My name is Heather and I am a high school IB DP/AP English teacher, poet, writer, freelance editor, and book blogger. For information about my writing, please visit my “Writing” page.
As far as books go, I love YA, NA, fantasy, contemporary adult fiction, literary fiction, and historical fiction, and can even, at times, be coaxed into reading nonfiction. I believe reading all types of books is an important component of a well-rounded education and, more importantly, a well-rounded human being. Reading helps people develop empathy for others, and it improves brain function. What more could a person ask for?
After all, it is a truth universally acknowledged that books are awesome. I love books. A lot of people I follow on Twitter love books. My whole family loves books. Books are awesome. Wait…did I say that already?
I’ve loved reading since I was a kid. My mom read to me, and as soon as I was able, I read everything I could get my hands on. Labels, directions, warnings, but most of all, books. I even made it through the traumatizing experience of reading Flowers in the Attic as a young teenager and STILL wanted to read books. Thank goodness for YA so teens of today don’t have to be traumatized like I was.
If you would like to contact me about any of the posts on this site, you may do so using the following email: wanderingbarkbooks@gmail.com.
Wandering Bark Books 
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Hi Heather. I feel the way you do about the humanities. I just stopped by to say thanks for that tweet the other day, and let you know that I actually came and looked at your blog. My sister and I both have blogs, you should check them out. Not going to give my resume on your about page, because that would not be cool, but I am a liberal interdisciplinarian, if that helps at all. If you poke around on our websites a little, you can find out all kinds of things about us. 🙂
Hello Gene!
Thank you for your comment – I have followed you and your sister’s blogs and will review them when I get a chance. Thank you for your interest!
Heather
You’re very welcome. Nice chatting.
Hi Heather,
I’m glad to see you championing the humanities as you are. I feel very much the same and your recent post about Automating the Human Condition really struck a chord with me. I’m just starting to break into the blog-o-sphere personally, having just graduated from college, and I can’t wait to read more of your material! 🙂
i reckon the lost sight of humanities we recognise, is because of a preoccupation towards becoming “who” we are , rather than “what” we are. The following sentence may not be immediately understood. We are more “what” we think, rather than “who” we think.. This is not necessarily true for all, but a common trait that i perceive. A while ago I coined a wee poem about this and a bit more.
who am I
i am who
who i am
what I am
just lil ol me
another resolving mystery
now am poet
em cc
and did not know it
was always climbing
a tree in poetry
a-men founding tree for me
and the sun is beginning to rise
a good morning 2 u 2
a tea with honey 4 2 one infinity
god
diviniti
what am i to be
i reckon the lost sight of humanities we recognise, is because of a preoccupation towards becoming “who” we are , rather than “what” we are. The following sentence may not be immediately understood. We are more “what” we think, rather than “who” we think.. This is not necessarily true for all, but a common trait that i perceive. A while ago I coined a wee poem about this and a bit more.
who am I
i am who
who i am
what I am
just lil ol me
another resolving mystery
now am poet
em cc
and did not know it
was always climbing
a tree in poetry
a-men founding tree for me
and the sun is beginning to rise
a good morning 2 u 2
a tea with honey 4 2 one infinity
god
diviniti
what am i to be
Hi, Heather. Your mission is a great one and we completely support your blog! It’s admirable to see someone promoting the humanities for humanities sake. Your students are lucky to have you!
Clever!
Anyone who loves books these days is Lord of Reason…reading and reading and (reading sanely) pushes the cause of literature- which has dwindled slightly since the internet revolution yawned and bailed out. Well done Heather. I shall follow you and rally my literary folks in East Africa to check you out too.
Hi Heather, I stopped by to say thank you for reading/editing The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress. I’m working on final edits and the cover is almost done (waiting on the designer). You’re wonderful editing and insights helped shaped the final version.
Best of luck in all your endeavors. Look for your name and site in the acknowledgements!
~ Tam Francis ~
http://www.girlinthejitterbugdress.com
Sure thing! It was a pleasure to read and I am always happy to help!