Controversies in the world of literature and articles on authors and their books.
The Our World Committee on Kiawah Island has sponsored two mini-course sessions this spring. The topic has been, both times, short stories. Professor Emeritus Paula Feldman of the University of South Carolina has been the leader. For her first session, participants read stories based on nature, and Feldman donated the proceeds to the Audobon Society. She presented the check at a showing of Pam Cohen’s
Few can resist the lure of California. Such a diverse state, extreme beauty and, at least lately, extreme weather! After a trip to California last summer, I can personally attest to its charm. In fact, I have a few photos to share!! I have come across several recent novels set in California and want you to know about them. You can make up your own
The Dream Hotel is Jenna’s pick for March. Written by Laila Lalami, the book is something of a science fiction. The main character Sara has agreed to have an implant that will monitor her dreams. It is called a Dreamsaver, and Sara didn’t realize that the terms of use included a clause that gives the government the right to monitor her dreams. One day when
As you know, I like to read books about women who were previously overlooked by historians. I have found three books, all non-fiction, that introduce us to seven women who made important contributions during and/or after World War II. Now, let’s see if you recognize any of them: Hedwig Kohn, Lise Meitner, Hertha Sponer, Hildegard Stucklen, Josephine Baker, Etta Shiber and Kitty Bonnefous Uness you
Five books! That’s a lot to feature in one blog entry. It had to be done, however, because the volume of new books coming out these first few months of 2025 is overwhelming. In addition, with five authors represented here, you are bound to really like at least one of them, right? As you look at the covers of the five books, think about each
Time of the Child by Niall Williams is a book that I meant to feature at Christmas. The story is set in the 60’s in a small Irish village called Faha. While Williams has written many other books, the one he wrote before Time of the Child (This is Happiness) is also set in Faha. This isn’t a Christmas book, but it takes place during
It’s the beginning of a new year. Have you made any resolutions? I did. I bought a ‘stretching journal.’ Everyday, I am supposed to do these specific stretches, which are apparently necessary at my age if I want to continue to get in and out of a bath tub or climb stairs or whatever! So, I have gotten as far as opening the journal and
It is no secret that white women my age did not gravitate to black authors in the same way we did to white authors. I am referring to my reading life as an adult, beginning in the 70’s. Through the years, thankfully, from book clubs, Oprah and other media sources, black authors across all literary genres have earned respect from a host of readers from
This blog entry is not meant to be political in nature. I picked these two books from an article in the New York Times written by the book review staff and entitled The Best Books of the Year (so far). Of course the year is almost over so there may not be many more that make the list, but here are two that I would
Some books sound too good to pass up. If I had all the time in the world, I wouldn’t be able to get to all of them. The following are books that I have read very good reviews about but certainly haven’t read. I will read Memory Piece soon because I’m going to facilitate the discussion in one of my book club. If you find
