Monthly Archive:: January 2014
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
Written on January 30, 2014
in Book Reviews, Contemporary

When Freedom came out in 2010, Jonathan Frazen appeared on the cover of Time magazine with the headline “The Great American Novelist.” (Subhead: “He’s not the richest or most famous. His characters don’t solve mysteries, have magical powers, or live in the future.
Joyce Carol Oates at Hunter College
Written on January 23, 2014
in Literary, NYC Things

I am way late on posting this, but that’s no indication of my opinion of the Hunter College Distinguished Writers Series. I went to three readings this fall (Augusten Burroughs and Eve Ensler were the others) and found each to be extremely interesting and informative.
The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
Written on January 21, 2014
in Book Reviews, Contemporary

Funny story about my acquisition of this book. I was at the Hobart Book Village snooping around the shops and I kept seeing this book. Because I couldn’t go home with five bookstores worth of merchandise (and I was going a little wild that day),
Monday Literary Quote
Written on January 20, 2014
in Literary Quotes

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. day, here is some wisdom from Atticus Finch. Image based on Old Monroeville Court House by Andrea Right, CC-BY-2.0.
Weekend Reading
Written on January 17, 2014
in Uncategorized

Literary I keep saying that I want to read more nonfiction. This helpful Reddit thread provides some great recommendations.
To Read List: Part 1
Written on January 17, 2014
in Literary

I don’t often read new releases. There are so many books that I’ve been eager to read, that have been swimming around in my head for months or years, that I can’t see taking a chance on a new release if I don’t know anything about it.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Sloot
Written on January 14, 2014
in Book Reviews, Nonfiction

This book – wow. I don’t read a lot of non-fiction (I’d love to read more), but if all non-fiction were written like this, I’d be devouring it on a daily basis.
Everything Beautiful Began After by Simon Van Booy
Written on January 7, 2014
in Book Reviews, Contemporary

I’ve seen this novel floating around used bookstores so I picked it up while visiting the Hobart Book Village. I was intrigued by the title – Everything Beautiful Began After.
Monday Literary Quote
Written on January 6, 2014
in Literary, Literary Quotes

December was a crazy month with much shopping, travel, holiday festivities, and little sleep. It’s January and it’s freezing so I’ve decided to spend the month close to home and catching up on reading, writing, and other projects.