Category: Uncategorized

Summary:

A dazzlingly accomplished debut collection explores the ties that bind parents and children, husbands and wives, lovers and friends to one another and to the places they call home.

My take: 3 looks

Since I am planning to feature this book on one of my Short Story Saturday spotlights, I will keep this review short and sweet. Some of the stories made no sense to me, feeling as if I were dropped into the middle of a conversation which ended before it was truly over. Like the middle of a sandwich with no bread. However, most of the stories had me on the edge of my seat, flipping pages with anticipation.

At first I was a bit reminded of “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor because of the jarring nature of the ending of the opening story. I just didn’t expect it. However, Arimah is her own storyteller, with a distinct taste of African culture, yet universally relatable tales. It is with interest that I note a repetitive theme in mothers and daughters. As an only child, a daughter, to a very present mother, I appreciated this, and read these stories several times.

Written to shock, console, engage the little gray cells, and entertain, don’t let this one pass you by. Recommended

To truly be a “reader”, you have to read every genre. One genre that is often overlooked is the short story. I am going to take the next few weeks to focus on this wonderful genre.

Today, I spotlight one of the most memorable short stories I have read in my 52 years: “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson.

Published in The New Yorker magazine in 1948, it is known as one of the most famous short stories in the history of American Literature. The nature of the story lulls the reader into a false sense of a pleasing and satisfying ending. With quite a twist ending, many subscribers to the magazine cancelled their subscriptions.

It has since been adapted for all sorts of media, including radio, television, and film.

If you have not read this wonderful piece of literature, or haven’t read it lately, I encourage you to do so. It is just as relevant now, perhaps even more so, as it was decades ago.

Thanks for joining me! After several frustrations with the blogging site, I decided to branch out, move up, and get my own site through WordPress. Welcome and thanks for joining me as my blogging enters a new phase, and my reading journey continues!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

Summary:

Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

My take: 3 looks

This is a book that was recommended through the Modern Mrs. Darcy site by Anne Vogel. I love a clever title, so I couldn’t resist adding it to my TBR. After a rather lengthy and frustrating reading dry spell, I picked this one up after The Book of Polly . I felt like I was on a roll, and I wanted another light read to keep my reading mojo going.

This was just the ticket. I loved the style of the book. In the first few pages, there was set-up, memoir, and excerpts from trade magazines. Because of this style switch-up, I was immediately intrigued, and because of the story telling, I was hooked.

Based on what could be a slew of Hollywood legends like Rita Hayworth (married 5 times), Lana Turner, and Elizabeth Taylor (both married 7 times), Evelyn Hugo is a beautiful and ambitious actress in the heyday of the motion picture industry. As she nears the end of her life, she has decided to tell her life story, no holds barred, to a relatively unknown magazine writer, Monique.

What follows are great tales of Evelyn’s past, woven with stories of Monique’s present, culminating in what was a shocking climax. This has made me look at the other titles under Jenkins Reid’s belt, adding them to my ever-growing list.

Recommended.