Book Shorts. Reviews in a Nutshell.
The Drowned.
The Drowned, by Booker Prize Winning author John Banville, is a mystery/thriller that will hold you until the last page. Set in the 1950s in a rural Irish town, and in Dublin, the investigation into a drowning and potential murder turns out to be much more than that. Suffice it to say, “It’s complicated.” Review by Barry Novick. Recommended!
Mornings at Blackwater Pond
Hummingbird’s Featured Poem for the New Year.
Mornings at Blackwater Pond. A poem by Mary Oliver that encourages us to follow our passions, to live life, and to become the person we choose to be. A message full of hope and encouragement for us all to be and do more.
Broken, Unbroken
Hummingbird’s Featured Poem.
Broken, Unbroken by Mary Oliver. Loneliness, broken people, broken hearts. Love can heal all that. This a beautiful poem full of hope. Perfect to read as we approach a new year. Curated by Lynda Bernard.
One Boy Told Me
Hummingbird Featured Poem.
One Boy Told Me. A “free verse” collection of a child’s quotes that build stanzas that communicate joy, curiosity, and the attempt to “make sense of things.” Naomi Shihab Nye is in command with this charming poem.
“Hope” is the Thing with Feathers
Hope is “perched in our soul—”
Emily Dickinson deftly uses a bird as a metaphor for “Hope.” Click through for a beautiful and classic poem.
The Second Coming
The Second Coming by William Butler Yeats.
“The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;…”
Written in 1919, was this foreboding? A moving, haunting poem. It will stay with you.
The News. Just Thinking Out Loud…
Just Thinking Out Loud…
Today, we are agreeing with Josh Hawley. We cannot abandon SNAP recipients. Time is running out.
When You Are Old
When You Are Old
A poem by William Butler Yeats about true love, love of that which is within versus love of superficial beauty. In later years, as beauty fades, will one regret overlooking the person that loves her “soul?” Curated by Lynda Bernard.
Book Shorts. Reviews in a Nutshell.
Notes to John.
Notes to John by Joan Didion. The insightfulness, transparency, honesty, and meticulous detail of Didion's writing is beyond compelling. Review by Sandra Novick.
The News. Just Thinking Out Loud…
Just Thinking Out Loud…
So, we have this “germ” of a concept. Every day we are astounded by the news that is reported. We have comments, questions, ideas about it! We decided to record them here, journal-style. OK then, ONWARD. Here we go! Today we were wondering about the $20 billion for Argentina.
Book Shorts. Reviews in a Nutshell.
Theft
The new novel, by Nobel Prize winning author Abdulrazak Gurnah, is a carefully crafted story about each of the three main characters finding themselves, despite and because of their complicated pasts. A joy to read and highly recommended! Review by Barry Novick.
Book Shorts. Reviews in a Nutshell.
Intermezzo
A beautifully written book by Sally Rooney, Intermezzo tells the story of two brothers grieving the loss of their father. They navigate a complicated relationship that is bolstered by their commitment to one another and love. Review by Barry Novick.