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: Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck
Hello, everyone! I was able to squeeze in another book this month (mostly because it’s short), and it was a good one! My big project is winding down so hopefully I’ll be back in the swing of things soon.
I read Travels with Charley in Search of America (hereafter referred to as Travels with Charley) as part of the 12 Months of Reading Goodness challenge. November’s challenge is to read a book with a mode of transportation on the cover since Thanksgiving yields some of the busiest travel days in the US. 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
Taking a Little Break

You might have noticed that I haven’t posted many book reviews recently. It’s for a really good reason – I landed a big freelance writing job with some pretty tight deadlines. Typing with my eyes is really cool technology, but frustratingly slow compared to when I could type with my fingers. I find this project is taking most of my time and with two kids approaching college age … well, it trumps my free reading habit. For now. Continue reading
Smash ALS!

Hello Everyone,
I was diagnosed with ALS 8 years ago. It was devastating, but the ALS Association made it a little less overwhelming. They sponsor multidisciplinary clinics, fund research, facilitate support groups and offer assistive devices, to name just a few of their services. 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
Book Review: Mother Teresa: An Authorized Biography by Kathryn Spink
My prayer: Lord, please send us another Mother Teresa to save us from our stupid selves. Amen. Continue reading
Book Review: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Station Eleven, a National Book Award finalist, is a twist on the apocalyptic pandemic tale. It’s well-crafted, full of atmosphere and immerses you in a world that has been stripped of modernity. Continue reading
Oliver the Cat Reviews The Catcher in the Rye
Book Review: Homeland and Other Stories by Barbara Kingsolver
If you’re looking for a short story collection, Homeland and Other Stories is a good one. Kingsolver’s stories mostly focus on families and relationships, with a couple of them delving into social issues. She packs a lot into a short story. Continue reading
