To get myself in the spooky way, this October I piled on the scary books. Though I am sure these selections may be considered only mildly creepy by some, to me, they are chilling. They are all under 300 pages, written by women, and perfect for a light, literary fright.
Read MoreJane Austen’s final completed novel, Persuasion, is often ranked by fans near the top of their list. But on my most recent re-read to prepare for the upcoming Netflix adaptation (July 15), I realized upon completing it that my dissatisfaction could not be shaken. My recent read left me with three reasons Persuasion no longer ranks at the top of my Austen list.
Read MoreHigh school reading lists are the subject of debate, outrage, and, frequently, chagrin. Everyone from teachers to preachers to parents to politicians have strong opinions on what teenagers should or should not be required to read in school. Rather than haggling about titles and content, students want to know two things:
How long is the book?
Is it remotely interesting?
Though I have always held devoted reader as a defining part of my identity, truth be told, in recent years I have allowed the demands of life to steal away this part of me. In October 2019 I cast a line to see if I could find anyone willing to read a book along with me and just like that a book club took root. The next year brought me up to 12 books and this time last year I resolved to read 24 books in 2021, partly wondering (with a house rehab and later a wedding to plan) if I had it in me. The ebb and flow of life still knocked me about a bit, but I still fought to find time for this thing I love. Some months I read 2 or 3 and others I read none. In the end I fell short of my goal, but I am so grateful that I made it as close as I did!
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