Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

I recently checked Leave the World Behind out from my local library's e-book app. Marin Ireland is one of my favorite narrators, and the premise sounded interesting enough. The book was available to download, so I jumped right in. It was perfect Friday night entertainment. Jump to Book Club Questions Buy on Amazon ★★★★ A [...]

A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer Armentrout

A Soul of Ash and Blood by Jennifer Armentrout

Book 5 in the From Blood and Ash series, A Soul of Ash and Blood, offers little new information - less than a Novella - and it feels like an editor clipped together unused footage from the first novel in the series. I won't spoil the book this early in the post, but my theory [...]

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett

What sets Alperton Angels apart is that it is presented completely in the form of research notes and transcripts of text messages and emails. Most of the found footage is correspondence between two true crime "journalists" who hate each other but are forced to work together as they slowly reveal new facts about a strange [...]

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

Whalefall is like no other book I have ever read. There's a pretty substantial literary history involving humans being swallowed by a whale. This is an effective literary tactic because it reminds us how small we are in the grand scheme of things. I mean, think about it - day after day, we face struggles [...]

The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis

The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis

Book Review + Free book club questions The Unsettled is an unforgettable novel by Ayana Mathis. The story follows Ava Carson and her son, Toussant, shortly after they are kicked out of their home by her husband, Abemi. Toussant's father, Cass, has been absent from their lives for some time, and Ava is somewhat estranged [...]

The Star and the Strange Moon by Constance Sayers

The Star and the Strange Moon by Constance Sayers

The Star and the Strange Moon is the second book I have read from Constance Sayers and I love her unique style - it is paranormal fantasy mixed with historical fiction. Magical realism is another way to categorize these stories- all involving curses gone wrong. This is Sayer's third book, and all three share one [...]

Community Board by Tara Conklin

Community Board by Tara Conklin

Community Board by Tara Conklin takes a satirical look at neighborhoods in the digital age. If you are a member of your neighborhood NextDoor or similar app, you know. Suspicious persons, lost pets, creepy creepers, and angry folks turn to NextDoor to ramp up the crazy. It's HOA board meetings on steroids. The main character, [...]

House of Cotton by Monica Brashears

House of Cotton by Monica Brashears

Monica Brashears is an incredible writer and I look forward to watching what will certainly be an acclaimed and accomplished writing career. There are critics and professors out there who can tell you "why" this story writes itself into your bones, I'm not one of them. All I can tell you is that it does.

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Looking for a book that's perfect for a road trip? That is entertaining AND appropriate for kids? Like most great children's books and fairy tales, the story begins after some sort of tragedy. In this case, Coyote Sunrise and her dad, Rodeo, have changed their names and converted an old school bus into a house. [...]

The God of All Endings by Jacqueline Holland

The God of All Endings by Jacqueline Holland

The God of All Endings by Jacqueline Holland is described on it's amazon page by Library Journal as "Great for fans of Interview With A Vampire and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue." I knew right then that I was going to read this book and I was going to love this book! The God [...]

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

This novel is extraordinary. Throughout the two millenia in which this story lives, as all the characters live their lives and face their struggles, somehow the reader becomes enchanted. The survival of the book, of the earth, of the Argos - it becomes imperative. And while all the endings aren't happy, they're easier to take because they were made better by the story that they loved and preserved. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Antonio Diogenes will survive long after they're gone.

Cimarron, 1931 – 1932

Cimarron, 1931 – 1932

Cimarron was the 4th Best Picture Winner in 1931/32. Based on a popular Edna Ferber novel, the RKO movie was the 1st Western ever to win. With vintage news articles, movie reviews, and never before linked images of the cast visiting the White House, Cimarron and the story it tells is examined through a modern lens.

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot: An Audiobook Review

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot: An Audiobook Review

A MUST READ. 17-year-old Lenni and 83-year-old Margot meet in the art therapy room of the Glasgow Princess Royal Hospital. Between them, they have 100 years of life. They share each other's memories, and each experience a whole new lifetime before their own runs out.

Second Son: A Novel of the South: A Book Review

Second Son: A Novel of the South: A Book Review

It's a rare treat when we find a novel written by an unknown author that is so extraordinary. It feels like discovering a secret. To find one of the best written novels I've ever come across this way was a pleasant surprise. I cannot recommend highly enough.

All Quiet on the Western Front, 1930

All Quiet on the Western Front, 1930

In Berlin, on the evening of December 5, 1930, at the Mozart Hall, a sold out showing of All Quiet on the Western Front is about to begin. This is the German premiere of the movie that has already won Best Picture in America. "Ten minutes into the performance, a small, dark haired, man arose from his front row balcony seat and stalked up the darkened aisle toward the exit. This man, Joseph Goebbels, was giving a signal to the Nazis that had packed the seats and were patiently awaiting their signal.. They rose and began chanting "Judenfilm, Judenfilm!" They threw stink bombs and released mice into the theater...

The Covid Chronicles by Stu Whitney: A Book Review

The Covid Chronicles by Stu Whitney: A Book Review

Stu Whitney has accomplished what most novelists dream of - a great novel, written and published at the right moment. The Covid Chronicles tackles tough issues that we have all struggled with over the past year. The fear and uncertainty that swept into our lives with the COVID-19 pandemic are illuminated through a father's hopes for his [...]

Introducing: The Best Picture History Project

Introducing: The Best Picture History Project

The Best Picture History Project started as an inexpensive date night idea. We decided to watch every Academy Award Best Picture winner in order. It quickly turned into an entirely new understanding of America, her history, and her people's priorities and culture shifts throughout the years. I've studied American history my entire life and have [...]

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave is a Suspense/Mystery novel released in May 2021. Narrated by Rebecca Lowman for audio; and a Reese's Book Club choice - it's worth a read! When it comes to book clubs, Reese is the new Oprah, and she put her stamp on this book. It checks [...]

Three Day Road Trip: Dallas, TX to Pittsburgh, PA

Three Day Road Trip: Dallas, TX to Pittsburgh, PA

My husband and I and two of my children drove from Dallas, TX to Pittsburgh PA in three days. In order to visit family in Pittsburgh, PA, we left our home on a Friday afternoon. We left at four o'clock and headed out. We stopped for snacks and fountain sodas and headed out! The first [...]

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: A Book Review

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: A Book Review

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab is a story driven novel about a girl who makes a deal for her soul, and when the mysterious figure comes to collect, she refuses to give up. Born in the 1600s in a small village in France, little Adeline LaRue is a dreamer. When she [...]

No One Warned Me About Fake Hands When I was Pregnant

My youngest child recently started watching nail tutorials on YouTube. That’s how she ended up spending her money on this weird fake hand thing. Tip: you can use this hand to pat your husband on the back but he will not find it cute. And don’t even try to use it to get freaky. He [...]

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins is a thriller where every single character is a bad person. A retelling of Jane Eyre, it's extremely well done and I'd highly recommend that you read it. If you're not familiar with Jane Eyre, don't let that scare you away. This book is extraordinary on its own merit. [...]

Kingsbridge Series by Ken Follett

In his critically acclaimed Kingsbridge Series, Ken Follett transports the reader back in time to Kingsbridge, a small cathedral city in England. From here, a story follows that knits together the history of the people of England. While lower caste noblemen and women are often part of the stories; the books focus on the everyday [...]

Five Books to Read While the Power is Out

With most of the southern United States facing the coldest temperatures in a century, many of us are dusting off our bookshelves or our kindles and catching up on our never ending reading lists. Personally, I panicked as I'd just recently finished the two library books I had checked out from the Libby app and [...]

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey: A Book Review

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey: A Book Review

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey is a "forbidden love" romance novel. It is the first of a series of three books. I wish this series could go on forever, because the books are unputdownable. Hometown Hero Returns Travis Ford is a World Series Champion baseball player. He's known in the tabloids as "Two Bats" [...]

5 Amazon Gifts Under $20 Teens Want in 2021

5 Amazon Gifts Under $20 Teens Want in 2021

I asked my soon to be 14 year old what they wanted for their birthday. The following gifts are apparently what all of the kids at school have these days. Parents, birthday shopping has never been this easy!1) Bandanas - "Because I look really cute in bandanas. My friend lent me one of her bandanas [...]

How to Paint Cabinets: A Complete Guide

How to Paint Cabinets: A Complete Guide

Are you looking for a guide for how to paint cabinets? You've come to the right place. My husband and I spent six months of trial and error and developed a system that yielded professional results that even contractors have asked us our secret. Read on for details, or you can skip to the infographic [...]

You are not Alone: A Book Review

You are not Alone: A Book Review

You are not Alone, by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen: A Book Review You are not Alone is on a bazillion bestseller and best of lists, and I completely see why. I'll write on but what you really need to know is that no matter your preferred genre, you should give this book a read. [...]

A Day at Dinosaur Valley State Park

A Day at Dinosaur Valley State Park

Our family took a day trip to Dinosaur Valley State Park in December - a COVID-safe activity Like so many other families, when the world around us began to shut down in March, we were left stunned. Since that time, we've quarantined, worn masks, avoided play dates, parties and public parks. After a year of [...]

2021: The Year to Read your Favorites Again

2021: The Year to Read your Favorites Again

In 2019, I read all of the Anne Rice Vampire Novels for the second time, in order. It was a great experience because I loved reading each and every book. Some of the reading was nostalgic, some of it was revelatory. There were so many fantastic passages I'd completely forgotten in the two decades since [...]

The Midnight Sky: A Netflix Movie Review

The Midnight Sky: A Netflix Movie Review

What Netflix has billed as George Clooney's greatest achievement underperforms expectations of those that loved Lily Brooks-Dalton's Good Morning, Midnight. Earlier this month, I reviewed the novel Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton. I reviewed the novel enthusiastically, as it is an excellent read. The screenplay adapted from the novel was changed enough from the [...]

Raising Children as a Chronic Pain Patient

Raising Children as a Chronic Pain Patient

The pain does not have to interfere with raising good humans. I am a chronic pain patient. My pain is manageable, which means: it will never go away or be cured but can be reduced enough to allow me to move and walk up to two miles on a good day, with some modifications and [...]

Houseplant Spotlight: Dumb Cane

Houseplant Spotlight: Dumb Cane

Diffenbachia (Dumb Cane) The first question I get when I show people my big, beautiful Dumb Cane is always, "Why is it called Dumb Cane?" The reason is that the stem of the plant contains toxins that, when chewed, render the person unable to speak as their tongue and throat swells and becomes numb. The [...]

How to Get a Library Card: A Guide for The Socially Awkward or Anyone Who Hates Talking to People

Libraries are straight magic. They are the most utopian thing America has to offer. In a world where we are all trying so hard to hawk our content and everyone wants to nickel and dime you for everything, the library just sits there - a content superstore where everything is free. Once you take the [...]

Hot Honey Salmon Dinner with Leftover Salmon Breakfast

Hot Honey Salmon Dinner with Leftover Salmon Breakfast

Make a mouth-watering healthy salmon dinner and use the leftovers to pack protein into your breakfast. This isn't one of those blogs in which you have to read a thousand ads to get to the recipe. Skip the following paragraph and get right to it! For those of you who like to read about the [...]

Houseplant Spotlight: Pink Nanouk Tradescantia

Houseplant Spotlight: Pink Nanouk Tradescantia

Today's spotlight is the Pink Nanouk Tradescantia, once upon a time referred to as "Wandering Jew" - a stunningly beautiful plant with waxy, firm leaves. I treat my pink nanouk like a child. I even bought her a special matching pink ceramic planter and I am notorious for reusing or painting old planters. I hadn't [...]

Every Parent Should Teach their Child This One Thing

Every Parent Should Teach their Child This One Thing

I was sitting on the couch at a large family gathering. The children were sitting on the floor playing with the McDonald's Happy Meal toys my grandmother always collected for them and the adults were watching football. A teaser for the local news came on the television, promising all the details in a domestic violence [...]

Eight Five Star Books of 2020 – with an Honorable Mention!

Look no further - these are the must reads of the year. Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 2020 will go down as a year as rough as 1929. An economic crash, a pandemic, an erratic, gridlocked government - many of us are looking for healthy ways to de-stress and cope. [...]

Bride by Ali Hazelwood and the Paranormal Romance Penis

Bride by Ali Hazelwood and the Paranormal Romance Penis

So, can we talk about the werewolf's penis, or no? I recently bought "Bride" by Ali Hazelwood on an impulse - Target had a special edition with a reflective cover. The bride's flowers and the werewolf's eyes shine when the light hits them. How am I supposed to resist that? Anyway, it is no secret [...]

When McCarthyism Went After Books

Note: I authored this post for The Banned Bookshelf, a now defunct website - this is my writing. Early in 1953, Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin was conducting a sweeping congressional investigation to find communists among the American "elite." During this time, books by Communists were targeted for removal from State libraries, among others. Once [...]