Books Distilled » Archive
Book Review: The Lacuna
Note: This post is my entry in the Book Nerd Out giveaway hosted by Book Riot: Reviews, Recommendations, and Commentary about books and reading (but, you know, fun). I was completely appalled to realize recently that I’ve been writing this blog since April, and I have yet to review a Barbara Kingsolver book. Horrors! Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorite authors of all time. I’ve read 10 of her thirteen books, which include novels, her nonfiction book … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contemporary Literature
Posts Distilled: Recent Authors
Happy Sunday, and Happy Halloween! If you live on the East Coast, I hope you survived the nor’easter. I’m happy to report (gloat?) that we got no snow here on the South Shore of Long Island. I’m pretty thrilled about that. I’m sure there will be plenty of snow this winter, if last winter was any indication. Forums Head on over to our new Forums to discuss your favorite recent reads at The Book Circle (this month we’re … Read entire article »
Filed under: Posts Distilled
Book Review: Wherever You Go
Head on over to our new Forums to discuss books, publishing news, and writing! I enjoyed reading Joan Leegant’s novel Wherever You Go in part because it is unique from anything I’ve ever read. The novel weaves together three stories that span the distance from New York City to Jerusalem. Yona Stern arrives in Jerusalem from New York City determined to make peace with her sister, with whom she hasn’t spoken in more than ten years. Mark … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contemporary Literature
Posts Distilled: Forums and A Bookish October
Forums Come join the book conversation! Chat about what you’re reading now at our book club, The Book Circle; share bookish news in The Lounge; and chat about your writing at The Writer’s Cafe. Book News A few things to check out: Jenn of Jenn’s Bookshelves is running a Halloween special for the month of October called Murders, Monsters & Mayhem. Have you read any deliciously scary books this month? Head on over to The Lounge and share! Book Riot … Read entire article »
Filed under: Posts Distilled
Book Review and GIVEAWAY: The Smartest Woman I Know
Head on over to the Book Circle to discuss The Night Circus, The Paris Wife, and Turn of Mind! Ilene Beckerman burst onto the writing scene with her book Love, Loss, and What I Wore, which she wrote and illustrated and which is now a successful Broadway play. Her new book, The Smartest Woman I Know, is the story of Beckerman’s Jewish grandmother, with whom she lived from age twelve to age eighteen. Known to Beckerman as … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contemporary Literature
Book Review: The Night Circus
Book Distilled: Wondering what to read next? The Night Circus has become one of my favorite novels of all time. If you buy one book this year, let this be it–because reading it once won’t be enough. Come join the discussion of fellow reveurs at our new book club forum, the Book Circle! Usually, when I love a book as much as I loved The Night Circus, I race to the ending. Granted, I read half … Read entire article »
Filed under: Contemporary Literature
5 Books I Can’t Live Without: Nina Sankovitch, author of Tolstoy and the Purple Chair
I am so thrilled to welcome Nina Sankovitch, author of Tolstoy and the Purple Chair (see my review!), to share her five favorite books. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out the new Books Distilled online book club forum, The Book Circle! Nina Sankovitch was born in Evanston, Illinois to immigrant parents, the youngest of three girls. She graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. in History and Spanish, and then went straight to Harvard … Read entire article »
Filed under: Guest Posts: Books I Can't Live Without
FORUMS, including Online Book Club
Online Book Club As many of you know, I started a book club to discuss Alice LaPlante’s novel Turn of Mind. We had a little trouble finding a time that worked for everyone to talk together live on Vyew. With my husband’s technical help I created a book forum for us to use as a conversation tool. Each month, we’ll choose a new book to read together and discuss on the forum. The discussion will remain open … Read entire article »
Filed under: Announcements
Updates to Read This!
Happy Thursday, folks. Where has the week gone? For today’s post I’ve made some updates to the “Read This!” page. I hope you enjoy! I’ve added some content and also (finally) updated all the links from Amazon to Powell’s. I’m also excited about some upcoming posts and fun changes I’m making around the site, including some new ideas for the Books Distilled Book Club. Intrigued? Stay tuned! Tweet … Read entire article »
Filed under: Announcements
Book Review: Tolstoy and the Purple Chair
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair: My Year of Magical Reading is the account of Nina Sankovitch’s year of reading and reviewing one book every day. That’s right, folks, in one year she read and reviewed 365 books (check out her site, Read All Day). Check out Nina’s favorite books! The reason for this madness? Sankovitch’s sister died three years previously, and she spent those years trying to cram her life full enough to honor the fact … Read entire article »
Filed under: Nonfiction
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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