Whitney, Janet, Mariah, Gladys, Aretha, and Diana. These are the biggest names in American popular music since the 1960s. These singers have been covered in books from an individual perspective, but veteran music journalist and former editor of Billboard & Vibe...
Rereading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
by MHill | Jun 29, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Rereading Series, Wisdom of Kammbia Story Review
I just finished reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett for a second time today. Bel Canto is Patchett's most well-known and beloved novel. This blog post is not another review of what I have already written. But, it is another look at her story and hopefully a different...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 108: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
by MHill | Jun 11, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Have you ever read a novel where you hated the main character but found the story compelling? Have you ever read a novel where you loathed the main character's lifestyle choices but can still find compassion in those choices? Have you ever read a novel you did not...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 107: Celia: Mi Vida by Celia Cruz & Ana Cristina Reymundo
by MHill | May 20, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Hispanic Heritage Month, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Music Reviews, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
As a music lover, there are some songs you hear and immediately make you want to dance. Even if you cannot dance, the song commands you to move your body to the beat. The Queen of Salsa (La Reina de la Salsa), Celia Cruz, has many songs that fit the prior...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 106: Leviathan by Paul Auster
by MHill | May 1, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Paul Auster, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
What is friendship? Especially what is male friendship? Paul Auster gives us an answer in his novel, Leviathan. Leviathan is an Old Testament reference meaning a dragon-like monster, serpent or even a crocodile that represents evil. While, Auster’s novel is not...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 105: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
by MHill | May 1, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorite Duologies, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Have you ever read a book that you knew instantly you should have read years ago? I knew it after reading the first chapter of The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I was working at a mom-and-pop bookstore in Santa Fe, NM in 1996 when this novel was published. I...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 104: Angel On My Shoulder by Natalie Cole
by MHill | Apr 28, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Black History Month, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog
"As you walk your own journey, keep your eyes open, listen well, and if you look real hard, you just might find an angel on your shoulder." Those words are from the last paragraph of the late Natalie Cole's autobiography, Angel On My Shoulder published November 2000,...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 103: Queen of Angels by Greg Bear
by MHill | Apr 26, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Rereading Series, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Queen of Angels by Greg Bear has been a book I've wanted to read for years. I've seen it at used bookstores and bought it several times intending to read the book but never get around to it until recently. Queen of Angels is an ambitious, thought-provoking...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 102: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
by MHill | Apr 26, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
When I heard that Ray Bradbury had passed in 2012, I realized that I had never read any of his books. Wow, that surprised me. Well, in honor of his passing, I decided to read his most popular and enduring work, Fahrenheit 451. “Do you know why books such as this are...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 101: The Opposite of Art by Athol Dickson
by MHill | Apr 22, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
The Opposite of Art is the story of the genius artist, Sheridan Ridler, who is known for painting nudes without faces. Ridler gets quite a reputation in the art world as a cad to the ladies and an arrogant jerk to everyone else that comes in contact with him. Well, he...