Diversity in literature quite often focuses on skin deep qualities such as ethnicity and race, but it is much broader than that, including sexuality, gender, disability, political persuasion, and religion. Diverse literature exposes the reader to experiences that are not their own, and hopefully, broadens their understanding and knowledge of those experiences. *(CL) means that... Continue Reading →
The Christmas Town by Donna VanLiere
One of the indulgences that I give myself at this time of year is reading Christmas themed books. Many of the titles I normally choose are Christmas themed mysteries, it seems odd but there is an oddly right juxtaposition about the mixing of the most joyous time of year and the darkest of human emotions.... Continue Reading →
The Pub across the Pond by Mary Carter
Having returned recently from a wonderful trip to Ireland, I really wanted to love this book. The plot is centered about an American woman from Ohio that wins a pub in Ireland. The pub is being raffled off to pay a gambling debt of Ronan, the son the the deceased former owner. The woman, Carlene... Continue Reading →
Shauna Tears the Lid off Gore Vidal’s Duluth
Duluth by Gore Vidal is unlike any other book I have ever encountered. It is supposedly set in Duluth, Minnesota, the city of about 86,000 people that is 3 hours south of Thunder Bay. But here is a description of Duluth from the first page of the book: "From the rows of palm trees on... Continue Reading →
A stroll down a dusty road.
Take time to enjoy stories that have remembrance of an earlier, harder time. Both of my parents experienced the depression of the 1930’s and the stories they told about the depression always interested me. Their enthusiasm for life was not shattered by the difficult living conditions, but it did form their values of home, family... Continue Reading →