OK, I will admit it: I am fascinated with the British royal family. Not nearly as much as some–I never watched the weddings, for instance, not for lack of interest, but because I really don’t have time–and I’ve never bought a magazine with a royal on the cover. After reading Spare, I’m glad of that…
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“Wicked,” Gregory Maguire
“Wicked” is a cultural phenomenon, and with a few exceptions (Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter), I am terrible at keeping up with cultural phenomena. I tried to read it a few years ago and found the early chapters too… let’s call it “earthy”… for my comfort. I don’t know the musical, either, despite being a…
Read MoreThrowback: A Tangled Web
I have loved the Anne and Emily books since the first time I read them, but it took me until now to read this late work of Lucy Montgomery’s. In all her books, she creates a community of vivid characters, all of them quirky and none of them very in tune with their own emotions.…
Read MoreBook Review: Bloomsbury Girls
I thoroughly enjoyed The Jane Austen Society, so I have been looking forward to Bloomsbury Girls. Natalie Jenner did not disappoint! Bloomsbury Girls extends the world of The Jane Austen society, pulling some of its characters into a London bookshop in 1950 and tossing them into the mix with a host of other colorful characters.…
Read MoreGifts for Readers
2020 has been a reading year for me–more great books than I could possibly share. But I thought, since it’s gift-giving season, I’d share six of the books that have really stuck with me from my reading this year. How To Walk Away (Katherine Center) is a gorgeous, hope-filled, uplifting story that follows a woman…
Read MoreMerchants In The Temple
When I was offered a copy of Merchants in the Temple: Inside Pope Francis’ Secret Battle Against Corruption In The Vatican, I was hesitant to accept it. But I decided that if there was something about my Church I ought to know, then I shouldn’t bury my head in the sand. It is no stretch…
Read MoreA Visit With Barbara Claypole White, author of THE PERFECT SON (with giveaway!)
On Friday, I shared my review of Barbara Claypole White’s book, THE PERFECT SON. Today Barbara has graciously agreed to a Q & A.–and a giveaway! Use the combox to ask a question or post a comment and you can be entered to win a copy of the book! Barbara, tell us a bit about about THE PERFECT…
Read MoreBook Review: THE PERFECT SON
This year I’ve been volunteering with the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as a host for the “women’s fiction cafe,” which is done on Facebook. Instead of asking everyone to read a book in advance and discuss it, this is a chance for authors to stop in and give people a taste of the book, its…
Read MoreOrganized Simplicity (and 7QT)
Yesterday morning I hired a sitter so I could go someplace offsite and dig into writing without being interrupted by children bashing each other , wailing over toys being taken, or making epic messes. Example A: Nicholas is beating on the box to Alex’s toy using a stick. This annoys Alex, who decides the best…
Read MoreCatholic Family Fun (TLL Blog Tour Finale)
It’s the last day of my blog tour, and guess what? I’m going to do something different! If you’ve been around my blog for a while, you have seen several reviews of books by Sarah Reinhard. Sarah and I are both write-at-home Catholic moms writing resources to help parents raise kids with a vibrant faith.…
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Kathleen M. Basi 