I felt like I was in the keep like a housemaid watching the story develop. Each of the four main characters took the stage as tAuthentic And Immersive
I felt like I was in the keep like a housemaid watching the story develop. Each of the four main characters took the stage as the plot unfolded which upped the stakes. My heart was racing at the end. ...more
I've been on a Colson Whitehead binge, and this was my favorite of his that I've ready. Bittersweet, since I came of age in a similar summer colony, aI've been on a Colson Whitehead binge, and this was my favorite of his that I've ready. Bittersweet, since I came of age in a similar summer colony, and this had me teary eyed remembering those halcyon days.
I've spent quite a bit of time in the real Sag Harbor as well. Colson, I hate to break this to you, but Concha D'Oro pizza is no more. Don't ask what took its place. The new burger place is very good, though. ...more
Very fine first person storytelling. That's hard. Lots of twists and superb magical scenes. Believable diverse characters. I'm not accustomed to readiVery fine first person storytelling. That's hard. Lots of twists and superb magical scenes. Believable diverse characters. I'm not accustomed to reading new adult titles but this was enjoyable and has a contemporary feel. ...more
I loved this book. Seamlessly blends magic into a compelling contemporary setting. Few authors can write seamless multiple point of view, and Alice HoI loved this book. Seamlessly blends magic into a compelling contemporary setting. Few authors can write seamless multiple point of view, and Alice Hoffman is one of those them....more
Essential reading for writers interested in creating fully rounded female heroines. Deep and meticulous scholarly analysis that confronts and takes JoEssential reading for writers interested in creating fully rounded female heroines. Deep and meticulous scholarly analysis that confronts and takes Joseph Campbell's hero's journey into the 21st Century that I consider to be a new classic....more
Meticulous research and sharp details that capture a time and place (Harlem New York in the mid 1900's. As with most literary fiction, the main characMeticulous research and sharp details that capture a time and place (Harlem New York in the mid 1900's. As with most literary fiction, the main character doesn't change much, but his adventures are woven into the history so that it seems like biography.
I love Phillipa's books, and this one was very different as it was not based on true history. It took a while to get into the story because the characI love Phillipa's books, and this one was very different as it was not based on true history. It took a while to get into the story because the character names were so similar I couldn't follow who was who.
Her research was impeccable and impressive, and I learned a lot even though I am very familiar with Venice as well as northeastern New England. Having not read the first book in the series, I was a little confused by the dual plot lines, but was progressively drawn in....more
This is the first book by this author I'vev read and I guess I picked the wrong one. Honestly, this felt like I was reading the first draft of a brandThis is the first book by this author I'vev read and I guess I picked the wrong one. Honestly, this felt like I was reading the first draft of a brand new novelist in a writing class: Head hopping, wandering point of view, too much exposition, inconsistencies and weird encounters. There are not too many books I can't finish and this was one of them. I persisted despite incredulous turns of events until the final few pages and won't give away the ending but it was so far fetched I closed it, sorry that I had wasted so much time....more
I really needed this book. Writing has always been a way for me to productively channel stress into both my fiction and nonfiction writing. But as theI really needed this book. Writing has always been a way for me to productively channel stress into both my fiction and nonfiction writing. But as the worldwide political stunts continue and the pandemic drags on, the non writing workload and persistent anxieties have worn me down. Seasonal affective disorder has only increased the difficulty staying focused and keeping on track with my daily writing and editing.
Rayne Hall's style made it seem like she was sitting in my living room chatting and offering ideas on how to keep moving forward. Crisis Writing offers step by step tips based upon Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques that channel stress and anxiety into catharsis through writing.
I highly recommend this book for stepwise, logical path to turn crisis into opportunity....more
Amazing and inspirational stories of grass roots activism. Breathes life and hope into those who've been struggling to understand the current anti womAmazing and inspirational stories of grass roots activism. Breathes life and hope into those who've been struggling to understand the current anti woman, anti immigrant, anti war, anti racist, anti poverty political climate, and the toxic, dangerous rise of fascism in the United States....more
I met Nuala O Faolain at the Small Press Center in, oh my god, 2006 or so. She was such a delightful speaker, very friendly, and I bought Almost ThereI met Nuala O Faolain at the Small Press Center in, oh my god, 2006 or so. She was such a delightful speaker, very friendly, and I bought Almost There. It sat on my bookshelf all this time, and I almost picked it up when I heard she'd died, but writers who also work full time almost never have time to read for pleasure.
This was the year. I took it with me on my beach vacation and finished in in three days. Sad, compelling, upbeat, self effacing are some of the words that come to mind. Courageous is my major comment. I will by all the others, in print, because I'm just that way.
Like most steampunk/time travel stories, it takes a little time to get oriented but once you're there, this is a fantastic read. The writing is amazinLike most steampunk/time travel stories, it takes a little time to get oriented but once you're there, this is a fantastic read. The writing is amazing, the historical underpinnings fascinating, and I was sorry when it ended. Can't wait for the next book in the series.
Hint: Read The Witch of Lime Street, which is non fiction, as well. It gave me some context and grounding in the history of Conan Doyle vis a vis spiritism. ...more
I have been reading a lot written by and about the Kennedy brothers recently, hoping to regain some sense of balance-and reassurance that America is gI have been reading a lot written by and about the Kennedy brothers recently, hoping to regain some sense of balance-and reassurance that America is going to survive the national tragedy, and disgrace, of the rigged election of our 45th president.
Ted Kennedy had such a tumultuous life, losing three brothers and one sister under tragic circumstances, not to mention his son's life threatening illness, his divorce, and the aftermath of the death of Mary Jo Kopeckne. His nephews and cousins have had their own stories, many of which impacted upon his career as well.
I'm glad to say he landed on his feet, and at the time of his death was at peace with his life and legacy. This book was his last hurrah, and he was honest in setting the record straight. I felt like I was listening to him while reading, not an accident since this was part of an oral history project. I believed everything he said--even though some of the apologies and explanations seemed like a view through a two way mirror-and subject to interpretation.
I have great respect for JFK, RFK and Ted Kennedy, because they all had a vision for this country that all Americans should reconsider in the light of current events. Only Ted had a chance to pursue his goals, and though he died before the Affordable Care Act was passed, the groundwork he did in the Senate surely formed the base of the legislation. If one believe in angels, perhaps Ted and his brothers can exert a little of their magic right about now. ...more
This meticulously researched book gets off to a slow start, but picks up by the middle. Larry Tye took care to develop how RFK became a liberal icon, This meticulously researched book gets off to a slow start, but picks up by the middle. Larry Tye took care to develop how RFK became a liberal icon, when he was a conservative in many ways. He was far from perfect, but perfectly focused moral, social justice to the last day of his life.
One can only wonder what the world would be like if RFK, and JFK had survived and worked with their younger brother Ted to move the United States in a direction where race and ethnicity don't dictate where the power and money are directed. I found reading this, especially as our country endures the debacle of the Trump regime, which is dismantling everything that the Kennedy's strove for, and that truly made America great....more
Loved it. Autobiographical, I'm sure. Sad, because it turns out Carrie had drugs in her system according to what I read about the autopsy results. Loved it. Autobiographical, I'm sure. Sad, because it turns out Carrie had drugs in her system according to what I read about the autopsy results. ...more
I read this book in preparation for a panel at LunaCon. I'm a die hard Star Wars fan, and this backstage look at Carrie Fisher's early career made me I read this book in preparation for a panel at LunaCon. I'm a die hard Star Wars fan, and this backstage look at Carrie Fisher's early career made me smile and cry, sometimes on the same page. ...more
Complex and slow at the beginning, but by the end I could not put it down. Very nuanced and true to life--it reads like a memoir. I love the dialect (Complex and slow at the beginning, but by the end I could not put it down. Very nuanced and true to life--it reads like a memoir. I love the dialect (always do)
I loved this book even more than The Girl in the Photo. Wally Wood has a knack for making his fiction read like real life. In this case, it blends a tI loved this book even more than The Girl in the Photo. Wally Wood has a knack for making his fiction read like real life. In this case, it blends a travelogue with a compelling fictional story, not only for Phil, but for all the members of the tour. The characters in Getting Oriented are well developed and I liked all of them, even when they are not behaving well.
Couldn't bear to put it down, and couldn't wait to get back to it. Now I'm sorry it's finished. Hope there is a reunion!...more
This book drew me in because of the subject: a Korea veteran who'd spent time in Japan who had tons of pictures (like my father). And because when I mThis book drew me in because of the subject: a Korea veteran who'd spent time in Japan who had tons of pictures (like my father). And because when I met Wally Wood, I enjoyed our conversation so much I figured his writing would be equally conversant. Indeed this novel reads like nonfiction--and it does make use of memoir techniques which makes it so.
It also reflects the complexity of writing memoir--everyone's version of the truth is slightly different. I was left wondering whose version was real, and isn't that the way those things go in real life? I also enjoyed the way the brother-sister relationship played out, which also mirrors reality....more
I really liked the way Ms. Gregory ties all the books together. Jaquetta from Queen of the Rivers is featured here. Read that one before this. The endI really liked the way Ms. Gregory ties all the books together. Jaquetta from Queen of the Rivers is featured here. Read that one before this. The ending was abrupt. Would have liked a little bit more. ...more
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