Reading – ManyHatsBlog

Book Review: Lone Star

About Lone Star

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (November 24, 2015)

Falling in love was the easy part . . .

Chloe and her three best friends are weeks away from finishing high school and beginning their new grown-up lives apart from one another. They have been friends since they were kids, their families and lives intertwined, but this is their last summer together. They plan a magical trip to sun-drenched Barcelona, with its possibility of adventure and passion. But first, Chloe has an old family promise to keep, and the four of them must detour through historic Eastern Europe. Continue reading “Book Review: Lone Star”

Must-Subscribe-To Podcasts for Readers & Writers

Readers and writers, connect with your tribe! These podcasts are either on the subjects of reading and writing or hosted by writers! Continue reading “Must-Subscribe-To Podcasts for Readers & Writers”

10 ways to spot an undercover book nerd

Before I was comfortable sharing my book nerdiness with the world, I did my best to blend in with my less-than-literary surroundings. My “best” wasn’t all that great though. Even though my mom was aware that reading had been soothing my nerves and stimulating my mind since I was a toddler, the outside world had no idea. I spent much of my teenage years hiding my love of books. When everyone else was scoffing at the language and length of The Scarlet Letter, I was scoffing with them. Only I’d go home and pull out my copy of The Scarlet Letter and read it with a goofy grin on my face, underlining all my favorite old English phrases. Continue reading “10 ways to spot an undercover book nerd”

Book Review: All the Single Ladies

About All The Single Ladies

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (June 9, 2015)

Lisa St. Clair knows a thing or two about weathering storms. A dedicated nurse with a healthy sense of humor, she single-handedly raised her truculent daughter, Marianne, after her ex walked out on them twenty-four years ago, sending them a lottery ticket once a year as support. One day he reappeared and lured their daughter into a dubious but lucrative venture in Colorado. Now mother and daughter aren’t speaking. Continue reading “Book Review: All the Single Ladies”

On the Therapeutic Effect of Bookstores and Libraries

As an avid reader and writer, I find solace in bookstores and serenity in libraries. I find that if I’ve had a rough day at the office, a trip to the bookstore, perusing the shelves, flipping over books on the New Release table, gives me some comfort. Just walking through the doors of a local indie or the library (which I happily live a mere 4 blocks from) brings down my blood pressure. It got me wondering, why is it that the bookstores and libraries have such a positive effect on me? I’ve come up with 3 reasons: Continue reading “On the Therapeutic Effect of Bookstores and Libraries”

Book Review- Love and Miss Communication

Author: Elyssa Friedland

About Love and Miss Communication

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (May 12, 2015)

Evie Rosen has had enough. She’s tired of the partners at her law firm e-mailing her at all hours of the night. The thought of another online date makes her break out in a cold sweat. She’s over the clever hashtags and the endless selfies. So when her career hits a surprising roadblock and her heart is crushed by Facebook, Evie decides it’s time to put down her smartphone for good. (Beats stowing it in her underwear—she’s done that too!)

And that’s when she discovers a fresh start for real conversations, fewer distractions, and living in the moment, even if the moments are heartbreakingly difficult. Babies are born; marriages teeter; friendships are tested. Evie may find love and a new direction when she least expects it, but she also learns that just because you unplug your phone doesn’t mean you can also unplug from life. Continue reading “Book Review- Love and Miss Communication”

3 Reasons Why Real Life is Just as Interesting as Fiction

No, really. Sure, embarking on a land that exists completely in the writer’s head can be great. Fantasy worlds and people. Made up lands and problems. Fiction does a great job of reflecting the times, but nonfiction is where the authentic experience lies.

The imagination is ripe with creativity. But I have found, that the lives of real people— the memoirs and biographies and interviews and journalistic pieces— are just as fascinating. Sometimes more. Why? Because real life has just as many twists and turns as a good fiction piece. Here are a few reasons nonfiction is just as good as fiction: Continue reading “3 Reasons Why Real Life is Just as Interesting as Fiction”

Happy 90th Anniversary to The Great Gatsby

Gatsby is, and will always be, my favorite classic. Actually, The Great Gatsby is probably my favorite book of all time. Today, along with Simon & Schuster, we celebrate it’s 90th anniversary.

So what exactly makes Gatsby so great? Here are The Top 3 reasons Jay, Daisy, and Nick Carraway capture generation after generation: Continue reading “Happy 90th Anniversary to The Great Gatsby”

Obama Appoints James Patterson ‘Book Czar’ (Originally published on Shelf Awareness)

Ladies and Gentlemen! THE USA HAS A BOOK CZAR!!!

This information was originally published on Shelf Awareness, yesterday, April 1st. I do not own any rights to this information. I am simply sharing because this is enormous news to publishers and indie bookstores everywhere. Continue reading “Obama Appoints James Patterson ‘Book Czar’ (Originally published on Shelf Awareness)”

Review Fridays #12- What Comes Next and How To Like It

Author: Abigail Thomas

This New York Times best-selling author gives a witty, honest, hopeful memoir on matters of the heart. From the loss of her husband to changes in her relationship with her best friend to her daughter’s illness and the death of her beloved dog, Thomas covers it all. Continue reading “Review Fridays #12- What Comes Next and How To Like It”