Why Should You Read Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Reading Shakespeare's plays can be tough going, but they are relevant today as ever! 

Check out the above video to see why reading Macbeth is worth the read.

Memorable Meals in Literature

Interesting video about meals in literature!!

Happy Valentine's Day - 7 Novels About Love Triangles!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my blog readers! I hope you have a fabulous day today enjoying whatever you love doing... And of course spending time with loved ones as well!

I came across an article on Electric Literature titled, 7 novels About Love Triangles by Rheea Mukherjee. Love triangles make for an interesting topic for any novel or short story for that matter. 

Check out the 7 novels listed in Rheea Mukherjee's article and maybe you'll find your next read!

Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing Online!!

I had no idea that Margaret Atwood teaches an online creative writing class until I saw the above YouTube trailer!! There are 23 online classes taught by Ms. Atwood through Masterclass.

The above video trailer makes me want to enroll in her online class!

Are Textbooks Obsolete? Food For Thought!

I've never really thought about whether textbooks are obsolete or not before now. John Green's recent YouTube video about textbooks was really interesting. There's definitely some food for thought!

Black History Month - Spotlight - Harriet Tubman

I thought the above video was informative about Harriet Tubman's life. Now I want to read a book about her life that will give me a bit more detail.

The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander (DNF'd)

Paperback Edition

I enjoy reading historical fiction novels immensely. I also enjoy reading about the Romanov family/dynasty.  So, I was excited to read The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander, which I purchased from the FOL used bookstore in Carpinteria, California in November 2013. The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander is the third novel in the 'A Romanov Novel' series. I'd actually read the first two  historical fiction novels written by Robert Alexander in the 'A Romanov Novel' series  - The Kitchen Boy (which I loved reading) and Rasputin's Daughter (which was a disappointment).

I had high hopes for The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander. I wanted to love this novel. Unfortunately, I read 128 pages of The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander and decided to quit reading it altogether and move on to a more worthy book. The characters were one dimensional and flat. The writing in general felt slightly immature and juvenile to me. I felt this novel was written for a much younger audience perhaps? Let's just say I was less than captivated by my entire reading experience of The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander. Sadly for me, The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander could have been a stellar read.

Normally, I don't bother reviewing books I do not finish reading here on my blog. However, since I did finish reading more than a third of The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander, I thought I would share my feelings regarding what I did think of this novel and why I decided to quit reading it. 

Do any of you quit reading books that aren't holding your interest? What makes you quit reading a book?

Below is a book trailer for The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander that I discovered on YouTube in case you were wondering more about the plot itself.

I am giving The Romanov Bride by Robert Alexander a rating of 0 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Tangerine by Christine Mangan

I've read mixed reviews regarding Tangerine by Christine Mangan. The reviews have been so mixed that I wasn't sure I even wanted to read Tangerine despite the fact that it sounded like an intriguing/must read novel. However, when I came across the paperback edition of Tangerine by Christine Mangan at a Free Little Library in Solana Beach, California, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give it a try. After all, what did I really have to lose?

If you love psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators, two female protagonists, toxic female friendships, and a novel set in an exotic locale, then Tangerine by Christine Mangan may be the next novel you'll want to read!

Overall, I enjoyed reading Tangerine by Christine Mangan. I liked the alternating chapters featuring the point of view of either Alice or Lucy. Each alternating chapter added an element of suspense as Tangerine unfolded slowly. The storyline's tension slowly builds to reveal what the 'big secret' is between Alice and Lucy that ended their friendship in college. 

Additionally, both women appear mentally/emotionally unstable/damaged in some way throughout Tangerine. Alice is the most fragile of the two women and is easily manipulated, while Lucy is a strong, confident, independent, and manipulative woman. Do I dare write that Lucy seems to be a sociopath? 

Tangerine by Christine Mangan is multifaceted. It contains elements from 19th century Gothic novels/literature with references of Jane Eyre being particularly hinted at in Tangerine. There is also the focus on such "classic Gothic tropes as tyrannical husbands" (page 311, author's note). 

Additionally, Elle magazine is quoted as saying "Fans of The Talented Mr. Ripley will love this fast-paced thriller." I was also reminded of the unstable character Glenn Close played in the movie, 'Fatal Attraction', while reading Tangerine.

The city of Tangier itself plays a major role in Tangerine and can even be considered a character as well.

I enjoyed Christine Mangan's writing style very much and her way of describing characters, scenes, and emotions. I look forward to seeing what she writes in the future.

The epilogue for Tangerine was a bit of a disappointment though... It wasn't horrible, but I felt it could have gone out with a bang instead of the mild mannered way in which it did.

The following is a plot summary for Tangerine by Christine Mangan from Amazon:

The last person Alice Shipley expected to see since arriving in Tangier with her new husband was Lucy Mason. After the accident at Bennington, the two friends—once inseparable roommates—haven’t spoken in over a year. But there Lucy was, trying to make things right and return to their old rhythms. Perhaps Alice should be happy. She has not adjusted to life in Morocco, too afraid to venture out into the bustling medinas and oppressive heat. Lucy—always fearless and independent—helps Alice emerge from her flat and explore the country.

But soon a familiar feeling starts to overtake Alice—she feels controlled and stifled by Lucy at every turn. Then Alice’s husband, John, goes missing, and Alice starts to question everything around her: her relationship with her enigmatic friend, her decision to ever come to Tangier, and her very own state of mind. 

Tangerine is a sharp dagger of a book—a debut so tightly wound, so replete with exotic imagery and charm, so full of precise details and extraordinary craftsmanship, it will leave you absolutely breathless.

I am giving Tangerine by Christine Mangan a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Black History Month - Roxane Gay - Author Spotlight

In 2017, I attended the Bay Area Book Festival in Berkeley, California. I was able to see Roxane Gay speak live at this event, which was a dream come true for me. I enjoyed hearing Roxane Gay speak at this event... So it was fun to rediscover the above footage and watch it again.

Black History Month - Gwendolyn Brooks - Author Spotlight

Gwendolyn Brooks was an American poet, author, and teacher. Gwendolyn Brooks won a Pulitzer Prize for Poetry on May 1, 1950 for Annie Allen, making her the first African American to win a Pulitzer. 

Click on the above video link to hear Gwendolyn Brooks talk about and then recite her poem, 'We Real Cool'.