Their Eyes Were Watching God, first published in 1937, is a story of a southern black woman seeking love and self-fulfillment in 1930’s Florida. It’s considered to be a standout among African American literature due to its affirmation and celebration of the culture as well as the fact that it has a strong female protagonist, which was unique for its time. Continue reading
Category Archives: Fiction
Book Review: Watching You by Lisa Jewell
In a small town in England, the neighbors are all watching each other. But did anyone see who committed the murder in the yellow house on the hill? So many secrets to unravel in Watching You! Continue reading
Book Review: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
A dinner party in the capital city of a South American country takes an unfortunate turn when guerrillas storm the Vice President’s mansion and take everyone hostage. Bel Canto explores what happens when these captors and captives spend months together in close quarters. Continue reading
Book Review: Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow
I don’t read many courtroom thrillers, but after reading Presumed Innocent I think I need to add some more to my reading list! It’s packed with suspense and kept me guessing until the end. Continue reading
Book Review: The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kaddish
The Weight of Ink – terrific writing, a well-designed story, good character development, lots of history, a search for the meaning of life. So much to like about this one! Continue reading
Book Review: Plainsong by Kent Haruf
Plainsong takes place in the fictional town of Holt, Colorado, and mostly chronicles the lives of some of the residents in a very direct but poignant way. It’s the kind of book that I mostly liked, but I have a hard time understanding why. Let’s see how I do explaining it. Continue reading
Book Review: Marley by Jon Clinch
Marley is an imaginative tale about Ebenezer Scrooge’s business partner, Jacob Marley. If you’ll recall from A Christmas Carol, the ghost of Jacob Marley appears to Scrooge in his house as a prelude to visits from the three main ghosts. But other than that we don’t learn much about him. Marley imagines what his back story might be. Continue reading
Book Review: Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
Case Histories is the first book in Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie series. I chose this novel because I was in the mood for a good mystery, plus I recently read Life After Life, also by Kate Atkinson, and liked the author’s writing style. Unfortunately, my craving for a good mystery was not satisfied. Continue reading
Book Review: Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
Odd Thomas is the first book in the popular paranormal / horror Odd Thomas series written by Dean Koontz. More quirky than creepy, this novel should appeal to a larger audience than hardcore horror books. Continue reading
Book Review: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Life After Life explores the concept of reincarnation and how simple decisions can fundamentally alter the course of one’s life. Although I mostly liked it, the story got bogged down in the middle and ended ambiguously. Continue reading
