Many thanks, Zohar, for having me over today! There are millions of readers in the world, and the ever-present question on the minds of each one of them is, “What should I read next?” It’s a hard question to answer in a general sense, because every reader has different influences, interests, and literary turn-offs that tumble around in their reading brains until they all come together, point at a book, and say, “THAT ONE!” I can’t speak for every reader, but I can talk about the various ways I come to my reading choices. I’m betting at least a few of these are pretty common motivations. The Love at First Sight Book I’m in a bookstore, and a pick up a book off the shelf—idly at first. Maybe I liked the cover, or the title, or something about it seems vaguely familiar. I read the back cover, and if I like the description, I open to page one. Then I realize I’ve been standing in the aisle for like 20 minutes reading this book, and there’s no way I’m putting it back. It will be mine! I’ll fight for it if I have to, because I need to read the…

Once more Tolstoy shows his disdain for Russia’s upper class. Even with the invasion going on, the capital battered and people suffering Russia’s elite society still lives as if their gatherings are of utmost importance.

As you know I love my Dr. Seuss fun facts, I wrote a post several years ago which, due to the great positive responses I got, started my Fun Facts Friday posts. March 2 is the birthday of this wonderful author so I hastened to find some more fun facts about this fun guy. A line in Horton Hears a Who! was used by pro-life (that’s anti-abortion for my international readers) as a slogan. The line was e “A person’s a person, no matter how small”. We don’t know if that was Seuss’ intention, however he did threaten to sue the group if the didn’t remove the slogan from their letterhead. In the 40’s and 50’s there was a series of books which taught kids how to read, the books were published by Loganberry Books and were called the Dick and Jane primers. Dick and Jane lived in a nice, clean, sanitized suburbia and were very popular. Dr. Seuss however thought they were boring and wrote The Cat in the Hat. A few months after the Watergate scandal a book called Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! was published. Many thought that the book was about disgraced President Richard Nixon, however it’s highly unlikely that…

Japanese writer Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (1 March 1892 – 24 July 1927) had a short life, but made a huge impact on his native Japan. He committed suicide at age 35 by overdosing on barbital (a drug used for sleeping). The Akutagawa, named after the author, is Japan’s top literary award. Ryūnosuke means “son of Dragon” because he was born on the day, month and year of the dragon. From an early age Akutagawa was interested in classic Chinese literature. Akutagawa’s First High School class of 1910 produces at least 5 prominent Japanese authors ( Kan Kikuchi, Kume Masao, Yamamoto Yūzō,Tsuchiya Bunmei and Akutagawa) Akutagawa is known as the “father of the Japanese short story.” Akutagawa’s first short story “Rashōmon” was published in the literary magazine Teikoku Bungaku (“Imperial Literature”) around 1915. Akutagwa also wrote haiku under the pen name (haigo) Gaki Famed Japanese author Haruki Murakami wrote the introduction to Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories which was translated by Jay Rubin. Two of the stories Rubin successfully translated, Chugi” (“Loyalty”) and “Negi” (“Green Onions”) were considered impossible to translate by Akutagawa scholars. Akutagawa was suffering from hallucinations and fears that he had inherited his mother’s mental illness. Zohar – Man of la Book

Post firs published as Guest Review From Man Of La Book: “The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers” by Thomas Fleming on http://twofistedreader.com About: The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers by Thomas Fleming is a history book which tells about the lives of six famous men from the perspective of their relationship with the women in their lives. I do love books which tells us more history from the “trenches”, after all, there are very few big events which aren’t made of small, personal moments. Buy this book in paper or electronic format. Thoughts: The Intimate Lives of the Founding Fathers by Thomas Fleming is what one might call “history light”. While there was no new information revealed in the book, it is a wonderful introduction to more serious works which deal with the Founding Fathers, their policies and how the relationships with other influenced their work (which still has ramifications to this day) and their policies. Mr. Fleming does not view the Founding Fathers as untouchable historical figures, but as men of flesh and blood who lived, loved, laughed, hurt and gotten hurt. The author’s research is excellent and his writing style is enjoyable. Those who only learned…

For an interesting book that can suck you in, “Ghostman” by Roger Hobbs can easily eat any available time you may have. If you like crime stories, this novel involves the classic casino heist with an added twist. The heist doesn’t really go as planned and a man simply known as ‘Jack’ is called upon to help. It’s a fun novel that has everything you could want in a crime story, and Roger Hobbs delivers a well written and hard to put down book. Buy this book in paper or in elec­tronic format* 1. Flashbacks – The book is written using a style of flashback that is easy to follow. These glimpses of the past happen five years prior to the current events of the novel and could stand apart from the book itself. Many times, authors try to engage the reader with character building flashbacks that usually end up confusing them. That confusion is simply not present in “Ghostman.” 2. Unique Characterization – The character of ‘Jack’ is developed very well and is easy to visualize. Being a master of disguises, ‘Jack’ can change his appearance to become virtually anyone he wishes. Roger Hobbs has done a masterful job at detailing these…

Article first published as Book Review: Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 by Madeleine Albright on Blogcritics. About: Prague Winter: A Personal Story of Remembrance and War, 1937-1948 by Madeleine Albright is a non-fiction book in which the author talks about the years mentioned from her perspective. Somewhat personal, adventurous and moving, this memoir takes the reader on a European history lesson which is not often told. The pub­lisher is giv­ing away one copy of this book –to enter fill out the Raf­fle­copt­ter form at the end of the post. 480 pages Publisher: Harper Perennial Language: English ISBN-10: 0062030345 My rating for Prague Winter – 5 Buy this book in paper or in elec­tronic (Kindle enhanced with audio) format* More Books by Madeleine Albright More Rec­om­mended World War II books on Man of la BookStore Thoughts: “”There is not deeper cause for despair than malicious hope (Hitler proved that), and few traits more valuable than sadness and anger at suffering. The distinction that matters is not whether a story concludes happily but whether there is at its core an affirmation that life has meaning. That is why this book of remembrance and war will end in hope.” My grandfather was born in Bratislava, a city in Czechoslovakia….

Two goats are rumbling through the trash at the back of the MGM lot in Hollywood. One of them, eating a reel of film, looks up and says: “This movie is good”. The other one, eating paper, replies: “You should try the book”. The movie industry has always looked for literature for inspirations, non-fiction, novels and comic books have all helped Hollywood make quality features and bring the stories to the masses. This year is no exception, many movies are from well known best sellers. Unforgettably I haven’t gotten to see any, but if you liked the movie, give the book a try. Life of Pi (paper | electronic) Director Ang Lee adapted Yann Martel’s Life of Pi even though the movie was was known as “unfilmable”. The movie was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay), Best Cinematography, Best Music (Original Score), and Best Music (Original Song). Les Misérables (paper | electronic) Victor Hugo’s classic is nominated in six categories (among them Best Picture and Best Actress). The book shows Paris in its grittiness during the tryng times of the French Revolution. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln (paper | electronic) Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book inspired Steven Spielberg to direct Lincoln. Even though the movie is only a small part of the book, it shows Lincoln’s way…

On this day in 1819 James Russell Lowell (d: 12 August, 1891) was born in Cambridge, MA. Mr. Lowell was a poet, critic editor and even a diplomat. Works by James Russell Lowell Lowell attended Harvard at age 15. He was known as a troublemaker and wrote: “During Freshman year, I did nothing, during Sophomore year I did nothing, during Junior year I did nothing, and during Senior year I have thus far done nothing in the way of college studies.“ For his first attempts at poetry, Lowell wrote for the Harvardiana literary magazine (which he also edited). He freely admitted that his poems were bad and said that “I was as great an ass as ever brayed & thought it singing.” Even though he was elected “class poet” (1838) he was not allowed to read a poem on Class Day since he was suspended. Lowell did graduate from Harvard and not knowing what to do he decided to practice law. Lowell married Maria White, a sister of a Harvard classmate, who persuaded him to become an abolitionist. The Lowells had 4 children, however only one lived past infancy. Lowell grieved over his children and particular his first born, Rose,…

Article first published as Book Review: The Thief of Auschwitz by Jon Clinch on Blogcritics. About: The Thief of Auschwitz by Jon Clinch is a fictional book telling of a family’s struggle to survive. Mr. Clinch’s previous books, Finn and Kings of the Earth won awards and commendation from around the country. The pub­lisher is giv­ing away one copy to two winners of this book –to enter fill out the Raf­fle­copt­ter form at the end of the post. My rating for The Thief of Auschwitz – 5 Buy this book in paper or in elec­tronic format* More Books by Jon Clinch More Rec­om­mended World War II books on Man of la BookStore Thoughts: The Thief of Auschwitz by Jon Clinch (website | Facebook | @jonclinch) is a fascinating and well written book. Even though short, Mr. Clinch is an excellent storyteller presenting a beautiful story and tight page-turner. The story portrays a Jewish family trying to stay sane in a world gone mad. The family is trying to salvage a bit of civility wherever they can in a place that could on be described as hell on earth. The story doesn’t have many twists, but several convenient plot points which, although a bit too convenient are central to…