Monthly Archives: May 2011

In the Briar Patch, May 26-29

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Linda

Here in the briar patch, we’ve had lots of rain, thunderstorms mostly, punctuated by hot weather. And new books for summer reading keep rolling in, too.

Posted in The Briar Patch flora and fauna., Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments

From the days when a story was a story

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Linda

Bob Moyer enjoys new stories from an old favorite author, who died in 2007. By Robert Moyer WHILE MORTALS SLEEP. By Kurt Vonnegut. Delacorte Press. 253 pages. $27. Maybe it’s because we miss him.  Maybe it’s because the editor put … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary literary fiction, Short Fiction | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Red clay, bad blood

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Linda

Valerie Nieman is a seasoned journalist, a novelist and a poet. She uses all those experiences and talents to good effect in this, her third novel. Originally from western New York State, Valerie Nieman teaches writing at N.C. A&T State … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary literary fiction, Southern Fiction | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Watch out: Here comes Miss Julia

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Linda

Ann B. Ross of Hendersonville, N.C., is a delightful lady whom I’ve had the privilege of interviewing twice – once for the Winston-Salem Journal back in the 1980s when she published The Pilgrimage, a novel about two orphaned sisters traveling … Continue reading →

Posted in Mysteries, Southern Fiction | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Food for thought

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Linda

Paul O’Connor is on the road this summer, sampling high-quality beers, but avoiding meat. Before he headed west, he left some food for thought for the rest of us. Do not read this review close to mealtime if you still … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Nonfiction | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

In the Briar Patch, May 14-16

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Linda

It’s been rainy in the briar patch. Thank goodness for plenty of new books to while away the time. Outdoors, there are a few new wildflowers, but getting out into the woods and fields to see them hasn’t been easy. … Continue reading →

Posted in The Briar Patch flora and fauna. | Tagged | Leave a comment

Puritans: Authoritarians, reformers?

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Linda

Briar Patch Books presents a new reviewer, Chuck McGathy. The Rev. Dr. Charles McGathy, a retired Navy chaplain, is the pastor of the church where I am a member. Lately, he’s been leading thought-provoking seminars on the history of religion … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Nonfiction, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Back on the mean streets

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Linda

Bob Moyer has been reading Walter Mosley’s new series again – with pleasure. By Robert Moyer WHEN THE THRILL IS GONE. By Walter Mosley. Riverhead Books. 368 pages. $26.95 Leonid McGill makes only his third appearance in Walter Mosley’s new … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary literary fiction, Mysteries | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Wishnevsky a la Lincoln

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Linda

Steve Wishnevsky weighs in with a review that reminds me of a quote that’s been widely circulated as having been written by Abraham Lincoln when reviewing a book: “People who like this sort of thing will find this the sort … Continue reading →

Posted in Science Fiction/Fantasy | Tagged , | Leave a comment

In the briar patch, April 29-May 2

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Linda

There are ample new delights in the woods and fields of the briar patch these days, as well as in the arrival of more books for review.

Posted in The Briar Patch flora and fauna. | Tagged | Leave a comment