Books Distilled » Archive
Book Review AND AUTOGRAPHED GIVEAWAY: Teaching 2030
I’m reviewing a different type of book today than the usual literary fiction / memoir. Stay tuned until the end of the review, because you have the chance to win your very own autographed copy!! Last spring I had the pleasure of working at a fantastic nonprofit in North Carolina, the Center for Teaching Quality (CTQ). It’s staffed by a great group of people working alongside teachers to transform the American education system into one that … Read entire article »
Filed under: Nonfiction
5 Books I Can’t Live Without: Phil Lemos AND Guest Post at Cordelia Calls it Quits!
Before I allow my friend Phil the floor to share the 5 books he can’t live without, I have some exciting news. I have a guest post today over at Cordelia Calls it Quits. A double dose of excitement! Please enjoy. Phil Lemos writes the blog Life in the Philloverse and has published three short stories — “Let It Go,” “BMW Supermodel” and “Upset of the Century” in the past year. He is pursuing an MFA in fiction at … Read entire article »
Filed under: Guest Posts: Books I Can't Live Without
Posts Distilled: Summer Reads
As you’re reading this, several wonderful things have happened: 1. I’ve had my last day of work. 2. I am spending some time with my family. 3. I am on my way to the beach! I apologize for causing jealousy but had to share my joy. Enjoy some summer reading musings … Washington Post Best Reads of the Summer. I’m most excited about An Atlas of Impossible Longing, The Paris Wife, and State of Wonder. Summer Reading Lists Bum … Read entire article »
Filed under: Posts Distilled
Book Review AND GIVEAWAY: Wanderlust
Welcome to my first TLC Book Tours review (which coincides happily with my birthday)! I have to confess something seriously dorky: Wanderlust, by Elisabeth Eaves, was the first book I received in the mail from a publisher–my first review copy. Free books in the mail for me to read and review! It felt almost too good to be true. I almost saved the envelope from Seal Press, but managed to restrain myself. Don’t forget to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contemporary Literature
Author Interview: Elisabeth Eaves
On Wednesday I’ll be featuring my first TLC Book Tour book, Wanderlust. I had the opportunity to do a brief Q&A with the author, Elisabeth Eaves, so consider this a teaser for the book review on Wednesday! 1. I was most impressed by the layers of detail in Wanderlust–sensory images, timelines, names and places and stories–from the time you lived in Spain as a kid to your first trip to London to your time in Cairo, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Author Interviews
Posts Distilled: Calling it Quits
In honor of leaving my job (I have exactly five days left!), I thought I’d list some of the posts that inspired me to quit a negative situation. Enjoy! How to Quit your Job, Move to Paradise, and Get Paid to Change the World, by Jon Morrow. Basically he’s living the life! <–That’s Jon’s “office.” How jealous are you? The Lost Art of Quitting, by Ash Ambirge. (Can you tell I heart Ash?) I love her point that … Read entire article »
Filed under: Posts Distilled
5 Books I Can’t Live Without: Kit of Books are My Boyfriends
In real life, Kit is a nationally produced and award winning playwright, an award winning screenwriter, a performing arts teacher and a world traveller. In internet life she blogs about books at Books are my Boyfriends and writes the webcomic “Aces.” That’s the story of Kit! 1.) MIDDLEMARCH, by George Eliot. MIDDLEMARCH is a sharper, smarter, more tragic and hilarious PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. An early 19th century tale about a girl who … Read entire article »
Filed under: Guest Posts: Books I Can't Live Without
Why Making Enough Money to Live Isn’t Enough: Guest Post at Midwife for your Life
Hey, everyone! Happy Wednesday. A few weeks ago I read a post called How to Quit Your Job, by Stacey Curnow of Midwife for Your Life (a guest post at Everyday Bright). Along with a lot of other signs and choices, it combined to lead me to give notice at my job at the end of last week. This is a huge relief and I’m finally feeling back to my optimistic self! I had the opportunity to speak with Stacey a few weeks ago and share my journey. I also submitted a post about it to her blog, and she accepted! Check it out: Why Making Enough Money to Live Isn’t Enough. Readers of Midwife for your Life, welcome to Books Distilled! Sign up for email subscriptions to get book reviews, author interviews … Read entire article »
Filed under: Announcements
Book Review: Solar
Ian McEwan’s new novel, Solar, is an intriguing book–only in part because I read the whole thing while cultivating an active dislike for the protagonist. This seems to be McEwan’s point. Michael Beard won a Nobel Prize in Physics as a young man for his (vaguely described) Einstein-Beard Conflation. The Conflation was his finest work, and from that point on it is difficult to tell how he has enough discipline to get himself out of bed … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contemporary Literature
Posts Distilled
A few gems for your reading pleasure… Plausible but inappropriate book covers, with “witty” blurbs by Jonathan Franzen. Hilarious. How to Hit Rock Bottom and Come Back a Business Owner (Without Breaking a Nail. Or Resorting to Prostitution. Mostly.) Guest post by Ash Ambirge of TMF, over at Redhead Writing. Ash’s posts always inspire me to get off my butt and do something. If you like your beach books a little meatier than the average fluff, check out … Read entire article »
Filed under: Posts Distilled
About Me
Ever stand in the bookstore or library, gazing around blankly, overwhelmed by choices, jealous of the other purposeful browsers? This blog is for you.
I read. A lot.
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