Category: Book Reviews
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Book Review: ‘Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History’
Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our History Author: Kati Morton Publisher: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group Year of Publication: 2001 (Hardcover); 2002 (Paperback) Genre: U.S. History; American Presidents; American First Ladies; Biography A Departure from the Usual: A Thoughtful but Uneven Journey Through Presidential Marriages I rarely delve into books focused on politics or political…
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On Being Seen (Even When You Weren’t There)
📚 Comings and Goings Update We’re now up to three reviews (and one quiet rating) for Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen, and all three are graciously positive—resulting in a global average rating of 4.7 stars ⭐️. That’s a lovely surprise. The latest review comes from Jan Peregrine, who highlights the story’s…
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Book Review: ‘Greetings From Jamaica, Wish You Were Queer’
Greetings From Jamaica, Wish You Were Queer Author: Mari SanGiovanni Publisher: Bywater Books Year of Publication: 2006 One of my personal tenets: never trust back-cover blurbs. So when Mari SanGiovanni’s debut novel, Greetings From Jamaica, Wish You Were Queer, came with a bold “Warning: This Book May Have You Laughing Out Loud in Public,” I…
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Book Review: ‘Schindler’s List’ by Thomas Keneally
Schindler’s List (1993 Reissue) Author: Thomas Kenneally Publisher: Atria Books Year of Publication: 1982 (First Edition); 1993 (Movie Tie-In Reissue) Schindler’s List: Thomas Keneally’s haunting and unforgettable account of one man’s moral awakening amidst the unfathomable cruelty of the Holocaust remains one of the most compelling historical narratives of the 20th century. Published in 1982,…
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On Writing and Storytelling: What’s the Best Part of Being a Writer?
What’s the best thing about being a writer? Honestly, while I do cherish the creative side of writing—the thrill of shaping stories from nothing but ideas and turning blank pages or screens into worlds filled with believable characters and moments—there’s something even more rewarding: hearing from readers after a story finds its way into the…
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On Writing and Storytelling: Welcome to the Garratyverse
✨ On the Gentle Art of Being Seen: Reflections from the Garratyverse Sometimes the most powerful storytelling happens in the spaces between—between memory and longing, silence and revelation, thunder and comfort.That’s where Jim Garraty lives.That’s where these stories found their readers. Here’s what they’ve seen in him—and in the stories he carries. 🖋️ Reunion: A…
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What a Difference a Year Makes!
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Late Morning, Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Miami, Florida What a difference a year makes. On this date last year, I lived in rural New Hampshire, some 1,600 miles from where I am sitting now. It was a Tuesday, not a Wednesday, and spring felt more “real” there than here because the four seasons are more…
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A Milestone Worth Celebrating: My First U.S. Review for ‘Reunion: Coda’
Late Afternoon, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, Miami, Florida When you pour two years of dedication, passion, and no small amount of stubborn perseverance into a novel, there’s nothing quite like seeing it resonate with readers. On May 3, 2025, Reunion: Coda received its first U.S. review—and second overall—on Amazon, and to say I’m thrilled is…
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From Childhood Dreams to Grownup Reality: My Hopes and Aspirations for ‘Reunion: Coda’
Midday, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Miami, Florida “Write the book you want to read and can’t find.” – Ilona Andrews Writer’s Log: Stardate 2504.30 It’s been four weeks since I typed the last lines of the closing chapter in Reunion: Coda, yet I still can’t quite believe that I’m now part of the 3% of…
A Certain Point of View, Too 