Category: Book Responses

Review of Once Upon a Prime

It's surprising how many excellent pieces of literature--classics from way back, as well as contemporary--feature mathematician authors and characters, and math-related plotlines! Here are just a few of those featured in this book: Journey to the Center of the Earth, O. Henry, Neal Stephenson, The Tale of Genji, George Eliot, Sherlock Holmes, John Updike, and … Continue reading Review of Once Upon a Prime →

Valentine’s Day Book Review of Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher

Often, in February, after several long cold months of winter, I long for a mini-holiday in a place guaranteed to be warm and sunny.  It’s been ages since I’ve been able to go, but this year the flight and hotel deal was amazing, so off my sister-in-law and I went to San Diego.  (More photos … Continue reading Valentine’s Day Book Review of Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher →

Review of Sweet Caroline, my Blind Date With a Book

In February I shared the fun I had participating in one of my library’s many creative activities. When I walked into my local library and discovered their Valentine’s themed activity, “Blind Date With a Book”, I jumped right in! My rating So, here’s how I rated my Book “Date”, using the my public library’s "Rate … Continue reading Review of Sweet Caroline, my Blind Date With a Book →

The Wonderful World of Cats

I recently re-read this precious book--after 58 years! In a testament to the quality of the stories, I was surprised at how many of the plots I still remembered. And almost as much as the stories, I also remembered the unique drawings. Unlike some contemporary children's books, these stories aren’t written “down” to children. They … Continue reading The Wonderful World of Cats →

Middlemarch: Humility is beautiful

Humility seems to be out of fashion these days. People have a tendency to want attention, and preferably fame, regardless of what they have to do to get it. So it was with pleasure that I encountered beautifully understated qualities of humility and simple goodness in a 19th century novel, Middlemarch, by George Eliot. If … Continue reading Middlemarch: Humility is beautiful →

Mathematics and Science–how Poetic!

Discovery of beauty in surprising places. Believe it or not, just seeing and saying the word mathematics makes me feel good. My love for math led me to complete a B.Sc. program in Engineering Mathematics, and yet my most enjoyable hobbies were creative: drawing, writing and photography. So for much of my life, I was … Continue reading Mathematics and Science–how Poetic! →

Review of Barriers Burned Away; remembering the1871 Chicago Fire

A visit to Chicago not long after the Chicago Fire of October 8, 1871--151 years ago today--touched the heart of the author, Edward Payson Roe, and inspired him to write this novel, published in 1872. Diorama of 1871 Chicago Fire - Chicago History Museum, Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois He seems to have asked himself: How … Continue reading Review of Barriers Burned Away; remembering the1871 Chicago Fire →