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book reviews

Hild

Middle Ages, Lots of Pages Author: Nicola Griffith If you’re one of those readers who enjoys grumbling about anachronisms and sloppy writing in historical novels, then Hild is the book for you. Or maybe it’s not, because there won’t be anything to find fault with in this vibrant, painstakingly detailed portrait of life in Britain in the Middle Ages. Seattle-based author Nicola Griffith depicts a complex and deeply unfamiliar setting — we’re talking Beowulf times here — in her imaginative reconstruction of the young life of the woman who would become St. Hilda of Whitby. Middle Ages Britain is, if [...]

2016-12-31T17:55:31-07:00February 24th, 2014|Tags: , , , , , |

Freakin’ Fabulous on a Budget

Frugal and Fabulous Author: Clinton Kelly I’m a big Clinton Kelly fan from the “What Not to Wear” days, so while I knew from the show that his fashion judgment was sound, it was a pleasure to read his first guide to entertaining, Freakin’ Fabulous, and realize that we are kindred spirits on matters ranging from thank-you notes to hostess gifts to the importance of proper grammar. Since I’m also a thrifty soul, I was excited to hear that his follow-up book was called Freakin’ Fabulous on a Budget. What kinds of magical, money-saving secrets of fabulosity would Clinton teach [...]

2016-12-31T17:55:45-07:00November 17th, 2013|Tags: , , , |

Cold Tuscan Stone

Under the Tuscan Stone Author: David Wagner To be quite honest, I’m not a huge fan of mysteries (other than cozy mysteries with silly titles, of course). But a mystery novel that’s really a travelogue in disguise? Now we’re talking. In Cold Tuscan Stone, murders and abductions often take a back seat to a detailed description of a really fine meal — which is just fine with this carb-hungry reader. Rick Montoya, American-born but of Italian descent, has just relocated to Rome to work as a translator. Despite the profound cultural differences, he’s enjoying his new surroundings when his old [...]

2016-12-31T17:55:48-07:00November 8th, 2013|Tags: , , , |
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