Book Review: The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
The novel is rife with easily identifiable issues, but it only occasionally distracts from the general enjoyment of reading it. Before we get into the bad (is it just me that always finds the negative aspects more interesting and more fun to write?), let’s start with the good: The book has a Table of Contents […]
Thrifted Used Book Haul
I took a dive into Thriftedbooks.com to see if I could find any deals, and I found 5 used books I’ve been wanting for around $5 each. They all arrived in great condition, and I’m super duper happy. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier I’ve been wanting to read this for a while and have been […]
I Don’t Have a Favorite Author… Yet. Here’s Why.
Traditionally, I have decided on reading a book based on the book’s concept and description, not because I recognize the author. Whenever I like a book, I don’t immediately think, “Now I need to read more by this author,” unless the author is a classic author that is widely recognized for all or most of […]
Book Review: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
I originally picked up The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera because I saw the title in a used bookstore, and I was intrigued. I absolutely loved the title, and after reading it and gaining context for the title, I love it even more with all of its many layers. This novel is definitely […]
Book Review: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
I am drawn to WW2 historical fiction, and the concept of The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer is great. It has both modern and historical POVs, which can be powerful if done correctly, and it has a mystery element. It sounds like it should be right up my alley, but it fell flat. […]
Influence and the Soul in The Picture of Dorian Gray
When Oscar Wilde first wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray, he was faced with backlash from critics who may or may not have been familiar with the term “unreliable narrator.” They accused him of writing an “immoral book.” At first, he contested that claim by saying that the moral of the book was clear; in […]
Book Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
When reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, I was constantly annotating the cynical witticisms running rampant through the novel. They were absolutely delightful, and some made me chuckle out loud. The majority of the quotes I highlighted were the sayings of Lord Henry, because even though he could be a bit sexist […]
Book Review: Chocolate: The Consuming Passion by Sandra Boynton
When people discover the extent of my chocolate infatuation and connect that with my love for writing/reading, they are bound to eventually suggest, “Write about chocolate!” My immediate reaction is always, “How?” My creative ability doesn’t extend to thinking up an entertaining manuscript entirely about a single consumable product. I just really enjoy eating it. […]
Book Review: The Girl with No Shadow by Joanne Harris (Chocolat #2)
After Chocolat, which was charming, whimsical, and subtle in its writing, reading its sequel The Girl With No Shadow was disappointing. I ended up skimming the majority of the novel because neither the characters or the writing could hold my interest for long. The writing style in The Girl With No Shadow felt contrived and […]
Book Review: Chocolat by Joanne Harris
As a self-proclaimed and unashamed chocoholic, I was drawn to Chocolat by Joanne Harris for obvious reasons. I didn’t become addicted to the book, so I can’t say it necessarily lived up to its namesake, but it also didn’t disappoint. In the world of sweets, it’s a creme brulee. I appreciate its existence and love […]