Gesta Romanorum is Latin for "Deeds of the Romans", which makes it sound like this book is a narration of the early culture of Rome, its history and battles. However, it is actually a Latin compilation of morality stories believed to be written approximately at the end of the 13th century. There are 181 stories. … Continue reading Gesta Romanorum: A unique glimpse into history
Category: Book Responses
Love in a Little Town by J.E. Buckrow
It's February, the month we celebrate love, and here is a most fitting book to celebrate. Celia Bassingdale was about to take a long journey—the longest on earth—from the unreal to the real.First line Celia’s romantic interest in a young man (whom her grandfather was convinced was only after the fortune she would inherit when … Continue reading Love in a Little Town by J.E. Buckrow
When Choosing Fiction, Don’t Settle for Less
To borrow and repurpose a related quote: The book you want exists. Don’t settle until you find it. It’s fun to browse around the library's “New and Notable” shelves. I read plenty of classic fiction so I appreciate it when others recommend new novels and authors. But I have noticed something in the past five … Continue reading When Choosing Fiction, Don’t Settle for Less
Review of To See the Moon Again
It's February, when I usually pick my favorite romance novel of the past year to review. But this time I'm deviating a bit from Valentine's Day. This book is not a romance, or a story about a man and a woman. But is a story with a lot of heart, about a friendship between an … Continue reading Review of To See the Moon Again
Ready for a break from all the negativity? Check out these books
Life, the news, the media, and even books can get us down. But being selective about what we see, hear, and think about can put us in a better mental state. Here is a selection of books I’ve read recently from various time periods and genres, non-fiction and fiction, ranging from suspenseful to educational to … Continue reading Ready for a break from all the negativity? Check out these books
Review of The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin
“The book, the dear, enlivening, enchanting, stimulating, informing, uplifting book, is the most faithful of all allies, and, after human friendship, the chief solace as well as the most inspiring influence in human life." Kate Douglas Wiggin What a dear book this is! The Birds’ Christmas Carol is about a family who stays cheerful, strong, … Continue reading Review of The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin
Hedgerow Tales, Mrs. Gatty’s Parables of Nature
Of all the revived, republished classic books available, the 4 Hedgerow Tales are my favorites. These were ahead of their time, "retold" back in the 1980s, forerunners of the latest trend. The illustrations by Sandra Fernandez are exquisite and appear on almost every page. (Note that these Hedgerow Tales are not related to Enid Blyton's … Continue reading Hedgerow Tales, Mrs. Gatty’s Parables of Nature
Fun and Frolic: Stories for the Young from the 1800s
Such a pleasant peek into the simple family life of the late 1800's Ah, the simple innocence of that era. It makes one want to time-travel there for a day, or a year! Obviously, not everyone in 1888 had the leisure shown in this book, there were certainly just as many who had hard and … Continue reading Fun and Frolic: Stories for the Young from the 1800s
A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
What a joy to know that this 1885 book is still current, and still bringing the same wonder and delight to new generations of children--and adults! A Child's Garden of Verses is my VERY favorite children's book ...as evidenced by the fact that I have 3 versions of it. It is the author's imagination … Continue reading A Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson
Review of All In by Lisa Simonds
I have just finished one of the most powerful books I've ever read, and am absolutely in awe of this new author's writing talent. Lisa Simonds has the ability to write in a way that lets us experience all the action, dialogue, thoughts and scenes--without noticing that we're reading a book. The pace of … Continue reading Review of All In by Lisa Simonds
Happily Writing 