New Email Update

Hello to my fellow subscribers. My new email has been updated on the contact page. I need everyone to do a test and write to me at becca@becca-b.com. I’m still trying to configure the emails to subscribers, and I’m trying to make this as simple as possible. Whenever I send update, it’s still using my gmail, and I’m trying to change that. This would be a great help. Thank you.

PopSugar Reading Challenge 2024

Here is my first video of my books TBR list based on the book prompts of the PopSugar Reading Challenge. Come watch the video on my YouTube Channel because if you’re taking part in this challenge, I have plenty of book recommendations, and titles to share. This also includes about 5min alone of book titles that became musicals. Grab your pen, paper, and get ready to write down with me! Enjoy! https://youtu.be/hpPAUcHDcIc

The End of 2023 PopSugar Reading Challenge & My Last Book Reviews

Once again, I didn’t finish the reading challenge this year. This video shows which of the last books I read for final tasks I was able to complete. You may watch the video here: https://youtu.be/LYQDSsJpMYE

A lot of personal issues affected my well being and my reading this year. I’m praying that next year, 2024, will be better, and I’m hoping to MANIFEST my wishes and goals. My family and I continue to send thoughts and prayers out to the families of the hostages and the IDF who are fighting to be returned home and end this war, and all those who have been affected.

Thank you to my newest subscriber. I have to catch up on the new subscribers to send you my digital freebies as promised.

New Podcast Interview To Premiere

Check your times for the 10am YouTube premiere of my interview with author and medieval scholar Dr. Kavita Finn on December 9th. This was a surprise, great honor and privilege for me. We delve into her TOP 10 Books, Medieval studies and boundaries, how the era plays out in GOT, LOTR, and other Arthurian Retellings that have programmed our current society to traditional European-based middle ages when there’s much more. She also discusses the authors who are challenging the traditional stories by “re-storying” and “counter-telling”.

Book Reviews & Recommendations: Latest Vlog

Just uploaded my latest Vlog for Thursday’s Thru the Page on my YouTube Channel. 2 more books checked off the PopSugar Reading Challenge List, “Letters to a Young Poet” & “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”, plus Rabbi Kedar’s “God Whispers”, which delves into divine spiritualism we’re looking for in the midst of chaos. I reflect on life changing books, from favorite films, television, Andrew Garfield, and how certain passages/quotes transcended from the single student to the masses. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/SCtng5-qP6I

The “Almost” Halloween Baby- Read Aloud

Well, I couldn’t procure a public reading event at my local library nor at my former elementary school. People didn’t get back to me in time, as it takes months to get accepted, and 15 days prior to requested dates for school events. So, this was the best option: Reading my own children’s story aloud to the masses on YouTube, followed up with a Discussion Questions & Answers. Enjoy! Spread the word!

Barbara Saltzman, the “Jester’s Mom”

Yesterday on my podcast, I had the honor of interviewing Barbara Saltzman, the CEO of “The Jester & Pharley Phund”, aka, the “Jester’s Mom”. Almost 7 years ago, I met her at their booth on April 9, 2016 at UCLA’s Festival of Books. I instantly knew that he and I were meant to be soulmates. She’s the mother of the late David Saltzman, a Yale graduate who passed away in 1990 just before his 23rd birthday after a 2 year battle with Hodgkin’s disease. He came up with the story after he was diagnosed, His legacy was the establishment of his family’s independent publishing company and printing house after they decided to make his children’s story, “The Jester Has Lost His Jingle” a reality. They went through personal sacrifices, emotional and financial difficulties to publish his story and become a non-profit organization, donating thousands of books to hospitals for children fighting cancer. They’ve continued his legacy to the classroom with educational activities and curriculum supplements, and even designed the Jester Doll. In 2 years, they’ll be releasing the 30th Anniversary Edition, and they’re almost out of the Jester Dolls. During our interview, they were some surprising “hidden gems” from author illustrators (ie. Sendak, Schulz, Karle, Dahl, Seurat) and the late composer Stephen Sondheim and “Sunday in the Park with George” who were the inspirations behind David’s story and illustrations. You can read all about David’s life, his story and help with a donation and/or buy the book at their website: https://thejester.org/ to keep David’s children’s story alive and continuing to inspire people to never give up. I’ve embedded the link to the interview on the Becca’s Book TALKS tab, but you can also watch it here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VnAUf_r2tI0.

Rainbow Junk Journal Completed!

To all my viewers who love junk journaling, I finally completed the last two videos of the making of the rainbow junk journal for a very close family friend, Samara. Part 8 has multiple clips, at the beginning showing how I struggled to punch in a grommet, and the rest is followed up with the rest of the process- beading ribbons, spraying metallic distressed inks, sealing them with a varnish including going back over the embossing powders, and burning my fingers using the heat gun. You can watch it here using this link: https://youtu.be/lSr0EqiWckU?si=gzJH8V_jdDAXwC5R.

The final video is of the reveal: https://youtu.be/SxcFFVlNIZg?si=622IwYKztsiiHtnS.

Stayed tuned for a new video. Tomorrow is my interview with Barbara Saltzman, the mother of the late David Saltzman, whose legacy of the “The Jester” has lasted over 30 years in the hearts of children fighting cancer. I’ll post it to the Becca’s Book TALKS tab afterwards.

Seeking Dramaturg

It’s been a little while since I posted, but I wrote a short 2 act play in the month of July entitled “Lessons from Ms. Bell”, which is a “play” within a “play”. An adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan based on the original libretto. I’m seeking a dramaturg to read it, and inform me of the proper steps to 1) make sure I’m adapting it legitimately via licensing; 2) hopefully get it produced; 3) apply for copyright via the Dramatists Guild. I’d like some feedback as to whether or not it should be a one act play, and if there’s more I need to add or omit. I’ve already looked into mentorship called a PIP from the Dramatists Guild Institute of Dramatic Writing, but before I take that step, I’m seeking a local dramaturg at this time. If you know someone who would be willing to read it, please contact me. Thank you.