Category 2016 Books
What I Learned from Alexander Hamilton
Happy Fourth of July! As we celebrate American independence today, I thought I’d share my review of Ron Chernow’s biography Alexander Hamilton. The hardcover version of Chernow’s book is about 818 pages long. And those are about 818 reasons why I opted for the audiobook version–which clocks in at a whopping 36 hours and 2 minutes […]
When Books Went to War by Molly Guptill Manning
It’s no secret that I am a book lover–just take a minute to glance around at some of the posts on the blog. As a dedicated bibliophile, I’m always looking for books about books–books that tell me more about why we love to read and why reading matters. When Books Went to War by Molly […]
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
Every once in a while I have a free day that I can dedicate to reading a book cover to cover. It’s becoming a rare occurrence, but it does happen sometimes. Yesterday was one of those days. I spent most of the day reading Chris Cleave’s novel Little Bee. I don’t really want to say too much […]
Author Spotlight: Kate DiCamillo
This week, I’ll be posting a lot about children’s books. It’s summer time, and if your kids are home from school you might be looking for something to keep them entertained. On a rainy day like today, there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book. My goal for the next few posts is to share […]
Reconsidering Required Reading
It’s the end of the school year, which means pool parties, vacation, and…summer reading? If you’re like me, you had to complete summer reading projects each year, and often they were just chores to check off the list. I remember plenty of last-minute-reading sessions during the day or two before school started. Well, today I’ve […]
Everlasting is the Past by Walt Wangerin
I received Everlasting is the Past in my Rabbit Room Christmas box back in December, and I’ve finally made my way around to reading it. This book is a memoir written by Walter Wangerin, Jr., who is a very successful writer. The book doesn’t really discuss his writing, life; it focuses on his journey of faith […]
Textbooks Spring 2016
At midnight tonight my last project of the semester is due and I will be finished with my first year of grad school! It’s always nice to add my textbooks to my book list at the end of the semester. Here’s a quick look at the books I’ve been reading since January. Advanced Fiction Writing […]
The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by L…
The year is 1915. Mary Russell, a brilliant and feisty young woman, takes a walk on the Sussex Downs and bumps into Sherlock Holmes, the great consulting detective. The Holmes of 1915 is older, semi-retired, and amazed at Mary Russell’s powers of deduction. The two strike up a friendship, Holmes mentors his new pupil, and they […]
One Summer by Bill Bryson
A lot happened in the summer of 1927: Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight across the Atlantic, Babe Ruth was closing in on his home run record, and President Coolidge took a three month vacation in South Dakota, to name a few things. Bill Bryson’s book One Summer is an in-depth look at just about everything that […]
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.
Book Fifty 