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Book Reviews: October 2018

November 8, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

October Book Reviews: Whew! I’m late to my own book review party! If you’ve been waiting to hear about my latest reads, I apologize for such ridiculous tardiness.

The books I read in October 2018 found me hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, digging mussels on the Carolina shore, swallowing fire with a circus sideshow, and praying for truth on Alabama’s Death Row. In Scotland, I slipped into the supernatural world, one typically obscured from mere mortals.

My five October reads included three memoir, one best-selling fiction, and one middle-grade fantasy.

Not included: 1/2 of a gigantic thriller.

I hate to admit this but I spent an inordinate amount of time reading The Stand (Complete and Uncut Version) by Stephen King, and I haven’t finished (so it isn’t included here other than as a pitiful confession). Yep, I read over 600 out of 1,153 pages before putting it aside. Even though The Stand is ranked #1 Suspense and Thriller on Amazon and I LOVE Stephen King, I simply had too many other books calling to me… Does this ever happen to you?

Maybe I’ll finish it in November?

Anyway, keep reading to find out about the books I finished and highly endorse.Continue Reading

I got a rock + other Great Pumpkin thoughts…

October 30, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

This year for the first time in I don’t know how long—maybe since forever—I missed watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. When it aired (weekend before last), I had driven Momma to her college reunion and stayed overnight in Russellville. While Charlie Brown got a rock in his trick or treat bag, I was treated to dinner with Momma and her college friends. As you might imagine, finally meeting the ladies I’ve been hearing about for years and listening to their stories firsthand brought its own sort of entertainment.

Why does everything good happen at the same time?Continue Reading

Book Reviews: September 2018

October 4, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

Book Reviews September 2018:

Shoulda, coulda, woulda read more but couldn’t, wouldn’t, didn’t make the time. Oops. September dissolved with only five books to my credit. I enjoyed all five even though they are wildly different, from mystery/thriller to a gem of a short story collection.

When I attend book clubs to speak about my own book, I’m often asked what types I like to read. My answer: a variety. I think it’s important to understand what’s popular, to read excellent literature, and to reflect on why classics endure. I consider reading much like listening to all sides of a story. If we always stay in our lane, how will we grow?

Having said all this, the first book I read in September is right in my wheelhouse of favorite genres—southern fiction. Ha.

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