What is the function of book reviews? Is it to “save” people from a “bad” art experience? Can bad art exist? If it’s art, isn’t it, by definition, beautiful? Otherwise, wouldn’t it be failed art or attempted art or, you know, just … not art? Recently, I read a time travel novel for middle grade …
Continue reading “Modern Wisdom from Classic Literature: Book Reviews”
Years ago, when I was trying to shape my dissertation study, I had the “brilliant” idea to study how reading changes us. I’d been a reader for as long as I could remember. I recognized that the books I’d read throughout my life, in school and out, have shaped the way I think and act …
Continue reading “Modern Wisdom from Classic Literature, Part 1”
As a kid, I loved reading mysteries. In adulthood, I somehow drifted away from the genre, until a friend told me about a must-read series: M. C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth murder mysteries. “You will love them,” she promised. I tentatively waded into the first book and … she was 100 percent correct. Hamish Macbeth has become one …
Continue reading “What is Mystery Thriller Week? A Q&A with Benjamin Thomas”
Sometimes, we choose books for reasons so personal, it seems no marketing algorithm could possibly account for them. A few weeks ago, I was rushing through Barnes and Noble on a mission: Get coffee before class. I could go to Starbucks, which is, actually, a little closer to where I teach. But then I wouldn’t …
Continue reading “Why I picked this book: Pancakes in Paris”
My overall assessment of Dewey’s 24-Hour Readathon: It was magical. It was wonderful. I spent the entire day with a smile on my face. The biggest surprise of this Readathon for me: I actually read the three books on my initial list. That hardly ever happens. Usually, my list is seven miles long, and I …
WWW Wednesday is hosted by Taking on a World of Words. Follow the link to read more about it, and be prepared to expand your to-be-read list! A special shout-out to Coffee and Cats for introducing me to WWW Wednesday. What are you currently reading? I’m getting over a terrible cold that knocked me flat on my back …
Yesterday, I mentioned to my love the title of a book I wanted to read. His response: “If it’s a book, assume we already own it.” Ha. Ha. “What if it’s a new release?” I replied. He came back with, “You probably pre-ordered it. We probably already have two copies.” Ah, he knows me so …
This week, I’ve been mulling over whether reading is primarily a lifestyle or primarily a cultural pursuit. Writing that sentence annoyed me. Because why must it be either/or? These false binaries are, irritatingly, everywhere. However, for the sake of filing newspaper stories, practical decisions have to be made. Does a story on, for example, hot new releases …
Continue reading “The Reading Life: Lifestyle or cultural pursuit?”
When I last updated my reading activity, I was roaring through Nathan Hill’s The Nix. The image of Scotty comes to mind: “I’m givin’ her all she’s got, Captain!” (Confession: I actually had to Google that Star Trek reference). I plowed through the novel and then regretted doing so because it ended too soon. And …
Last week, my schedule finally overcame me, and I missed my weekly Wednesday reading roundup. And I do mean I missed it! This week, I am back in form. And, as ever, I’m thankful to Taking on a World of Words for the weekly inspiration of WWW Wednesday and to Coffee and Cats for introducing me to it. What are …
