Tag: Chicago

Arrivals and Departures.

Book Review for “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Napolitano. Summary: "William Waters grew up in a house silenced by tragedy, where his parents could hardly bear to look at him, much less love him. So it’s a relief when his skill on the basketball court earns him a scholarship to college, far away from his childhood … Continue reading Arrivals and Departures. →

Games, Sets, and Mismatched.

Book Review for “Right After the Weather” by Carol Anshaw. Cate is a theater set designer in Chicago, and in 2016 her career has hit a bumpy road, along with her love life, both of which she’s trying to repair. In the meanwhile, her ex-husband and his dog are camping out in the apartment he … Continue reading Games, Sets, and Mismatched. →

The lost and what they find

Book Review of "Bottomland by Michelle Hoover. In a story that’s part mystery, part coming of age and part family saga, Michelle Hoover tells the story of Esther and Myrle Hess, two sisters living on their family farm who suddenly disappear. Set America's rural Midwest just after the First World War, the family's German origins … Continue reading The lost and what they find →

The Merchant Prince’s Woman

Book Review for "What the Lady Wants: A Novel of Marshall Field and the Gilded Age" by Renee Rosen. One of the first jobs I ever held was as a salesperson for Marshall Field & Co., in their Evanston branch (just north of Chicago). At the time, all new employees had to undergo three days … Continue reading The Merchant Prince’s Woman →

A Frankly Amazing Woman

Book Review of "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan. Anyone interested in early 20th century architecture might recognize the name Mamah Borthwick Cheney as being the woman who was Frank Lloyd Wright's lover - for whom he left his wife and family, which caused a scandal that rocked not only Chicago's society, but also the world … Continue reading A Frankly Amazing Woman →