Connecticut Books, People, & Essays I probably shouldn’t have ever begun reading and writing about Connecticut books. It’s just one of those lists that I can’t possibly “finish” in any meaningful way. But that’s fine, I don’t mind. If you’re into books, I also review non-Connecticut hiking books and the Modern … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Ice Storm
The Ice Storm By Rick Moody When I started getting a little bit more serious about reading and writing about books about Connecticut, I began collecting a list of titles in which I was interested. It quickly became apparent to me that there was a proliferation of books that take place in New Canaan, Darien, and … [Read more...]
Book Review: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous
Gorgeous On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous Ocean Vuong, 2019 I can't write a review of this book that stands up to the book itself. The beauty of Ocean Vuong's writing deserves the beauty of a top fiction reviewer. On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous has certainly received its share of glowing reviews, written by … [Read more...]
Book Review: Lost in Place
Among the Tribes of Fairfield County Lost in Place By Mark Salzman In late 2016, as this website turned 10 years old, I made the transformational decision to buckle down and begin “completing” towns. A year into the slight strategy pivot, I think it’s working pretty well. Working well for me, anyway. It allows … [Read more...]
Book Review: Boxcar Children Books
Rock 'n Roll Mystery and Surprise Island The Boxcar Children Series , originally by Gertrude Chandler Warner West Hartford Library Apparently I missed the Boxcar boat as a child, as I'd never heard of them until I found out about the little museum in Putnam dedicated to their author. I'd never read a word of the … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Witch of Blackbird Pond
Burn the Witch The Witch of Blackbird Pond Elizabeth George Speare (1958) Sure this is a book for early teens, but the Washington Post screams, "Irresistible!" I was somehow able to resist it for 36 and a half years of my life, but that's not the point. It is a pretty good book and tackles some heady 17th … [Read more...]
Book Review: Last Night at the Lobster
Paradise by the Live Tank Light Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O’Nan (2007) West Hartford Library True story: Stewart O’Nan’s Last Night at the Lobster is the first book in my life that I sought out, procured, read one page, and thought, “Hey, I’ve read this before!” And I had, back in 2007 when it was … [Read more...]