Can human beings live forever? Of course, we all know the answer to that question. One death per person. However, science fiction has tackled the immortality theme throughout its history as a genre and Robert Silverberg addresses it in several of his books during...
Book Review 113: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
by MHill | Jul 15, 2017 | 2017 Book Reviews, Haruki Murakami
I have slowly been indoctrinated into becoming a Haruki Murakami fan. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle will make the third novel I have read and reviewed for the blog and the excellent memoir, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. I will write that so far in my...
Book Review 111: The Woman Behind the Waterfall by Leonora Meriel
by MHill | Jun 24, 2017 | 2017 Book Reviews
Does a child have to carry the burdens of the parents' choices? Does a child have to take on the pain that a parent can not let go of? Can a child free a parent of the pain and burdens they have kept as a part of their identity? Those aforementioned questions came to...
Book Review 109: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
by MHill | Jun 10, 2017 | 2017 Book Reviews, Marion's Favorite Books
Are first impressions always true? Well, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman puts that aforementioned question to the test. Also, I believe this will be the first "get off of my lawn" novel that I have ever read. It is the story of a curmudgeon named Ove who has lived...
Book Review 104: Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving
by MHill | Apr 8, 2017 | 2017 Book Reviews
Sometimes you learn more about yourself as a reader when you read a book that gives you a myriad of feelings about it. Avenue of Mysteries by John Irving is such a book. The novel had me excited, disappointed, disdainful, and heartbroken throughout various stages of...
Wisdom From Kammbia 4.7: What 100 Book Reviews Has Taught Me
by MHill | Feb 17, 2017 | Wisdom From Kammbia Column
This blog post started out as two Facebook posts a few days ago and I decided that I want to expand on those original posts here. I posted my 100th review last week. My book reviews started out as a blog in 2011. I never thought I would have read and posted 100 book...
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 96: A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami
by MHill | Oct 30, 2016 | 2016 Book Reviews, Haruki Murakami, Marion's All-Time Favorite Novels, 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 88: Independence Day by Richard Ford
by MHill | Jul 23, 2016 | 2016 Book Reviews, Book Reviews, Frank Bascombe Series, Marion's Favorite Books, Marion's Favorites, Marion's Reading Life Blog, Richard Ford, Wisdom From Kammbia Column
Does living through your "existence period" mean you are truly an independent human being? Richard Ford attempted to answer that question in Independence Day, the second novel in the critically acclaimed Frank Bascombe series. Last year, I reviewed The Sportswriter,...
Book Review 84: They Shall See God by Athol Dickson
by MHill | May 22, 2016 | 2016 Book Reviews, Athol Dickson, Marion's Favorite Books
I had mentioned in a previous review of an Athol Dickson novel that he was becoming one of my favorite writers. Dickson's ability to write suspenseful Christian fiction with literary quality merits wider recognition outside of the genre. They Shall See God tells the...