Rex Pickett’s “Sideways” Deserves a Toast
Miles, a struggling novelist, is divorced and depressed, while his best buddy, Jack, is a moderately successful actor who is about to get married. Together they embark on a weeklong wine-tasting trip in Rex Pickett’s raucous and hilarious debut novel, “Sideways.”
“Under the Wide and Starry Sky”: No Sophomore Slump for Nancy Horan
Robert Louis Stevenson, author of “Treasure Island” and “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” is the star of this historical novel. But it was his wife, Fanny Osbourne, and their adventurous life together that kept me reading until the last page.
“Other Women’s Children” by Perri Klass: The Doctor as Literary Heroine
In my debut romance book, I chose a young ER doctor as my heroine. She has stirred up strong reactions, both good and bad. Perhaps I should have written about a teacher or a caterer or some other profession commonly used in romance, but reading this excellent novel by Perri Klass reinforced my belief that physicians make great heroines.
“Revolutionary” Features a Strong Heroine Who Defies Gender Roles
In 1782, it was illegal for a woman to dress as a man in Massachusetts. Deborah Samson, the 22-year-old heroine of Alex Myers’s literary novel, not only dresses as a man but fights as a soldier during the American Revolutionary War.
85 Years Later, Dashiell Hammett’s “The Maltese Falcon” Continues to Delight
A priceless Maltese falcon figurine is at the center of Dashiell Hammett’s seminal detective novel set in foggy San Francisco. The story opens with a mysterious woman named Miss Wonderly hiring private eye Sam Spade and his partner Miles Archer to follow Floyd Thursby, who supposedly eloped with her sister.
Susan Breen’s “The Fiction Class” is Dramedy at Its Finest
A mother-daughter relationship is at the heart of “The Fiction Class,” but thankfully, this book is nothing like “Mommie Dearest.”
Paula Munier’s “Plot Perfect” is a Treasure Trove of Tools for Writers
In keeping with the book’s title, Paula Munier doesn’t flinch when she states, “If you want to write commercial fiction, you need to be about plot.”
Melissa Bank's “The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing” Has Irresistible Heroine
When I was reading Melissa Bank's book, I felt like someone who was unfashionably late for a party. I've missed the early fun, but I can still catch up. Published in 1999, I've heard of this best-selling book, but didn't pick it up until this past September. During a nerve-wracking trip to New York City to attend a pitch conference, I found comfort in Bank's irresistible heroine, Jane Rosenthal.
James Salter's “A Sport and a Pastime": Languid, Rich, and Memorable
James Salter's "A Sport and a Pastime" reminds me of a five-star resort. It’s luxurious, oftentimes impractical, but always pleasurable. Don't go looking for the basics. Everything is extra.
Christina Baker Kline’s “Orphan Train”: An Emotional Journey Worth Sharing
At first glance, 90-year-old Vivian has nothing in common with Molly, a troubled teen-ager. Vivian is well-off and white, originally from Ireland, while Molly is poor and half-Penobscot Indian. When Molly is caught stealing a copy of “Jayne Eyre” at the public library, she must either perform community service by helping Vivian clean her attic, or go to a juvenile center. She chooses the former, bringing the two together.