Mark Stevens's Blog, page 41
March 23, 2015
Sarah Waters – “The Paying Guests”
I found this book (and writer) through listening to Michael Silverblatt���s terrific podcast, Bookworm (KCRW). I read The Paying Guests as an audiobook (a delectable narration by Juliet Stevenson) on a long trip and the drive went quickly, although there … Continue reading →
March 20, 2015
James Nestor – “Deep”
I first heard James Nestor on the podcast “Authors on Tour” (a great podcast, by the way) as he was giving an enthusiastic presentation at the Tattered Cover. I had a hunch I would dig Deep. I wasn���t disappointed. Deep … Continue reading →
March 10, 2015
Q & A #25 Hannah Nordhaus – “American Ghost”
Hannah Nordhaus was last here in May of 2012 in a Q & A about The Beekeeper���s Lament, a PEN Center USA Book Awards finalist, a Colorado Book Awards finalist, an Indie Next Pick and on and on. I���m thrilled … Continue reading →
March 1, 2015
Q & A #24 Wendy J. Fox – “The Seven Stages of Anger”
I ���met��� Wendy J. Fox in a circuitous fashion through a fellow writer and reader in Michigan���Tim Bazzett. Tim dropped me a line raving about Fox���s work when he and I connected over The Enlisted Men���s Club, the Vietnam-era novel … Continue reading →
February 23, 2015
William Landay – “Defending Jacob”
Defending Jacob is straightforward yet complex. It���s linear, in one way, yet chews back on itself in another. The last few pages put every scene before it back in play for re-evaluation. The story leads you gently, one way, and … Continue reading →
February 18, 2015
Q & A With Rex Burns – “Crude Carrier”
For a lesson in how to get a story up and running quickly, look no further than Crude Carrier, by the inimitable Rex Burns. The father-and-daughter detective team of James Raiford and Julie Campbell, a.k.a. The Touchstone Agency, are thrown … Continue reading →
February 5, 2015
Q & A With Maximillian Potter – “Shadows in the Vineyard”
The rave reviews for��Shadows in the Vineyard by Maximillian Potter��have poured in–for good reason. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Publisher’s Weekly and celebrity chef Eric Ripert have all showered praise (and that’s just for starters). In Shadows,��Potter��takes a … Continue reading →
February 1, 2015
Bruce W. Most – “Rope Burn”
Nick DeNunzio is a long way from home. He is ���trying to get his bearings in a bearingless land.��� That���s a reference to the largely un-populated landscape that surrounds him. It���s also a reference to the roadmap to his soul. … Continue reading →
January 30, 2015
Willy Vlautin – “The Free”
I listened to The Free on audio CD. Willy Vlautin���s narration of his own novel is as matter-of-fact as his prose. He reads in a dry but empathetic fashion, no flash. The writing looks simple on the page and Vlautin���s … Continue reading →
January 11, 2015
Mark Wisniewski – “Watch Me Go”
I���m not sure about Salman Rushdie���s claim (���irresistible���) but Mark Wisniewski���s Watch Me Go will pull you along. This is a curious and memorable book, from nearly inverted structure to the unusual pair of co-protagonists. The story flips back and … Continue reading →
