19 Aug

Posted at 04:25h in Reviews by

Write Your Novel From The Middle: A Game-Changer for Every Writer As an avid reader and an aspiring writer, I’ve often found myself lost in the labyrinth of storytelling. Whether I’m plotting meticulously or letting the words flow freely (like a true "pantser"), there’s always a point where I feel my narrative slips through my fingers. Enter James Scott Bell’s Write Your Novel From The Middle: A New Approach for Plotters, Pantsers, and Everyone in Between. This book instantly caught my attention with its revolutionary approach to novel writing—starting...

19 Aug

Posted at 04:02h in Reviews by

Review of Like, Literally, Dude: Arguing for the Good in Bad English by Valerie Fridland When I first encountered Like, Literally, Dude by Valerie Fridland, I felt an immediate connection. As someone who's frequently berated for my love of "like" and my spontaneous vocal flourishes, the premise struck a chord with me. Lingering over Mignon Fogarty’s enthusiastic endorsement, “Smart and funny—I loved it!” only heightened my anticipation. I opened the book eager to discover how these so-called linguistic faux pas might actually serve as essential elements of communication. Fridland delves...

18 Aug

Posted at 19:22h in Reviews by

A Journey Through Vonnegut's Wisdom: A Review of Pity the Reader: On Writing with Style As someone who often finds solace in the pages of a good book, discovering Pity the Reader: On Writing with Style was like stumbling upon a hidden treasure chest brimming with nuggets of wisdom from one of the greatest literary minds. Written by Suzanne McConnell, a former student of Kurt Vonnegut at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, this book unveils a refreshing side of Vonnegut that many might not be familiar with: his role as...

18 Aug

Posted at 17:58h in Reviews by

Discovering the Depths of Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy When I first laid eyes on Arundhati Roy's Mother Mary Comes to Me, I felt an immediate magnetic pull. Having read her acclaimed novel The God of Small Things, I was eager to dive into a memoir that promised insights not just into her life, but also into the complexities of her relationship with her formidable mother, Mary Roy. Little did I know, this book would envelop me in a tapestry of love, struggle, and acute socio-political...

18 Aug

Posted at 10:18h in Reviews by

Book Review: All the Single Ladies by Dorothea Benton Frank When I first spotted All the Single Ladies: Southern Charm Meets Feminism in This Beachy Novel About Friendship by Dorothea Benton Frank, I felt a magnetic pull toward its vibrant cover and intriguing title. Maybe it was the promise of Southern charm or perhaps the nod to friendship and feminism that piqued my interest. Having long admired Frank's knack for weaving emotional depth with humor, I was eager to dive into the tangled web of relationships she often portrays...

18 Aug

Posted at 07:58h in Reviews by

Why I Love Horror: A Journey Through the Shadows As a longtime lover of storytelling, I’ve always found myself drawn to genres that push boundaries and explore the human psyche. When I stumbled upon Why I Love Horror: Essays on Horror Literature edited by the insightful Becky Siegel Spratford, I felt an electric pull. Here was an anthology that promised not just to delve into the mechanics of horror but to unravel the very essence of what makes this genre resonate so deeply with us. And let me tell...

18 Aug

Posted at 01:17h in Reviews by

Book Review: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Sometimes, a book finds you in moments of fleeting curiosity, and for me, Great Expectations came along during a rainy afternoon, when the shadows stretched long and I longed for a captivating escape. The name Charles Dickens has always resonated with me, an author whose narratives sparkle with life and emotion. I grasped this classic beloved by many and tucked into its pages, ready to embark on a journey through the trials and tribulations of a young boy named Pip. From the very...

17 Aug

Posted at 21:55h in Reviews by

Discovering the Enchantment of Classical Mythology A to Z When I first stumbled upon Classical Mythology A to Z: An Encyclopedia of Gods & Goddesses, I decided to enter the Goodreads giveaway with a spark of curiosity and a pinch of chance. My relationship with classical mythology has always been more of a casual affair, marked by enjoyment rather than scholarly depth. Little did I know that this stunning hardcover by Anne B. Dumas would quickly become an essential reference guide on my literary shelf. From the very first page,...

17 Aug

Posted at 16:16h in Reviews by

Book Review: Reading and Writing about Literature: A Portable Guide Sometimes a book catches your eye for the simple fact that it promises to unpack the complex beauty of literature in a way that feels accessible and engaging. That was my first impression when I stumbled upon Reading and Writing about Literature: A Portable Guide by the esteemed authors of Bedford/St. Martin's. Even the phrase "portable guide" intrigued me; it felt like an invitation to carry the world of literary exploration right in my bag! At 224 pages, this fifth...

17 Aug

Posted at 11:51h in Reviews by

Book Review: How to End a Story: Diaries: 1995–1998 by Helen Garner From the moment I picked up How to End a Story: Diaries: 1995–1998, I felt as if I were stepping into a world both achingly familiar and rawly intimate, one that only the brilliant Helen Garner could unveil with such exquisite vulnerability. Her writing has a way of peeling back the layers of human experience—an act that feels like both a privilege and a heavy responsibility as a reader. At its core, this collection of diaries is an...