The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays, so in honor of this, I will be reviewing (and whole heartedly recommending) one of my favorite novels of all time – Stephen King’s Bag of Bones. Bag of Bones is what I would consider a departure from typical Stephen King books. First and foremost,Continue reading “Bag of Bones by Stephen King”
Author Archives: Rory
Zone One by Colson Whitehead
Too highbrow to read zombie apocalypse novels? Intellectual reader, may I introduce you to Zone One by Colson Whitehead. Whitehead, who has what you would call literary street credit with novels like The Intuitionist and John Henry Days, has written what one might not think possible: a well-written, witty, and literary zombie apocalypse novel. “ZoneContinue reading “Zone One by Colson Whitehead”
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman: review and recipe
Sally and Gillian Owens are orphaned at a very young age. Knowing that someone had to be responsible, 4 year old Sally takes fate into her own hands and calls her Aunts and asks to be taken in. Somewhat reluctantly they agree, and so begins the story of Sally and Gillian. In their new town,Continue reading “Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman: review and recipe”
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
Shadow of Night, follow up to the brilliant and successful A Discovery of Witches, will assure readers that Deborah Harkness had no difficulties with her second outing as a novelist. In fact, I think most people will love Shadow of Night as much, if not more (as in my case), than the first in theContinue reading “Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness”
A Discovery of Witches (and a selection of teas)
So how do you review one of your favorite books to date? You don’t (you instantly reread it instead). You procrastinate – big time. At least that is how it turned out in my case. Yes, I included it on my list of favorite books from 2011 (found here, it came in at #8), butContinue reading “A Discovery of Witches (and a selection of teas)”
Delicacy by David Foenkinos: a lesson in perfect first date drinks
Natalie and Francois fall deeply in love over a quick drink of apricot juice (the perfect first lunch date drink) following a chance sidewalk encounter. Their love for each other is profound, the kind that transcends time and makes marriage look simple and blissful. Abruptly, their love ends just as suddenly when Francois dies afterContinue reading “Delicacy by David Foenkinos: a lesson in perfect first date drinks”
Stephen King’s top ten villains
Stephen King is certainly one of the more prolific writers of the macabre, but of his many villains, which ones are the scariest? Without further ado, here are my top ten Stephen King characters that I would never, ever want to meet in a dark alley (or, frankly, in broad daylight), but thoroughly enjoy onContinue reading “Stephen King’s top ten villains”
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey
Margot Livesey‘s “The Flight of Gemma Hardy” is a modern homage to one of my favorite novels, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. Icelandic born Gemma first loses her mother, then her father, before being taken to Scotland by her doting uncle. Jane’s daunting Lowood School becomes Gemma’s Claypoole. Only Claypoole closes early and a young, brightContinue reading “The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesey”
How to Eat a Cupcake (and make one too)
Julia St. Clair and Anita Quintana’s lives have been intertwined since they were toddlers. They grew up on the same property, attended the same schools, and were best friends…until high school. It was then Annie realized how different she was from the rich, beautiful Julia…she was the daughter of the help. Slowly their friendshipContinue reading “How to Eat a Cupcake (and make one too)”
fourth street review introduction
Hi. I’m Rory. Thanks for stopping by fourth street review. I’m a librarian by day and book reviewer by night and a great many things in between (nothing particularly noteworthy, but ask if you’re curious). Despite my background being in anthropology and geology, I have an unadulterated love of fiction for all ages (and incidentally,Continue reading “fourth street review introduction”
flannel and folklore 