The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
"On the morning of April 8, 1965, Robert Kincaid locked the door to his small two-room apartment on the third floor of a rambling house in Bellingham, Washington." My goodness this little novel is almost good. The opening two chapters, which introduce the characters and the basic situation are … [Read more]
Advertisements for Myself by Norman Mailer
The Deer Park by Norman Mailer
Advertisements for Myself "Like many another vain, empty, and bullying body of our time, I have been running for President these last ten years in the privacy of my mind, and it occurs to me that I am less close now than when I began." No one loves Norman Mailer's writing more than Norman … [Read more]
A Twist of a Knife by Anthony Horowitz
I was a touch disappointed in Anthony Horowitz's last Hawthorne mystery, so I started The Twist of a Knife with my expectations tempered. I love Horowitz's two Atticus Pünd novels (Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders), and I suspect I've been judging the Hawthorne series a little too harshly … [Read more]
Shimmy Bang Sparkle by Nicola Rendell
I loved this until the last 5th of the book when my real world knowledge got in the way. I love a heist, so diamond thieves hooking up to commit acts of Robin Hood is entirely my jam. Heist romances require leaps of faith and unfortunately this one required too big a leap for me at the end. That … [Read more]
The Overstory by Richard Powers
The Overstory is the type of novel I dread reviewing. At nearly 500 pages, nine protagonists, and scores of literary and cultural references, there's so much to unpack that a review could easily become a doctoral thesis if one had the time and inclination. To properly review, I would almost have to … [Read more]
Dear Medusa by Olivia A Cole
This is the kind of story that burrows into your heart and scrapes you raw in the best way. Alicia’s story is relatable in the worst ways, but I love the community and friendships she’s able to develop and the strength she finds over the course of her journey. Last year, the school’s beloved … [Read more]
