Tomorrow is World Read Aloud Day, celebrated the first Wednesday of March as a way to promote literacy and the shared word.

I think most of us adults equate reading aloud as something we do with children. I certainly did a great deal of that. Heck, I’d even change my voice for the characters because I’d just get that into it. But I’d like to take a moment to suggest that if you don’t have children handy tomorrow, you might consider sharing that wonderful moment with an older adult, maybe someone with vision problems or just someone who’d love to hear your voice.

My grandfather passed away last July. One of the most precious things we did together on my final visits was spend time together as I read aloud to him from Don Quixote. That classic is a long two books. I knew starting the first that I wouldn’t get a quarter of the way through before he’d leave me. I was right. Still, I enjoyed laughing with him at the funny parts, and I could tell that he cherished the moments.

Reading aloud does more than celebrate the written word. It builds connections across cultures, ages, and even time. And so I hope you’ll get a chance tomorrow to create memories as beautiful as mine.

An interesting article cites you, Internet-savvy buyer, as saving young adult literature, especially if you bought an ebook this year for the teens in your life despite their apparent preference for physical books. Interesting juxtaposition, no? HERE’S the article.

Part of the strong showing for young adult lit is obvious. Teens still love stories, those motivated to read them will still find the time, and the quickly maturing young adults in our lives still relish the chance to safely explore new situations and emotions through books.

The part that isn’t so obvious is why such a plugged-in generation prefers physical books. But I suppose we all have to unplug sometimes, don’t we?

Whether it’s the physical or ebook you prefer, rejoice for 2014. Healthy book sales are good for authors, illustrators, and really, adults everywhere. We all want an educated and empathetic populace. If you bought a book for yourself or, really, anyone else this year, congratulate yourself. You made the publishing — and real life — worlds a better place.

     Okay, I know I’m a late to the party on this one, but somehow this 2005 release escaped my notice. No problem, though, because A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb is so well written and timeless that anyone could step into that light now and be glad they did.

     A Certain Slant of Light is a supernatural young adult story about a coping yet fundamentally lonely spirit caught on Earth. Her 100-plus years of helpful hauntings are one day interrupted by a human boy who can see her. The two desperately want to learn more about each other and quickly fall in love. Their challenge to come together leads to them learning more about their own nearly forgotten lives and those of the teens whose bodies they’ve possessed.

     Film rights have been optioned by Summit Entertainment, the same studio which created the Twilight films. I’m glad for that because films bring so much attention to the original works, and this book deserves attention.

     Parents, yes, there are obvious sex scenes. Kids running off to be alone. They’re not kids, really. They’re very aged spirits but physically teens. The details are more implied than explicit, but there’s passion. Try to remember what it was like as a teenager and you may not view the topic quite as unkindly.

     Possibly more concerning for parents would be the disobedience of one of the teens — but not for the disobedience itself. It’ll be disconcerting in that parents might see some of their own highhandedness and hypocrisy reflected in the teen’s parents. “Protective” parenting entails real struggle against smothering young souls.

     This book haunted me for days. I can’t wait to get to the sequel, Under the Light.

     Really love this list of dos and don’ts when editing someone’s work. It’s put out by author, blogger, and former literary agent Nathan Bransford. Point number eight, Don’t Overdo It, especially speaks to me because we’ve all been asked to critique something that needed a lot more work than comma correction. If a whole section needs a rewrite, line editing is hardly worth the effort.

     Check it out for yourself and let me know if you agree with the commandments or might add/delete a few. Happy writing!