In her latest novel, The Irresistible Henry House, Lisa Grunwald tells the life story of Henry House, a young orphan who was a “practice baby.” In the early part of the 20th century, colleges and universities across the US used real children to teach mothering skills to young … [Read more...] about Donna Brown Agins Reviews “The Irresistible Henry House” by Lisa Grunwald
Books
“The Queen’s Lover” by Vanora Bennett Reviewed by Pamela Lear
Historical fiction, with a healthy dose of romance, “The Queen’s Lover” by Vanora Bennett is a story of 15th-century France and England, set during the Hundred Years War. It follows the life of Catherine de Valois, who became Queen of England and then Queen Mother of Henry VI. … [Read more...] about “The Queen’s Lover” by Vanora Bennett Reviewed by Pamela Lear
Julie Buxbaum on “After You” and “The Opposite of Love”
We became fans of Julie Buxbaum after reading her first novel, "The Opposite of Love," and reinforced our status with "After You." Both of her books deal with grief in one form or another but they're so funny and warm, they become uplifting stories of beginnings rather than … [Read more...] about Julie Buxbaum on “After You” and “The Opposite of Love”
midge raymond talks about “forgetting english”
Even if you're staying home this summer, Midge Raymond's Forgetting English will make you feel like you've been on an amazing journey around the world while, miraculously, keeping you grounded on familiar emotional terrain. These universal stories are so beautifully written, … [Read more...] about midge raymond talks about “forgetting english”
Shira Tarrant Reviews “Mennonite in a Little Black Dress” by Rhoda Janzen
I have to admit: What drew me to Rhoda Janzen’s memoir, Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, were my own memories of Quaker boarding school and the day that our Mennonite classmate, Romy Flichenbacher*, showed up for the first day of class. Romy came riding up the long country … [Read more...] about Shira Tarrant Reviews “Mennonite in a Little Black Dress” by Rhoda Janzen
Jeanne Becker Reviews “The Postmistress” by Sarah Blake
Full disclosure: World War II is my era. I have a natural affinity for it. My daughter is certain she was born in the wrong time, having missed out on the Summer of Love in the '60s and soaks up everything she can about the time when the times they were a changin'. My … [Read more...] about Jeanne Becker Reviews “The Postmistress” by Sarah Blake
Have 10 minutes?
Read the introduction to Laura Vanderkam’s life-changing book, “168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think,” and start making over your attitude toward time. We’ll be featuring this book in detail – including a Challenge with the author herself -- down the line but just … [Read more...] about Have 10 minutes?
“Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History”
We cheer every time we see these words on a t-shirt, so we were thrilled to learn the origin of the quote in a new book named after it. Historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich -- author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning "A Midwife's Tale" -- coined the expression in a scholarly article … [Read more...] about “Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History”