The summer reading season is almost here – for reference I’m defining summer as June through September – and I’m looking forward what precious little beach reading time I’ll have come July. Here are a few of the highlights from the upcoming season. For more recommendations – and because she gave me the idea –Continue reading “Summer Reading: 2014 Book Roundup”
Category Archives: Reviews
Literary Mixtape | The Bonfire of the Vanities
Do you ever want a modern soundtrack to literary fiction? Yes? Me too. That’s the point of this feature. Whereas some people imagine cinematic montages in their head, I create a soundtrack. Okay, so I actually do both, but I prefer to share my soundtrack. I read The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe forContinue reading “Literary Mixtape | The Bonfire of the Vanities”
Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts
10. Please enjoy the day jobs of poets (above). 09. I bought a car. It was as awful as I thought it would be. 08. Nirvana was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. It’s amazing to me that it’s been twenty years since the death of Kurt Cobain. Nirvana defined the early ‘90s (forContinue reading “Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts”
The Land of Steady Habits by Ted Thompson
I was trying to find a suitable way to review a book that made me want to find the bottom of the nearest bottle of wine while simultaneously quoting Bob Dylan (as I’m wont to do when feeling maudlin), I came up with two approaches. I’ll let you be the judge. Approach one, short andContinue reading “The Land of Steady Habits by Ted Thompson”
Wanted: A Top Ten List
My birthday is in July. In case you needed to know… (This week’s list: bookish things I want – aside from books. Hosted by The Broke and The Bookish.) 10. The Perversions of Quiet Girls. This book is fake, but I want it to be real. 09. Fox Pillow Cover. For my library. I’m not sureContinue reading “Wanted: A Top Ten List”
Rage by Stephen King
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”
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”
flannel and folklore 