I started reading this book in 2003 or so when it first came out and it felt like a big huge book that became too much to take on at the time. I realize now that the story is much smaller, and part of that bigness probably comes from the kind of expansive and misleading opening section, and the fact that I was looking through a long view of my future life and not seeing a lot of familiarity with the first few chapters. I […]
Funny when you have to remind yourself about things that, not long ago, consumed your every thought.
Brass – 3/5 Stars So on the one hand this book falls a little into the generic kind of circa 1990s second generation immigrant American novel that was big for a good while. I recently read Charming Billy by Alice McDermott, which does this very thing. And then on the other hand, this book is a solidly written novel. Or rather, it is a novel, but it a challenging kind of narrative. For one, the story is good and interesting, but also a little typical […]
And to all a Good night…
Construction Site on Christmas Night by Sherri Duskey Rinker is like the other books in the series of construction vehicle friends. This makes it a nice addition to your collection of construction books created by Rinker and A.G. Ford. Or if you are not familiar with the series, it is also for fans of construction vehicles. It is also centered around the theme of the Christmas spirit of giving: the construction team works hard to give a special gift at the end of the book […]
Living in my worst nightmare
Pressed upon me by a friend who exclusively reads thrillers, despite being fairly run of the mill for quality in this genre, The Girl Before had an interesting central premise and was a very easy read – so easy I devoured it in one sitting. Emma is still reeling from a traumatic break-in, while Jane has suffered a devastating loss. Both women are struggling to find their equilibrium as well as somewhere affordable to live that’s not a security nightmare, and One Folgate Street is […]



