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
Literature August was a month where I celebrated my summer Moomin binge, covered two more Oz books, and also knocked off three categories for the Nonfiction Reader challenge. Here's what I read during August: Moominland Midwinter, Moominvalley in November, Comet in Moominland, Moominpappa at Sea by Tove Jansson - Moomin Week, Women in Translation The … Continue reading Month in Review: August 2024
Literature It was great this month to participate in a Zoom call with some bloggers from Paris in July, Emma's event celebrating all things French. It inspired me to start reading The Discovery of France, a fascinating look at how the country (made up of many small groups who didn't necessarily consider themselves French) came … Continue reading Month in Review: July 2024
Literature It's hard to believe the end of June is upon us already! I am going to take a break in July, as I have some exciting travel planned (see below) and just need unstructured time in the summer. But I'll be back in another month if not sooner. I enjoyed everything I read this … Continue reading Month in Review: June 2024
Literature This month, I reviewed April's Reading the Theatre event and looked forward to my 10 Books of Summer plans. I kept up with my one book a month for the Ozathon (Emerald City) and read another book for the Nonfiction Reader Challenge, though I have yet to post about that one. Otherwise, my reading … Continue reading Month in Review: May 2024
Literature April was my month for Reading the Theatre, and most of my reading did fall into that theme, with a few exceptions -- and some cross-pollination with other challenges, like the Nonfiction Reader and the 1937 Club. I'll do a full recap in a week or two (I'm still finishing up some viewing). It … Continue reading Month in Review: April 2024
Before looking back on last month's reading, I want to point to this month's giveaway of my book, When Fragments Make a Whole: Click here to learn more and enter. Literature In March, I enjoyed books by two new favorite authors. Abraham Verghese is a doctor-turned-novelist who writes long but gripping stories. And after working … Continue reading Month in Review: March 2024
Literature I started adding star ratings to my StoryGraph reviews, but I'm not sure about this practice. My feelings about books are often mixed; I might give 5 stars to one aspect but but 1 star to another, and all the possibilities in between. What about the books that I can tell are well-written, but … Continue reading Month in Review: February 2024
Literature The first book I finished in 2024 was, appropriately enough, a book about books -- more precisely the odd and idiosyncratic vocation of selling rare and collectible books, via a venerable London shop. I am not one for collecting physical books at the moment, but in recent years I have been enjoying reading through … Continue reading Month in Review: January 2024
I forgot to celebrate the occasion, but the 1st of January marked 10 years since I started my first book blog, The Emerald City Book Review. Though the Emerald City has morphed into the Enchanted Castle, I've been blogging for a whole decade now. I've gotten so much out of this hobby, and I am … Continue reading Celebrating 10 Years of Blogging
