It’s that time of year again–time to sign up for challenges! I’ve decided to host the 2012 Southern Literature Challenge this year. I personally read more Southern lit this year than I usually do because of this challenge, and I hope it encouraged a few of you to read it as well. The rules will […]
A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin: Book Review
I just couldn’t write this review without getting some big spoilers off my chest. I kept it safe for everyone though. If you’re not worried about spoilers and it looks like something is missing, just highlight and you’ll see what I wrote. You’ll get it. Just when I thought this series couldn’t get any more […]
Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani: Book Review
**Very minor spoilers for Big Stone Gap** Ave Maria has been married for eight years now. She and her husband have a beautiful daughter, but they’ve also had some very difficult times. Now Ave feels that they’re growing apart. Everyday life has gotten in the way of love, and it’s time for both of them […]
Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani: Book Review
Ave Maria (Please don’t call her Ava) Mulligan has lived all her life in Big Stone Gap in the mountains of Virginia. Yet she’s still seen as a “furriner” by everyone else because her mother was from Italy. Ave is sort of a “pillar of the community”; she’s the town pharmacist, she makes house calls, […]
Character Connection
Who do ya love? Or love to hate? You know you’ve got a lot to say about some larger-than-life characters, and this is the place to say it. Write a straightforward post. Draw a picture. Vlog, write poetry, write fiction, cast the role, be as creative as you want! Be sure to post the book’s […]
The Richest Man in Babylonby George S. Clason: Book Review
A co-worker insisted on lending me this book. It doesn’t sound like my kind of thing, but I didn’t know how to tell her I wasn’t interested. We’ll see how this goes… Written in a format that leaves me wondering whether to classify this as fiction or non-fiction, The Richest Man in Babylon uses the […]
Guest Post from Author Stephanie Queen
Today I have a guest post from author Stephanie Queen for you. Her newest novel, The Throwbacks, was just published this week! Congratulations, Stephanie! Be sure to look out for her previous novel, Between a Rock and a Mad Woman, as well. You know you ‘re in trouble as a writer when you interview one […]
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I’ve been a little AWOL recently, so here’s what’s been going on over the past two weeks: Posted: Review: ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King Review: Blankets by Craig Thompson Review: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff Character Connection featuring Moses Froben […]
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See: Book Review
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is the story of two girls from very different backgrounds in 1800s China and the deep friendship they share. I picked this up after reading three Holocaust novels in a row. I needed some “fluff” and, not really knowing what it was about, I thought this might work. Instead […]
Character Connection: Moses Froben
Moses Froben. A world-famous opera singer. No one would ever guess the story of his life. I just loved Moses when I read his story in The Bells by Richard Harvell. He began life as the only son of a deaf woman whom everyone believed to be the village idiot. Their life was not easy, […]
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff: Book Review
Writer and bibliophile Helene Hanff strikes up a friendship through correspondence with the staff of a used bookshop in London. I think my expectations were too high. I remember other readers telling me, “Oh, if you liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, you will absolutely love 84, Charing Cross Road.” Well, I […]