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January Reading Wrap-up

January 31, 2020

january

My January reading was as all over-the-board as the weather here in Ann Arbor. Some of it depressed me as much as the foot of heavy wet snow we got, but then there were some days (and books) that were pure sunshine.     My art—it’s about choosing when I release the shutter. It’s not about setting up a scene and making a picture of it. It’s about being ... Read More...

4 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Feature Tagged: historical fiction, lists, literary, mini-reviews, mystery, thriller

We Wish You Luck

January 27, 2020

wish you luck

When Hannah, Leslie, and Jimmy arrive at Fielding for the school’s MFA (Masters of Fine Arts) program they don’t know each other. Their backgrounds are wildly different as are the backgrounds of the 14 other people in their class. But in less than two weeks they’ll be bonded together in ways none of them could have imagined. They are the center of Caroline Zancan’s debut novel, ... Read More...

4 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: contemporary life, literary, New England, Riverhead Books

The Gimmicks: A Novel

January 22, 2020

gimmicks

I didn’t plan this, but I’m back today with another unusual book (Monday's review). The Gimmicks is about two teenage brothers in Armenia in the 1970s. One is a giant, standing over 6’6” tall, while the other is a competitive backgammon player. The novel moves between their lives and the life of a former pro-wrestling manager in 1980s America. When the book arrived I actually ... Read More...

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: cultural, debut, Harper, historical fiction, literary

The Sacrament: A Novel

January 17, 2020

sacrament

Set in Iceland, The Sacrament is a spare and chilling novel about the Catholic Church. An elderly nun, Sister Johanna Marie, is called from her convent in France to look into an accusation at a Catholic school in Iceland, where she taught decades ago. During her tenure, a young boy witnessed a priest fall to his death from a tower. This boy, now a man, sends a letter for Sister ... Read More...

6 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: book clubs, ecco, literary, social issues

What I’m Reading this Week

January 6, 2020

reading

Hello to the first Monday in the new year! Did you all survive the holidays relatively intact? Or, with intact relatives? Congrats on either one. I had a nice mix of family and reading time and am ready for a new decade of reading. Here's what's up for this week.   Currently Reading   The Gimmicks is far from my normal choice of book. I don’t like the cover or ... Read More...

10 Comments
Filed Under: Feature, Reading Tagged: lists, literary, suspense, women

Ten Best Books of 2019

December 20, 2019

ten

  Well, what do you know. Rather than being my usual contrarian self, I actually have ten books I consider to be the best of 2019. Of course, that doesn’t include the eight debut novels I wrote about on Wednesday, but let’s not split hairs. The point is: ALL of these books are marvelous. Even better, you still have time to get any one of them before Christmas for your ... Read More...

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Feature Tagged: book clubs, favorite books, lists, literary

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