October Books
I love October. I just wish it were immediately followed by April. Then my two favorite months would be pressed together like pages in a book I can’t stop reading. And that would combine two of my favorite things: nature and reading.
There have been many books I couldn’t stop reading, especially in the fall, when the cool air chases you back inside. Anticipation always built for me in October: looking forward to Halloween, and more holidays, a wealth of days off school, and more time to read.
With that same excited anticipation, I’d go with my mother to The Acre of Books in Long Beach, a used bookstore with bookcases so tall the light from the dangling lamps couldn’t completely cascade over them. Each row was a dim forest of stacked pages. I’d browse the shelf of Nancy Drews, find The Five Little Peppers or Miracles on Maple Hill, and they looked interesting enough, but always I’d end up at the long shelf of the Oz books. I’d discover one I hadn’t yet read, opening its heavy cream colored pages and sighing over its Art Deco illustrations by John R. Neill—illustrations I’d later trace, learning how to draw such beautiful curlicues, the kind you see in the best clouds. A new Oz book could be drawn out to fill an entire month of reading pleasure.
I’ve never lost my lost of reading, as not an escape, but as a way to follow someone’s adventure deeper into life. The best stories for me involve heroines, a terrible problem they have to solve, but can’t figure out how to. They involve what might be called magic, or other realms, whether those are interior or exterior to the one we call reality.
Because reading involves changing your angle on what’s real, what it all means. Whether it’s high fantasy or historical, thriller or mystery, reading teaches you the magical powers contained in your own heart, powers of love, determination, endurance, courage, and joy. One delicious book at a time. I favor those old clothbound books with red covers, green covers, and blue covers, like October trees and heart-stoppingly blue fall skies.
The Renaissance Club by Rachel Dacus
Time Travel Romance
January 2018
Would you give up everything, even the time in which you live, to be with your soul mate?
May Gold, college adjunct, often dreams about the subject of her master’s thesis - Gianlorenzo Bernini. In her fantasies she’s in his arms, the wildly adored partner of the man who invented the Baroque.
But in reality, May has just landed in Rome with her teaching colleagues and older boyfriend. She yearns to unleash her passion and creative spirit, and when the floor under the gilded dome of St Peter’s basilica rocks under her feet, she gets her chance. Walking through the veil that appears, she finds herself in the year 1624, staring straight into Bernini’s eyes. Their immediate and powerful attraction grows throughout May’s tour of Italy. And as she continues to meet her ethereal partner, even for brief snatches of time, her creativity and confidence blossom. All the doorways to happiness seem blocked for May-all except the shimmering doorway to Bernini’s world.
May has to choose: stay in her safe but stagnant existence, or take a risk. Will May’s adventure in time ruin her life or lead to a magical new one?
About the Author:
Rachel Dacus is the daughter of a bipolar rocket engineer who blew up a number of missiles during the race-to-space 1950’s. He was also an accomplished painter. Rachel studied at UC Berkeley and has remained in the San Francisco area. Her most recent book, Gods of Water and Air, combines poetry, prose, and a short play on the afterlife of dogs. Other poetry books are Earth Lessons and Femme au Chapeau.
Her interest in Italy was ignited by a course and tour on the Italian Renaissance. She’s been hooked on Italy ever since. Her essay “Venice and the Passion to Nurture” was anthologized in Italy, A Love Story: Women Write About the Italian Experience. When not writing, she raises funds for nonprofit causes and takes walks with her Silky Terrier. She blogs at Rocket Kid Writing.
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