Tag: Book Reviews
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On Writing and Storytelling: When a Reviewer Truly ‘Gets’ My Story: Denise Longrie Reviews ‘Comings and Goings’
When a Reader Sees What You Meant to Say There are moments in a writer’s life that feel like exhaling after holding your breath for years. Reading Denise Longrie’s review of Comings and Goings was one of those moments. “The story is not a romance, but rather an enjoyable, insightful journey into empathy and the…
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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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Book Review: ‘Starring John Wayne As Genghis Khan: Hollywood’s All-Time Worst Casting Blunders’
Starring John Wayne as Genghis Khan: Hollywood’s All-Time Worst Casting Blunders By: Damien Bona Publisher: Citadel Press Year of Publication: 1996 Genre(s): Film, Film History, Humor 🎬 A Rollicking Ride Through Hollywood’s Casting Catastrophes What separates a “good” film from a “great” one? The answer is delightfully complicated. A truly great movie needs a sturdy…
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📚 Gratitude for a Thoughtful Reader: Thank You, Thomas Wikman
Thomas Wikman’s rating of Reunion:Coda: Every writer dreams of being seen—of having their work not just read, but understood. Since Reunion: A Story first found its way into readers’ hands in 2018, Thomas Wikman has been one of the most steadfast and insightful champions of Jim Garraty’s story. His latest review of Reunion: Coda—titled “The…
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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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‘Comings and Goings’: A First Review, A Quiet Smile
A First Review, A Quiet Smile There’s something surreal about seeing your work reflected back through someone else’s eyes—especially when those eyes are kind. Comings and Goings: The Art of Being Seen just received its first reader review, and I’ll admit, I’m still a little stunned. Not because someone read it (though that’s always a…
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Selling Stories, Writing the Next One, and the Art of Not Sitting Still
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Book Reviews, Books, Comings and Goings (Short Story), Creative Writing, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, Writing a First Novel, Writing as a CraftAfternoon, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Miami, Florida “Don’t wait for the muse. As I’ve said, he’s a hardheaded guy who’s not susceptible to a lot of creative fluttering. This isn’t the Ouija board or the spirit-world we’re talking about here, but just another job like laying pipe or driving long-haul trucks. Your job is to…
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Sunlight, Showers, and Storytelling: A June Morning in South Florida
Late Morning, Tuesday, June 10, 2025 – Miami, Florida Summer in South Florida is a study in contrasts—a daily performance where sunlight and shadow trade places with effortless unpredictability. For those of us who call this subtropical corner home, it’s a rhythm we know well: brilliant morning skies, the slow creep of humidity, and then,…
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Reflections on Reunion: Coda’s Complex Characters and Themes
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Blogging, Book Reviews, Books, Creative Writing, Kindle, Kindle Create (Publishing App), Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Life in Florida, Life in Miami (1972-2016), Life in Miami….Again, Personal Thoughts, Pooja (P.J.) Gudka, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, UncategorizedMidday, Monday, June 9, 2025, Miami, Florida Greetings from South Florida, folks! I don’t have much news today. It was laundry day for me, and even though I was a decent multitasker as recently as 10 years ago, I have trouble finding a suitable balance between household chores and writing. Maybe I wouldn’t worry so…
A Certain Point of View, Too 