20
Oct
2010
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Mansfield Park. What can I say? I liked it far better than I thought I would. But it made me think about a lot of things, not least of which about Jane Austen herself.
30
Sep
2010
Under This Unbroken Sky by Shandi Mitchell
It is systematically impossible to review this book without comparing Shandi Mitchell to Willa Cather. Similarities include, but are not limited to: Eastern European immigrants to the harsh prairies of North America; suicide; vast landscapes; early 20th century; complex characters (particularly strong women).
24
Aug
2010
Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
In Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s debut novel, Wench, Lizzie, Sweet, Reenie, and Mawu are all brought to the Tawawa resort in southern Ohio for the summer by their masters. Perkins-Valdez researched the real retreat where it was common for Southern gentlemen to bring their slave-mistresses. Of course, being in a free state has a certain lure, and for the first time, their eyes are open to real possibilities of living free. An edifying friendship forms, one that none of the women have ever been able to have with other slaves, due to their status as the master’s mistress.
29
Jul
2010
31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan
I really enjoyed Ellen Horan’s debut novel, 31 Bond Street. Centering on a murder in 1850’s New York City, it is more about a lawyer, dedicated to defending the accused, than the who dunnit you might expect.
27
Apr
2010
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Holling Hoodhood is the only kid in his grade who is neither Catholic nor Jewish. Consequently, he is the only kid stuck with Mrs. Baker on Wednesday afternoons when the kids go to Church or Temple to prepare for their Confirmations and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.
5
Apr
2010
Watermark by Vanitha Sankaran
This book contained so many elements that speak to me in a book and engage my nerdy interests, I just have to list them out:
15
Mar
2010
Manga Shakespeare: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare & Mustashirk Mahbab
Perhaps it is the nature of Comedy vs. Tragedy, but of the two Manga Shakespeare editions I’ve read so far, I liked A Midsummer Night’s Dream much better.
8
Mar
2010
The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran
I really wanted to love this book. But I just couldn’t. It needs a couple of more drafts before really getting there.
9
Feb
2010
The Forgotten Legion by Ben Kane
About 200 pages into this 500+ page epic, I figured out that this most be book 1 of a series. The main characters had not even joined the army yet.
25
Jan
2010
Odd & the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
Odd, in this case, may indeed be odd, but that is not what his name implies. In Old Norse, it means “lucky.” Unfortunately for Odd, he’s not.
