Today is the legendary jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter's 89th birthday. Many in the jazz community and music at large consider him the greatest saxophonist post-Coltrane and one of America's greatest composers. For nearly seven decades, Wayne Shorter has composed...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 113: Erasure by Percival Everett
by MHill | Aug 19, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Marion's All-Time Favorite Novels, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Percival Everett is a writer I have wanted to read for some time. I have come across online articles and social media posts over the past year about his work. Well, I finally did a Goodreads search on his books and chose Erasure for my first Percival Everett...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 112: Shine Bright by Danyel Smith
by MHill | Aug 15, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
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...
My 13 Year Old Daughter Is A Fan of In The Air Tonight by Phil Collins
by MHill | Aug 1, 2022 | Marion's Favorites, Music Reviews, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
My soon-to-be 13 year old daughter, Norah, made an interesting comment yesterday as we were doing Saturday errands. I was trying to decide on what music to play in the car as we drove around town. “Daddy, why you don’t you play Phil Collins?” she said. “Phil Collins,”...
Marion’s Favorites: Bad Vegan (Netflix Documentary)
by MHill | Jul 25, 2022 | Marion's Favorites, Movie Reviews, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
There have been very few television shows that kept you speechless while watching it. I could think of seeing the twin towers in NYC destroyed on 9/11, the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion, and the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles as events I've seen on television...
Rereading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
by MHill | Jun 29, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Marion's All-Time Favorite Novels, 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...
Happy Birthday Miles Davis!
by MHill | May 27, 2022 | Marion's Favorites, Music Reviews, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Today would have been Miles Davis' 96th birthday. I've been listening to his music over the past couple of days. Considering the week that we've had as a country and on a personal level, Davis' music has become a balm. Songs like the classic So What & Freddie...
Marion’s Favorites: Reading Envy Podcast (Rest In Love Jenny Colvin)
by MHill | May 25, 2022 | Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Reading Envy/Jenny Colvin, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
When it comes, it comes. I found out earlier today about the passing of librarian and podcaster Jenny Colvin. She passed away last week at 43. Jenny was the host of the popular Reading Envy Podcast. She was a librarian at Furman University in South Carolina. Jenny had...
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...