February 2017 – Page 2 – Looking For a Good Book

February 10, 2017

DREAM BIG – Kat Kronenberg

There are a couple of different ways I look at and rate children’s picture books. Is it pretty to look at? Is the story simple and yet captivating for the child? Is there an important message for the child? What is the re-readability (will children want to have it read over and over and perhaps Continue reading

CHILDREN’S, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Children’s Books, Picture books, Reviews

February 9, 2017

PIECES OF SOAP: ESSAYS – Stanley Elkin

THROWBACK THURSDAY: REVIEWING A REISSUE I first encountered Stanley Elkin’s work in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s when Warner Books were releasing his works. Of course I was first drawn to the books by their covers, then by the descriptions on the back cover, and finally by the works themselves. I still have those books, tucked Continue reading

NON-FICTION, Uncategorized

5 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, essays, non-fiction, Reviews

February 8, 2017

BEYOND THE PASTA – Mark Leslie

It’s a shame that it took me so long to read this, and in the course of full disclosure I should say that I know Mark through our work together. So what took me so long to read it? A backlog of books to read, for one, and the fact that I have no history Continue reading

MEMOIR, Uncategorized

5 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Memoir, non-fiction, Reviews

February 7, 2017

ROCKETEER: HOLLYWOOD HORROR – graphic novel

With a comic like The Rocketeer it is important to not take the work too seriously. Given that, this book works nicely but could still be much stronger. It is the 1930’s, America (Hollywood, of course) and Cliff Secord is a man looking to be a hero and dons a helmet and jet-pack to take Continue reading

GRAPHIC NOVEL, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Graphic Novels, Reviews

February 6, 2017

MURDER IN G MAJOR – Alexia Gordon

I have a fondness for literature that makes a strong connection to music. The two (written word and music) are surprisingly similar but are rarely combined (or at least not well). Seeing a mystery using music in the plot caught my eye and I knew it was something I would want to read. This book Continue reading

MYSTERY, Uncategorized

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Music, Mystery, Reviews

February 3, 2017

THE WALDORF ASTORIA BAR BOOK – Frank Caiafa

There’s no shortage of bar-related/bartender books on the market today, and I’ve browsed through quite a few of them in my search to find interesting new drinks with classic liquors. For a number of reasons – all personal – the Waldorf Astoria has a special meaning to me and so I was eager to give this book Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, NON-FICTION, Uncategorized

5 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, essays, Food, history book, non-fiction, Reviews

February 2, 2017

HAUNTED HISTORIC COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA – Tim Scullion

I am not an ardent believer in ghosts nor am I skeptic. I am one of those people who believes that there is something other than our ‘normal,’ mortal lives going on in the world. I love watching the Ghost Hunter type shows and I’ll often pick up books that explore this phenomenon. So when Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, NON-FICTION

2 Stars, Art, Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, non-fiction, Reviews

February 1, 2017

THE KING’S GRAVE – Michael Jones and Philippa Langley

On the one hand you might think that the discovery of the burial location for one of England’s more (in)famous kings would be much bigger news. On the other hand, the fact that I hadn’t been aware of the discovery of Richard III’s remains might be an indication that it’s not as earth-shattering as some Continue reading

NON-FICTION, Uncategorized

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, History, history book, non-fiction, Reviews