Ray Bradbury: Teaching "All Summer in a Day"

Checkout our Teaching the Short Story page.  We have added some great teaching ideas for Ray Bradbury's "All Summer in a Day".

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Happy Halloween 2013

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Coming Soon: Review for Guests on Earth by Lee Smith

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Review:  Guests on Earth by Lee Smith

Looking for a signed copy of Guests on Earth by Lee Smith? Contact Fountain Books

Summary Courtesy of Publisher:

Evalina Toussaint, the orphaned child of an exotic dancer in New Orleans, is just thirteen when she is admitted to Highland Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. The year is 1936, and the mental hospital is under the direction of the celebrated psychiatrist Robert S. Carroll. His innovative program of treatment for mental and nervous disorders and addictions is based on exercise, diet, art, and occupational therapies—and experimental shock therapy.

Evalina finds herself in the company of some notable fellow patients, including Zelda Fitzgerald, estranged wife of F. Scott, who takes the young piano prodigy under her wing. Evalina becomes the accompanist for the musical programs at the hospital. This provides privileged insight into the events that transpire over the next twelve years, culminating in a tragic fire—its mystery unsolved to this day—that killed nine women in a locked ward, Zelda among them. At all costs, Evalina listens, observes, remembers—and tells us everything.

Guests on Earth is a mesmerizing novel about a time and a place where creativity and passion, theory and medicine, fact and fiction, are luminously intertwined by a writer at the height of her craft.

Does  Guests on Earth by Lee Smith grab your attention? Is it a Southern historical fiction novel you'd be interested in reading? Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

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Review: The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

Review:  The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

Title:  The Paris Architect

Author:   Charles Belfoure

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Themes:  Relationships, Trust, Survival

Setting:  Paris, France, 1942

Point of View:  3rd Person

Publisher/Publication Date: October 8, 2013 by Sourcebooks Landmark

Source:  NetGalley

Rating:  Four of Five Stars

Finished/Not Finished:  Finished

First Line:  "Just as Lucien Bernard rounded the corner at the rue La Boetie, a man running from the opposite direction almost collided with him." The Paris Architect  by  Charles Belfoure

One-sentence summary:  It is 1942 German occupied Paris, France and for Parisian Lucien Bernard the question of survival takes a turn when he must confront his willingness to risk his life for people he does not even know for a cause he does not believe in.

Cover Art:  I think the cover draws the reader in, and also establishes a mood of haunting uncertainty.

Try The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure if you liked The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell, Someone by Alice McDormott, and Burial Rites by Hannah Kent .

Buy, Borrow, Listen, or Avoid:  Buy, Borrow, or Listen if you are looking for a well written historical novel set in WWII, which deals with the types of themes previously mentioned.

Why did I get this book?:  I was drawn to the cover and the summary of the novel.

Review:

If you are a fan of historical fiction then checkout The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure.   Yes, it is another in the growing genre of historical fiction, and yes, it is dealing with issues specific to WWII, but it offers a new way to approach the ever increasing number of novels that tackle issues specific to the extermination of the Jewish people during this horrific war.  In other words, this one is a must read. Again, it is historical fiction, but it's historical fiction from a fascinating viewpoint.  The protagonist, Lucien Bernard, struggles to do what is right.  The fact that Lucien wrestles with his indifference to the plight of the Jewish people makes for a metamorphosis, which is believable.  At first he only accepts the wealthy Auguste Manet's request to build hiding places for mercenary purposes, but by the end, Lucien's transformation from a mercenary profiteer to a real Parisian resistance fighter makes for a great example of dynamic characterization.

The novels architectural detail is a homage to the author's background in architecture.  He builds with words the hiding places that Lucien designs on paper.  The writing is fast paced and gripping, and will keep you turning the pages to find out what will happen next.  If you are looking for a birds-eye-view of Paris under the German occupation try The Paris Architect.

I'd like to thank Net Galley and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me access to an advance readers copy (ARC) of The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure.

Does The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure grab your attention?  Is it a novel you'd be interested in reading?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

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Review: Aimless Love by Billy Collins

Review:  Aimless Love by Billy Collins
Five out of Five Stars
Expected publication:  October 22, 2013

I was introduced to Billy Collins back in the 90s, I gobbled up The Art of Drowning, Picnic, Lightning, Sailing Alone Around the Room, Nine Horses, and The Apple That Astonished Paris, each one a treasure in its own right.  Ecstatic, doesn't describe how I felt when I heard that Collins was to release a new volume of poetry, his first since 2011, because in my opinion, Billy Collins is the Pied Piper for Poetry!  His work is simply amazing, and this new volume of poetry proves it.  He may be in his seventies, but he hasn't lost his poetry mojo.  Yes, this volume is a mix of new and previously published work, but a gem of a poem is easily devoured over and over again.  

If you have always wanted to like poetry, but just never found the right poet, here is your chance to rectify all that has been missing in your quest to enter the genre of poetry.  Give Aimless Love a shot and see if you haven't found just what you needed to fill your poetry gap.  With poems like "Cheerios" your love of Billy Collins' poetic genius will start to grow.  Lines like, "I opened the Tribune only to discover that I was the same age as Cheerios," will keep you reading to discover where Collins is headed. 

I feel obligated to mention that in addition to his ten published collections of poetry, Mr. Collins was named Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001 through 2003, and he served as Poet Laureate of the state of New York from 2004 through 2006.  Collins is also credited with starting Poetry 180 and is currently its editor.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Random House Publishing for allowing me access to an advance readers copy (ARC) of Aimless Love by Billy Collins.

Does Aimless Love by Billy Collins grab your attention? Is it a book of poetry you'd be interested in reading? Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

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Review: The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly

Review: The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly

Title:  The Tilted World 

Author:   Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery

Themes:  Relationships,  Love, Motherhood

Setting:  Hobnob, Mississippi 

Point of View:  3rd Person

Publisher/Publication Date:  October 1, 2013 by William Morrow & Company

Source:  Edelweiss

Rating:  Four of Five Stars

Finished/Not Finished:  Finished

First Line:  "Dixie Clay was squelching through the mud along the creek's swollen banks, shooing mosquitoes with her hat when she say a baby coffin bobbing against a sycamore sang."-The Tilted World  by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly

One-sentence summary:  It is 1927 and two federal revenue agents arrive in Hobnob, Mississippi to investigate the disappearance of two of their fellow agents; however what they find will change them forever.

Cover Art:  I think the cover captures 1927 Mississippi, and also establishes the tone of the novel.

Try The Tilted World   if you liked The Maid's Version by Daniel Woodrell, The Funeral Dress by Susan Gregg Gilmore, or Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin.

Buy, Borrow, Listen, or Avoid:  Buy, Borrow, or Listen if you are looking for a well written suspenseful, gritty novel, which deals with the types of themes previously mentioned.

Why did I get this book?:  I liked the summary and I am a fan of Tom Franklin's body of work.

Review:

Are you a fan of southern historical fiction?  Well, if you are then The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly is a must read.  Yes, it is historical fiction, but it's historical fiction with a fascinating mystery thrown into the mix.

The story opens in Hobnob Mississippi just as Mississippi is threatened by The Great Flood of 1927. Two revenue agents have arrived to investigate the disappearance of two fellow agents, but what they find is an abandoned child left at a crime scene.  What unfolds will surprise the reader at every twist and turn.  The poetic language used to create 1927 Mississippi and its rich characters is simply stunning.  The novel is gritty and full of suspense as it moves at a rapid pace.  The big question that develops is can a revenue agent befriend the best female bootlegger in the country?

The novel is co-authored, which often causes a novel to lack a coherent story line.  However, the fact that this novel is written by a husband and wife team is a positive, rather than a negative. Neither author has allowed the book to become disjointed in spinning the tales narrative.  In fact they have played off each other strengths as writers to create a poignant, well-constructed, well-balanced story of a bygone time.

I'd like to thank Edelweiss and William Morrow & Company for allowing me access to an advance readers copy (ARC) of The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly.

Does The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann Fennelly grab your attention?  Is it a novel you'd be interested in reading?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

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Review: Vintage: A Novel by Susan Gloss

Review: Vintage: A Novel by Susan Gloss

Title:  Vintage: A Novel

Author:   Susan Gloss

Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

Themes:  Relationships, Identity, Divorce, Motherhood, Loss, Infidelity, Friendship, Love

Setting:  Madison, Wisconsin

Point of View:  3rd Person

Publisher/Publication Date:  Expected publication: March 25th 2014 by William Morrow & Company

Source:  Edelweiss

Rating:  Four of Five Stars

Finished/Not Finished:  Finished

First Line:  "Beneath the Ash Trees on Johnson Street just east of campus, Hourglass Vintage stood in a weathered brick building, wedged between a fair-trade coffee shop and a bike-repair business." Vintage by Susan Gloss

One-sentence summary:  A Midwestern vintage clothing store is the cornerstone for the transformation of several women's lives.

Cover Art:  I like the red border, however, in my opinion, the dress displayed in the shop window does not have a vintage feel.

Try Vintage: A Novel if you liked The Friday Night Knitting Club  by Kate Jacobs or if you are a fan of chick-lit in the vein of Jennifer Weiner's body of work.

Buy, Borrow, Listen, or Avoid:  Buy, Borrow, or Listen if you are looking for a refreshing read, which deals with the types of themes previously mentioned.

Why did I get this book?:  I liked the summary and I am a vintage gal at heart.  I shopped vintage back in the 70s and 80s before it was the cool thing to do.

Review:

I have to admit, I was once a vintage-aholic.  I loved nothing better than to spend my weekends shopping the plethora of vintage stores in my hometown, which is why Vintage: A Novel grabbed my attention.  A key element in the success of any vintage shop worth a grain of salt is the owner's relationship with her customers, and this key ingredient is what makes this novel work.  

In the novel, Susan Gloss creates a world where women are the central force.  Her novel delves into the intricacies of these women's lives at varies key life-moments, which means there is something for women of all ages to identify with in the novel.  Each chapter opens with a description of a vintage item, "Inventory Item:  wedding gown, Approximate Date: 1952, Condition: good, minor discoloration on lining, Item description:  Ivory, tea-length gown with scooped neckline and cap sleeves.  Silk taffeta with crinoline understructure.  Source:  Dress acquired from the couple's daughter, born weeks after her father's death."  Each item is used as a means to set the tone for what is to come, which, in my opinion, is a unique technique to move the story forward.

I enjoyed my time at Hourglass Vintage and highly recommend you walk through the shop's doors if you are looking for a break from heavier reads.  

I'd like to thank Edelweiss and William Morrow & Company for allowing me access to an advance readers copy (ARC) of Vintage: A Novel by Susan Gloss 

Does Vintage by Susan Gloss grab your attention?  Is it a novel you'd be interested in reading?  Let us know here at The Things You Can Read!

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Congrats to Alice Munro

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Believe In Truth, Beauty, Freedom, Love, and the Power of Books!