William Bromley is a World War II veteran living in 1950’s London. In the war, he led a mountaineering expedition that ended disastrously. He has never moved past this and started living again. He’s just existing–teaching school, admiring the secretary from a distance, spending Friday evenings with his one friend, and visiting his father on Continue Reading…
Jack Daw: Character Connection
Don’t you just love larger-than-life characters? The ones who jump off the page and grab you? Whether you love them or hate them, you can’t be indifferent to them. I would love to know about the characters who just won’t leave you! Most of you will probably post about how much you love (or loathe) Continue Reading…
Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris: Book Review
My seven-year-old cousin and fellow lover-of-all-things-fairy, Natalie, convinced me to read this by reciting the cover blurb to me: “Part comedy, part love story, part everything-but-the-kitchen-sink.” What fairy tale fan could resist that? Not this one! I loved that the defining characteristics of the characters weren’t their beauty or lack thereof. Chris is intelligent, kind, Continue Reading…
2011 Southern Literature Challenge
I am proud of my Southern heritage, troubled and imperfect as it may be, and I love to read books set in my region. It sometimes feels like we are a little under-represented in the publishing world, so I would love to encourage any of you who haven’t read any Southern lit to give it Continue Reading…
Catriana d’Astibar: Character Connection
Don’t you just love larger-than-life characters? The ones who jump off the page and grab you? Whether you love them or hate them, you can’t be indifferent to them. I would love to know about the characters who just won’t leave you! Most of you will probably post about how much you love (or loathe) Continue Reading…
Random Magic by Sasha Soren: Book Review
Professor Random has sneezed Alice right out of Wonderland. He sends young Henry Witherspoon into the book to find her and put her in her place before the world as we know it comes to an end. But Henry accidentally gets sent into the wrong book. Luckily, he meets the unflappable doodle witch, Winnie Flapjack, Continue Reading…
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It has been forever since I’ve made time for this meme! I’m slowly getting my act more together the longer I’m at my new job, so I hope to get back in the groove and see what everyone is reading. Read: Bending Continue Reading…
Christmas Tales by Charles Dickens: Book Review
I read this for A Christmas Carol but decided to read the rest and see what else Dickens had to say about Christmas. There were a few other little gems, although none were as good as A Christmas Carol, but there were some that I didn’t like at all. A Christmas Carol was a 4 Continue Reading…
Hyacinthe: Character Connection
Anyway, let me introduce you to Hyacinthe from the Kushiel’s Legacy trilogy, starting with Kushiel’s Dart, by Jacqueline Carey. These books are not for everyone, as they feature a spy whose chief weapon is her proclivity for S&M (not terribly graphic, but still). But the character who provides a […]
Annexed by Sharon Dogar: Book Review
In Annexed, author Sharon Dogar imagines what life in the Annex with Anne Frank must have been like for young Peter. We know all about Anne’s thoughts and feelings, but surely Peter needs a chance to tell his side of things too. The novel begins as Peter is dying and looking back on his life, Continue Reading…
Off the Shelf Reading Challenge
Bookish Ardour is challenging us to read some of the books we already own. I’m choosing the “Trying” level and aiming low at 15 books. Visit the site to sign up. (Here’s my owned-to-read shelf on GoodReads if you’re curious.) This challenge runs from January 1 – December 31, 2011. I’ll track my progress here. Continue Reading…