Remember the blue back and orange back biographies that proliferated our library shelves in elementary school? I read every one of them. Hence the comments on my report card, “Jennifer reads too many library books.” Presented as nonfiction, many of these biographies were doctored to present a more noble heritage. True or not, they did… Read more
May 30, 1431, Joan de Arc was burned at the stake. This is significant to our family. Fast-forward a few years to the early 1990’s and a rising third grader. During the summer, my son discovered Joan of Arc—through a video game, I recall—and his was intrigued. He came to me, asking if there were… Read more
“Tell me about when I was born.” An unusual request from my only sibling. But a legitimate one since my sister is almost 10 years younger. On a sister’s weekend, we had just settled onto our comfy beds in our room at the beach. Driving rain pelted our windows, roaring waves pounded the beach and… Read more
This book—a complimentary advance reader’s copy—arrived in today’s mail. The publisher, Random House, is one of several I follow online, and most of them offer an opportunity to get free books. I enter just about all, but this is the first time I’ve received a free copy. I love getting free printed pieces in… Read more
“When you want something, all the universe conspires to helping you achieve it.” Paul Coelho, The Alchemist Personal confession, I have not read The Alchemist. But when I saw this quote, the book went onto my TBR list. This quote, which I ran across somewhere in all my reading, dazzled me, appearing at just the… Read more