“If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison
Summary: In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an… Continue reading Book Review: “A Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles (Spoiler-Free)
Summary: In 1925, Miss Nan O’Dea infiltrated the wealthy, rarefied world of author Agatha Christie and her husband, Archie. In every way, she became a part of their life––first, both Christies. Then, just Archie. Soon, Nan became Archie’s mistress, luring him away from his devoted wife, desperate to marry him. Nan’s plot didn’t begin the… Continue reading Book Review: “The Christie Affair” by Nina de Gramont
I was checking my blog stats the other day when I saw a little message pop up informing me that it was my 7th Bloggiversary Now, as someone who still thinks 2019 was a couple of months ago, this came as a real shock. Have I really been blogging for almost 10 years? What can… Continue reading My 7th Bloggiversary
I've never done a WWW before so I thought I might give it a go. What are you currently reading? Dead Lake by Darcy Coates. Summary: Sam is excited to spend a week at her uncle's remote lake cabin. It's a chance for her to focus on her art without distractions: no neighbors, no phone,… Continue reading WWW Wednesday- May 11, 2022
Summary: All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world's preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the… Continue reading Thoughts on “A Natural History Dragons” by Marie Brennan (Spoiler-Free)
In the year of our Lord 2022, I decided in March to start writing two blog posts a week; one on Tuesday and another on Thursday. Since then I've been relatively consistent about posting and have become more disciplined in the art of, you know, doing what I said I would do. However, I've decided… Continue reading BLOG UPDATE, Or The Author Changes Her Mind
I failed miserably by not uploading a blog post last week, but I resolve to make up for it with a small one until I'm able to crank out this monster I've been meditating on all weekend. Summary: Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons;… Continue reading My TBR For 2022
I have a confession to make. As someone who is vocal about my opposition to literary snobbery—making fun of adult YA readers, claiming only certain genres are "literary", etc—I must be honest. I am guilty of the same sort of pretentious douch-baggery that I so often criticize. For the longest time, I was incredibly snooty… Continue reading I Owe E-Reader Users An Apology
Amazon Summary: After a devastating loss, Brynn Wilder escapes to Wharton, a tourist town on Lake Superior, to reset. Checking into a quaint boardinghouse for the summer, she hopes to put her life into perspective. In her fellow lodgers, she finds a friendly company of strangers: the frail Alice, cared for by a married couple… Continue reading Thoughts on “The Haunting of Brynn Wilder” by Wendy Webb
Amazon Summary: Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike — particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens. Mariana Andros, who was once… Continue reading Thoughts on “The Maidens” by Alex Michaelides
The Crooked Pen 