Book Review: Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think, by Hans Rosling

Posted in Current Nonfiction, Nonfiction by

The title of this book says it all. This is a fact based look at the world, and the facts show that, on the whole, the world is improving in most key areas, including education, income and life expectancy. Written by a gifted storyteller and accomplished scientist, Factfulness is a powerful antidote to people’s tendency to think that the sky is perpetually falling. Continue reading →

Book Review: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction by

Rules of Civility is a beautifully written novel set in post-depression New York City. It tells the story of Kate, a wise and well-read working girl, who suddenly finds herself maneuvering through the sparkling upper echelons of high society. This is a coming of age tale for people in their twenties, as it explores aspirations, relationships and finding a place in life that makes you mentally and morally ok with yourself. Continue reading →

15 Fabulous Gifts for the Book Lovers on Your Christmas List

Posted in Opinion by

Finding gifts for book lovers is easier than ever. There are a ton of products on the market – clever, beautiful, practical, whimsical – something for everyone. I have tried giving people books as gifts, but that has met with mixed results. For example, when Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson was published several years ago, I bought it for my husband for Christmas. My husband has a business degree, used to make a living as a techie and is a voracious nonfiction reader. I thought that gift was a slam dunk! But when he opened it I could tell he didn’t like it. Turns out he hated Steve Jobs. Ugh! Continue reading →

Five Interesting Things I Learned Because I Read “Things Fall Apart”

Posted in Classics, Opinion by

“Things Fall Apart”, by Chinua Achebe, was on the syllabus for my daughters’ (yes, plural) world literature class. As I like to do sometimes, I read it with them. First published in 1958, it tells the story Okonkwo, a respected warrior, and his village in Nigeria as they both struggle to adapt to colonization. I’m not going to review it because I feel silly reviewing classics. I’ll just say I’m glad I read it and I encourage you to read it, too. It’s a short book and written in simple, but meaningful, language. It doesn’t require a big time investment and you’re likely to learn some interesting things. Continue reading →

Help me fight ALS!

Posted in Opinion by

Dear Readers,

Many of you know that I have been fighting ALS since 2011. The name of my blog, Book Thoughts from Bed, alludes to the fact that I’ve been mostly confined to a hospital bed for the last 4 1/2 years due to the fact that ALS has taken away my ability to move. Yeah, it sucks, but I’m well cared for thanks to family, friends and the Veterans Administration. Unfortunately, not all people with ALS can say the same. That’s where the ALS Association comes in. ALSA provides much needed services, care and research. Their biggest fundraiser is their local walks. The one in my area is coming up and I really need to step up my fundraising.

Please consider donating to the walk. You can do that by clicking on this link: http://web.alsa.org/site/TR?fr_id=13240&pg=personal&px=3278042&s_hasSecureSession=true

Thank you!
Michelle

Book Review: The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction by

The Summer Wives is an engrossing novel, set in a time and place where wealthy families summered in island mansions off the coast of New England, over-drank regularly at their exclusive clubs and played a lot of bridge (actually, they probably still do most of that). It explores themes of love, family and social class in a way that is sometimes melancholy, sometimes hopeful and always engaging. Continue reading →