Writing Blog
Book review: The Last Collection
I picked up this novel last summer because I was curious about one of the historical figures. This is the tale of two rival fashion designers that unfolds in pre- and post-World War II Paris. One of the designers was quite well known to me (and perhaps everyone): Coco Chanel. But the focus of the…
Read MoreI’m (not) leaving on a jet plane
Some of you may remember the old John Denver song, but in keeping with 2020, think it’s fair to say that most of us aren’t going anywhere on a jet plane. Even if we did, what would there be to do? Quarantine for two weeks and go out to observe the closed museums, shuttered bars…
Read MoreBook review: Miss Iceland
I picked this novel up in a bookstore this past summer. I liked the cover and the book blurb, and I liked that it was translated from Icelandic. I’m always eager to discover good translated literature. Luckily, this was a great discovery. Miss Iceland is the sixth novel by Icelandic novelist Audur Ava Ólafsdóttir. Miss…
Read MoreA shout out to all you 2020 Nanoers out there!
It’s rolled around once again. November – the month writers anticipate/fear/loathe – especially those who participate in the annual National Nove Writing Month challenge, or NaNo or NaNoWriMo for short. The challenge is this: Write a 50,000 word novel in one month. Do so by putting your nose to the grindstone and throwing out your…
Read MoreEnjoying a book in the mountains before Lockdown II
It’s starting again. Back in the spring, Italy had its big Corona virus lockdown. Now that cases are ticking up again, there’s been talk of a repeat. We have a little place in the mountains of Abruzzo we often visit in the autumn for hiking and biking escapes. The threat of another lockdown, and the…
Read MoreShould I take voting advice from a beach reads author? Should you?
‘Tis the electoral season, but this site is not about politics. That’s not to say I am not deeply interested in politics. I am. My undergraduate degree is in political science and history, and I started interning in politics at the tender age of 16 – and have worked in all branches of government at…
Read MoreBook review: Critical Incidents
I discovered UK author Lucie Whitehouse with her first novel, and have since read all the novels she’s published. I always enjoy her writing, although the qualty of the novels has varied, and at times I’ve felt it diffcult to really get into the mindset of her protagonists or to fully suspend disbelief for some…
Read MoreLong walks as Wilder’s writing inspiration
“My spring-board has always been long walks. I drink a great deal, but I do not associate it with writing.” —Thornton Wilder Almost all Americans will be familar with Thornton Wilder (1897 – 1975). I would venture a guess that it is a rare American school that has not performed Our Town on its stage.…
Read MoreWhen the going gets tough … in 2020
This certainly isn’t the year anyone signed up for – certainly not what I was expecting back when I was ringing in the new roaring 20s watching fireworks this past New Year’s Eve. In my last post, I wrote about a midwestern trip I took this summer, and some of the places I saw. You…
Read MoreShiny, new books!
When I’m back in the US (or any English-speaking country), I’m always excited to go book shopping. My short trip to America this summer was no exception. Shopping in my depressingly closed-down country was tough, but I still managed. I did find some books I’m interested in reading now that I’m back home. The only…
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