Translated by Philip Gabriel, Published by Berkeley 2017 A lot of Japanese authors and their novels have crossed my path lately, and The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa is one of them. It's inviting cover and petite size suggest a light easy read, but this tiny book is packed with humor, emotion and a … Continue reading Book Review: The Traveling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
book review
Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Published by Penguin Random House 2017 There are far too few novels out there that address mental illness; especially books where the protagonist is the one with mental health issues. Honeyman shows that this can clearly be done well, with gentleness, tact, and even humor. Written in first person POV, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine … Continue reading Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Book Review: Once Upon a River, by Diane Setterfield
I loved this book. Not only is the cover of Once Upon a River beautiful, but I love a good story about mysterious waters. I also loved the tone, the writing style, and the wonderfully developed characters. Set in a small village on the river Thames, the story follows events surrounding the sudden and dramatic … Continue reading Book Review: Once Upon a River, by Diane Setterfield
Book Review: Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, by Haruki Murakami
This book is a real mind bender. I took so many notes and at the end of my note book is this acronym: WTF!!!! So, yeah, that kind of sums it up. I can't wait to tell you about it! How did I Hear About Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World? This novel … Continue reading Book Review: Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, by Haruki Murakami
Book Review: Tell Me Lies, by Carola Lovering
I read Tell Me Lies in about four days. I eagerly turned the pages even when I felt like screaming in frustration at the main characters––or, maybe because of that? Tell Me Lies is a New Adult novel that highlights a variety of disorders that can afflict us when young and often shapes our lives … Continue reading Book Review: Tell Me Lies, by Carola Lovering
Book Review: The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood
Winner of the 2000 Man Booker Prize This book came to my attention while taking Atwood's online writing course through Masterclass, where she explained the use of different literary devices. The Blind Assassin is an example of a "story within a story", something you might be familiar with if you've read Frankenstein or The Princess … Continue reading Book Review: The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood
Book Review: A Dog’s Way Home, by W. Bruce Cameron
I picked up A Dog's Way Home on a whim. I had recently put down a deposit on a puppy and this was on a shelf by the register. I do not normally read books that star animals and it sat in my "To Be Read" (TBR) pile for a while. By the time … Continue reading Book Review: A Dog’s Way Home, by W. Bruce Cameron
Book Review: In the Unlikely Event, by Judy Blume
Like many women my age, I grew up reading Judy Blume's books. It seemed as I grew older, so did the characters Blume wrote about. As far as beloved authors go, I feel like Judy Blume is this really awesome aunt who whispered in my ear the secrets of womanhood. She wrote about issues … Continue reading Book Review: In the Unlikely Event, by Judy Blume
Book Review: Disoriental, by Négar Djavadi (Translated from the French by Tina Kover for Europa editions)
Every now and then, I pick up a book I can't breeze through over a weekend. I love those books: those witty, lovely beach reads. But, sometimes––sometimes, I crave a novel that makes me pause, makes me think, perhaps makes me look at my own prejudices with a bit of vinegary honesty. And, if the … Continue reading Book Review: Disoriental, by Négar Djavadi (Translated from the French by Tina Kover for Europa editions)
Hope Unedited 