This novel from a small press in Maryland came to my attention via a Twitter exchange with the book critic at The Washington Post. Its subject of small town, trailer trash life in South Carolina's lowland region intrigued me. The story proved, indeed, to be a hilarious, cultural eye-opener.
Category: New Books
The incredible journey
Here they come. The spring migrants heading north after wintering in warmer climates. Michael McCarthy, environment editor of London's Independent, has written an engaging book about the annual spring journey of birds from South Africa to England. It's a timely book to be reading mid-March and has surprisingly captivated me.
Joss Whedon is not at the Bodleian Library
There's a new vampire/witch/daemon fantasy novel that's hit the best-seller lists. Here's my experience reading the 579 pages. Slayer fans, if you're wondering why the brilliant Joss Whedon is present, read on. And a heads up to everyone: this is a long post. Settle in, or put on your skimmers.
“You Know When the Men Are Gone”
A great title for a debut collection of stories that focuses on the soldiers of Fort Hood, Texas, and the wives they leave behind when deployed to Iraq. It provided this reader an enjoyable respite from witches and vampires.
How do you spell Mississippi?
Here's a great novel, one of the contenders for the 2011 Edgar Awards in the category of Best Novel. It's got wonderful characters, intriguing mysteries and a deep south setting so richly evoked you feel like it's just outside your back door.
Two from Canada, one from Billy
A collection of short stories by a Canadian author arrived in the mail this week, and I couldn't put it down. Then, I found my nose deep into Newfoundland territory as I read reviews about Michael Crummey's new novel. Amidst the Canadians, also, former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins. Here's what I know of these three upcoming books.
A rabbit hole and a lighthouse
Linda Gray Sexton is the author of a new memoir, "Half in Love: Surviving the Legacy of Suicide." If you know her heritage, then you know the stories about her mother, Anne Sexton, the famous confessional poet whose depressions and suicide are legendary. Now her daughter reveals the mental illness she inherited from her mother in a brave story of triumph.
A troubled detective, faceless killers
Kurt Wallander is Henning Mankell's inspector in nine crime mysteries published in the U.S., soon to be ten. His detective work is now a major TV series with Kenneth Branagh in Masterpiece Mystery! This is my first meeting with the sleuth.
So very far from the madding crowd
Paradise or hell? I'm thinking hell to inhabit, but these 50 remote islands are paradise to look at and read about in Judith Schalansky's "Atlas of Remote Islands."
The 2010 Christmas stalking book award
Every year at this time, there's one book published in the previous 12 months that won't allow me to give it a nod and pass it by. This year's stalking award goes to a family history about a netsuke collection.
Jumping on the best books bandwagon
Who needs one more 10 best books in 2010? The lists abound this time of year, yet TLC can't help but throw in its literary hat. An annual report, of sorts, and a great shopping list, too.
Shopping New York City bookstores
It's that time of year when holiday shoppers head to NYC to spend at Bergdorf Goodman, Macy's, Bloomingdale's and the many other stores decked out with merry-making windows. I went to shop the bookstores, including this odd one. Check out its unique name.
The monster in my home
A snake of books covering my dining room table became the sign it was time for a reality check.
Small press book wins the fiction NBA
The National Book Awards for fiction, non-fiction, poetry and young people's lit were announced Wednesday night. Here's the list of winning books.
Bounding toward Antonya Nelson
My discovery of this author via her newest novel, "Bound," makes me want to read more of her work. Here's why.
The Longest Chapter 