Monthly Archives: March 2016
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Sometimes I think the authors we read in school deserve a second chance outside the classroom. Today’s example: John Steinbeck. I read Of Mice and Men and The Pearl while I was in school, and I did not enjoy either of them. So when I started East of Eden I had to try and forget those negative experiences. I’m so glad I did, because this novel was, for me, another Tess experience. The book is so full of symbolism and Biblical references that I know I will be thinking about it for a long time.
1946 Special Edition of Alice in Wonderland
A few weeks ago I went to two different library book sales, and by far the greatest deal I found was this special edition of Alice in Wonderland. I paid a whopping $1.50 for this 70 year old find, and it is in excellent condition. A note in the back of the book says that the […]
Making the Most of a Used Book Sale
After shopping for about an hour, I had more than filled my bag, spent my budget, and realized that used book sales can be pretty overwhelming if you don’t come in with a strategy. And so, without further introduction, here are my top tips for winning the used book sale.
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
A bildungsroman is a type of novel that tells a coming-of-age story, a story of education or growth. There are many, many examples of this type of novel, from the Harry Potter books to The Kite Runner. Brooklyn is a beautiful coming-of-age story about a young Irish immigrant who moves to New York. Eilis Lacey, the protagonist, leaves […]
Downton Abbey and the Power of Happy Endings
Last night, after six wonderful seasons, Downton Abbey wrapped up its run as my favorite television show. I’m planning a post in the near future about my favorite moments from the show, but for today I thought I’d take a few minutes to talk about the ending of the series and about happy endings in general. […]
Pride and Prejudice
There isn’t much that can be done to improve Jane Austen’s best known novel; it is perfectly charming and funny on its own. That being said, this audiobook version, performed by Rosamind Pike, somehow manages to make Pride and Prejudice come to life in a remarkable way. Sometimes audiobooks are questionable because they involve the […]
Bill Bryson’s Books on British Travel
In just thirty days Mom and I will be setting out on a trip to the UK. I can’t believe I just wrote that sentence, and I really can’t believe how quickly our departure is approaching! Many of you know that I am a huge anglophile, so any book that deals with traveling around the […]
Book Fifty 