Today, over at Calmgrove the Witch Week post is a discussion of Joan Aiken's The Serial Garden, stories in which magic mixes with modern family life in a way that can be hilarious, creepy, or lyrical, or all of these and much more. I hope you'll enjoy our lengthy but fascinating discussion, which includes my … Continue reading Witch Week Day 5: Magical short stories
Literature I didn't finish many books this month, partly because I was reading Hawaii by James Michener, a massive book of over 1000 pages. It flew by, though, and I loved learning more about the origins and history of those beautiful islands. Now I'd like to read more by this author of immersive historical fiction. … Continue reading Month in Review: October 2024
Please head over to Calmgrove for my post about Joan Aiken's Felix Brooke trilogy, an adventurous journey that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Rare archival images are included, courtesy of Seven Stories museum in Newcastle, which has an unpublished archive of Aiken material. Please do give it a look!
Head to Calmgrove for the schedule. The theme this year is the wonderful works of Joan Aiken, in all their variety and splendor. I'll be contributing on Saturday (the Felix Brooke trilogy) and Monday (our discussion of The Serial Garden) and will remind you of those posts, but there's so much more. I hope you'll … Continue reading Witch Week is here
Richard Holmes, Falling Upwards Hello there! I've been on a bit of an unannounced blog break, as I was off visiting family and friends in the US (my first time back in 5 years) and didn't have time to do anything else. I did manage to fit in some reading: a book subtitled "How We … Continue reading Nonfiction Reader Challenge: Falling Upwards
Literature Lately I seem to alternate hard-hitting, emotionally wrenching reads with lighter, fantastical fare. This month was no exception, with two Oz books and a slew of stories by Joan Aiken filling in the latter role. On the heavier side, I was particularly impressed by Michele Filgate's collection and want to read more by every … Continue reading Month in Review: September 2024
Today is the release day for Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew's new book, The Release: Creativity and Freedom After the Writing Is Done. Yes, we're celebrating the release of a work that is about releasing work! Why is that topic necessary to write about? Well, as I have discovered myself, the process is not always easy, comfortable, … Continue reading New Book News: The Release
When I picked Savor as my book for the "Food" category of the Nonfiction Reader challenge, I thought I'd be reading mostly about food. I knew the author, a talented young chef, died far too early, but somehow I thought that before that point, the focus would be on more cheerful and tasty things. I … Continue reading Nonfiction Reader Challenge: Savor
Rinkitink in Oz, book 10 in the series, is a book I never read as a child. My library didn't have it, and I didn't make an effort to seek it out, since I'd heard it "wasn't really an Oz book." In fact, it's an unpublished, unrelated story that Baum wedged into the series by … Continue reading #Ozathon24: An Oz Appendage
For my birthday weekend it was my idea to visit St. Ursanne, a lovely town about a half hour drive away. We'd been there in our first year for the medieval festival that takes place every July, but not since then. The patron saint with his legendary bear, with view across the river Doubs to … Continue reading Postcards from Switzerland: St Ursanne
