by Khaled Hosseini Genres: Fiction Publisher: Riverhead Books Length: 404 pages Published: May 21, 2013 Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble Note: You can read my review of Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns and read my preview for his recently released short story/picture book, A Sea Prayer, as well. “So, then. You want a story […]
by Nathaniel Philbrick Having read Moby Dick, I thought I knew what I was in for when I picked up Philbrick’s book on the nineteenth-century whaleship Essex: I was very, very wrong. I thought Philbrick’s account would be another fictional rendition of man versus the sea. Instead, Philbrick picks up where the climactic conclusion of […]
The third and final part of my interview with Karen Babine, author of Water and What We Know: Following the Roots of a Northern Life. Follow the links to read Part One and Part Two. Throughout your years of graduate work, professional teaching, and attending and presenting at writing conferences, what has been some of […]
by Julie Danneberg illustrated by Judy Love Genre: Children’s Picture Book (ages 5-8) Publisher: Charlesbridge Page Count: 32 pages Published: February 1, 2006 Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble Note: Written at a child’s reading level, but definitely aimed at teachers as a great end-of-year present. The book is part of a series featuring Mrs. […]
Today, I am happy to join the official Penguin Young Readers blog tour to celebrate the fourth and final installment in Sheila Turner’s middle-grade mystery series, The Law of Finders Keepers (Mo & Dale Mysteries #4). After having read and enjoyed the first three installments (Three Times Lucky, The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, and The […]
The Book with No Pictures by B. J. Novak “This is a book with no pictures. It might seem like no fun to have someone read you a book with no pictures. It probably seems boring and serious. Except… Here is how books work: Everything the words say, the person reading the book has to […]
This week I’m excited to feature a three-part interview with my friend Karen Babine, author of Water and What We Know: Following the Roots of a Northern Life (University of Minnesota Press, 2015). Karen was born and raised in the lake country of Minnesota. She earned a B.A. from Concordia College, an M.F.A. from Eastern […]
by Catherine Lowell “Because the madwoman is far more compelling if she is a ‘regular’ woman,” said Orville. “No–don’t interrupt. If she is a frothing lunatic, then she becomes the most unrealistic part of Jane Eyre, and the one character that transforms the novel into implausible Gothic fiction. If, however, we treat the madwoman as […]
by Bill Bryson Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Travel, Humor Publisher: Anchor Books Length: 397 pages Published: republished December 26, 2006 Purchase Links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble “The Appalachian Trail trail stretches from Georgia to Maine and covers some of the most breathtaking terrain in America–majestic mountains, silent forests, sparking lakes. If you’re going to take a […]
Yesterday I saw a top ten list for essential back-to-school items “necessary to succeed” in college. Amongst the recommendations: customized bluetooth speakers, a label maker, wind chimes, flower vases, trickling water fountains, and air ionizers. The article ran on a major news feed and as of this morning had over 500 shares. While those are […]
Survival Lessons by Alice Hoffman In this uplifting and inspirational read, American novelist Alice Hoffman offers advice and encouragement for audiences experiencing hard times, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy treatment. After a life of serving as the nurse and caretaker for those around her, Hoffman’s world turned upside-down when she learned she was the one with a […]
by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire really propels the drama of the series onto another level. If you were ever a fan of the TV show LOST, you knew that part of the appeal was that even main characters were at risk. It’s not that you enjoy seeing your favorite characters […]
by Elizabeth Gilbert “Fear is boring.“ I have to admit that I was a little wary of starting Elizabeth Gilbert’s nonfiction book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear because I had very mixed feelings about Eat, Pray, Love. Though I found some parts of the latter interesting, there were large sections I strongly disliked. A […]
Jactionary: Bookstagram, BookTube, and BookTok: Reading Communities in the 21st Century
As an active reader, book reviewer, blogger, but also a literature professor, I try to make sure I’m somewhat caught up on new reading trends and communities so I can share that information with my classes. The following article is adapted from one I recently wrote for my department. I hope it is of help […]