Samuel Andresen-Anderson is a complicated man. An English professor at a small college, video game enthusiast, and failed author, he has a penchant for getting himself into morally ambiguous situations. He also has a habit of ruminating on where it all went wrong, which he can pinpoint to an exact moment in time: the day his mother abruptly abandoned him as a child. So … [Read more...]
Career, Marriage, and DC Politics Crash Together in ‘The Hopefuls’
I recently revealed that I'm running for office, so it's no surprise that a book about two young hopefuls moving to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career in politics would intrigue me. Plus, The Hopefuls is by Jennifer Close, whose book, The Smart One, was one I thoroughly enjoyed. Unsurprisingly, I quite enjoyed this one, as well.The Hopefuls follows Beth and Matt, two … [Read more...]
‘The Girls’ and the Allure of Teenage Rebelliousness
Fifteen years ago I read Helter Skelter, the comprehensive book detailing Charles Manson, his followers, and the horrific murders they committed. I remember reading it when my parents were out of town - racing through the pages all through the night and sleeping during the daytime because I was afraid to go to sleep under the cover of darkness. Some of the most haunting … [Read more...]
‘Dear Fang’ – A Story of Mental Illness and Human Nature
I started reading Dear Fang, With Love by Rufi Thorpe after it became increasingly popular in my Twitter feed. I didn't know what it was about but after reading the synopsis, I knew I had to pick it up (and invite the author to join in #30Authors!). In short, it's about a girl named Vera, the daughter of Lucas and Katya. They had her at a very young age and Lucas wasn't around … [Read more...]
Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas
Since being released late last year, Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas has made quite a splash. In addition to the book, it has become an award-winning movie - one that I saw not long ago. Having seen the movie, I thought I knew what I was getting into when I finally decided to pick up the book but I soon learned that the movie did not do justice to it (as is usually … [Read more...]