Review of Shakespeare's Sisters: How Women Wrote the Renaissance by Stephen Targoff When I first picked up Shakespeare's Sisters: How Women Wrote the Renaissance by Stephen Targoff, I felt a stirring sense of curiosity. As a lover of literature and history, the prospect of uncovering the stories of women whose voices echoed in the shadows of the Renaissance was tantalizing. What secrets did these women hold, and how did they navigate a world dominated by men? Targoff’s book promised answers, and while the journey had its bumps, it ultimately...

A Dose of Laughter in Business: A Review of Humor, Seriously by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas In a world where business emails are often more sterile than a hospital room, the cheerful promise of Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Superpower at Work and in Life (And How Anyone Can Harness It. Even You) by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas caught my attention like the first sparkly pop of a champagne cork at a celebratory gathering. This book explores a refreshing idea: humor isn’t just for comedians—it’s a...

A Heartfelt Journey into Mia Tang’s World: Review of Top Story (Front Desk #5) Oh, how I've cherished the Front Desk series by Kelly Yang! From the first book, Mia Tang’s story has been a dance through heartache and triumph, sweeping me into a world rich with culture, community, and courage. As I dove into Top Story, the fifth installment, I felt that familiar thrill—like reuniting with a dear friend. This time, though, the stakes are higher, and the narrative is electrifying, showcasing not just Mia's personal growth but...

Blank: A Misguided Statement on Literature When I first stumbled upon Zibby Owens' Blank, I was intrigued by the concept of a book that questions the very fabric of the publishing industry. A blank book as a statement piece—could it be a bold critique of commercialization in literature, or merely an evasion of responsibility? As someone who firmly believes in the transformative power of storytelling, I was eager (almost hopeful) to dive into what promised to be a raw, self-reflective exploration. Unfortunately, I was met with a narrative that...

Embracing the Contradictions: A Journey Through Ron Chernow's Mark Twain From the moment I first encountered Mark Twain's words as a young reader, I was captivated. His blend of humor, wit, and poignant insight spoke to me, knitting a tapestry of life that seemed both timeless and uniquely American. With Ron Chernow's recent biography, Mark Twain, I found an opportunity not just to explore the man behind the stories but to dive deep into the intricate layers of his life. Chernow has crafted a portrait that is as engaging...

Book Review: How to Win an Information War: The Propagandist Who Outwitted Hitler by Peter Pomerantsev When I stumbled upon How to Win an Information War, I felt an immediate tug of curiosity; how could the historical tales of British anti-Nazi propaganda resonate with the current conflict in Ukraine? Peter Pomerantsev, a writer whose previous work, Nothing is True and Everything is Possible, had already captivated me with his piercing insights into Putin’s Russia, was poised to weave past and present together in a way that could illuminate our...

Finding Sanity in Division: A Review of Elif Shafak's How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division Elif Shafak has long fascinated me with her ability to weave rich narratives that explore the intricacies of culture and humanity. When I stumbled upon her latest work, How to Stay Sane in an Age of Division, the title alone piqued my interest. In today's world, where division seems to be the norm, I was eager to see how Shafak would address this complex issue. However, I found myself grappling with...

A Cozy Mystery to Cherish: A Review of The Busybody Book Club by B.R. Sampson The moment I spotted The Busybody Book Club by B.R. Sampson on the shelf, I was intrigued—not just by the charming Cornish setting of St. Tredock but by the prospect of a quirky cast navigating the chaos of a murder mystery. As a lover of both cozy mysteries and the deeper emotional threads they weave, I couldn't resist diving into this tale of a dysfunctional book club turned unlikely sleuths. What unfolded was not...

Honing Your Craft with Jeff Tweedy: A Journey Through How to Write One Song As someone who has long admired the artistry of Jeff Tweedy and his band Wilco, I couldn’t wait to dive into How to Write One Song: Loving the Things We Create and …. This book immediately caught my attention with its almost audacious simplicity: focusing on just a single song as a means of exploring the creative process. It felt like Tweedy was inviting us into his intimate world of songwriting, promising that if we...

Splinters by Jamison: A Complex Dive into Motherhood and Self When I first encountered Jamison's newest memoir, Splinters, I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. I had enjoyed her previous works—her addiction narrative and essay collections resonated deeply with me—so I was curious to see how she would navigate the murky waters of motherhood and divorce. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that this time she might be treading too lightly on some heavy truths. At the heart of Splinters lies an examination of motherhood in its rawest and...