The Good Old Days The Invisible Island, Dean Marshall This book is a joy. Written in 1948, The Great Depression and WWII were behind us and the Cold War had yet to really get going, these were the halcyon days for (wealthy, white) Americans. The world was a safe place and children were allowed to venture … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Night Country
Ghosted The Night Country by Stewart O’Nan (2004) West Hartford Library Even if this book was terrible, I'd still kind of love it. Stewart O'Nan has a thing for setting his stories in the very real places that he knows best. I'd previously read Last Night at the Lobster which is set, more or less, at the mall … [Read more...]
CT Books, Movies, People, & Stories
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...]