Cold Storage, Alaska is a quirky novel that alternates between humor, violence, and pathos. I liked it! Continue reading
Author Archives: mmelland
Will You Help Me Celebrate 10 Years of LIVING with ALS?
Hello everybody!
This is my annual plea for donations to the ALS Association, but this year is a little different. I’m commemorating ten years of living with ALS by setting some lofty fundraising goals. Continue reading
Book Review: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Klara and the Sun explores one of today’s more controversial topics – artificial intelligence and what happens when technology advances to the point where robots really are almost human. The novel is slow-paced, but nonetheless an interesting read. Continue reading
Book Review: The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
The Indigo Girl is historical fiction based on real life agriculturist, Eliza Lucas, who figured out how to grow and extract dye from indigo plants on her plantation in South Carolina, which eventually brought great wealth to the territory. It’s an intriguing story and an interesting read. Continue reading
Book Review: Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
Around the World in Eighty Days is Jules Verne’s classic adventure tale. I was thoroughly entertained as I read about Phileas Fogg and his servant, Passepartout, attempting to win a high stakes bet. Continue reading
Book Review: Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen
Harry’s Trees is a treasure of a novel about overcoming grief and figuring out how to keep moving forward. It’s so good I’ve added it to my top 10 favorite books list (which exists only in my head). Continue reading
Book Review: Beach Read by Emily Henry
Beach Read is a smart romance that would, indeed, be a great book to read during your summer vacation. Continue reading
Book Review: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Cutting for Stone is an elegantly written novel that is both a family epic and a tribute to the art of medicine and surgery. Continue reading
Book Review: The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict
The Only Woman in the Room is an historical fiction novel about the legendary actress, Hedy Lamarr, who was much more than a beautiful face – she also invented a torpedo guidance system. Lamarr’s story is fascinating, but I’m not quite sure this novel did it complete justice. Continue reading
Book Review: Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Infidel is Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s 2006 memoir and tells of her remarkable journey from impoverished Somalia to the Dutch parliament. It’s also about her intellectual and spiritual journey, as her mind was broadened by Western ideas and she began to question the Muslim faith that is so deeply ingrained in Somali culture. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 