Category Archives: Novels

Reader’s Journal: The Middlesteins by Jami Attenberg

Posted on April 8, 2013 by

The Middlesteins tells the story of Edie and Richard Middlestein; their two children, Robin and Benny; and Benny’s wife Rachelle and their two kids Emily and Josh. Edie has a weight problem. She’s eating herself to death, and even after … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Novels, Reader's Journal | 1 Comment

Reader’s Journal: Benediction by Kent Haruf

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

Truth: I loved Benediction. Truth: I was predisposed to love it because I loved Plainsong and Eventide. If you want a completely objective review (as if such a thing exists), you’ll have to go elsewhere to find it. In Benediction, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Novels, Reader's Journal | 2 Comments

Reader’s Journal: Life After Life

Posted on March 9, 2013 by

In November 1930, Ursula Todd assassinates Adolf Hitler. Ursula Todd is born on February 11, 1910. She is stillborn. Ursula Todd is born on February 11, 1910. The doctor has arrived at Fox Corner, the Todd family home, during a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Novels, Reader's Journal | 10 Comments

What I’ve Been Reading

Posted on February 26, 2013 by

Time to take a breath! For the last month I’ve been thinking of all the reviews I want to write, because I’ve been reading some terrific books. Tomorrow! is always the day I’m finally going to write a post on … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Nonfiction, Novels, Writing | 2 Comments

Long Awaited Reads Month: The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith

Posted on January 28, 2013 by

I read far less than I hoped to this month. In fact, I was hoping to read at least two books for Long Awaited Reads Month; instead, I only read one, Zadie Smith’s The Autograph Man. In fact, I finished … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Novels | 9 Comments

Reader’s Journal: 11/22/63

Posted on January 17, 2013 by

11/22/63 is the first Stephen King book I’ve read in decades. It’s my book club’s February selection (selected by another member), but it’s a book I also put on my wishlist when it was published last year. Why, I’m not … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Novels, Reader's Journal

Long Awaited Reads Month and Thoughts on Stephen King

Posted on January 10, 2013 by

Back in November I got really excited and decided to join Ana and Iris for Long-Awaited Reads Month. No, it’s not what you think: I am not giving up on it, not at all. Even though I am about halfway … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Novels | 6 Comments

New Year, New Books (Part 2)

Posted on January 3, 2013 by

Please pardon my really super fabulous photography skills. Thank goodness I don’t have a food blog. I actually have thought about sharing some recipes here from time to time, but every picture I take of food…well, something happens, and let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, New Books, Nonfiction, Novels, Short Stories | 4 Comments

Reader’s Journal: Glaciers by Alexis Smith

Posted on December 12, 2012 by

About ten years ago I grew tired of chick lit and its tropes: the mini-skirted twenty- or thirty-something women who couldn’t love (or love the right person); the eating disorders; the sassy best friends; the nagging mothers; the jobs where … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Novels, Reader's Journal

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk

Posted on November 16, 2012 by

On November 4, 2012, The New York Times ran an article, “The Permanent Militarization of America.” The article points out that when Dwight D. Eisenhower left the Oval Office, he voiced concern about the American military-industrial complex. Most pointedly, “He cautioned … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Novels, Reader's Journal | 2 Comments