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The Insatiable Desire for the Written Word
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Melissa Gouty
Aug 2, 20236 min read
An Insanely Clever First Novel for Lovers of Language: The Liar’s Dictionary
Word-nerd delight Lexicography If you think that a book about lexicography, the making of a dictionary, would be boring, think again....
640
Melissa Gouty
Aug 1, 20235 min read
What Really Happens in Amor Towles' Novel, The Lincoln Highway?
Amor Towles' novel, The Lincoln Highway, involves a journey by four young kids and unexpected adventures - possibly even murder.
1,6950
Melissa Gouty
Jul 28, 20234 min read
Don’t Make the Same Foolish Mistake I Made! Read A Gentleman in Moscow
Don't let the title, A Gentleman in Moscow deter you. Not a political treatise nor a boring look at a hotel resident but a book about life.
10,8170
Melissa Gouty
Jul 17, 20235 min read
Should Authors Share Political Views? Lessons from The Ragged Edge of Night
Olivia Hawker's novel, The Ragged Edge of Night, presents a philosophical question for writers: Should authors share political views?
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Melissa Gouty
Jul 15, 20233 min read
Was There a German Resistance? Read the Novel, The Ragged Edge of Night
The Ragged Edge of Night gives insight into the German resistance to Hitler based on the true story of Olivia Hawker's grandfather-in-law.
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Melissa Gouty
Jul 4, 20233 min read
Word-Nerd Delight: Can You Pass This Quiz on 20 Words From Jane Eyre?
The novel, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, is packed with words you may or may not know. Can you pass this quiz over 20 vocabulary words?
1300
Melissa Gouty
Jul 3, 20235 min read
3 Things You'll Love in the Covenant of Water: Mysticism, Medicine, and The Magic of India
Abraham Verghese's novel, The Covenant of Water, enchants with mysticism, medicine, and the magic of India. Multi-generation and magnificent
5,7420
Melissa Gouty
Jun 16, 20234 min read
One Frightening Way to Ruin a Life: Make an Accusation of Witchcraft
Chris Bohjalian's The Hour of the Witch depicts the damage that false accusations can do. Historical fiction and legal thriller combined.
930
Melissa Gouty
May 3, 20236 min read
Four Favorite Books for Writers Sure to Energize The Creative Soul
To be a writer, you must write, but you also must read. Here are four of my favorite reads for writers, sure to energize your creative soul.
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Melissa Gouty
Apr 23, 20235 min read
Is It Good to Mix Genres? Horror, Fantasy, and the Western in Lone Women
Can a Western novel also be a horror story and a fantasy? Victor LaValle's novel, Lone Women, is a mashup of genres.
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Melissa Gouty
Apr 15, 20235 min read
The Reading List, a Novel: Can You Learn About Life by Reading Books?
The Reading List is a novel that touts the power of reading - and libraries - to ease grief, understand people, and make connections.
1,1900
Melissa Gouty
Apr 10, 20235 min read
Britt-Marie's Heartfelt, Age-Old Question: How Should You Live Your Life?
Fredrik Backman's novel Britt-Marie Was Here is a meaningful story at how one woman's surly presence changes the whole community of Borg.
2470
Melissa Gouty
Apr 7, 20235 min read
Do Book Blurbs Matter? Do You Really Need Them to Sell Your Book?
Book blurbs have been around since Whitman first used one, but do they really matter? Do you really need them to make sales?
1510
Melissa Gouty
Mar 30, 20233 min read
One Writer Celebrates National Pencil Day With Gratitude and Joy
March 30 is National Pencil Day. In honor of the simple little pencil that changed the world, one writer celebrates with joy and gratitude.
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Melissa Gouty
Mar 25, 20233 min read
A Different, Daring Way to Feel Blue: The Indigo Girl, a Novel
Natasha Boyd's historical fiction highlights the life of Eliza Lucas, a grower in colonial South Carolina called "The Indigo Girl."
4550
Melissa Gouty
Mar 16, 20233 min read
Why Readers of a Certain Age Will Mourn the Passing of John Jakes
John Jakes' historical fiction - made me - and millions of others - love the genre. He died, popularizing American history with his series.
422
Melissa Gouty
Mar 15, 20235 min read
How Classic Themes Ignite in a Remarkable Novel: The Stars Are Fire
Anita Shreve's last novel, The Stars Are Fire, infuses classic feminist themes into a novel about what women do when pushed to the edge.
410
Melissa Gouty
Mar 10, 20235 min read
Want to Experience Time Travel? Read the Novel, The Marriage Portrait
O'Farrell's novel The Marriage Portrait is like time-traveling to the Renaissance, cringing at the injustice of the life of Lucrezia Medici
1,6150
Melissa Gouty
Feb 28, 20235 min read
Can a Curmudgeon Warm Your Heart? Read The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry
Gabrielle Zevin's novel, The Storied Life of A. J. Firky is a touching tale of how books and reading have the power to draw people together.
8300
Melissa Gouty
Feb 15, 20235 min read
How to Punish Evil Men? The Searing Tale of the Lost Apothecary
Sarah Penner's debut novel, The Lost Apothecary, examines themes of motherhood and justice common in 18th century London and today.
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