I’ve been reviewing novels on this blog since January 2011. Outside of publishing my Kammbia novels, writing reviews has been one of the most rewarding things I have done professionally. Writing reviews has clarified my thoughts about why I connect or not connect with...
Marion’s Sixteen All-Time Favorite Novels (Part Two)
by MHill | Nov 27, 2023 | Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
The number 16 symbolizes trust, intuition, balance, and leaning into your own wisdom. In addition, it’s a number that isn’t commonly seen on all-time lists, but I thought it was the right choice for my list of favorite novels. I just posted part one of my all-time...
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...
Intimacy……..What Is It?
by MHill | Jun 8, 2022 | Quotes, What is Love?, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
People think that intimacy is about sex. But intimacy is about truth. When you realize you can tell someone your truth, when you can show yourself to them, when you stand in front of them bare and their response is “you're safe with me“ --that's intimacy. Words of...
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 81: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
by MHill | Jul 15, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I spent a couple of hours last night reading this beloved book. The Alchemist told the story of Santiago, an Andalusian boy who travels to Egypt in search of his destiny. On the surface, it read as a simple story of the hero's journey told in a different package....
Wisdom From Kammbia Book Review 78: The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
by MHill | Apr 24, 2021 | 2021 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Marion's All-Time Favorite Novels, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
"The easiest thing in the world is to be yourself. The hardest thing in the world is to be yourself." Those two sentences were appropriate for one of the two major characters, Opal Jewel, in Dawnie Walton's excellent debut novel, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev....
Second Books In A Trilogy Or Series I Plan To Read In 2021
by MHill | Dec 30, 2020 | Wisdom From Kammbia Column
I have started to plan my reading year for 2021. I realized that I have read quite a few first books in a trilogy or series and had not read the second book. I usually don't read all the books in a trilogy or series right away. I don't know why but it's a quirky...
Marion’s Favorites: Marion’s Favorite Reads of 2020
by MHill | Dec 22, 2020 | 2020 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
2020 is mercifully coming to a close, and it has been probably one of the most challenging years that I can remember. A global pandemic. A contentious American presidential election. Big time celebrity deaths. So on and so on. Reading has been choppy. However, I...
Book Review 142: The Girl on Paper by Guillaume Musso
by MHill | Sep 12, 2018 | 2018 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books
I will admit that I'm a reader for story more than anything else. Beautiful wordplay and language is nice and interesting. I can appreciate technical craftsmanship. It doesn't mean I won't read challenging or difficult novels. But it must have a story at its core...
Book Review 141: The 6:41 to Paris by Jean-Phillippe Blondel
by MHill | Aug 31, 2018 | 2018 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books
One of my reading goals for 2018 and beyond is to read more translated fiction. Reading is one of those activities that can take you to another place, another culture, or another perspective with little risk to the reader. The only risk is a few dollars (if you buy it...