four? Thank you, I’m glad you liked it! That’s a hard question for me, because each book I’ve written has … Continue reading →

Today we are joined by Barry K. Phillips, author of the new nonfiction book “Caught in the Headlights: Ten Lessons Learned the Hard Way.” I reviewed this book earlier today and you can read that review here. Barry, thank you for taking the time out to be with us today. Your book is about the important lessons you’ve learned in your life. Out of these lessons, is there one that you would say is more important than all the rest of them? Well, that’s a tough one. The lesson about not looking for happiness is probably the most important, because … Continue reading →

We are joined again by Kamilla Reid, author of “The Questory of Root Karbunkulus,” a fun new young adult fantasy novel. If you missed our first installment, click here to get caught up. Kamilla, are we to anticipate any crushes between the characters, or will it all be strictly friendship? Oh, crushes shall abound! Many a smitten heart and even shameless necking! However, Root won’t meet her match until Book 3. My favorite character is Betty, the wisteria vine. How did you come up with the idea for her? It’s funny because, next to the Hovermutts, Betty is clearly one … Continue reading →