reading
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The Captain’s Daughter by Jennifer Delamere + Author Q&A!
I enjoy it when historical fiction books are written in different settings. So many seem to take place during the Season or inside of country houses. Though these books are enjoyable, a different setting ensures that I will remember the story. The Captain’s Daughter by Jennifer Delamere provided a new setting. A good deal of…
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The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
After one month in its pages, I have finished The Pickwick Papers. It is part of my 2019 Classic Novel Challenge, one of the longer ones on the list. I’m unable to critique writing by my favorite author. How can I nitpick the gripping prose, the humorous twists and turns, the delightful poetry? I cannot…
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Netherwood by Jane Sanderson
Netherwood was a side read to space out my 2019 Classic Novel Challenge. Like The Lady and the Gent, it is historical fiction. Though they share a genre, these novels are delightful in their own ways. Netherwood is more sober than The Lady and the Gent. It’s the story of a widow named Eve and…
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The Lady and the Gent by Rebecca Connolly
Last week, I took a break from my strict 2019 Reading Challenge and searched for some historical fiction to provide a quick, happy read. Three books by Rebecca Connolly caught my eye, and in two days I had finished the first, The Lady and the Gent. The book did not disappoint; I was smiling by the time…
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Russian Magic Tales from Pushkin to Platonov by Robert Chandler
My third book in this year’s classic novel challenge, Russian Magic Tales, was a delight. I wandered dark forests, met evil stepmothers, learned riddles, and—happily—found the Russian mermaid, who draws travelers to death with her weeping. More interesting than the stories were the biographies of each featured author. Many lived dank lives, suffering illness and…
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The Story of King Arthur and His Knights by Howard Pyle
The second book in my 2019 classic novel challenge was The Story of King Arthur and His Knights. These stories were released in serial form for a children’s publication; they are characterized by their bold protagonists, as well as their focus on virtue and morality. It is not a novel, but a compilation of tales…
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The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
The first book I read for my 2019 reading challenge, The Mayor of Casterbridge, is compelling because of its characters. Though there are many, it focuses on a man named Michael Henchard, a man none of us would envy. It is the story of a mistake he made as a young man and how this mistake…
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The 2019 Reading List
In this post, I spoke about my New Year’s Resolution: to read 30 classic novels—or at least attempt to read them—in order to work through my bookshelf. Collecting books is a beautiful thing, but that’s only half the fun; the magic is in reading them! I said I would post my reading list when it…
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In Grief
The day the grand piano was tuned, no one remained to play it. When the carpets were cleaned, not a soul walked the halls. The lonesome house was being scrubbed to make space for new life—but wasn’t ready to let go. One could feel in the air a note from a lullaby never finished; it…
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Around the Literary World in a Year
A new year always brings with it pressure to come up with a resolution. Though setting goals often feels like a trend, I don’t like ignoring a clean slate. I don’t plan to do anything mind-blowing this year, but I know where I hope to be when roaring 2020 comes in. Writing-wise, 2019 will see…
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l’automne
Your bookshelves are empty. Outside, the leaves fall. We’re waiting through The saddest autumn of all. Your piano is sleeping— Too great for my hands. Still, I will play ‘Til my heart understands. I took home your paper To sketch out your face, But you have a smile That art can’t replace. The trees out…
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Owlhearted
I am owlhearted. I sing and then I rest On the highest shelf, on which I made a cozy nest. I am owlhearted. I slumber in the day. Fairies will come out at night, And that is when I play. I am owlhearted. You can’t deceive me, For it is not with my eyes, But…
Mariella Hunt & the Tearoom 