Top Ten Books I’m Excited To Read in 2012

January 3, 2012

There are some reviewers who have their finger placed perfectly on the pulse of new releases. They know in January what July’s bestseller will be, and they are busy composing their 2012 sneak preview lists right now. I am not one of those reviewers. For a variety of reasons, none of which matter enough to mention, I rarely pay attention to books before they are released. I know, I know; strip my of my reviewing credentials right now. But I believe there […]

Blogging Resolutions in 2012 and Orange January

January 1, 2012

Last month, I found myself thinking about what books would be on my Top Ten Books of 2011 list when I realized that I had fallen inexcusably far behind on my reviews. I had a stack of great books I’d been wanting to share for months, but for various reasons hadn’t gotten to. Therefore, my 2012 blogging resolution is to review every book I read within a month of finishing it. Sounds easy, but sometimes life gets in the way!

In My Mailbox: Laura Hillenbrand, Suzanne Collins, and Gift Cards!

December 30, 2011

Books in This Episode Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat Brainwashing for Beginners (and The Misanthrope’s Guide to Life) by Meghan Rowland and Chris Turner-Neal What Is the What by Dave Eggers War by Sebastian Junger Bookstores in This Episode Kramer Books Politics & Prose In My Mailbox is a way for book bloggers to discuss all […]

Top Ten Books of 2011

December 27, 2011

This year has been an excellent year in reading for me, and I’m excited to share the list of my favorites with you. I’ll be keeping my eye on all of these authors for future releases. I hope you enjoy my selections; have a happy new year!

In My Mailbox: John McPhee, Susan Orlean, and Maui Guidebooks!

December 23, 2011

Books in This Episode Swamplandia! by Karen Russell Classics for Pleasure by Michael Dirda Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing by Ted Conover (I can’t believe I mispronounced his name!) The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander The Founding Fish by John McPhee The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession by Susan Orlean Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc Frommer’s Maui 2008 by Jeanette Foster Fodor’s Maui 2008 by Amanda Theunissen […]

“American Wife” by Curtis Sittenfeld

December 22, 2011

Alice Blackwell can’t stop thinking about the man camped outside the White House. He won’t leave, he pledges, until he can convince Charlie Blackwell, to end the war in Iraq. For the first time in many years, Alice begins to agree with the man: her husband, the President of the United States, is wrong.

Wordless Wednesday: Hahnemann Memorial

December 21, 2011

Recently, I discovered this monument on a lunch-break perambulation. Dedicated to Samuel C. F. Hahnemann, a German physician and the founder of homeopathic school of medicine, this colorful memorial has been around since 1900… and I only just opened my eyes and saw it. Living in DC is like walking the pages of a history book.

Top Ten Books on My Christmas List

December 20, 2011

This week, I’m listing the top ten books I hope Santa brings. Of course, if Santa has already purchased a book for me that’s not on the list, I’m sure I will be no less joyful on Christmas day. 10. Tolstoy and the Purple Chair by Nina Sankovitch According to the Boston Globe, “This graceful memoir describes a true love affair with books.” I love memoirs and reading, so what could be better than a book about one reader’s year of grief […]

“Delirium” by Lauren Oliver

December 15, 2011

“It has been sixty-four years since the president and the Consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since the scientist perfected a cure.” So begins Lauren Oliver’s electrifying book, Delirium, the first in a trilogy of the same name.

Tying Up Loose Ends in 2011

December 11, 2011

As cold weather descends and shows no sign of budging, my thoughts turn to holidays and family and, far too soon, the end of the year. But before I can even start thinking about 2012, I first need to finish up a few things from 2011.

In My Mailbox: Meg Wolitzer, David Maraniss, Truman Capote, and More!

December 9, 2011

This video is also a few weeks old, but I promise to have a more recent video up next week! Books mentioned in this episode The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer Skipjack: The Story of America’s Last Sailing Oystermen by Christopher White Wings: A Novel of World War II Flygirls by Karl Friedrich (my review here) Guilt by Association by Marcia Clark Into the Story: A Writer’s Journey through Life, Politics, Sports and Loss by David Maraniss The Gang That Wouldn’t Write […]

“The Heroine’s Bookshelf” by Erin Blakemore

December 8, 2011

Recently I’ve been looking back on some of my favorite books from childhood–especially old and new stories about smart, strong women. It’s good to know that I’m not alone in my reminiscing; Erin Blakemore, for one, often returns to her well-worn copies of girlhood classics.