Abandonment and Devotion

Book Review of "Neither Here Nor There" by Miriam Drori. Esty is 19 and unmarried, and that's practically an "old maid" in Jerusalem's Haredi (ultra-orthodox) community. However, the reason she hasn't agreed to marry anyone is that she knows the Haredi life is not for her. Once she's married, she might be trapped forever. Gathering … Continue reading Abandonment and Devotion →

A Slice of Glasgow’s Darker Corners

Book Review of "The Cutting Room" by Louise Welsh. This story has nothing to do with motion picture film editing; this is about crime, pornography, erotica, sex, and money with a mystery thrown in for good measure. Rilke is an auctioneer for a small and struggling Glasgow auction house, commissioned to empty out the home … Continue reading A Slice of Glasgow’s Darker Corners →

The Making of a Remarkable Woman

Book Review for "The Boston Girl: A Novel" by Anita Diamant. Addie Metsky (nee Baum) was born in Boston to Jewish immigrants in 1900. She's now 85 and her granddaughter Ava wants to know how she became the woman she is today. This is her story, and it will surprise you. I'm quickly becoming a … Continue reading The Making of a Remarkable Woman →

A Mother and a Mystery

Book Review of "The Perfect Mother" by Nina Darnton. When Jennifer Lewis gets a call from her daughter in the middle of the night, she knows something has gone terribly wrong. Now she has to go to Spain to free her daughter of murder charges, and it could take everything in Jennifer's power to save … Continue reading A Mother and a Mystery →

The Taste of Passion

Book Review of "La Cucina" by Lily Prior. The story of this book, set in Sicily, is very simple. Rosa Fiore lives in a small Sicilian village. When the love of her life disappears, it is obvious that his refusal to marry someone other than Rosa led to his murder. Broken hearted, Rosa leaves her … Continue reading The Taste of Passion →

So fascinating, it should be outlawed!

Book Review of "The Collected Works of Billy the Kid" by Michael Ondaatje. With this book, Michael Ondaatje (author of "The English Patient") brings us a unique hybrid of poetry and prose, mixed with both historical fact and fiction based on the true-life story of the famous American outlaw William Bonney, better known as “Billy … Continue reading So fascinating, it should be outlawed! →

An Ex-Lover Ghost Story?

Book Review of "My Lover’s Lover" by Maggie O'Farrell. Sinead is – according to Marcus – “no longer with us.” That means that the room Sinead had in Marcus’ flat is now vacant, and Lily moves in. The question is, what else does all that mean – to both Lily and her budding feelings for … Continue reading An Ex-Lover Ghost Story? →

The Cast and Curse of Genius

Book Review of "Rodin's Lover" by Heather Webb. The name of Auguste Rodin is synonymous with the emotionally charged sculptures he created, and practically everyone recognizes his iconic "Thinker." However, far fewer people know the name or the work of Camille Claudel, his student and the woman who shocked the art world of Paris, because … Continue reading The Cast and Curse of Genius →