David Abrams's Blog, page 18
March 25, 2019
Front Porch Books: March 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.
The World Doesn’t Require You
by Rion Amilcar Scott
(Liveright)
Jacket Copy: Deftly spinning genres...
March 24, 2019
Sunday Sentence: The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope
Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.
A sermon is not to tell you what you are, but what you ought to be; and a good novel should tell you not what you are to get, but what you’d like to get.
The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope
March 22, 2019
Friday Freebie: Three by Julia Alvarez
Congratulations to John Smith, winner of last week’s Friday Freebie: Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions and Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna .
It’s Julia Alvarez Week at The Quivering Pen! This week’s giveaway is for three new paperback re-issues from Algonquin Books of three novels by the award-winning author: In the Time of the Butterflies , How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents , and ¡Yo! . One lucky reader will win all three books. Keep scrolling for more information on the novels an...
March 19, 2019
Trailer Park Tuesday: Women Talking by Miriam Toews
The Margaret Atwood comparisons are inevitable. Dust the surface and Miriam Toews’ new novel
Women Talking
bears a thematic resemblance to Atwood’s classic
The Handmaid’s Tale
, but go below that superficiality and Women Talking takes on a frightening life of its own. Here, for instance, is the plot description: One evening, eight Mennonite women climb into a hay loft to conduct a secret meeting. For the past two years, each of these women, and more than a hundred other girls in their colony,...
March 17, 2019
Sunday Sentence: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.
Daisy was Carole King, she was Laura Nyro. Hell, she could have been Joni Mitchell. And they wanted her to be Olivia Newton-John.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
March 16, 2019
A Dead Man’s Books: Jennifer Spiegel’s Library
Reader: Jennifer Spiegel
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Collection Size: No real clue.
The one book I'd run back into a burning building to rescue: None. See below. That doesn’t mean that I don’t love them.
Favorite book from childhood: I actually saved a ton for my kids, but my favorites are the Oz Books by L. Frank Baum. I’m pretty sure they changed my life. I love them so much.
Guilty pleasure book: Maybe The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. I’ve also bee...
March 15, 2019
Friday Freebie: Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions and Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna by Mario Giordano
Congratulations to Phil Milio, winner of last week’s Friday Freebie: Bellflower by Mary Vensel White.
It’s Auntie Poldi Week at The Quivering Pen! This week’s giveaway is for two mystery novels by Mario Giordano featuring the Prosecco-loving detective: Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions and Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna . I have a hardcover copy of each novel to give away to one lucky reader. Keep scrolling for more information on the books and how to enter the contest...
The Sicilian...
March 10, 2019
Sunday Sentence: Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky
Simply put, the best sentence(s) I’ve read this past week, presented out of context and without commentary.
In the sixth month
of a disastrous reign in the house of money
in the street of money in the city of money in the country of money,
our great country of money, we (forgive us)
lived happily during the war.
Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky
March 8, 2019
Friday Freebie: Bellflower by Mary Vensel White
Congratulations to Emma Cazabonne and Martha Burzynski, winners of last week’s Friday Freebie: 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich.
This week’s giveaway is for Bellflower by Mary Vensel White. I have one copy to give away to one lucky reader. Here’s what Deborah Reed, author of The Days When Birds Come Back , had to say about the book: “Told in Vensel White’s dazzling, clear-eyed prose, Bellflower is as sharp as it is nuanced, as nostalgic as it is foretold. These layered storie...
March 6, 2019
New House, New Shelves: Mary Vensel White’s Library
Reader: Mary Vensel White
Location: Southern California
Collection size: 750ish
The one book I’d run back into a burning building to rescue: I wouldn’t run back into a burning building! As much as I love my books, most are replaceable, one way or another.
Favorite book from childhood: A four-volume set of illustrated Disney stories
Guilty pleasure book: Hm. I can’t think of anything in the book department I feel guilty for reading. I do watch a lot of bad televi...
