The Cloisters by Katy Hays My rating: 4 of 5 stars Genre: Fiction, Mystery Hardcover, 320 pages Expected publication: November 1st 2022 by Atria Books The Cloisters is a strong debut from Katy Hays, who I hope continues to write more intriguing, atmospheric novels! Hays gives her readers a rich sensory experience by setting the story Read More
Self-Destruction
It’s amazing to me that, while our bodies possess hundreds of survival adaptations, we also carry within us tendencies to self destruct. Physiological and biological processes, along with instinctual behaviors, increase our longevity or help us adapt to changing circumstances. A flight or flight response is triggered when the body senses threat. Fat storage commences Read More
Weekend Book Review: I Am, I Am, I Am
Keeping with the theme of my earlier post on how death can bring about the opportunity to appreciate the beauty in life, I bring you a review of Maggie O’Farrell‘s memoir, I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes with Death. O’Farrell is the author of multiple international best sellers, including, Hamnet, Winner of the Read More
In Dying, We are Beautiful
Those that follow my blog know that I love to unearth life lessons from my gardens. Here is my latest observation. I have a few different varieties of agave in my cactus and succulent garden and recently, one took on a drastic change. These plants are special to me, because I collected them from my Read More
Weekend Book Review: Crossroads
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen My rating: 5 of 5 stars Genre: Fiction, Historical Fiction Edition Reviewed: Hardcover, 592 pages Published October 5th 2021 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux “It’s like there are these words, they’re out there in the world, and you start wondering what it would be like to say them. Words have their own Read More
Weekend Book Review: The Gospel of Wellness
The Gospel of Wellness: Gyms, Gurus, Goop, and the False Promise of Self-Care by Rina Raphael My rating: 4 of 5 starsGenre: Nonfiction, Health, Self-help Edition Reviewed: Hardcover, 352 pages Published September 20th 2022 by Henry Holt and Co. The Gospel of Wellness by journalist Rina Raphael is a much-needed close up look at the $4.4 Read More
Weekend Book Review: Memphis
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow My rating: 5 of 5 stars Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction Edition Reviewed: Hardcover, 252 pages Published April 5th 2022 by The Dial Press Memphis by Tara Stringfellow is the beautiful outcome of a poet-turned novelist. Packed with color, imagery, and figurative language, this is a story of three generations told Read More
Who’s in Control?
I come to you today, humbled, after having my grand plans for the month subdued by, you guessed it, Covid. My daughter came down with it the day after I declared my intention to awaken and join the world. Within days I found myself miserable and dormant. I am surprised at the extent to which Read More
September’s Word of the Month: Awaken
Washing dishes at the kitchen sink, mind wandering, my gaze falls on a healthy potted hydrangea offering up the last of its fading blooms. But this isn’t a sad sight; it’s amazing. I had long since given up on this plant, as the past few years all it could muster were a few leggy leaves Read More
Weekend Book Review: Bad City
A Deep Dive into Scandal Bad City: Peril and Power in the City of Angels by Paul Pringle My rating: 5 of 5 stars Genre: Nonfiction, Investigative Journalism Edition Reviewed: Hardcover, 304 pages Published July 19th 2022 by Celadon Books Upon reading Bad City by Paul Pringle, my first thought was that it might have better Read More