I still have WWII on the brain. On a more serious note than my last post, this is my favorite piece of writing regarding WWII: Losing the War by Lee Sandlin

The title gives an allusion to its central theme - What Peacetime Forgets About Wartime

Whenever people talk about the meaning of history somebody brings up that old bromide from Santayana, " ( Read more... )

It's Veteran's Day in the US. I thought I'd watch Band of Brothers tonight, but I got home too late. If you haven't seen that series, I can't recommend it strongly enough. It is the most accomplished, emotionally rewarding storytelling experience that I've ever encountered. No need to fear jingoism, the Germans are handled with a lot of nuance ( Read more... )

Title: Stag's Leap
Author: Sharon Olds
Genre: Poetry, 2012
Summary: A collection of poems from Sharon Olds, dealing with the emotional devastation of her divorce from her husband of 30+ years.

Sharon Olds is one of my favorite poets. I have more of her works of poetry in my library than any other poet. If you've read one her poems in an anthology, its ( Read more... )

Title: Sinners Welcome
Author: Mary Karr
Genre: Poetry, 2012
Summary: A collection of poems from Mary Karr (The Liar's Club / Cherry / Lit). Largely centered around her conversion to Catholicism in 1996, in her words" lit up by baby Jesus."

Mary Karr is famous as a memoirest, penning the critically acclaimed The Liar's Club, a memoir about her ( Read more... )

Title: Misery
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Suspense, 1987
Summary: Best-selling historical romance novelist Paul Sheldon is rescued from a debilitating car crash by his #1 fan, the deranged former nurse Annie Wilkes. Annie imprisons Paul and forces him to resurrect his dead Victorian foundling heroine, Misery Chastain.

I've read a fair number of Stephen ( Read more... )

WG:
Hello! Thanks for your letter, and for the second story! I reread the book of Grimm's,
I'd forgotten how dire it is. I remember reading it as a kid and being fascinated mostly
by the drawings (Rackham). As I still am. Why all the desecration of grandmothers? A
while ago I finally read 'Woman' by Natalie Angier; her chapter on the role of ' ( Read more... )

Thank you for writing to me! Im a big fan your work and must admit feel very privileged and a little in awe that we are corresponding ( Read more... )

Im a big fan of Walter Gilman's delightfully fresh Sansan fanfic Into the Woods. Recently left him this review where I discussed the Red Riding Hood Fairy Tale and its symbolism in his fanfic:

[My review]Really stunning... given your comment I see where you're going with this now and am delighted. I was expecting HP Lovecraft from your penname when perhaps ( Read more... )

#2 of the50bookchallengewas this summer's hot suspense novel "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. I don't read in this genre typically, but this book is everywhere, so I picked it up at my local Target out of idle curiosity.

Title: Gone Girl
Author: Gillian Flynn
Genre: Suspense, 2012

Plot Summary: Ripped from today's headlines with clear influences of the Scott ( Read more... )

Hello smut-loving friends! I have question and a poll for you ( Read more... )