I'm an author who comes from a family of detectives, including a grandfather who filled my childhood with true crime stories I learned not to repeat at daycare. My novel, CHASE HARLEM, won the grand prize for the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts New Writers Contest 2021 as well as the 2023 Killer Nashville Claymore Award for Best Unpublished Investigator Novel. I've had had stories and poetry published in Sojourn Literary Magazine, Dewpoint Literary Magazine, The Moonlit Road, and Southern Quill. I've also sold stories to the podcast, Chilling Tales for Dark Nights. I'm represented by Rachel Beck of Liza Dawson Associates.
National Reading Month
Published 2 months ago • 3 min read
National Reading Month
March 12, 2026
Hello Reader,
My eldest offspring informed me last week that it is "National Reading Month." They are celebrating the month at schools across America by allowing students more time to read during class time. I've never been one of those people who wishes they could go back in time to be a child again, but I admit I'm a little jealous that kiddos get to celebrate this month while adults are expected to keep things "business as usual." Afterall, there are several benefits to reading that could help all of us in the day-to-day grind. Here are just a few:
Reading improves brain function.
Studies show that reading every day helps to keep the brain active, enhance memory, improve focus, and act as a protective factor against cognitive decline. Interestingly enough, the opposite is true about scrolling through reels on social media (which I admit is my Achilles's heel).
Reading reduces stress.
Studies have shown that reading can lower blood pressure and heart rate, providing a relaxation level that's comparable to yoga. Obviously, those studies were not done on people reading the high octane thrillers I tend to enjoy, but the data is there!
Reading increases empathy.
I know I've mentioned this before, but just to remind everyone, I was a high school teacher for eleven years. One of the things that disturbed me the most during that career was watching the decline of empathy in the classes I taught. It seemed like the more students were allowed to abuse each other online, the less they cared that their words had impact. It's why I continued teaching The Scarlet Letter and The Great Gatsby--two books featuring characters who might have benefitted from a little more empathy.
Reading improves sleep quality.
As someone who struggles with shutting my brain off to sleep, I have always found that reading a book before bed helps me find the rest I need. (Of course, reading on a device with a blue light is different, as the experts say that cell phone light keeps our brains wired).
In conclusion...
I've just listed a few of the benefits to reading here, and yes, I know I'm preaching to the choir as I'm sure all of my subscribers are readers if not writers themselves! So, let's enjoy this month.
And if you need to add to your TBR, here are some suggestions:
Courtney never went looking for danger, but it found her. Now while she awaits her unknown fate, she escapes to the past. Across the vast ocean, Lord Robert Ranfurly never went looking for love, but it snuck up on him when he met the captivating actress, Desiree Diamond. But he'll find out too soon, that loving Desiree comes with a price.
Pulitzer-nominated author Rulo Gatlin is found dangling from a noose as he looks down in death at the pages of his finished manuscript. The authorities rule his death a suicide because the cabin was locked from inside, but was it?
John Stone is trying to make a quiet life earning a teaching degree when he unexpectedly meets the woman he always loved. When he defends her and others, he is pursued by an old nemesis, half the college campus, and the FBI. And then, John discovers the real enemy.
When the police offer you a deal to escape prison, you take it. Right? Dale Valentine, understands the system, he once wore the uniform, carried the warrant card. Now, he’s just a tool for the police as they hunt the worst criminal gang that London has seen in a long time.
An animalistic world. A forbidden love. A brutal contest. As the reign of the old Alpha wanes, the Deadly Reckonings draw near—a savage trial by combat that will crown the next ruler of the allied tribes of Feralis.
Murder, Mystery, & Twinkies! Jonathan Quick is in Savannah, just trying to find love and Twinkies. But the police have a different agenda. A body found at the local ballpark has a trophy sticking out of it. Not only is Quick the expert in identifying baseball relics, but he's also connected to the suspected killer.
I'm an author who comes from a family of detectives, including a grandfather who filled my childhood with true crime stories I learned not to repeat at daycare. My novel, CHASE HARLEM, won the grand prize for the Monroe-Walton Center for the Arts New Writers Contest 2021 as well as the 2023 Killer Nashville Claymore Award for Best Unpublished Investigator Novel. I've had had stories and poetry published in Sojourn Literary Magazine, Dewpoint Literary Magazine, The Moonlit Road, and Southern Quill. I've also sold stories to the podcast, Chilling Tales for Dark Nights. I'm represented by Rachel Beck of Liza Dawson Associates.
