Tag Archives: Travel

A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout and Sara Corbett

American Literature

Synopsis: When she is kidnapped in Somalia by Muslim extremists, an aspiring photojournalist sends her mind to a peaceful “house in the sky” to keep her soul intact during the brutalities of her year-long captivity. Review: After reading A House in the Sky, when my older daughter said she wanted to go to “all the countries” and learn “all the languages,” I was like, “NOOOOOO!” Amanda Lindhout’s journey began with her insatiable wanderlust, as a backpacker for whom no country was too rough. She attempted…

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The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides

American Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: A semiotics-enthralled English major falls for a manic depressive scientific researcher, while being loved unrequitedly by a religious studies major for whom Mother Teresa is his last hope in a fruitless quest to find faith. Review: The best thing about The Marriage Plot is that it’s a fantastic story with characters that I connected with on a very deep level. Jeffrey Eugenides’s other two novels were good but didn’t fire up my emotions the way that this one did. Now that I’ve gotten that…

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Tapestry of Love by Rosy Thornton

British Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: After a divorce, Englishwoman Catherine moves to a cottage in the rural Cevennes mountains in France, facing challenges as an outsider at a crossroads in her life. Review: Tapestry of Love is a charming novel that makes you ache to visit the Cevennes mountains. The descriptions of the landscapes and the food and the culture are just so evocative. It’s a near-perfect example of this kind of book. Rosy Thornton’s storytelling is languid and endearing, making this a most relaxing read of the best…

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Drawn to the Land: The Romance of Farming by Elizabeth J. Cockey and Barton M. Cockey

American Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: An illustrated look at the farms of upstate New York. Review: Drawn to the Land is a lovely little book filled with portraits, in both paint and words, of several farms in upstate New York. I love a good road trip, and this book inspired me to plan a nice drive this fall. The paintings are all made from photos and have a softness to them that evokes the beauty of the region. Many thanks to Bridgeway Books for the review copy.

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