Category: Literary Criticism

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

Review: Crescendo: The True Story of a Musical Genius Who Forever Changed a Southern Town by Allen Cheney and Julie Cantrell

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: Crescendo: The True Story of a Musical Genius Who Forever Changed a Southern Town by Allen Cheney and Julie Cantrell

This was a book that I debated and debated and debated about. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to read it since it’s a non-fiction book. But then I also kept seeing so many great reviews about it that I felt like I was missing out on something wonderful.

I kept putting it off and ultimately decided to wait and see how my July reading shaped up and promised myself that if I had some time, I would try and squeeze this one in.

My mom is a pianist and its always such treat to hear her play so I felt like in a way, I owed it to her to read this book even if it is non-fiction—a genre that I rarely read. Not to mention the title of the book is so pitch perfect as is the cover. The fact that I kept thinking about it and wondering if I should read it, told me everything that I needed to know. I needed to find a way to fit this one in. Continue reading “Review: Crescendo: The True Story of a Musical Genius Who Forever Changed a Southern Town by Allen Cheney and Julie Cantrell” →

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

Re-Post Review: Vox by Christina Dalcher

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Re-Post Review: Vox by Christina Dalcher

Last summer I had the pleasure of reading Vox and I can’t tell you how disturbing it was. I loved the book, but even now I remember with such clarity how uncomfortable it was to read because of the current political climate.

Dalcher is a powerful writer and with Vox she has captured a new and more modern look at society but with the same unease and terror as the classic dystopian novel, The Handmaid’s Tale.

I thought about this book long after I was done with it, and still think about it even a year later after reading it! Now it is out in paperback and I am re-sharing my review of Vox to celebrate the paperback release. I think this is an important book that women everywhere should read.

I also have a giveaway going on over on my Instagram page for a copy of this chilling book, so please come by and enter for a chance to win! Continue reading “Re-Post Review: Vox by Christina Dalcher” →

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

Review: Milady by Laura L. Sullivan

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Milady by Laura L. Sullivan

When I was barely coming into my adolescents, I discovered the swashbuckling adventures of The Three Musketeers. Albeit on the big screen and not the Dumas novel, but swashbuckling adventure all the same!

I loved the 1993 film version, even if I did hate Charlie Sheen and Chris O’Donnell in it, it was still exciting and as a young girl who longed for grace adventures, it had everything I could hope for. Sword fights, friendship, and of course a bad ass femme fatale!

Oh how I loved Milady de Winter! She was one of the first female characters that stands out in my mind. She wasn’t a maid in need of rescuing, like Maid Marian in Robin Hood, she was the villain and she captured my imagination.

So when this book showed up for review on my desk, I squealed! I couldn’t believe someone wrote a novel from her perspective! I couldn’t wait to star reading it and crack it open almost immediately! Continue reading “Review: Milady by Laura L. Sullivan” →

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

Review: A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards

by The Lit Bitch3 Comments on Review: A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards

This is a book that I was looking forward to for quite some time. I was really interested in the family dynamics in this summary, especially since I am the oldest sister and my younger sister and I are in constant completion with each other.

I thought this one would yield interesting family relationships and dynamics as well as present a fascinating mystery with lots of things to question and debate.

Plus this author has written a number of books, most of which are women fiction or romance, sprinkled with a few mysteries. This one sounded like it was going to be a little darker and more complex than her usual books. I have never read anything by this author before, but I was eager to discover her style and writing. Continue reading “Review: A Family of Strangers by Emilie Richards” →

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

Review: Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

by The Lit Bitch1 Comment on Review: Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

As a little girl, I was obsessed with Grace Kelly. I was fascinated by her love story and in the end, her tragic death, and longed for the day that I too could become a real American princess.

But as I got older I moved on from princess dreams to horses and didn’t look back. That is until the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markel. It was another famous American, marrying royalty and becoming a princess that reignited my interest in Grace Kelly.

When I saw that this book was coming out, I squealed in excitement. Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb have written some of my favorite novels both independently and together. They make a fabulous team and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this latest collaboration and see how they incorporated Grace Kelly into this story. Continue reading “Review: Meet Me in Monaco by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb” →