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Melody Schreiber

I am a freelance journalist and a postpartum doula in the D.C. area.

“Camp Nine” by Vivienne R. Schiffer

November 4, 2011

Cecilia Morton—“Chess,” as everyone calls her—is an average, gangly girl growing up in the 1940s Arkansas Delta. When her father died a few years ago, she became heir to his land and the massive holdings of his father as well. But her grandfather is not ready to relinquish control yet, and when he sells off some of Chess’s father’s land to the US government to build a Japanese American detainment camp, he sets in motion events that no one in their small town could have fathomed.

“Holy Ghost Girl” Winner

November 1, 2011

And the winner is… Amy! Congratulations, you’ve won a free copy of Donna M. Johnson’s fantastic memoir, Holy Ghost Girl! Keep in mind, readers still have a chance to win another memoir that I loved, Donia Bijan’s Maman’s Homesick Pie.  I’ll be randomly choosing up to three winners of this book at midnight on November 15.

“Wings” by Karl Friedrich

October 26, 2011

Sally Ketchum has had a hard life. Her father, a dirt-farming alcoholic and religious fanatic, made her childhood living hell. At eighteen, she meets a young, charming man named Tex Jones who frees her from the prison of East Texas, but their incredible bond is broken when he dies in a tragic airplane accident.

Top Ten Halloween Reads

October 25, 2011

This week, I’m writing about the top ten books to read to get into a frightful mood for Halloween. I realized, in preparing this list, that I don’t read too many spook-tacular books–which is a real shame! As a result, many of these titles are classics that appeal to a more literary crowd–but all should be tempting to readers with a taste for terror. Next year, I hope to spend October reading more scary books in anticipation of the holiday; I’ll start […]

A Time to Dance

October 23, 2011

Last weekend, Jack and I traveled to Lynchburg for his grandmother’s memorial service. It was wonderful to spend time with his family, celebrating the life of a woman who impacted us all and also celebrating the lives of those who are still with us. Jack’s aunt, Susie, celebrated her birthday while the family was gathered in Lynchburg, and I think we all had a great time.

Subscription Saturday: SPIN

October 22, 2011

The past few times I’ve browsed the magazine stands of local bookstores, the latest edition of SPIN magazine–dubbed the “Dance Issue”–has caught my eye. The cover features Skrillex, an American-dubstep musician that has amassed an incredible following in the short time that he has been performing. The headline? “The New Rave Generation.”

Readathon 2011: Bring On the Reading!

October 21, 2011

This weekend, beginning at 8 am tomorrow (Saturday) morning, I will be partially participating in Dewey’s 24-hour-readathon. I look forward to this readathon every spring and fall, and even though I’ll be traveling to Delaware this weekend, I’m still planning on getting plenty read.

“Maman’s Homesick Pie” by Donia Bijan

October 19, 2011

In the wake of a tragic accident that claims the life of her mother, Donia Bijan finds herself lost in memories of her family’s history—from pleasant memories of growing up on the second floor of her parents’ hospital in Tehran to fearfully fleeing Iran for their lives.

Top Ten Book Covers (and Titles)

October 18, 2011

I am a firm believer that you can–and should–judge a book by its cover. After working for a book publisher and now as a book reviewer, I have come to the realization that the time spent perfecting a book’s title and cover art is usually a pretty good indication of how successful the publisher thinks it will be.

Saying Goodbye

October 16, 2011

I’m writing this in advance of the weekend, because I will be without internet connection. This weekend, Jack and I will be traveling to Lynchburg for the memorial service of his grandmother, Gene Joiner.