I have read a lot more short stories in the past year. I have always considered short stories the stepchildren of contemporary fiction. Novels are the alpha and omega for most contemporary fiction (literary & genre) readers. Novellas (short novels between...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 96: Black Titan by Carol Jenkins & Elizabeth Gardner Hines
by MHill | Feb 19, 2022 | 2022 Book Reviews, Black History Month, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
"Athletes and musicians who have made millions in their industries deserve our respect, but it is critical that blacks understand that our history, and our (often neglected) successes, run deeper than that. All children need to be made familiar with images and...
Icon #14
by MHill | Feb 6, 2022 | Black History Month, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog
Rocket learns a valuable lesson with the responsibility she has as a superhero and being Icon's partner. She asks Icon to attend a community event, but he cannot attend because his day job as a lawyer demands his attention. Rocket is frustrated with his duties as a...
Best Book Ever Podcast: Episode 83
by MHill | Jan 25, 2022 | Best Book Ever Podcast, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Octavia Butler, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
My second appearance on the Best Book Ever Podcast aired today. The host, Julie Strauss, and I discussed one of my all time favorite novels, Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. I have read this novel 3 times (when it first came in October 1993, then 10 years...
Marion’s 2022 Reading Challenge
by MHill | Dec 30, 2021 | Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I have seen quite a few reading challenges on social media in the few past days. A new year is coming and readers are posting their challenges on how many books they want to read in 2022. Or what types of books they want to focus on reading in the new year and so...
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...
Greg Tate (1957-2021) Rest in Love
by MHill | Dec 12, 2021 | Marion's Reading Life Blog, Nonfiction, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I just found out about the passing of Greg Tate, writer and cultural critic at the age of 64. I’ve only read a few of his written pieces over the years but these words below from the Pitchfork article, I read hit home: “Tate opened the door for those who grew up on...
All the Seas of the World Cover by Guy Gavriel Kay
by MHill | Dec 10, 2021 | Guy Gavriel Kay, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
One of my favorite novelists, @guygavrielkay posted on social media recently a cover release for his latest novel, All The Seas Of The World coming in May 2022. Kay’s brand of historical fantasy is thoughtful, intelligent, and unique to fantasy literature. All The...
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...
Can an all-time favorite book be reread?
by MHill | Nov 1, 2021 | Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Can you one of your all-time favorite books be read more than once and is still an all-time favorite? That's the question I've been coming to terms with after reading Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler for the third time recently. Parable of the Sower is on the...