I’m Melissa and I love to read.

​Do I actually have time to read? Not really. Do I do it anyhow? Even if you've never met me, I think you already know the answer.

In most instances and circumstances, and during quite a few events I have no choice but to attend, I would just as soon be reading. Please allow me to elaborate:

  • Standing in line at the grocery store? No chit-chat, stranger; please just let me read.

  • Spouse’s corporate party? I don’t know any of you; please just let me read.

  • County Fair? Go ahead and get on that dubiously safe carnival ride, kids; please just let me read.

  • Thanksgiving? I just spent three days cooking for you all; please just let me read.


I am a mother, spouse, proud Gen Xer, novelist, insatiable reader, enthusiastic patron of online grocery shopping, pioneering recycler, unashamed possessor of sprawling cross stitch supplies, lover of radio.


​I'm the author of the novels The Mosquito Hours and Talking Underwater. I have several other novels in progress, but I also have 3 teenagers. (If you know, you know.) I work in the Guidance Office of the local high school. I really love my job and the pension and medical plans are much better for “Admin Support” than for “Writer.”

I unfailingly drink iced matcha green tea lattés daily. I love them so completely that I plan my time around consuming them, which is ideally at 3:30 or 4:00—the latest—in the afternoon. Sometimes, for scheduling obligations beyond my control, I have to alter the consumption time, which is not my preference, but I will if I absolutely must. Do I have a small, blue, perfectly-sized cooler that I utilize on days when I need to be away from my blender and matcha green tea latté supplies? Yes. Do I buckle it in with a seat belt and threaten anyone who may be in danger of tipping it over?

I have a singular response: wouldn’t you?

​I obviously never go anywhere without at least one book on my person. I am probably even more awkward than you think. My hair has never looked the same twice.

Want to say hello? Do you have an idea for a book review or are you an author looking for a book review? Are you selling some off-brand pharmaceuticals or want to improve my SEO? Then please email me at melissa.corliss.delorenzo@gmail.com