Author Archives: Rory

Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry

Learning to Swim is Sara J. Henry’s excellent debut novel featuring a slightly quirky, but beguiling protagonist. You’ll be quickly drawn in to the mystery surrounding the little boy’s disappearance and sudden resurrection. From Goodreads: “If I’d blinked, I would have missed it. But I didn’t, and I saw something fall from the rear deckContinue reading “Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry”

Literary Heroines: A top ten list

This week’s top ten list: literary heroines who kick-ass – though I think it is important to note that one need not literally kick ass to qualify (as hosted by The Broke and The Bookish). This list will include (fictional) women I admire for their brilliance, humor, resilience, kindness, dignity, class, wit, perseverance, strength, endurance, love, etc.Continue reading “Literary Heroines: A top ten list”

Desperation by Stephen King

You know a book is going to be good when you are sufficiently scared on page four. There is something about the highways in the middle of America, where you travel for miles without seeing any sign of life (on a side note, I’ve always found Wyoming to be the worst). Suddenly, you see aContinue reading “Desperation by Stephen King”

Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

Adolescence is awkward at the best of times and painfully cruel at the worst. Death, even when expected, can be crushing and life changing (often at the same time). Intersecting the two can be heartbreaking. This is where you’ll find Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt. In 1987, fourteen year old JuneContinue reading “Tell the Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Brunt”

A vintage modern guide to good horror: A top ten list

October is my favorite month of the year. I love pumpkins, crunchy leaves, and cooler weather. It is the last relaxing month before the holiday season kicks into full swing. For some unknown reason, perhaps Halloween or longer nights, October always seems like the perfect time of year to break out books that are aContinue reading “A vintage modern guide to good horror: A top ten list”

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

There is perhaps no one more talented than Kate Morton at weaving multigenerational, modern day families with their historical ancestors. With The Secret Keeper, this talent is continually refined. The family’s past and present is intricately woven in Morton’s trademark neo-gothic style and will keep you reading as the layers are slowly peeled away. DuringContinue reading “The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton”

Reading outside the box: Exploring genres

Today’s bookish question comes from Parajunkee and Alison Can Read: When you step out of your usual genre what do you like to read? Best books in that genre? I don’t consider myself much of a genre reader. I do have preferences, but I seem to mostly practice genre avoidance. There are just certain areasContinue reading “Reading outside the box: Exploring genres”

Straight Man by Richard Russo

From Goodreads: “In this uproarious new novel, Richard Russo performs his characteristic high-wire walk between hilarity and heartbreak.  Russo’s protagonist is William Henry Devereaux, Jr., the reluctant chairman of the English department of a badly underfunded college in the Pennsylvania rust belt.  Devereaux’s reluctance is partly rooted in his character–he is a born anarchist– and partly inContinue reading “Straight Man by Richard Russo”

Favorite contemporary fiction authors: A top ten list

This week’s top ten list: favorite contemporary fiction authors (as hosted by The Broke and The Bookish). I’m defining contemporary authors as currently living, currently publishing (as in more than one book) fiction writers. In no particular order: 10. Deborah Harkness 9. Joe Hill 8. Bret Easton Ellis 7. Ian McEwan 6. John Sandford 5. Kate MortonContinue reading “Favorite contemporary fiction authors: A top ten list”