Oregon-based Forest Avenue Press‘s founder and publisher Laura Stanfill is featured in a documentary in the Wordsmiths series produced by Jonah Barrett, presented by Oly Arts. This is part of the Main Street Writers Movement, which aims to “strengthen the literary ecosystem, increase the volume of the literary publishing conversation, and earn more visbility for …
Of course the book with the word “conversations” in the title offers both compelling dialogue and characters that don’t know how to talk to each other. Rooney’s made something modern and cool of that oldest narrative plot– the extramarital affair. Usually I can’t stand such stories but this one hooked me and the ending made …
This is fascinating historical true crime, in which Weinman shares the real story behind controversial fictional novel Lolita. Weinman tells of Sally Horner’s kidnapping and 21 months of mistreatment at the the hands of a Frank La Salle. Through extensive archival research, Weinman is able to make a persuasive claim that Vladmir Nabakov’s Lolita was inspired …
On March 4, Browsers Bookshop of Olympia, WA posted this on Instagram: “The loveliest couple got married at the store yesterday . Sincerest congratulations to Greg & Julie! One cool thing: the wedding program listed ever participants’ favorite book and flavor of ice cream. It was adorable.” (And I love that Island Books of Mercer Island, …
A Place for Us follows Layla and Rafiq as they immigrate from India and make a life in America. They raise their children Hadia, Huda and Amar with all the opportunities that America affords while instilling in them a reverence for their Muslim faith. Shifting perspectives in the novel lend itself to such a tender, …
Biography at its finest. I couldn’t put it down. As a Jackson fan, I was delighted to learn more about the author of my favorites: The Haunting of Hill House, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, and “The Lottery.“ As a woman, I was heartbroken to learn how sexism and misogyny affected Jackson. As a …
I can’t recommend this book enough! An instant classic in psychological realism, cognitive dysphoria and queer feminist fiction. A must-read for fans of Shirley Jackson & Angela Carter. Machado is a a genre blender and master storyteller, weaving the surreal, fantastical and the horrific. Incredibly relevant. Gives voice to women’s rage, pain and oppression. Effortlessly …
A Woman in the Polar Night by Christiane Ritter was my favorite read of 2016. I wrote about it on my blog, Books Can Save a Life: A Woman in the Polar Night is an astounding memoir by Austrian artist Christiane Ritter who, in 1933, joined her scientist and hunter-trapper husband, Hermann, on the remote …
