Category Archives: Book Reviews
My Review | Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You
This book is aimed at 15-year-olds, who traditionally have been fed a whites-only version of our history in the American school system, but everyone could benefit. History as fable or propaganda is not history. We all need all of the facts and this book tells us a fuller history of America and the many racist ideas the country has supported and pursued. Continue reading
My Review | Gentlemen of the Road
I’ve been a fan of Michael Chabon for years. With “Gentlemen of the Road” I liked the characters, but Chabon used a lot of words and names that I did not recognize, like shatranj (chess), pogrom (riot), bek (general), Arsiyah (Muslim mercenaries), Radanite and mahout (elephant rider). That made it difficult for me to follow. Continue reading
My Review | The Moth Presents Occasional Magic
The title says it all. These stories are unbelievable, but true-life stories, told by real people on stage in front of an audience at live storytelling events from The Moth. I loved this compilation of true and inspirational stories that remind you that everyone has a backstory, everyone is dealing with something and most people are more than meets the eye. Continue reading
My Review | The Dharma Bums
This is the story of a bunch of guys without jobs, drinking, hiking and writing poetry. The characters embrace a simpler and more spiritually-meaningful lifestyle and I’m certainly down with that. Set in the mid-1950s, the lead character, Ray Smith is on the road to Buddhist enlightenment with his good friend Japhy Ryder. Continue reading
My Favorite Books of 2019
ShareTweet My Favorite Books of 2019 Fiction 1. News of the World, by Paulette Jiles 2. The Passage, by Justin Cronin 3. These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Print, 1881-1901, by Nancy E. Turner 4. All the … Continue reading
My Top 10 Favorite Books … 2017
I read 28 books on the year by 27 authors, including eight international writers, seven female writers, and seven works of nonfiction. A lot of historical fiction, in fact, three books that made the top 10 were based in World War II, another based in Vietnam, Russia, China, Tibet and Cuba. Continue reading
My Review | A Good Scent from a Strange Mountain
Unbelievably great writing. A collection of short stories where all of the characters share their experiences as immigrants from Vietnam residing near New Orleans. Continue reading
