Author Archives: Victoria Waddle

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About Victoria Waddle

Victoria Waddle is a Pushcart Prize-nominated writer and has been included in Best Short Stories from The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest. Her books include a collection of feminist short fiction, Acts of Contrition, and a chapbook on grief, The Mortality of Dogs and Humans. Her YA novel about a polygamist cult, Keep Sweet, launches in June 2025. Formerly the managing editor of the journal Inlandia: A Literary Journey and a teacher librarian, she contributes to the Southern California News Group column Literary Journeys. She discusses both writing and library book censorship on her Substack, “Be a Cactus.” Join her there for thoughts on defiant readers and writers as well as for weekly library censorship news.

‘Dead is the New Black”

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez  Confession: Of the books I’ve been reading in preparation for the author visits on April 16, this is my favorite! Quick, entertaining, and very smart—Marlene Perez makes fun of all the tried … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Romance, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Wicked: Witch”

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Saturday, April 16 is soon approaching—and I’m reading as fast as I can in anticipation of the five YA author visit at the Ontario Senior Center from 1-4 PM. I previously reviewed Evermore by Alyson Noel. I just finished Wicked: … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Mature Readers, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Pride and Prejudice”–have a listen!

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen For a thorough summary of this classic, you only have to grab a copy of SparkNotes, Cliff Notes or go to shmoop.com and check it out. However, these summaries tell you nothing about what … Continue reading →

Posted in Classic Fiction, Family Problems, Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Romance | Leave a comment

Common Core: Adult Books for Teens: “Just Kids”

Posted on March 21, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Just Kids by Patti Smith  Just a quick review here because I’m not sure too many of you will read this. However, sometimes a student asks me about books with some rock ‘n’ roll history. Usually they’re looking for stories … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Mature Readers, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Evermore”

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Evermore by Alyson Noel  Alyson Noel is one of the five authors coming to Ontario on April 16 for the Teen Book Fest. She’s a New York Times best seller. She writes The Immortals series, and Evermore, is, of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Romance, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Going Bovine”

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Going Bovine by Libba Bray   I’m thinking this may be my ‘best YA read’ of 2011 although I know it’s still early in the year. But wow. Cameron, sixteen, lazy, and a not-so-great student is the loser brother of a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Family Problems, Fiction, Mature Readers, Over 375 pages, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Stitches”

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

Stitches by David Small   Although I call this a ‘graphic novel’ format it’s really a ‘graphic memoir.’ David Small begins his story when he is six years old and his father, a doctor, is giving multiple x-rays because he has … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Family Problems, Graphic Novel, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Non-fiction | Leave a comment

Vans “Off the Wall”

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

I just bought Vans “Off the Wall”: Stories of Sole from Vans Originals. It’s beautiful. It’s got some good text, but even more stunning photos of skaters, snowboarders, and surfers.  (Actually, even the photos of the tennis shoes are pretty cool.)  … Continue reading →

Posted in Hi-Low/Quick Read, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

Author Visit Series–Want to be a Writer?

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

During the month of March the Ovitt Family Community Library (Ontario City Library, downtown) will be hosting author visits (and one publisher) every Saturday.  They are partnering with a publisher to have women writers talk about writing strategies and techniques … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Romance, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

Book Fair Feb. 28-Mar. 4

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Victoria Waddle

  These books will all be available at the book fair–plus a lot more! Our Scholastic Book Fair is coming up the week of February 28 to March 4. Come on by the library and get your next read. We’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment