Category Archives: Uncategorized
Dancing on Thin Ice: Travails of a Russian Dissenter – Arkady Polishchuk
For twenty-three years, from 1950 to 1973, Arkady Polishchuk, a Russian Jew, worked as a journalist for Russian media, and for much of that time he also worked on behalf of persecuted Jews and Christians who were denied emigration. His … Continue reading
The Quiet Side of Passion (Isabel Dalhousie #12) – Alexander McCall Smith
Work keeps piling up for Isabel. Editing the Review of Applied Ethics takes so much time, and Cat seems to always need extra help at the deli. She would love to have more time with her boys. Magnus and Charlie … Continue reading
The Sea Queen – Linnea Hartsuyker
Svanhild likes the feel of the steering oar, the feel of the water. Her son Eystein has six summers and is a tall frail boy. Unlike his parents, he has no love of the sea. He hates the sea and … Continue reading
Sanctuary – Caryn Lix
Alien probes were sent to Earth fifty years before the story opens. Those born after exposure to the probe developed super powers. Earth, or Omnisteller Corporation the ruling entity, can’t just let these folks wander free so they are imprisoned … Continue reading
The Traitor’s Ruin – Erin Beaty
The sequel to The Traitor’s Kiss continues to follow the exploits of the multi-talented Sage who fell in love with Captain Alex Quinn during their successful efforts to thwart an enemy invasion. Sage is living a secure life as tutor … Continue reading
Ursula K. Le Guin: Conversations on Writing – Ursula K Le Guin and David Naimon
David Naimon is a writer and the host of Portland, Oregon based podcast, Between the Covers. This all began as a series of recorded interviews with Ursula Le Guin for the show. Then they came to the conclusion that the … Continue reading
Clock Dance – Anne Tyler
Willa has always been the one to calm things down, smooth things over. Starting with her mother’s volatility, she was the child who made things better. We get little glimpses of her life as she hones her skill as a … Continue reading
The Dante Chamber – Mathew Pearl
Dawn in London’s public gardens. The January wind is fierce. A hunchback slowly plods along. Then there is a loud crack and he falls to the ground. A crowd begins to gather, and then notices that the man was not … Continue reading
Us Against You – Fredrik Backman, translated by Neil Smith
It is summer in Beartown. The citizens are trying to come to grips with the impossible events of the previous winter, and they are doing pretty good. Until they learn that the hockey club is bankrupt and will be disbanded. … Continue reading
The Death of Mrs. Westaway – Ruth Ware
Hal is overwhelmed by her life. No, it’s the lack of a life. Hal was eighteen when her mother died a couple of years ago. Her only way to earn a living was to take over her mother’s tarot reading … Continue reading
Whisper of the Tide – Sarah Tolcser
The sequel to Song of the Current opens with Caro, now captain of her own ship, and Markos, rightful ruler of Akhaia, in a committed relationship. They continue to strategize how Markos can gain control of his country. The only … Continue reading
Bob – Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
Livy and her mom return to Australia to visit her grandmother. The last time she was there was five years ago, when she was just five. She had met an odd creature near her grandmother’s well, took him back to … Continue reading
The Fourth Sacrifice – Peter May
Dr. Margaret Campbell has had enough. She could have left China and gone home weeks ago. Instead, she decided to stay and co-operate with the Chinese authorities. Now she’s tired and bored and ready to leave China and to leave … Continue reading
The Human Instinct: How We Evolved to Have Reason, Consciousness, and Free Will – Kenneth R.
Humans are special, aren’t they? They speak many languages, and write beautiful poetry. They paint pictures and music that stir our emotions. Nope, the evolutionists say. We’re just products of mindless adaptation. Thank goodness Brown University biologist Kenneth Miller has … Continue reading
Accidental Brothers – Dr. Nancy L. Segal and Yesika S. Montoya
William and Wilber, fraternal twins, grew up near the tiny village of La Paz, Colombia, without electricity, running water and the other conveniences most of us take for granted. But that was the life of all those around them. They … Continue reading
YA Lit Ramblings 
You must be logged in to post a comment.