Where to find my latest book reviews Just dropping in with a little reminder that I have moved all my writing, including book reviews, to my Substack, Bad Mothers. Recent book reviews there include: If you like these reviews, I hope you’ll subscribe! Book reviews are always free to read, while some of my otherContinue reading “New Book Reviews”
Tag Archives: reading
These Precious Days
Ann Patchett, 2021 I’m a bit obsessed with Ann Patchett. I’ve read nearly all of her novels and her two essay collections, and studied The Patron Saint of Liars for my doctoral thesis. Patchett does not have any children and has not hidden the fact that she’s never wanted children, however I haven’t seen anyContinue reading “These Precious Days”
Let Me Tell You What I Mean
Joan Didion, 2021 (Foreword by Hilton Als) I didn’t know Joan Didion’s work until I got to college, which is probably quite late for a writer and student of literature. Didion is widely-praised for her reporting, essays and fiction. I was taught Slouching Towards Bethlehem, and went on to read most of her nonfiction andContinue reading “Let Me Tell You What I Mean”
Demon Copperhead
Barbara Kingsolver, 2022 I’ve been telling everyone to read this book. It is easily in the top five books I’ve ever read, and that rating is based almost entirely on the remarkable voice. The narrator is Damon, aka Demon Copperhead, who lives in Lee County, southern Appalachia. He is poor and desperate a lot ofContinue reading “Demon Copperhead”
Busy Being Free
Emma Forrest, 2023 I’m on a bit of an Emma Forrest kick, having recently read her first memoir Your Voice In My Head. She has a very unique writing style, and each chapter of both memoirs reads a little like puzzle. She allows her reader to piece together how different experiences she shares informs herContinue reading “Busy Being Free”
Your Voice In My Head
Emma Forrest, 2011 I basically could not stop reading from the moment I opened this book. Four stars. Oh, you want to know more? I wasn’t familiar with Emma Forrest until my local bookshop advertised for a reading/talk she was giving for her new book, Busy Being Free (which I will be reading asap). ButContinue reading “Your Voice In My Head”
Romantic Comedy
Curtis Sittenfeld, 2023 Another novel that doesn’t have much to do with mothers, but if there are any concerns about returning to that topic — not to worry. We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming shortly. In the meantime, I have to rave about the first novel I’ve read by Sittenfeld. Quick summary: SallyContinue reading “Romantic Comedy”
Groundskeeping
by Lee Cole, published 2022 This is a writer’s novel, and as such I am going to critique it as a writer. Still, I do think it has broad appeal and explores a unique place. How many books have you read that take place in Kentucky? I don’t think I’ve read any before Groundskeeping. OwenContinue reading “Groundskeeping”
The Book of Mother
Violaine Huisman, 2018 I have to admit first and foremost that this novel hit extremely close to home, and may shadow my review. It is beautifully written with complex characterization and an engaging plot — I can understand why it was nominated for the International Booker. But I found the characters very frustrating. The bookContinue reading “The Book of Mother”
Run
Ann Patchett, 2007 Run is Ann Patchett’s fifth novel, published after the success of Bel Canto. It’s the story of several families linked in ways they don’t know, that come together one night in Boston after attending a talk by Jesse Jackson. Tip and Teddy are brothers, born to Tennessee and adopted by Doyle andContinue reading “Run”
Monica Cardenas 