National Poetry Month, Rich Paschall There seems to be a day, a week, or even a month for just about everything. The types of things for which mayors, governors, and even presidents are willing to present a proclamation seem a… Read More ›
Literature
HOW HARRY POTTER CHANGED THE WORLD
Loving to Read by Rich Paschall In an introduction to the 8th movie, celebrated author of the seven Harry Potter books, J.K. Rowling, talked about the 13-year adventure from the time the first Harry Potter book was published until the… Read More ›
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS OR A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS – By CLEMENT CLARKE MOORE
By Clement Clarke Moore ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be… Read More ›
PEACE TALKS BY JIM BUTCHER
I have waited six years for book sixteen of the Harry Dresden world to be published. I waited patiently. Then, after a while, with less patience. A few months ago, there was a book by Jim Butcher called Spiderman: The… Read More ›
THE CONSTANT RABBIT: A NOVEL BY JASPER FFORDE
The Constant Rabbit: A Novel By: Jasper Fforde Narrated by: Andrew Wincott England, 2022. There are 1.2 million human-size rabbits living in the UK. They wear clothes and can walk, talk, and drive cars, and do pretty much anything most human beings… Read More ›
TZU HSI: THE LAST EMPRESS AND THE RAPE OF CHINA By PEARL BUCK
Tzu Hsi – The Last Empress and the Rape of China, by Pearl Buck This is the story of Tzu Hsi, a woman who rose from obscurity to rule first as regent to her son, the boy emperor, then ultimately as… Read More ›
WHEN A COMMENT TURNS INTO A POST – HOW DO I FEEL ABOUT HARRY POTTER?
To Melanie’s two part “Share My World” — How do I feel about Harry Potter? I’m grinding slowly towards the conclusion of our refinance. As of this morning, we have cleared all the hurdles. They needed this month’s mortgage payment… Read More ›
THE END OF THE REPUBLIC
Imperium, by Robert Harris Random House Sep 7, 2010 Fiction – 496 pages It’s déjà vu all over again as we travel back with author Robert Harris to Republican Rome just before it became Imperial Rome. In America, we complain of corruption. Lying… Read More ›
ADMIRATION IN THE AGE OF LIARS AND CORRUPTION
Fandango’s Dog Days of August #8 I’m afraid to admire anyone these days. Just when I think I’ve found someone really admirable, I discover that they’ve been abusing women, molesting children, or have a secret fascination with pederasty. So I think… Read More ›
PEACE TALKS – HARRY DRESDEN IS FINALLY BACK! – by JIM BUTCHER
I looked it up. I have waited six years for book sixteen in the Harry Dresden world to be published. I have waited patiently, then less patiently. A few months ago, there was a book by Jim Butcher called (tada!)… Read More ›
THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT: A LOVE STORY – EDWARD LEAR
The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear I The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat, They took some honey, and plenty of money, Wrapped up in a five-pound note. The Owl looked up to… Read More ›
APRIL REALLY WAS THE CRUELEST MONTH: THE WASTE LAND, BY T.S. ELLIOT
I tell people I don’t like poetry. That’s not exactly true. I do like poetry. I like funny poems, I like poems that remind me of things that were important but have faded in memory. I don’t like my own… Read More ›
