Tag Archives: nonfiction

Blue Nights, Joan Didion


There was a time, about 25 years ago when I thought Joan Didion was the best essayist around.   I thought she was a no-holds barred writer who was insightful and spot-on with her cultural commentary. At a certain point, … Continue reading

Posted in Books, criticism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

All my bags are packed


Arrivals. Departures. Lost bags. Small snack packages. Long lines. Great expectations and grand disappointments. All are covered in Alain de Botton’s short book, A Week at the Airport. Asked to spend a week as a Writer in Residence by BAA, … Continue reading

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , , ,

>Book Review: It Happened in Italy


>It Happened in Italy: Untold Stories of How the People of Italy Defied the Horrors of the Holocaust, by Elizabeth Bettina, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009. This was a selection for my book discussion group this month. I was intrigued by … Continue reading

Posted in Books | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

>On Partial Reading of ‘Good’ Books, and Spending Time Reading ‘Bad’ Ones


>I’m usually willing to ditch a book after reading about 1/3 if I don’t find it intriguing. My method for reading novels: If I’m doubtful that I want to finish the book, I’ll commit the scandalous act of reading the … Continue reading

Posted in Nonfiction | Tagged , ,