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by Emily Dietrich

December 17, 2016
by Emily
Comments Off on Indie, Quirky, and Forgotten Books for the Reader on Your List Who Has Read Everything

Indie, Quirky, and Forgotten Books for the Reader on Your List Who Has Read Everything

I figure some of you may not want the most recent, expensive hardcover new releases for the readers on your holiday list. So here are some of my recommendations. I love books, and I read a lot of them. Far from … Continue reading

October 15, 2016
by Emily
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It Had A Name: Second Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct

In 1974, my friend and I experienced our first criminal sexual incident. We were 11, just beginning 6th grade. We lived in a nice neighborhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan: trees and lawns and sidewalks for bikes, driveways for hopscotch, backyards with swing sets … Continue reading

August 1, 2016
by Emily
Comments Off on Love and Jazz in the Time of War

Love and Jazz in the Time of War

Esi Edugyan’s prize-winning novel Half-Blood Blues (Thomas Allen, 2011) tells the story of struggling African-American jazz musicians in World War II Europe. Her narrator, Sid Griffiths, is the heartsick drummer, hoping in 1992 to redeem himself from the events from 1940. Called … Continue reading

June 23, 2016
by Emily
Comments Off on Iron Tenderness in The Samurai’s Garden

Iron Tenderness in The Samurai’s Garden

Gail Tsukiyama created a world I have since needed to visit in her novel The Samurai’s Garden . I end up there when trying to cope with the hard news of another shooting or kidnapping and seeking calm, peace or escape. I … Continue reading