- The Scarlet Letter (1850) - Life in 17th-century Puritan Boston is not easy for Hester Prynne, who conceived her daughter Pearl through an adulterous affair. She wears a scarlet "A" for "adultery"
Returning to Classics: Hawthorne
by Louise June 29th, 2011 | Authors, Classics
Born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1804 and meeting his end in Plymouth, New Hampshire, in 1864, Nathaniel Hawthorne was a true New Englander. It comes as no surprise that much of his writing centers on New England. His fiction is considered part of the Romantic Movement and has Puritan inspiration. His work often delves into the ideas of inherent evil or sin of humanity. He published four major romance novels:
Other Books by Sara Gruen
by Louise June 22nd, 2011 | Authors, Fiction
Have you heard of Sara Gruen? Perhaps Water for Elephants rings a bell? Ding, ding, ding. Sara Gruen is the author of Water for Elephants, the #1 New York Times Bestseller about a "ninety or ninety-three year-old" who recounts his life as a circus veterinarian. Since Water for Elephants became such a hit, I wondered what other books Gruen had written, if they were any good. It turns out that Gruen has three other novels. Water for Elephants was her third and was initially turned down by her publisher. (Doesn't that always seem to be the story?) Gruen loves animals.
Bullet by Laurell K. Hamilton
by T Akery June 20th, 2011 | Authors, Fiction, New Releases
Bullet is the latest Anita Blake novel to hit the shelves. The major reaction to this book was, in a word, blanket disappointment. At one time, the Anita Blake series was at the top of paranormal fiction. Now, it is sinking to the bottom as even the most die-hard fans are disappointed in this latest book.
It starts out with a dance scene. No one knows exactly why there is a dance scene in the beginning, but it really isn't part of the plot. But then again, the book doesn't really have a plot. So, having a dance scene seems
It starts out with a dance scene. No one knows exactly why there is a dance scene in the beginning, but it really isn't part of the plot. But then again, the book doesn't really have a plot. So, having a dance scene seems
The Glass Castle
by T Akery June 13th, 2011 | Authors, New Releases, Nonfiction
The Glass Castle is a memoir written by Jeannette Walls. This book is about her past, her parents, her siblings and her drive to be what she is now, a contributor to MSNBC. This documents many of the obstacles she had to overcome in childhood.
Before you pick up this book, you should know that it contains incidents that could be considered abusive. There may be some content that is disturbing since much of the incidents involve children. This is not a book that contains light reading.
As Jeannette recalls the stories of her childhood, it is the memories of her
Before you pick up this book, you should know that it contains incidents that could be considered abusive. There may be some content that is disturbing since much of the incidents involve children. This is not a book that contains light reading.
As Jeannette recalls the stories of her childhood, it is the memories of her
Classic Author: Charles Dickens
by Louise June 1st, 2011 | Authors, Classics, Fiction
On an episode of a game-show that I was recently watching, the question with the money-winning answer was, "In which of Charles Dickens' novels would we find the character Tiny Tim?" Do you know the answer? Would you win the money? Dickens published a score of novels, as well as a number of short stories, a few plays. The novels were originally published in a series of monthly or weekly magazines and later reprinted in their standard novel form. Dickens' stories have remained popular since their first release, staying in print ever since. A few of the classics:
- A Christmas
