You put two things together that have not been put together before. And the world is changed. People may not notice at the time, but that doesn’t matter. The world has been changed nonetheless. With these beautiful words Julian Barnes leads us into Levels of Life, his latest work. He begins with glimpses at the history of balloon aeronautics—when the act was still ... Read More...
Still Writing: The Pleasures and Perils of a Creative Life
Often, reviewing a book occurs only in the small space between book and reviewer. Meeting the author is a bonus but usually comes after the review is published when they are touring to promote the book. I was extremely fortunate, then to meet Dani Shapiro this week, before I finished my review. It is the equivalent of getting the answers to your calculus final before you ... Read More...
From Scratch: Inside the Food Network
A bit of backstory: in the early 2000s when my husband was traveling a great deal for work, we would talk at the end of the day. Several trips in a row, when we spoke, he said he had either grabbed something to eat on the way to the hotel or had room service (which he hates). I noticed that every time the television was on in the background so I finally asked, “What is so good ... Read More...
Empty Mansions
Throughout American history there have been scintillating stories of “poor little rich girls”—young women who have inherited immense amounts of wealth and yet have not lived happily ever after. There was Doris Duke (tobacco heiress) and Barbara Hutton (Woolworth heiress) whose childhoods and adult lives (including multiple marriages, drug and alcohol problems) were chronicled ... Read More...
I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales from a Happy Life Without Kids
I Can Barely Take Care of Myself is comedienne Jen Kirkman’s humorous look at her decision to have a life without children. A decision that is questioned and tut-tutted over by virtually everyone she knows and many whom she does not. The book’s humor and strength begin even before the first chapter, meaning READ THE DEDICATION. One of the many reasons I loved this book was ... Read More...
Helga’s Diary
Helga Weiss is an eleven-year-old girl living in Prague in 1939. The words above are hers as are all the words in the book, Helga’s Diary: A Young Girl’s Account of Life in a Concentration Camp. Czechoslovakia has been invaded by the Nazis and in a few short months Helga has seen her carefree life change to one of rules and regulations. By 1941 she and her family ... Read More...
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