Category: Literary Criticism

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

Review: Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger

About a year ago, I read Meredith Jaeger’s book, THE DRESSMAKERS DOWRY, which was her debut novel. For a debut novel, it was good but needed a little more polish to shine.

When this book came up for review, not only was I in love with the cover, but I was eager to see in what ways her writing had grown.

The other reason I decided to review this novel was the location. As a teenager, I was fascinated by California beach culture. I loved the carefree, unstructured romanticism that made the west coast so appealing. It was like to ultimate endless summer so this book seemed to promise that little bit of magic that I makes me love the California coast.  Continue reading “Review: Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger” →

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

Review: From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein

This is not your grandma’s White House biography.

Non fiction is not a genre that I read a whole lot of. Non fiction—especially biographies etc—aren’t not my thing, but ever once in a while a non fiction book comes up that captures my eye and this was one of those books.

The summary promised the most random story—a woman lands a job at the White House via Craig’s List.

Yes you read that right. Craig’s List. The White House. Stenographer for the President. Yes—THE POTUS. What the actual *&%????? Sold. I was absolutely onboard with this book!

In 2012, Beck Dorey-Stein was just scraping by in DC when a posting on Craigslist landed her, improbably, in the Oval Office as one of Barack Obama’s stenographers. The ultimate DC outsider, she joined the elite team who accompanied the president wherever he went, recorder and mic in hand. Continue reading “Review: From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein” →

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

Review: The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay

by The Lit Bitch2 Comments on Review: The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay

Tatiana de Rosnay writes beautiful novels, usually set in Paris, that capture the hearts and minds of readers.

I read Sarah’s Kay back in 2011 and wasn’t terribly as impressed as I had hoped. I find that I am in the minority when it comes to this opinion. But since then I’ve seen a number of her books climbing the bestseller lists with speed—though I haven’t read any others.

Could it have been the mood I was in at the time that made me not love her book? Sure. So while I kept an open mind about her other books, I wasn’t moved enough by their descriptions to pick any of them up. But that all changed then I got the pitch for this one.

The Rain Watcher is a powerful family drama set in Paris as the Malegarde family gathers to celebrate the father’s 70th birthday. Their hidden fears and secrets are slowly unraveled as the City of Light undergoes a stunning natural disaster. Seen through the eyes of charismatic photographer Linden Malegarde, the youngest son, all members of the family will have to fight to keep their unity against tragic circumstances. Continue reading “Review: The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay” →

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

Review: Eagle & Crane by Suzanne Rindell

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: Eagle & Crane by Suzanne Rindell

This was a book that I wasn’t really that excited to read when it initially came up for review. In my mind all I kept thinking was….ugh another WWII book. Don’t get me wrong, WWII is one of my favorite periods to read about, but lately I’ve read a lot of WWII books and I just wasn’t in the mood for another when it was time to review this one.

But this one set itself apart with the Japanese interment camps angle. Everyone is so focused on the holocaust that they forget that Japanese interment camps were yet another unfortunate by product of a very ugly war.

My brother in law’s grandparents spent time in Japanese interment camps during the war so I have heard about these camps through my brother in law’s stories. That was why I agreed to review this book—I was intrigued by the possibly of something different when it came to WWII stories.  Continue reading “Review: Eagle & Crane by Suzanne Rindell” →

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

Review: The Gilded Shroud (A Lady Fan Mystery #1) by Elizabeth Bailey

by The Lit BitchLeave a Comment on Review: The Gilded Shroud (A Lady Fan Mystery #1) by Elizabeth Bailey

I fell in love with the cover of this new mystery series. I love the stunning house and the richness of the scene. Without so much as a backward glance I eagerly agreed to review it.

Plus it is the first in a new series and I love getting in on the ground levels when it comes to new detective series.

1789, London

When Emily Fanshawe, Marchioness of Polbrook, is found strangled in her bedchamber, suspicion immediately falls on those residing in the grand house in Hanover Square.

Emily’s husband – Randal Fanshawe, Lord Polbrook – fled in the night and is chief suspect – much to the dismay of his family.

Ottilia Draycott is brought in as the new lady’s companion to Sybilla, Dowager Marchioness and soon finds herself assisting younger son, Lord Francis Fanshawe in his investigations.

Can Ottilia help clear the family name? Does the killer still reside in the house? Continue reading “Review: The Gilded Shroud (A Lady Fan Mystery #1) by Elizabeth Bailey” →