David Abrams's Blog, page 13
August 16, 2019
When My Father Fell in Love With Annie Dillard
In 1975, my father read Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard and fell in love with both the book and its author. At the time, the Reverend Dan Abrams of the First Baptist Church in Jackson, Wyoming spent a goodly, Godly amount of time on the rivers and streams which braided through Jackson Hole like tangled silver necklaces. He could often be found in his non-pulpit hours standing on water-lapped banks, or thigh-deep in a tugging current, or atop great boulders in mid-stream where with hi...
July 19, 2019
Friday Freebie: Someone We Know by Shari Lapena
Congratulations to Carl Scott, winner of last week’s Friday Freebie contest: Machine by Susan Steinberg.
This week’s giveaway is for Someone We Know by Shari Lapena. One lucky reader will win a hardcover copy of the book. Keep scrolling for more about the novel and how to enter the contest...
Maybe you don’t know your neighbors as well as you thought you did....
“This is a very difficult letter to write. I hope you will n...
July 11, 2019
Front Porch Books: July 2019 edition
Front Porch Books is a monthly tally of new and forthcoming books—mainly advance review copies (aka “uncorrected proofs” and “galleys”)—I’ve received from publishers. Cover art and opening lines may change before the book is finally released. I should also mention that, in nearly every case, I haven’t had a chance to read these books, but they’re definitely going in the to-be-read pile.
Everybody’s Doin’ It
by Dale Cockrell
(W. W. Norton)
Jacket Copy: Everybody’s Doin’ It is the eye-op...
July 7, 2019
Sunday Sentence: City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.
He gave me another one of those tender “I’m sorry if you’re hurting, baby” kisses, and I don’t mind saying I responded by sticking my tongue so far down that man’s throat, it’s a miracle I didn’t lick the bottommost quadrant of his heart.
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
July 5, 2019
Friday Freebie: Machine by Susan Steinberg
Congratulations to John Smith, winner of last week’s Friday Freebie contest: two by Elly Griffiths: The Stone Circle and The Stranger Diaries .
This week’s giveaway is for Machine by Susan Steinberg. One lucky reader will win a softcover copy of the book. Here’s Bennett Sims with a few words of praise: “Otherworldly, and every-other-line sublime, Machine reads like the text messages Laura Palmer might send back from the Black Lodge. It’s a timely reminder of why our culture remains haunted by d...
July 1, 2019
My First Time: Susan Rudnick
My First Memoir Writing Class
This year I will turn 75, and my first book , a memoir of how my mentally challenged sister Edna has been my life’s greatest teacher, will be published.
It was never part of my life plan to write a book. For the past 40 years I’ve been a psychotherapist, learning to listen and understand the stories that my clients bring me. So I’m used to keeping my own life in the background, while drawing on it to understand others. I also grew up with a reputation of being fli...
June 30, 2019
Sunday Sentence: The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.
There is no story until we’re dead, and then our children tell it.
The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
June 28, 2019
Friday Freebie: Two Mysteries by Elly Griffiths
Congratulations to Lisa Murray, winner of last week’s Friday Freebie contest: Of Fathers and Fire , the new novel by Steven Wingate.
This week’s giveaway is for two by Elly Griffiths: The Stone Circle and The Stranger Diaries . One lucky reader will win a hardcover copy of both books. Keep scrolling for more about the mystery novels and how to enter the contest...
Death lies between the lines when the events of a dark story start coming true in The Stranger Diaries, a haunting modern gothic myste...
June 23, 2019
Sunday Sentence: Sailing Alone Around the Room by Billy Collins
Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.
In the ashen newsreels,
the avenues of cities
are broad rivers flowing with hats.
“The Death of the Hat”
from Sailing Alone Around the Room by Billy Collins
June 21, 2019
Friday Freebie: Of Fathers and Fire by Steven Wingate
Congratulations to Bill Wolfe , winner of last week’s Friday Freebie contest: The Van Apfel Girls Are Gone by Felicity McLean.
This week’s giveaway is for Of Fathers and Fire , the new novel by Steven Wingate. One lucky reader will win a signed copy of the book. Keep scrolling for more about fathers, fires, and how to enter the contest...
When Richie Thorpe and his ragtag religious band of ex-thieves arrive in the High Plains town of Suborney, Colorado, Tommy Sandor is captivated by the group. It...
