Writing Blog
Book review: A Gentleman in Moscow
I adored this novel, the story of “former person” Count Alexander Rostov. In 1922, Count Rostov – recipient of the Order of Saint Andrew, member of the Jockey Club and Master of the Hunt – is declared an enemy of the state and informed he will be shot if he ever ventures out of his…
Read MoreSeven year itch?
No, I’m not actually writing about the film perhaps best known for this iconic subway grate scene with Marilyn Monroe. No, my seven year itch post refers neither to the Monroe film nor marriage (I’ve been married much, much longer that seven years), but to blogging. I received a little reminder from WordPress.com that it…
Read MoreNovels in the mountains
I always love reading, but there’s something special about books I take with me to read when I’m out in the mountains. I spend a lot of time out in the mountains, both in the spring and summer for hiking and in the winter for skiing. On a recent skiing escape in Abruzzo, I read…
Read MoreAnother year, another Goodreads Reading Challenge
The champagne bubbles are flat. Work replaces holiday days. Your regular exercise regime kicks back in, replacing those holiday excesses. But the one bright light in the return-to-business- as-usual (and the only New Years’ Resolution you actually enjoy keeping) is the new Goodreads Reading Challenge! Why not take part this year? I’ve been doing this…
Read MoreGreetings from the slopes
With any luck, when this post goes out I’ll be here. Looking forward to a little time relaxing on the slopes. I so love being out in the mountains, enjoying fresh, mountain air, feeling that nagging pain on my muscles after the end of a long day of skiing, and enjoying a good book in…
Read MoreBaby, it’s cold outside…
It’s not just that today’s the shortest day of the year, and that it feels as cold and dark as it’s going to get. It’s not only that in Rome – after a balmy autumn – we’re now experiencing chilly temperatures. The real reason I constantly finding myself humming what has become a Christmas classic…
Read MorePirandello in the ER
I had to take my younger son to the emergency room this past weekend. Luckily, we were able to rule out more serious concerns with exams, but – until we got the good news that all was well – we had many hours to spend in the ER. I had thrown into my bag the…
Read More‘Tis the season for books!
It’s come around once again … the holiday season, also known as the perfect time in which to purchase books! It’s also a good time for me to check out books I might not have known otherwise. I’ve already selected historical books for my husband, business and economics books for my older son, and everything…
Read MoreI met my 2018 Goodreads Reading Challenge
A public pat on the back. I finally met a deadline over a month in advance of the due date. Of course, it helps that the deadline was self-imposed, and entirely pleasurable. If only they were all like that … Each year I do the Goodreads Reading Challenge, and 2018 was no exception. I set…
Read MoreA new award for African literary voices
Exciting news that the French literary award, the Prix Orange du Livre, will be celebrating its tenth year by launching a new award aimed at African authors. You can see more in this article (in French). For this first year of the award, editors must submit works that were published between 1 January 2017 and…
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