112 Fabulous Russian Writers!!

During my college years, I was a Russian language major and took quite a few Russian literature courses as electives. I eventually graduated with a BA in Russian. I have a special place in my heart for Russian literature and Russian writers.

Earlier today, I was excited to discover an article on Russia Beyond's website titled, 112 Russian writers ranging from great, to absolutely freaking great by Alexandra Guzeva.

I wasn't surprised to find that Alexander Pushkin took the top spot at #1... He's the cream of crop as far as writers go and it would be difficult to top him! 

Leo Tolstoy, Fydor Dostoyevsky, Nikolai Gogol, Ivan Turgenev (one of my favorite Russian writers), Mikhail Lermontov (another favorite Russian writer of mine), Anton Chekhov, Maxim Gorky, Mikhail Sholokhov, and Boris Pasternak all landed in the top ten spots for best Russian writers. 

I must admit that I was a tad disappointed that Mikhail Bulgakov didn't make it on to the top 20 list of best Russian writers. His novel, The Master and Margarita, is a MUST read! In fact, I am way overdue for a reread of this Russian classic.

The best part is that I haven't read anything written by most of the Russian writers mentioned in the above article. In fact, many of them, I've never even heard before! So, I have a lot of Russian writers to read and review in the future.

Do you enjoy reading Russian literature? Do you have a favorite Russian writer or Russian novel?

Great News For These Debut Women Writers!!

Wow, spectacular news!! I learned today through an article on Bustle's website that The 2018 Finalists For The PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize For Debut Fiction Are All Women For The First Time Ever (article written by E. Ce Miller)! How cool is that?!

In the article, E. Ce Miller writes the following:

PEN America — the New York City-based nonprofit organization dedicated advancing both literature and human rights by defending free expression and championing writers in the United States and around the world — just announced the finalists for their 2018 Literary Awards today; and for the first time in PEN America history, the nominees in their Debut Fiction category are all women. How’s that for a list of female-forward fiction you’ll definitely want to add to your TBR pile?

PEN’s prestigious PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction was established to recognize a debut novel or short story collection that not only exemplifies some of the best of what fiction has to offer each year, but also as a way to bring attention to new work demonstrates great promise in a debut writer — so basically, we can’t wait to see what all these writers have in store for us next. And, definite added bonus, the award comes with a hefty $25,000 prize as well.

Check out the women authors that have made the list by click the link at the top of my post.

Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America edited by Samhita Mukhopadhyay & Kate Harding

Feminism Paperback Edition

I received an uncorrected, paperback edition of Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America edited by Samhita Mukhopadhyay & Kate Harding  through the Goodreads Giveaways program for Free!!

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America edited by Samhita Mukhopadhyay & Kate Harding.

I was really excited to read this feminist, nonfiction book when it arrived in the mail!! I am a feminist and I enjoy reading a wide variety of feminist works. I am not a Trump supporter or fan, so felt that it was important to read this timely collection of feminist essays. I found Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America to be an inspiring and empowering collection of essays to read as the essays highlight important topics/issues effecting women and minorities.

I enjoyed reading Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America very much. This anthology contains 23 essays, written by 23 diverse feminist writers, like Jill Filipovic, Katha Pollitt, Cheryl Strayed, Rebecca Solnit, Jessica Valenti, Sarah Jaffe, and many more.

My personal favorite essays from Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America include the following:

1. "Beyond the Pussy Hats" by Katha Pollitt
2. "Advice to Grace in Ghana: Trump, the Global Gag Rule, and the Terror of Misinformation" by Jill Filipovic
3. "The Pathology of Donald Trump" by Sady Doyle
4. "Nasty Native Women" by Mary Kathryn Nagle
5. "Farewell to Meritocracy" by Jamia Wilson
6. "Trust Black Women" by Zerlina Maxwell
7. "How to Build a Movement" by Alicia Garza

I pretty much liked all the essays included in Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America with one exception... The only essay I didn't care for was "Country Crock" by Samantha Irby.

The following is a basic summary for Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America edited by Samhita Mukhopadhyay & Kate Harding from Amazon:

When 53 percent of white women voted for Donald Trump and 94 percent of black women voted for Hillary Clinton, how can women unite in Trump’s America? Nasty Women includes inspiring essays from a diverse group of talented women writers who seek to provide a broad look at how we got here and what we need to do to move forward.

I am giving Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America edited by Samhita Mukhopadhyay & Kate Harding a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

As far as my 2018 reading goals go, Nasty Women: Feminism, Resistance, and Revolution in Trump's America is the 1st of 12 books I plan to read that I received for FREE as part of a giveaway.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Laminated Jewelry Made From Vintage Books

I love unique jewelry and I also love books... So when I came across an article on Colossal titled, Laminated Jewelry Crafted from Vintage Books by Jeremy May, I couldn't wait to check out the jewelry online. The pieces of jewelry are pretty nifty! What do you think?

Interesting Facts About The Thesaurus

I came across an article on Mental Floss titled, 10 Fascinating Facts About The Thesaurus by Suzanne Raga. I enjoyed learning more facts about the thesaurus and its history! Happy reading!!

How Voice Actors Bring Audiobooks to Life

I love listening to audiobooks, so I enjoyed watching Suzy Jackson talk about being a voice actor. I hope you enjoy watching this video too!

Practical Tips For Anyone Who Wants To Write A Book

Do you want to write a book? I know that someday I'd like to write a book and have it published. 

So, when I discovered an article on Buzzfeed's website titled, 16 Practical Tips For Anyone Who Wants To Write A Book by Gyan Yankovich, I couldn't wait to read the practical tips provided.

I really liked the sixteen tips suggested in Gyan Yankovich's article and need to begin implementing them if I am ever going to write that first novel. At least I'm already practicing one of the recommended tips of reading a lot of fiction if I want to write fiction.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr Day!!

Not only is it Martin Luther King Jr Day today, it is also King's birthday. Had Martin Luther King Jr not been assassinated almost 50 year, he would have been 89 years old today.

I must admit that other than learning the basics of Martin Luther King Jr's life as a civil rights activist... Like King's famous, 'I have a dream' speech, King winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and his assassination on April 4, 1968. I really don't know that much about his life... So, I am inspired to read more about King's life.

In an effort to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr's life, I've ordered a book titled, Why We Can't Wait by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plus, I've also ordered another book titled, Dear Martin by Nic Stone. I'm looking forward to reading both books.

I came across an article online via Bustle's website titled, Author Nic Stone's Letter To Martin Luther King Jr. Is A Reminder To Remember The "Disobedience" by Nic Stone. I enjoyed reading this article very much and found it to be informative and thought provoking.

The Kewpie Killer by Falafel Jones

eBook Cozy Mystery Novel

The Kewpie Killer by Falafel Jones is the fourth book I've read by Falafel Jones... In fact, I chose to read The Kewpie Killer by Falafel Jones because I enjoyed reading three prior novels written by the author.

The Kewpie Killer by Falafel Jones is a cozy mystery novel approximately 205 pages in length. 

I must admit that I wasn't overly impressed with the first chapter or two of The Kewpie Killer. I felt like the start of The Kewpie Killer was a bit rocky and I almost gave up on reading it. The storyline and characters just weren't grabbing my attention like they had in the author's previous novels. 

Additionally, The Kewpie Killer needs some minor editing work throughout the novel to make it a better read overall... However, with that said, the storyline, plot development, and characters were good for The Kewpie Killer. 

I did like the main characters of Raquel and Frank a lot. I am hoping Falafel Jones writes another mystery novel that will feature these two characters solving another murder case together and also further exploring their budding romance in more detail.

The Kewpie Killer by Falafel Jones also had a lot of twists and turns that kept the story interesting. This novel also kept me guessing as to who the real killer was... The ending had a real kicker of a surprise that I didn't see coming either!

The following is a plot summary for The Kewpie Killer by Falafel Jones from Amazon:

It’s hard to be a tough investigative reporter when Mommy owns the paper, you lose your apartment and you have to move back home. There’s also no solace in your social life when you own at least one bridesmaid dress for every friend you have. Just ask rookie reporter, Raquel Flanagan.

The night Raquel covers a carnival opening, a Bearded Lady of questionable gender finds a dead farmer planted next to a Kewpie doll. Both the farmer and the doll sport straw hats and overalls. Anxious to prove herself to Mom, who is a pathological perfectionist, Raquel locates reports of additional victims dead next to dolls that match their occupations.

At first, no one believes Raquel's theory that a serial Kewpie Killer exists. Then, Raquel meets and falls for Eddie Franklin, a cop working Kewpie Killings in Florida. Eddie can’t leave his job and Raquel's mom wants her to run the paper in New York. Raquel doesn’t know what to do. She still hasn’t found a place to live and now someone’s sending her Kewpie reporters with tape over the eyes and mouths.

I am giving The Kewpie Killer by Falafel Jones a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

As far as my reading goals go for 2018, The Kewpie Killer by Falafel Jones is the 3rd of 12 books I plan to read, which I obtained after May 2014.

Until my next post, happy reading!

50/50 Friday ~ Best/Worst Book Read in 2017

50/50 Friday is a meme hosted by Carrie @ The Butterfly Reads and Laura @ Blue Eye Books. This fun themed meme focuses on the opposite sides of books (best/worst, differing opinions, etc). Every week a new topic will give bloggers the chance to showcase their answers.

This week's topic is your Best/Worst Book Read in 2017! This is going to be a tough choice because I read 174 books last year and so many were great and so many were bad... How to decide which one is the best or the worst read???

I've chosen to focus on full length novels for my choices... Verses nonfiction and short stories!

My Best Reads For 2017

The Roanoke Girls by Amy Engel

(click on above link to read my review)

The Second Mrs. Hockaday by Susan Rivers

(Click on above link to read my review)

My Worst Read For 2017

Everblue: Mer Tales #1 by Brenda Pandos

(Click on above link to read my review)

So, share with me your best and worst read of 2017 in the comment section below!