Sadie Hartmann, affectionately known as Mother Horror to her devoted fans, has been making horror book recommendations for years through her social media accounts. She’s a die-hard Stephen King fan and she loves the classics of the horror genre. What makes Hartmann’s recommendations so unique, however, is that she doesn’t limit her scope at all. She lifts up unique voices and celebrates offerings from every … Continue reading Mother Horror 101
Novelists have many tools at their disposal to write their own indelible first drafts of history. And what better crisis to focus on than the Covid pandemic? Continue reading How Disasters Shape Great Fiction
If you enjoy fantasy novels you need to get your hands on V.E. Schwab’s The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and her Shades of Magic 3-book series; A Gathering of Shadows, A Darker Shade of Magic, and A Conjuring of Light. Continue reading V.E. Schwab Is Pure Magic
As the war continues to dismantle the lives of those in Ukraine, 70 authors have banded together to donate their stories to raise money to help Ukrainians. 100% of proceeds from their book, Sunflower Season for Ukraine, go to help those in need. Continue reading Authors Help Support Ukraine
Today I’m reviewing Carey Baldwin’s newest book, The Marriage Secret. But first, here is the back of book blurb: A completely unputdownable and twist-filled psychological thriller from USA Today bestselling author Carey Baldwin. He married me despite my darkest secret. But am I safe now that I know his? From the outside, my marriage to Zach was perfect: dream home, a perfect baby girl and … Continue reading Carey Baldwin’s Dark Marriage Secret
by Darryl Keeping Thousands of miles away from the small township of ‘Salem’s Lot, two terrified people, a man and a boy, still share the secrets of those clapboard houses and tree-lined streets. They must return to ‘Salem’s Lot for a final confrontation with the unspeakable evil that lives on in the town. While Carrie had some frightening moments, it focused mostly on the struggle of … Continue reading Hail To The King: Salem’s Lot
by Debra Pakaluk Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents is one of the most important books I have ever read. Impeccably researched, extremely well-written. Continue reading Book Review – Caste
A thought provoking expose of Christopher Columbus written by NYS Supreme Court Justice John Barone (ret.) Everything you thought you knew about Columbus but don’t. Continue reading Columbus on Trial
Today we’re priviledged to have with us legendary James Grady, author of Six Days of the Condor which became the iconic Robert Redford movie, Three Days of the Condor. James has won literary prizes around the globe, including France’s Grand Prix Continue reading Sexy Movies, Sexy Men, and Sexy Writing: Three Days of the Condor, Robert Redford, and James Grady
By Darryl Keeping In her debut novel, T.J. Newman takes the reader on a wild ride through the not-so-friendly skies with all the white knuckle suspense and pulse pounding action you could ever want in a summer read. Newman’s own story reads like something out of a novel. She had aspirations to be an actor, graduating from a musical theater program and moving to New … Continue reading “Falling” Takes The Reader On a Wild Ride
by John Paul Schnabel Thomas Colin Campbell’s masterpiece, The China Study, will change the way you think of dieting. From humble beginnings on a dairy farm, Campbell was taught as a child the importance of consuming milk and eating your animal protein to be a strong and healthy person. Exploring these benefits led him into the world of academia. However, to his dismay, Campbell discovered … Continue reading The China Study: Corporate Coverups, 1st Amendment Violations, and Academic Corruption
I have a secret vice, I love reality TV. I know there is little real about it, but whether watching the Real Housewives‘ gorgeous houses, or the elegant ballgowns on Dancing with the Stars, or guessing the camouflaged celebrity on Masked Singer, I find these silly shows fun. Lately, however, I am finding these shows anxiety-producing. Whether it is the couples dancing cheek-to-cheek on Dancing, … Continue reading Covid and Reality TV’s Fake Audience
The passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has rocked America. We’ve lost an icon and her death has sent our government spinning in a dozen different directions. Before we get too tangled in the aftermath, we should take the time to celebrate a life, which no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on, is undoubtedly remarkable. She has forever left her mark on … Continue reading Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Books and Films About her Life -the Essential list
by Darryl Keeping I’m finally getting the opportunity to review the Stephen King books I’ve read to this point in my re-read of all of his works in order. Some of these I have read previously, a lot of them (I’m sad to say) I’m reading for the first time. I’m currently reading Firestarter so I’ve officially left the seventies behind and am firmly entrenched in the … Continue reading Hail To The (Stephen) King: Carrie On
by Ellen Byerrum It’s summer. How does your garden grow? This year our pink roses look pretty spectacular, and our lilacs were lovely and fragrant. Still, we lost other flowers to a late spring freeze. In many ways, I suppose, cultivating a garden is like writing a book. It takes time for everything to bloom. If you force it, it won’t flower in the right … Continue reading What Gardening & Mysteries Have in Common (& Fashion Video!)
Book Smart would like to welcome John Paul Schnabel to our team as a Senior Reviewer. With a background in engineering, art, and business, he’s an overall Renaissance kind of guy: with a thousand interests and a great sense of humor. His first review is a business book, Zero to One, by Peter Thiel. His next will be about the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle, … Continue reading Peter Theil: Creating the Next Great Monopoly
We’re all feeling confined and frustrated at the limitations of lives during the Covid-19 outbreak. Honey Dahari has written a short book aimed at helping people realize the special frustrations of different age-groups and a quick, easy way to find some peace. I often find therapy books a bit cloying, or hard to come to the point. This book is very different. It presents problems … Continue reading Emotional Survival After Covid
Author’s note: I recently reread the novel Daddy Long Legs and loved it yet again. It reminded me of the wonderful musical I saw a few years ago. How I miss NYC theater! I am reposting this and wishing the cast my best during this difficult time when New York’s theaters are all dark. Take heart, we are thinking of you all.
by Diana Belchase
Continue reading “Daddy Long Legs: Fire-Breathers and Criticism”
I eagerly waited for Late Night to come out. The trailers were a hoot. The premise delightful. It utilized every trope I love: women coming together, underdog who succeeds, girl who shows the boys she’s better. Yet, while there are some glorious and funny moments in the film, ultimately it fell flat at the end, the point it matters most. Late Night is about … Continue reading Late Night Movie Review: When Feminism Falls Flat
by Diana Belchase How much do you know about the NYC library? You know, that massive building on 42nd Street and 5th Avenue, adjacent to Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan? How about these facts: It took 16 years of planning. The cornerstone was laid in 1902. After nine years of building, the library finally opened on May 23rd, 1911. The library was the largest building … Continue reading A Visit to the New York City Library
