I was raised Catholic in a small town. There were half a dozen Catholic churches and as many Protestant ones. Most people I knew belonged to a church, with a few Jews and atheists who didn’t. I remember two things about my faith from these years – a kindly priest who comforted me after IContinue reading “Getting to G-d”
Tag Archives: books
15 at 50
I have a tendency to like but not love most books, the critics’ equivalent of an easy B. The competitive nature of the publishing industry ensures that most books have something going for them. As a writer myself I try to look for the good in others’ efforts. The odds are solid that I willContinue reading “15 at 50”
Stranger Things
I have read some peculiar things in books. It’s nothing I ever seek out. I am not a fan of horror or the macabre, where one might expect excesses. Instead everyday books – fiction, memoir, even theology – occasionally offer up some moments for pause. Here are five that have stuck with me: 1. AmyContinue reading “Stranger Things”
Legacies
My father passed away recently. He had an idiosyncratic and formidable personality that is hard to capture in words. In some ways, we were worlds apart. But one thing we had in common was a love of books and writing. My dad was rarely seen without a book, often a doorstop-size biography of a presidentContinue reading “Legacies”
Cheap Applause
Ten years ago, I submitted my first novel to several literary agents. I had worked hard on it – multiple drafts and revisions after feedback from half a dozen beta readers – and was proud of the final product. It was a thrill to get “full” requests – a second step after agents have readContinue reading “Cheap Applause”
Who Are You?
Recently a Twitter war erupted over the following rejection letter, which was sent to an author named Tallie Rose from a small publisher. The letter is remarkable for two reasons. First, based on a cold reading of a manuscript, the editor assumed that the author had no personal experience with the topics she was writingContinue reading “Who Are You?”
The Unreliable Journal
When it comes to journal excerpts in contemporary suspense, readers should be skeptical. Like the now expected unreliable narrator, journal entries are a device for the author to mess with perceived reality. The first time I encountered this was not in suspense but in literary fiction. In 2010, Louise Erdrich published Shadow Tag, a compellingContinue reading “The Unreliable Journal”
An Affair To Forget
My introduction to adultery was a very public affair. In the ’80s, rumors swirled that the fairy tale marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was on the rocks. There were allegations, a separation, and finally an interview in 1995 watched by millions. “I don’t want a divorce,” Diana said. “(But) there are three ofContinue reading “An Affair To Forget”
I Like Her, I Like Her Not
One of the open debates in current reading times – in everything from casual book club conversations to literary agent circles – is how unlikeable a protagonist can be. The old-school rules instruct us that a story centers around a hero who undergoes a journey from innocence to experience. The antagonist is a supporting character,Continue reading “I Like Her, I Like Her Not”
How To Date A Book
Of the recent trends with books and reading, few charm me more than the idea of going on a blind date with a book. Bookshops and libraries have embraced this idea, setting up hopeful readers with potential matches. All it takes is a willing heart and a short commitment of time. How does it work?Continue reading “How To Date A Book”
Books Smitten 