I’ve read a few Pulitzer Prize winning books for fiction this year, and realizing that got me wondering: how many of the winners have I read? I’ve pasted the list of all wining books below by year. The bolded ones are those I have read. It looks like I have read 34 of them. I... Continue Reading →
I’ve been calling these my five-word reviews, but sometimes they are descriptive rather than evaluative. In fact, that is what happens most of the time; I guess these are really summaries. Anyway, here’s what I read in June and July! June Idaho by Emily Ruskovich: murder and family don’t mix Stay with Me by... Continue Reading →
“The older you get, the less courage you have.” —William Keepers Maxwell I am in love with Maxwell’s writing. They Came Like Swallows (1937) is a reread for me. (And many thanks to my good friend Toni for introducing me to this lovely novel.) So Long, See You Tomorrow (1979) is a new read for me.... Continue Reading →
About ten years ago, I was invited to an awkward dinner at my mother’s house to meet the children of her new husband, number three. They had met and married in a matter of weeks, and I felt the dinner was a farce. My husband, young daughter, and I attended reluctantly. Conversation felt stilted, and... Continue Reading →
Here are my five-word book reviews of what I read this April and May. Here's April. 📚 Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman: Seems Lighthearted, Has a Twist 📚 Educated by Tara Westover: Journey Away from Messy Family (I can relate!) 📚 The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch: Comedy of Errors Meets Hamlet 📚 Thimble Summer by... Continue Reading →
Can marriage survive cultural expectations? That is the central question of Stay with Me (2017) by Ayobami Adebayo, the June 2018 read for the Literary Wives Series, hosted by these bloggers. Check out their posts on this book. Naomi of Consumed by Ink Kay of What Me Read Lynn of Smoke & Mirrors We attempt to understand and explore... Continue Reading →
I am jet lagged from a fantastic trip to the United Kingdom last week, but I have just enough energy to start sharing my book purchases while there. (I can’t believe I carried so many books home!) I had half of my suitcase full of books and an empty duffle bag filled up by the... Continue Reading →
Here are some five-word book reviews for my March reading wrap-up. Taking as Fast as I Can: Fun, witty, not earth shattering Under the Volcano: Dense, symbolic, indulgent, and boring Mudbound: Had potential but white washed A Bloodsmoor Romance: Lyrical family drama with twist Girls Think of Everything: Important recognition of amazing women Power: Surviving... Continue Reading →
I've settled into my new assistant professor position at a university near my home. This means I commute less and read more! February was a productive month in terms of reading. Here's what I read. My favorite read from February was The Star Side of Bird Hill (2015) by Naomi Jackson. It is a gorgeous story... Continue Reading →
