fiction Archives

The Last Chronicle of Barset

“Money is worth thinking of, but it is not worth very much thought.” Author: Anthony Trollope In The Last Chronicle of Barset Anthony Trollope brings the Barsetshire Chronicles to a close with a stimulating scandal, an unexpected death, a forbidden romance, and a failed romance. What better way to close out a rousing Victorian drama? This time, Barsetshire is consumed with the case of a supposedly stolen check. The proud but impoverished Reverend Josiah Crawley has cashed a note for 20 pounds to pay his butcher bill. He believes this money was given to him by his friend, Dean Arabin, but [...]

Frances Carden2025-11-26T16:16:01-07:00November 26th, 2025|Tags: Anthony Trollope, Barset, Barsetshire, book review, classic, drama, fiction, read, reading, victorian|

One Beautiful Year of Normal

“We do not remember days; we remember moments.” – Pavese Author: Sandra K. Griffith August Caine is an escape artist. Her mother’s silent, steady paranoia, her insistence that August’s father’s killer was after them, kept them moving from place to place, living as ghosts with no connection, no normalcy, and nothing but fear and secrecy. Now, as an adult residing in Paris under a fake name, caring for her mother at an institution, August reflects on the only normal year of her life, the year when she stayed with her Aunt Helen. When there was love. When there were voices, and [...]

Frances Carden2025-11-24T15:50:28-07:00November 24th, 2025|Tags: book review, fiction, One Beautiful Year of Normal, read, reading, reviews|

Truly Madly Guilty

“Life was all about consequences.” Author: Liane Moriarty Clementine and Sam seem to have it all: a happy family, cute children, impressive careers. It’s suburban bliss. At least, it is to Clementine’s best friend/pseudo enemy, Erika. Erika and Oliver pretend to have it all together. Erika is precise, all-business, and yet vampiric in her neediness. The untold, not-so-surprising secret is that Erika wants Clemetine’s messy suburban life. She and Oliver have been trying for years to unsuccessfully have children, endless rounds of painful IVF leaving the couple hopeless and forlorn. On the outside, however, all is well. Clementine and Sam and [...]

Frances Carden2025-11-22T19:46:51-07:00November 22nd, 2025|Tags: book review, drama, fiction, Liane Moriarty, read, reading|