Whatever “it” is, this book has it. Unsurprisingly, The Neapolitan Novels series has been among the much-discussed darlings of the lit fic world — a world that I largely ignore, as I mainly stick to genre. Despite sounding intriguing enough to prompt me to read it, I still knew very little about it. And so, Elena Greco and Lila Cerrullo came to me freshly conceived, raw and open and complex, out of their run-down and violent neighborhood, seeking an opening to become something more than […]
When you didn’t hate the book, but can’t think of the title: a meh-ish review.
This was the last book of the book club I started in my local area. Aaaaand I read it over a month ago, so my memory is fuzzy, so this review isn’t going to be one for the record books. The book was recommended to me by a few folks, plus it was set it Italy, where I had just returned from a trip, so it seemed like a no brainer to tackle it next. All in all, I found it serviceable, but I just […]
Back on a true crime kick
This book is very interesting. OK, that sentence feels like a 4th grade book report. Really though , it’s interesting. There are so many details, and such well researched facts. You can tell that the authors got a little obsessed with the Monster. Their obsession cataloged thirty years worth of evidence, nearly half a dozen suspects (almost all were tried, convicted, and then acquitted), fourteen to sixteen murders, and two countries. Douglas Preston was an American author trying to write a crime novel. He met […]
In fair Verona, We lay our scene
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has a bittersweet ending. Our teenage heroes lay dead, but over their broken bodies their shattered parents make peace. No longer will the Montagues and Capulets wage war against each other. They’ve seen enough death. That’s how the play ends. With peace. Of course, a truce is easier said than done. After all, this battle has been raging between generations. Not everyone is content to pick up their swords and go home. Blood is still boiling, and someone is determined to […]


