All Book Posts, regardless of year
Novel by Cindy Bouchard
‘Princes’ uses sharp dialogue and clean crisp prose to delivery a straightforward story that is “only the beginning.” One may continue to follow the tale of the Hamilton family members in the remainder of the seven-book series by author Bouchard.
Continue reading “Princes of the North 1909” -ReviewA book by author Alice Joyner Irby
Full book title: South Toward Home:
– Tales from an Unlikely Journey
I’ve much to say about this book:
->DescriptIVE, reflectIVE, informatIVE, illustratIVE, defensIVE at times though without invectIVE. SubstantIVE without trying to be persuasIVE or argumentatIVE.
Those are aspects “I’VE” appreciated about this work.
“South Toward Home” is an interesting and well-composed memoir from the life of North Carolinian Alice Irby, born in the town of Weldon. The reader is welcomed into an enjoyable tour through these pages by this early passage: “People in that eastern corner of the state know what the dirt feels like under their feet. They know what the Roanoke River yields other than turbulence. They know the meaning of loyalty, the depths of sorrow, and the transcendent power of faith.” (p. 4)
You’ll find this review/report using book quotes, because Alice the writer tells her story so marvelously that I shall not likely improve upon her well-chosen words by using only my own.
Continue reading “South Toward Home”Leonardo da Vinci -Summary of Isaacson
Full book title: Summary & Analysis of Leonardo da Vinci
– A Guide to the Book by Walter Isaacson
Let’s get this point straight: Leonardo da Vinci is “Leonardo.” I learned this important distinction, and took further interest, when traveling to Rome in 2019, arriving for a six-night stay on precisely the 500th anniversary of his May 2, 1519 passing.
I elicited a dark stare by telling a local guide that I was interested in learning about “da Vinci.” A sad, despondent, “Let me explain” shake of the head preceded the reply that I likely meant “Leonardo,” not “da Vinci.”
For why would I express a desire to hear of a small distant town? Surely I wanted to hear about a man, not a place, and his name is “Leonardo,” of (“da”) the place named “Vinci.” The inquiry continues:
Continue reading “Leonardo …” -Zip Reads
Stories from the Tenth-Floor Clinic -by Marianna Crane
If one wishes to explore a new world, let author Marianna Crane take you there. Hers is not a galaxy; not a fantasy; not the whereabouts of witches and warlocks. In Chicago exists a universe far, far away from your reality.
The reader will be mystified and startled to discover an assortment of genuine human beings in sub-standard housing clinging to life, unseen but in full view of the broadest shoulders in the American Midwest.
Continue reading “Tenth-Floor Clinic”
Forgetfulness -by Francis O’Gorman
This reader’s summary, is definitely far “more than a review.” You’ll find far more length and far more analysis than even my usual missives on books. Please settle in for an extended ride.
For this book I endeavor to capture chapters 1 to 4. This could free another reader to delve directly into the concluding chapters 5 and 6. Those latter two units have greater philosophical focus and provide ingredients for critical thinking about the implications of Forgetfulness.
My decision to take this approach was an outgrowth of (1) gifting the book to a distant friend having only perused reviews, (2) feeling I should read it myself to be fair to the friend, (3) finding the writing at the outset to be a challenging compilation, (4) hoping to encourage my friend’s pursuit, and (5) seeking a better position to discuss the thoughts of O’Gorman when meeting my fellow reader.
This blog post will recount the essence of those first four chapters. It is therein that the author develops background and constructs his position.
Three parts follow:
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Part I. A description of the book, in the author’s words. |
Tomorrow’s Bread -by Anna Jean Mayhew
This is a writer that a writer can appreciate. Anna Jean Mayhew worked eighteen long years to grow her first book, “The Dry Grass of August.” In four years she delivered “Tomorrow’s Bread.”
Another striving author will surely recognize the perseverance and achievement in these endeavors.
Mayhew builds a story from her experiences living in Charlotte, NC, from her late-found interest in one area of the city, and from her research. She adds to the mix by speaking to experts on some elements in this book.
Another writer comprehends all the ingredients in the stew. The reader finds the completed picture in the cookbook takes quite some time to realize from the author’s descriptive pages.
Continue reading “Tomorrow’s Bread”
Bleachers -by Joseph Mills
The reader finds fifty-four very short missives centered around the Saturday morning youth soccer experience. But this book is marginally about the sport. Rather, it is about people and parenting.
The format makes the work easy to read. Lovely leverage of language makes it fun. The stories deliver entertainment and insight, at times bringing the gift Robert Burns sought, “… to see ourselves as others see us.”
I enjoyed the views from “Bleachers” without being a parent. I expect anyone inclined to digest these morsels will savor them as well. Readers outside the U.S.A. could be challenged by references steeped in domestic culture.
Reflection follows on passages from author Joseph Mills, chosen from many worth highlighting.
Continue reading “Bleachers”
Flash Mob -by Robert O’Connell
This is a fun and funny look at people, personalities, and problems. Did the author enjoy pouring this story out of his witty brain as it seems he must?
My ADDENDUM to the back cover teaser:
“You’ll laugh, You’ll cry, You’ll dance,
You’ll die”-ALOGUE YOUR WAY THROUGH …
… “FLASH MOB” by Robert O’Connell
Continue reading “Flash Mob”
The Sound of a Broken Chain-by J.D. Cortese
To be all things to all readers, aspire to write like J.D. Cortese in “The Sound of a Broken Chain.” YA novel? Check. Science novel? Check. Literary novel? Check. Culture? Mystery? Drama? History? Yes, yes, yes, yes.
The setting is 1978 Buenos Aires, Argentina, yet your narrating protagonist is American Edward (Edgardo) Weston, all of 17 years old, smart, alone, and introverted. One friend and one girl change everything.
The natural conversational language of this work captures teenage thoughts and life, while flourishing phrases and deft descriptions make it a pleasure for all readers.
Continue reading “The Sound of a Broken Chain”
Meditations -of Marcus Aurelius
“What WERE you thinking?” Such an inquiry arises daily … usually as rhetoric … rarely answered. Fascinatingly, in this compilation of “Meditations,” the question is answered by Emperor Marcus Aurelius. From nearly 2000 years ago, we have his own (translated) words, a penetrating, insightful, recorded litany of what drove the man and who he strove to be.
While ruling the great empire and fighting the northern hordes, Marcus captured his unequivocal ruminations. For this is not a history of battles, or Rome. It is, per the introduction, “… the innermost thoughts of his heart, set down to ease it, with such moral maxims and reflections as may help him to bear the burden of duty …”.
It’s the second century! Yet we have this (direct) personal record of one born in A.D. 121, emperor in 161, dead in 180. This is on par with getting the history of the Second World War in Churchill’s books. But M.A. delivers at-the-moment pondering while W.C. writes in review of actual events (which he could then bias in his favor). Continue reading “Meditations” of Marcus Aurelius
"Across My Spectrum" 