Writing Blog
Farewell to Summer 2019
I know I’m lucky where I live in Rome. There are no nippy breezes in September. No need to dig out the winter coats for some time yet. But still, as I watch the days grow shorter and shorter, I can’t help but realize the summer is winding down – and that autumn begins officially…
Read MoreAre your kids’ reading lists guilting you into missed Classics?
When my kids were in elementary and middle school, I never faced guilt trips for not having read a novel they were reading. First, because in elementary school, I could whip through whatever they were reading pretty quickly. By middle school, many of the more recent YA books were of less interest to me and…
Read MoreHoliday 2019 reading (Part 2)
Over the summer holidays, I was back in New York, and armed with my beloved library card. I managed to read lots of good books during my time there, and blogged about some of them last week. This week, I’ll wrap up the reviews of my holiday reading … also giving me a chance to…
Read MoreHoliday 2019 reading (Part 1)
Reading is always a big part of my holidays. Even more so when I return to New York armed with my fabulous library card. I took full advantage of that shiny red card this year. Here are the books I read on my time back in New York this summer: Donna Has Left The Building…
Read MoreThe kindness of strangers
It’s not only Blanche DuBois who depends on the kindness of strangers … Although, to be fair, most of us are pleased with the more innocent variety. On holidays in New York, I quickly slip into a pattern of morning jogs in Central Park. This is always enjoyable, and never fails to start my days…
Read MoreHave library card, will travel…
I am back this summer for holidays in New York, which means … I am putting my long-dormant library card to excellent use. I know, I know. It’s usually the City that never sleeps. Or Sex in the City. Or Shop ’til you drop. But to each, his own. When I’m back in the Big…
Read MoreBook review: The Hunting Party
I picked this novel up after having read good reviews about it. I liked the idea of a murder mystery set in a remote Scottish hunting lodge, cut off from civilization during a blizzard. This novel started off very well, and kept me quickly turning the pages. Nine old friends – most of them classmates…
Read MoreBook review: Crazy Rich Asians
Recently, I’ve been reading books I first encountered as movies. Admittedly, if they’re not classics, I’m usually not in a rush to read the novel of a film I’ve seen. However, in the case of Crazy Rich Asians, I’m very pleased I did. I took my kids to see the film when it came out…
Read MoreBook review: The Devil Wears Prada
This is one of the book turned movie novels that I’ve only gotten around to reading recently. I enjoyed this movie, but had never thought to pick up the book. I only read it recently, and I’m glad I did. With summer upon us (today!), this is a great summer read. Andie is a recent…
Read MoreNovels turned short stories
“Lots of short stories are actually the first chapters of novels.” —Pat Barker A nice observation on short stories by a contemporary British novelist. It says something about the lure of short stories, that readers are often left wanting more. Even a short story leaves readers invested in their characters, and sometimes wanting to follow…
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