"Nice things happen to good people." That quote sums up my feelings about My Mrs. Brown by William Norwich. This is the story of an elegant, elderly cleaning woman named Emilia Brown, who has a dream of buying an expensive Oscar de la Renta dress. Mrs. Brown, who has...
Book Review 103: The Land of Laughs by Jonathan Carroll
by MHill | Mar 27, 2017 | 2017 Book Reviews, Jonathan Carroll, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
"Reading a book, for me at least, is like traveling in someone else's world. If it's a good book, then you feel comfortable and yet anxious to see what's going to happen to you there, what'll be around the next corner. But if it's a lousy book, then it's like going...
Book Review 100: The Lay of the Land by Richard Ford
by MHill | Feb 12, 2017 | 2017 Book Reviews, Frank Bascombe Series, Marion's Favorite Books, Richard Ford, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
It's my 100th Book Review. I must admit I did not think I would have posted as many book reviews over the past 6 years. It has been a pleasure and learning experience with writing and posting 100 reviews. I want to thank all the readers that have reached out...
Book Review 99: Trader by Charles de Lint
by MHill | Jan 13, 2017 | 2016 Book Reviews, Charles De Lint, Marion's Favorite Books
Sometimes the best books are not the ones you get the most amazing reading experience from. But, the ones that touch you at the right time or season in your life. Trader by Charles de Lint fits that description. "I'll tell you about art. Do the best job you possibly...
Book Review 97: Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay
by MHill | Dec 1, 2016 | 2016 Book Reviews, Guy Gavriel Kay, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Ned Marriner, the fifteen-year old protagonist in Guy Gavriel Kay's tenth novel, Ysabel uncovers a startling discovery in an Aix-en-Provence cathedral. He is in the Southern France city with his father, a famed photographer who is shooting photos around the city for...
Book Review 96: A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami
by MHill | Oct 30, 2016 | 2016 Book Reviews, Haruki Murakami, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I read my first Murakami novel, Dance Dance Dance, earlier this year. I learned from that book why Murakami has become an international favorite for many literary fiction readers. I decided I wanted to read another Murakami novel before the year ended. I chose A...
Book Review 95: The Successful Author Mindset by Joanna Penn
by MHill | Oct 26, 2016 | 2016 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Nonfiction, Writing, Writing and Publishing Resources
Digital Publishing has spawned the rise of the indie author movement over the past several years. As a result, there is a lot of books these days about how to become a successful indie author and how to make a living with your writing. However, there are only a few...
Book Review 94: Deep Work by Cal Newport
by MHill | Oct 24, 2016 | 2016 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Nonfiction
"Great creative minds think like artists but work like accountants." (David Brooks) "When you work, work hard. When you're done, be done." Those two quotes from Deep Work by Cal Newport summarizes my feelings toward this excellent book. Newport introduces deep work as...
Book Review 93: Essentialism by Greg McKeown
by MHill | Oct 16, 2016 | 2016 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Nonfiction
--The life of an Essentialist is a life lived without regret. If you have correctly identified what really matters, if you invest your time and energy in it, then it is difficult to regret the choices you make. You become proud of the life you have chosen to live....
Book Review 92: Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler
by MHill | Oct 2, 2016 | 2016 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorite Duologies, Octavia Butler
There has not been a novel that caused such discomfort, challenge my assumptions, or made me defensive while reading like Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler. It is the sequel to Parable of the Sower and continues Lauren Olamina's quest to create a new religion,...