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.

“The Red Pyramid”

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan       If you’re already a fan of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, you’re going to love this book. And if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading Riordan yet, start here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventure Stories, Fable/Fairy Tale/Fantasy, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“The Women”

The Women by T. C. Boyle Yes, this is an odd book to include in a blog of book reviews for high school students. But when the CHS seniors were looking for works of (loosely historical) fiction to read before … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Over 375 pages | Leave a comment

“Tattoos on the Heart”

Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion by Fr. Gregory Boyle Another book for ‘Character Month’ Father Gregory Boyle is the LA priest who founded Homeboy Industries and Homegirl Café. Their motto: Nothing stops a bullet like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Controversial Issue/Debate, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Non-fiction | 3 Comments

“Angle of Repose”

  This is California Writers’ Month–and to celebrate, we read books by California authors.  I’m very excited because, as part of the celebration, on Thursday night, I’ll be reading aloud a few pages from the new book Tattoos on the Heart … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Over 375 pages | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Looking for Alaska”

Update—Had to add this sweet video and John Green’s thoughts on the novel. Looking for Alaska by John Green Since I loved Will Grayson so much, I had to read Looking for Alaska, also by John Green. Like Will Grayson, … Continue reading →

Posted in "Banned Book", Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Young Adult Literature | 1 Comment

“The House of the Scorpion”

The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer     I was looking for a ‘guy’ book to read and found a book for everyone. A future gone very wrong, suspense, greed, the corruption of absolute power, questions about science (genetics) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Family Problems, Fiction, Human Rights Issues, Over 375 pages, Sci-Fi/Futuristic, Young Adult Literature | Leave a comment

“Liar”

Liar by Justine Larbalestier   Micah is the ‘after-school’ girlfriend of Zach Rubin—who has a ‘real’ girlfriend at school. No one else knows about their relationship. Both are excellent runners, although, again, no one knows this about Micah. She hides the … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Multicultural, Young Adult Literature | 2 Comments

“Marcelo in the Real World”

Marcelo in the Real World by Francisco Stork Marcelo has Asperger’s Syndrome, and says that he fails to understand others’ emotions and expressions. He admits that he may not be able to feel the same thing that others describe as … Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Thirteen Reasons Why”

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher I read this novel not long ago and have been thinking of it over the past several days—since it was reported in the news that a gay teen had killed himself after his roommate … Continue reading →

Posted in Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Movie Tie-In, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , | 1 Comment

“The Satanic Verses” and “Midnight’s Children”

Salman Rushdie—Midnight’s Children and The Satanic Verses The publication of The Satanic Verses brought on a fatwa (Islamic judicial decree) from the Iranian religious ruler Ayatollah Khomeini that Rushdie as well as anyone involved in the publication of the book … Continue reading →

Posted in "Banned Book", Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Over 375 pages | Leave a comment