Category Archives: Books

Panning Dwight Garner’s Pan

Posted on August 21, 2025 by Kathy

Dwight Garner begins his recent New York Times review of Ron Chernow’s biography Mark Twain with this inelegant simile: the book “squats over Twain’s career like a McMansion.” McMansion typically connotes size, ostentation, and a lack of style. I’ll grant … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Weekend Editions | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The Movie’s as Good as the Book! (And Vice Versa!)

Posted on July 23, 2025 by Kathy

Self-described grammar nerd Ellen Jovin came to town last week with her husband, Brandt Johnson, and their film Rebel with a Clause. A large, appreciative audience at the Cleveland Institute of Art Cinematheque enjoyed the movie and the Q & … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Uncategorized, Wednesday Word | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Sym and Em

Posted on June 25, 2025 by Kathy

Yiyun Li’s recent memoir, Things in Nature Merely Grow, made it onto my book group’s (I should say, “one of my book groups’ lists”) 2025-2026 reading list, and I’ve been thinking about it in respect to a request to discuss … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Uncategorized, Wednesday Word | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

If Doggies Could Write

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Kathy

I learned recently that the GED test has dropped its poetry section, which used to be included in the reading portion, called Reasoning Through Language Arts. Which reminds me that my parents were amused, back in the sixties, at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Uncategorized, Wednesday Word | Tagged | 4 Comments

Fan Mail, Reversed

Posted on May 18, 2025 by Kathy

Circa September, 1976, I received an astonishing postcard in the mail. Its handwriting was unfamiliar, the postmark said “Bellingham, Washington,” and it was signed, apparently, by Annie Dillard, my favorite writer. Or certainly one of the top five. I knew … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Uncategorized, Weekend Editions | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Telling a True Story

Posted on April 10, 2025 by Kathy

Tricia Springstubb’s new novel tells a true story, only in fictional disguise. Her heroine Amber, a sixth grader, is smart but ordinary, cute but not gorgeous, and quietly funny. She has two best friends. Lottie is brainy, and Mariah is … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

More about Science

Posted on April 2, 2025 by Kathy

Hydrogen’s chemical symbol is H, and oxygen’s is O. This sensible state of affairs makes Chemistry 101 a little easier (for us English speakers) than it might otherwise be. The periodic table is not always so self-explanatory, however. You probably … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Uncategorized, Wednesday Word | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Hoarding and Other Family Secrets

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Kathy

I wrote this review for our area monthly paper, The Heights Observer, to spread the word about Deb’s book Lost Found Kept and to invite people to our talk together on Saturday. Comment below with your wisdom, insights, and difficulties … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, BPD-Related, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Woman’s Wit

Posted on February 16, 2025 by Kathy

Upon a friend’s recommendation (thank you, Doreen!), I read Judi Dench’s Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent. Over four years, Dench’s buddy and fellow Shakespearean thespian, Brendan O’Hea, interviewed her about all the Shakespearean roles she has played, numbering … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Uncategorized, Weekend Editions | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Dreamt of in Your Philosophy?

Posted on February 2, 2025 by Kathy

As it happens, I’ve been reading some excellent books and want to share them with you. I’ll start with two on the provocative topic of near-death experiences (NDEs). Sebastian Junger is probably best known for his 1997 book The Perfect … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Uncategorized, Weekend Editions | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments