Hello Again, Old Friends!

One of the best things about having a child is the excuse to read children’s books again… not that I ever truly stopped, mind you. Faery tale collections and some truly beautifully illustrated children’s stories have nestled in with Jane Austen, an evolving monthly relationship with fashion magazines, and historical/literary fiction as permanent residents in [...]

Bookshelf: July/August

Here’s what I’ve been reading the last couple of months: The Illuminator byBrenda Rickman Vantrease The American Writer by Jack Cady The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell The Fools Tale by Nicole Galland The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kid The Help by Kathryn Stockett A Dance With Dragons (Game of Thrones Series) [...]

Recipe: Apricot Honey Muffins with Winnie the Pooh

While visiting Mom & Dad this weekend, I came across a favorite little cook book from childhood: The Pooh Cook Book The book was first published in 1969 and is illustrated throughout with the same line drawings by Ernest A. Shepherd that you’ll find in the original Winnie the Pooh books by A.A. Milne. You’ll [...]

For the Impoverished Student at any age

A few weeks ago, my dad’s sister, AuntieSnaps, jokingly (I hope!) told me that since I’m the “end of the line” for three separate family branches, I’d better clear out some space for all the semi/heirloom family treasures that will be coming my way… give or take another 15 years. That or make sure I [...]

Speaking of Time… Can’t Wait!

THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE is coming to the big screen this August! The novel by Audrey Niffenegger was so beautifully crafted and written– a romantic, literary tale that streaks seamlessly through a sci-fi conceit and rests solidly on the sloping shoulders of characters that grow and change, and really earn your affection and concern. I [...]

Day Trippers in Portland: Book-Heaven & Gluten-Free ESB!

As the last part of the Epic Weekend of Mid-May 2009, the husband and I headed South to Portland . He had an audition, and I had the day off, so we decided to make a day of it! Well, technically, it was a day and an abbreviated overnight, graciously granted by Lizzie and the [...]

Pride & Prejudice… & ZOMBIES?!?1

Can it be? Has my favorite novel of all time been cannibalized from the frontal lobe down?! “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” Really? REALLY?!? I can’t decide whether to rush out and buy it immediately, or start my angry letter [...]

Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland

My editor gave me this book—named after the painting of the same name by Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Le déjeuner des canotiers)—because it was “too arty and too French” for her literary taste. Happily for me, an ardent Francophile and slow-gazer of paintings, it is both of those things, in abundance. Luncheon of the Boating Party is [...]

James Wright for the New Year

I like this poem. It says nothing about ends or beginnings, or promises to oneself, or anything like that. It’s simply capturing a moment in which kindness and the ways to love are sweet and lovely to observe. That seems a good way to start this year. Blessing by James Wright Just off the highway [...]

Why I Write

I’m currently reading the tactile, letterpress soft-covered Penguin edition* of GeorgeOrwell’s Why I Write and Other Essays. I originally borrowed it from the husband to read on the plane for the worktrip out to NJ, and so far, I haven’t made it past the first essay. But it’s not the rare leaveit&loseit syndrome that sometimes [...]