individual readers send in a recommendation
The first book a friend recommended is Absolution by Alice McDermott. I enjoyed the book but kept wondering what the “absolution” was, who the absolution was for. The book is set in Viet Nam in 1963. The main characters are American women whose husbands work in the country. My friend liked it because, “the writing style is lovely, the story takes place in my young
This photo was taken at the Morgan Library in New York City. Amazing amount of books, right? I didn’t get a picture of J. P. Morgan’s office, but I did go into the room and imagined Belle da Costa Greene standing in front of his desk. It must have been daunting for her at first. If you haven’t already, read The Personal Librarian, written by
Kristen Hannah’s The Women has been verified by people, whose judgement in books I trust, as a book worth reading! Yes, so now I plan to read it and possibly suggest it as a book for my book club next month. Above is a picture of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial on The National Mall in Washington, D. C. It is the only memorial dedicated to
In the past few days, I’ve had two readers suggest books to me. One of the books is Sisters Under The Rising Sun, by Heather Morris. Not just another World War II book, this story is set on a remote island in the Pacific inside an infamous Japanese POW camp. Immediately, I asked my daughter, who told me about the book, if it was hard
Susan Zurenda contacted me several months ago about her new book The Girl From the Red Rose Motel. I recently had a chance to read indepth reviews about the book, and I think it is one followers may want to buy or order, especially since so many of you have worked with students. Amber Wheeler Bacon, in the Southern Review of Books, September 8, 2023,
Two blog readers responded with some recommendations for short books. Thank you to Beverly and Bette. Beverly Biersdorf–“Yes, I was going to mention “Animal Farm.” Also, from back in the day, I would mention “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway (96 pp) and “Jonathan Living Seagull” by Richard Bach (144 pp). More current short reads are “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom
After the many responses from the Long Books blog entry, a reader suggested that I ask folks about short books they have read and would recommend. Even if you absolutely LOVE long books, there could be a time when you really don’t have time!! The Goodreads newsletter for October 25, 2023, featured 68 short books to read–some classics and some fairly new. I list a
Thanks to several blog readers who responded to the question about long books. Since it is difficult to see responses on a particular blog entry, I have copied all of the replies. I hope you enjoy reading them and get some new ideas for long books that are worth the time. Length is not an issue, just love a great book. Two of my favorite
Another friend and blog reader Peg Michel told me yesterday that she is reading AND enjoying the newest biography about Senator Mitt Romney. While always thinking of Romney as a ‘good’ man, I can’t shake the image of him and his large family traveling to California in a station wagon with their German shepherd riding in a doggie crate on top of the car! At
A blog reader and friend Madeleine Kaye suggested that I ask readers a different question each month in order to solicit participation in the blog. She even supplied the questions!! I concur that the idea is a good one. So please take the time, when you finish reading this entry, to reply to November’s question (submitted by Madeleine). Your answer will be featured for other
