On April 26, 1998 Jeffrey Cox walked into a classroom in San Gabriel High School with a semi-automatic rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition. He proceeded to fire his weapon and force the teacher out of the room while he held the remaining 70 students hostage. He then ordered pizza, soda, and cigarettes. He lovedContinue reading “Rage by Stephen King”
Author Archives: Rory
Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead
There are a few simple truths, universally acknowledged, that exist to hamper (perceived) perfection. I’m not about to impart anything more than a few simple clichés, but please, read on. If you straighten you hair, it will rain. If you want to wear glasses, you’ll have prefect eyesight. If you’re trying to impress a cuteContinue reading “Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead”
Superlatives: A Top Ten List
This week’s list? Most unique books I’ve read (as hosted by The Broke and The Bookish). Mentally, I file the word unique right beside quirky. I don’t like quirky as I feel quirky has become synonymous with hipster and hipster is a term that now describes a sub-culture that was initially intended to value independentContinue reading “Superlatives: A Top Ten List”
Six Degrees of Separation: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
Six degrees of separation is a new meme hosted by Annabel Smith and Emma Chapman. Here’s the idea: Annabel and Emma will choose a book they’ve both enjoyed and then link them together. Books can be linked in obvious ways – for example, books by the same authors, from the same era or genre, orContinue reading “Six Degrees of Separation: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent”
Bookish (And Not So Bookish) Thoughts
Hosted by Christine, so blame her and join in. 10. I find all the criticism of Daniel Murphy to be ridiculous (baseball player, NY Mets). He took three days off for the birth of his son and missed the first two games of the season. Fans and commentators are upset that he wanted to witnessContinue reading “Bookish (And Not So Bookish) Thoughts”
Leather Maiden by Joe R. Lansdale
As I sit here trying to come up with something witty and entertaining for my latest book review – sorry folks, nothing’s coming to me – I’m also plagued by everything else I should be doing instead sitting here not being able to write what will in all likelihood be a sub-par review. I shouldContinue reading “Leather Maiden by Joe R. Lansdale”
One Thing Leads To Another: A Top Ten List
This week’s top ten prompt is “gateway books” or books that encouraged me to read (as hosted by The Broke and the Bookish). I’m altering the topic a bit and pairing childhood classics I loved with thematically matched adult fiction. So which childhood favorites paved the way for my reading choices as an adult? InContinue reading “One Thing Leads To Another: A Top Ten List”
A Man Came Out of a Door in the Mountain by Adrienne Harun
Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. So they say. But the devil is alive and well in northwestern Vancouver. And there’s more than one. There’s neglect, poverty, and abuse. There’s chosen ignorance, meth, and moonshine. There is the tyrannical drug dealer and his violent enforcers, the meth manufacturer and the rowdyContinue reading “A Man Came Out of a Door in the Mountain by Adrienne Harun”
Stephen King’s Best Films: A Top Ten List
I have a general rule I try to follow: for every list I post, I have one review/something of merit. This has not been the case as of late. This blog, for better or worse, has become rather list-centric. Today’s post is no different. However, the top ten Stephen King movies list is surprisingly difficultContinue reading “Stephen King’s Best Films: A Top Ten List”
Literary Tourism: A Top Ten (Bucket) List
Not surprisingly, I’ve done a lot of what is (now) often termed literary tourism. I’ve visited the Emily Dickinson Museum and Edith Wharton’s home (The Mount). I’ve seen Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House and, my personal favorite, The House of Seven Gables Museum. I’ve even been to Walden Pond. (Please note all of those areContinue reading “Literary Tourism: A Top Ten (Bucket) List”
flannel and folklore 