I was challenged recently by a blog reader to read and review more nonfiction books. I have read fiction books for most of my reading life. There were numerous reasons why I have gravitated towards novels instead nonfiction. However, I chose not to state those reasons...
Marion’s 10 Favorite Reads of 2019
by MHill | Dec 28, 2019 | 2019 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
As we come to end of 2019, there will be a lot of lists for the best reads of the year. Well, I have compiled my favorite reads of the year. Here are ten books across all genres and a non-fiction selection. I believe in reading widely and have the readers credo,...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 33: Jay-Z (Made In America) by Michael Eric Dyson
by MHill | Dec 27, 2019 | 2019 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I love getting books as Christmas gifts especially from my 10-year-old daughter. This year's Christmas gift is Jay-Z (Made In America) by Michael Eric Dyson. I will confess upfront that Jay-Z is not my favorite rapper and I have not listened to a lot of his music. My...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 32: A Time To Dance by Padma Venkatraman
by MHill | Dec 25, 2019 | 2019 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
One of the joys of reading is discovering a book (or author) you would have never come across in your normal reading experience. I will confess upfront that I'm not that much of a fan of YA novels. Reading about teenagers (or young adults) and their problems or issues...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 31: Ascending by Meg Pechenick
by MHill | Dec 1, 2019 | 2019 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorite Duologies, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
What if you were the only person on a spaceship with an alien race? You were the person groomed to speak an alien language and take part in an intercultural exchange between planets? You would want to do it in the first place? If you did, how you feel about it?...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 30: The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King
by MHill | Nov 13, 2019 | 2019 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
It is interesting how a certain sub-genre presents itself to you as a reader. I have not been a historical fiction reader throughout my reading life. However, I read several historical fiction novels over the past couple of years. Beginning with the novels of Guy...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 29: The Gondola Maker by Laura Morelli
by MHill | Oct 27, 2019 | 2019 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
The Gondola Maker by Laura Morelli tells the story of Luca Vianello, heir to a gondola-making business. However, he is a participant to a tragedy that strikes the business and alters the course of his life. Luca begins to pick up the pieces of his life and becomes a...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 26: The Pearl by John Steinbeck
by MHill | Oct 6, 2019 | 2019 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Rereading Series, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
One of the most often quoted verses of biblical scripture is from the New Testament book of 1 Timothy 6:10: "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." Even if you are a non-religious person, I'm pretty sure you have heard that verse of scripture in a secular...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 24: How The Light Gets In by Louise Penny
by MHill | Sep 20, 2019 | 2019 Book Reviews, Louise Penny Gamache Novels, Marion's Favorite Books, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
One of the great joys of reading is coming upon a series that you would have never read at first glance. This has happened to me with the Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny. I'm a not a big mystery or crime fiction reader. However, I read The Long Way Home two...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 23: Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
by MHill | Aug 24, 2019 | 2019 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
"Sometimes a journey can take you far away from home. It can take you far away from what you believe. From the only world you have ever known. And make you realize how much we are connected to each other. Also,...