After reading this first book of The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin, I have crossed two reading rules that I thought I would never break: 1) You must like the characters to enjoy a work of fiction 2) You must be able to relate to the characters in order to have...
Marion’s Favorite Reads of 2021
by MHill | Dec 27, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Christmas has passed and 2021 is coming to a close in a few days. I have seen people starting to post their favorite books of 2021 and thought it was my time add to those posts. I've read 35 books this year (I'm currently finishing up The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 93: Soldier of the Mist by Gene Wolfe
by MHill | Nov 29, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Gene Wolfe, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
What is it about memory loss that can make for a compelling story? Gene Wolfe decides to tackle memory loss in his 5th Century Greece historical fantasy series starting with the 1986 release of Soldier of the Mist. Soldier of the Mist tells the story of Latro, a...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 92: Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
by MHill | Nov 15, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Black History Month, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Does a son have to repeat his father's transgressions and life choices? It seemed like S.A. Cosby was trying to answer that question in his thrilling third novel, Blacktop Wasteland. I have seen this novel posted on my Instagram feed recently and several Goodreads...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 91: Sabrina and Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine
by MHill | Oct 22, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Hispanic Heritage Month, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I love book cover art. I was scrolling through my Goodreads page recently and noticed one of my friends add Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine to their TBR list. The beautiful cover got my attention, and I bought book the next day. Sabrina & Corina is...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 90: Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez
by MHill | Oct 14, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
"Lies have short legs." That is the opening sentence of Furia by Yamile Saied Mendez. Camila Hassan says this proverb and opens a window into her double life as an Argentinian high school student by day and a Futbol player known as Furia after school. Camila has...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 89: Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
by MHill | Oct 5, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I've had my eye on Silvia Moreno-Garcia's work over the past several years. I downloaded her first novel, Signal to Noise, on my Kindle a couple of years ago and her fourth novel, Mexican Gothic, I have seen throughout social media recently. Moreno-Garcia's work has...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 88: Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
by MHill | Sep 11, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
"And so, by circuitous and unpredictable routes, we converge toward midcontinent and meet in Madison, and are at once drawn together, braided and plaited into a friendship. It is a relationship that has no formal shape, there are no rules or obligations or bonds as in...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 87: How Long ‘Til Black Future Month by N.K. Jemisin
by MHill | Aug 30, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I have a question for readers. Has there been an author or authors you have tried repeatedly to read? N.K. Jemisin has been one of those authors for me. Jemisin has gained recognition in the science fiction and fantasy genre over the past several years with...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 86: The Moon Lady by Amy Tan
by MHill | Aug 24, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Over the past weekend, I watched author Amy Tan's Netflix Documentary: Unintended Memoir. The documentary focused on the family relationships (especially with her mother) that helped form her art. I had read none of Amy Tan's books before and the documentary gave me...