Category: Gen Lit

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

by The Lib Bitch6 Comments on Review: Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

For each of us the name Cleopatra conjures up many vivid images… sensuality, seduction, beauty, the exotic, wealth, excess, Elizabeth Taylor.

While the legend of Cleopatra is prevalent, what has been buried over time is this incredible woman’s real tale. What we know of her today comes to us through the writings of pissy old dead guys.

In her book Cleopatra: A Life, Stacy Schiff attempts to sift through these accounts, many of which are brimming with Roman propaganda, to reveal a woman even more impressive than her modern day persona. I like to think of her as the O.B., the Original Bitch.

Cleopatra became Queen of Egypt at the age of 18, which meant she oversaw an entire nation’s people, economy, military, and foreign relations… yeah no big. As if that weren’t impressive enough, let’s take a look at some of the things she accomplished in her less than 4o years on Earth: Continue reading “Review: Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff” →

Books, Gen Lit, Reading

Author Interview & Giveaway: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Author Interview & Giveaway: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry.

The Earthquake Machine is a moving coming of age story about a young girl who is struggling to find her place in the world and come to terms with her blossoming womanhood. It was an absolutely fantastic story and I am honored to be able to offer a free copy to my readers as a giveaway!

If you are interested in the giveaway it run through

4/13/12 to 4/20/12

Mary also agreed to do an interview with me as well, so without further ado please welcome Mary Pauline Lowry to The Lit Bitch!

Continue reading “Author Interview & Giveaway: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry” →

Book Challenges, Book Critic, Book Review, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading, Reading Challenges

Review: Mr Churchill’s Secretary (Maggie Hope #1) by Susan Elia MacNeal

by The Lit Bitch21 Comments on Review: Mr Churchill’s Secretary (Maggie Hope #1) by Susan Elia MacNeal

With flaming red hair to match the bombs bursting in air, Margaret Hope sits behind a typist desk in the Prime Minsters office at Number 10…waiting to be useful to someone….anyone.

Air raid sirens sound throughout London in 1940. Bombs drop from the air threatening to destroy the heart and soul of the British people.

In this dark time, Winston Churchill has been named PM and with any luck, he will keep the British spirit alive while war rages on….though he knowns a German invasion is eminent, all he needs is a little bit of hope to give the people.

As luck would have it, Churchill does have Hope in his office–Churchill has just hired Maggie Hope to be his typist.

In Susan Elia MacNeal’s debut novel, Mr Churchill’s Secretary, we meet a new contemporary and captivating heroine! Continue reading “Review: Mr Churchill’s Secretary (Maggie Hope #1) by Susan Elia MacNeal” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman

Charming towering spires, castles, and palaces litter Poland in the 18th century which makes it the perfect backdrop for a fairytale romance. In The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman we explore the true life fairytale romance of Francoise Krasinska and the Prince Royal, Charles Duke of Courland (Poland/Lithuanian region).

Klementyna Tanska Hoffman pens this historic account of the Countess Francoise courtship and hasty marriage to the Duke. Though it is a second-hand account of the events, they are historically accurate and offer a unique insight into the royal court during the Georgian era.

I am not familiar with Eastern European history….at all, so I was a little weary about reading this book when my friends over at Onesuch Press suggested I read it. However I knew it was a short read (about 120 pages) and since I love courtly history, I felt that by reading this, I might have the perfect excuse to build my historic base, and I was right!

I love reading primary sources and first hand accounts, especially of courtly life. I was surprised to see not much has changed in the world since 1759 (which is where the Journal opens). Girls still write in their diaries about boys they like, and they still hope upon hope that, that boy is looking at them….then the wish comes true! He returns said maidens affections and marries her, living happily ever after…..or so the story goes. Though that is not the case for the Countess. Continue reading “Review: The Journal of Countess Francoise Krasinska by Klementyna Tanska Hoffman” →

Book Critic, Book Review, Books, Gen Lit, Literary Criticism, Reading

Review: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry

They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, in the case of Rhonda her single step leads here on a transcendental journey into Mexico.

Mary Pauline Lowry’s debut novel, The Earthquake Machine, tells the story of 14 year old Rhonda whose life has been turned upside down. Rhonda’s mother is the typical ‘desperate housewife’, in a loveless marriage more about convenience and comfort than love. Rhonda’s father (a pharmacist) supplies her unstable mother with prescription drugs to keep her in line while he is out having an affair.

They live in a ticky tacky house on the hillside where all the houses look just the same….but thanks to the family gardener Jesus, color and life continues to reside in the taupe colored, mundane suburban nightmare that Rhonda calls home. Continue reading “Review: The Earthquake Machine by Mary Pauline Lowry” →