“It is a theory generally accepted in certain circles that love, like the rest of the known universe, can be broken down into an exact science.” First of all, let me just admit that it took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out that this book took place in the Philippines. I just assumed that it involved an immigrant family in the United States. It wasn’t until I was very far along in the book that the author mentioned Manila, and the whole book […]
Not the best book for parents
I guess I’m a sucker for lists because Do Not Become Alarmed (2017) by Maile Meloy also came off a list. This list had something to do with gripping or fun summer reads. I first heard of it when we were discussing what to read for our next book club. I remember that we widely rejected it for book club because it involved children in danger, and the parents in the group had no interest in imagining their own children in similar situations. I figured I could […]
A Hero as well as a servant
I swear at least half of the books I’ve read this year have come from NPR’s Best Books of 2016 list, and Listen to the Moon by Rose Lerner is no different. I was browsing the “love story” section of the list when I came across Lerner’s novel. The blurb stated in part: “Fans of historical romance know that if there’s one thing fictional England has in spades, it’s dukes. But they might not be as accustomed to encountering valets. You might see one briefly, making certain a coat […]
He’s Superman to someone
Waiting For Clark (2015) by Annabeth Albert is a short novella. Albert wrote this story as part of a Goodreads M/M Romance event called “Don’t Read in the Closet.” As part of this event, authors are given a photo and a letter to guide their story. For this story, the photo was: “In a cartoon drawing, Batman and Superman are locked in an embrace, kissing. Superman is taller and clutching Batman to him. Batman has more muscles and has visible tattoos on his arms. Superman has […]
Slavery and “freedom” in the new world
There has been a lot of buzz surrounding The Underground Railroad (2016) by Colson Whitehead. It was, of course, on my most-used book list this year: NPR’s Best Books of 2016. But just in case that’s not enough, it also won the Pulitzer Price and the National Book Award. I’d heard a little bit about it before reading it, and I have to say I wasn’t sold on it. A real underground railroad during slavery? I couldn’t understand why Whitehead would feel the need to add that fantastical […]
Clever retelling of Sherlock Holmes
I think I’d seen A Study in Scarlet Women (2016) by Sherry Thomas both in Cannonball reviews and on NPR’s List of Best Books of 2016. This book is something of a retelling of Sherlock Holmes, except that the famous detective is actually Charlotte Holmes. She helps to solve crimes using an old friend, Lord Ashburton, as an intermediary to bring information to and from Inspector Treadles. Full disclosure: I have never read the original Sherlock Holmes. It is on my Kindle because I found it for free […]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- …
- 56
- Next Page »