A Cineaste’s Bookshelf
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REVIEW: The Snow Collectors
Somewhere in the frozen North, it doesn't matter where, really, Henna is trying to forget that her parents and twin sister disappeared in a boating accident. Where she lives, it's always cold and always snowing. She writes encyclopedia entries and takes long snowshoe walks with her dog, Rembrandt.Read More »
Books for May
It seems like a quarantine would be the perfect time to read, and read lots. It's counterintuitive but I think I'm reading less, and certainly not more now. Working from home, household responsibilities, stress, worry, and insomnia make it hard to concentrate on a book for me. Still, I'm doing my best to look forward to new releases and upcoming titles. Read More »
REVIEW: Boston Massacre - A Family History
Historian and professor Serena Zabin approaches the American Revolution tipping point through the lens of societal and personal relationships. The story of the incident we learn in school is presented as black and white, but the circumstances behind it were much more complicated.Read More »
REVIEW: Beheld
Prejudice and hatred are simmering beneath the rock strewn and inhospitable Promised Land. The characters, flung into the wilds of a New World, are on the knife's edge between survival and destruction.Read More »
REVIEW: The Lost Future of Pepperharrow
As with her previous books, Pulley develops slightly steampunk-y science that is delightful. She invents interesting physics that seem like they just might work. At the same time she tells a great story with danger, adventure, kindness, mystery, and oddness. Read More »
REVIEW: American Sherlock
With Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle prefigured some forensic techniques that wouldn't be used for decades. E. O. Heinrich did it in real life. He pioneered a nonexistent field of criminology through innovation, imagination and dogged methodologies.Read More »
Five Star Predictions
Over time, book reviewers (and dedicated readers) get better and better at guessing whether or not they will like a book. Descriptions, genres, author history, even cover art all play a factor in deciding if one should devote several hours to a book.Read More »
An Unexpected Death by Mikita Brottman
One of the Belvedere's residents is going through her normal daily routine when she notices a "missing" poster outside of her building. Unlike most of us, she becomes intrigued by the disappearance. Then, when his body is found on the roof of her hotel, she becomes obsessed.Read More »
Happy birthday, Sherlock
January 6 has come to be known as Sherlock Holmes's birthday. Considering Holmes's line of work, the "Epiphany" is as fitting a day as any other.Read More »
Top Ten Tuesday: Season's Readings
Some books just beg to be read by the fire or with a snow-filled window nearby. Here are a few of my favorite winter reads.Read More »
Havana at 500
2019 marks the 500th anniversary of the founding of Havana, Cuba. Here are three books to read in honor of the quincentennial. Read More »
Clean Sweep
Every once in awhile I do a 'clean sweep' of my digital books with a brief round-up. Just because they didn't strike my fancy, doesn't mean someone else might not be interested.Read More »
Top Ten Tuesday: Thankful
Books and reading are such an important, and joyful, part of my life. I'm grateful for many things literary-related.Read More »
Top Ten Tuesday: Reading Life Changes
Normally I prefer to write about specific books but this topic caught my eye. My reading habits are something I hadn't really thought about in awhile.Read More »
Books for Fall
Fall is the busiest time of year for new book releases. It can be overwhelming, even for those of us who follow these sorts of things. Here is a list of what is new and coming soon.Read More »