Essays & Musings

What We’ve Been Thinking About

Thoughts on books, reading, culture, and the literary life.

Desperately Seeking Non-Fiction Written by Women

Desperately Seeking Non-Fiction Written by Women

June 7, 2021

Confession: I don’t read non-fiction. BUT. Everyone in my family are fanatical nonfiction readers and, as I look at the books they’re reading, I realize almost all the authors are…

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the ask@AAR: Can romance include abortion?

the ask@AAR: Can romance include abortion?

June 4, 2021

Almost 50% of pregnancies in the United States are unintended and, in 40% of those, women chose to end their pregnancies. Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, the fact is many…

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What are you watching?

What are you watching?

June 1, 2021

I’ve been in a TV slump lately. The only thing I’ve watched in weeks has been My Octopus Teacher which, while very good, required so little attention I was able…

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the ask@AAR: What’s your favorite queer romance?

the ask@AAR: What’s your favorite queer romance?

May 28, 2021

This week, the New York Times has a lovely column by Olivia Waite in which she recommends six romances with queer protagonists. Waite writes: Time was I could have covered…

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What would you take to a Desert Island. NO CHEATING!

What would you take to a Desert Island. NO CHEATING!

May 26, 2021

OK, the ship you were on sank and you and the island partner of your dreams managed to make it safely to a remote island with no hope of immediate…

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the ask@AAR: What’s the most romantic season?

the ask@AAR: What’s the most romantic season?

May 21, 2021

Here in the American Southeast, summer is closing in. When Sophie and I walk in my neighborhood, people are out in shorts and slides, and the sound of air-conditioning hums…

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the ask@AAR: What famous couple would you like to inspire a romance novel?

the ask@AAR: What famous couple would you like to inspire a romance novel?

May 14, 2021

One of my favorite country love songs of the past few years is Johnny Cash Heart by Caleb Lee Hutchison. The chorus is: You wrap me up in some kind of…

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Best Moms in Romance?

Best Moms in Romance?

May 10, 2021

I was fortunate enough to spend yesterday, Mother’s Day, with my mom–truly the best mom and grandmother I could imagine. Until she retired at 79, she was a children’s librarian….

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A Tribute to Heather Rash

A Tribute to Heather Rash

May 8, 2021

Heather Rash (listed in the AAR annals as Heather Stanton) died suddenly last week at the age of 45. Heather wrote prolifically at AAR from 2011 to 2017. Her reviews…

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the ask@AAR: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten/gave?

the ask@AAR: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten/gave?

May 7, 2021

Sixty years ago today, at nine in the morning, in a US army hospital in Munich, I arrived in this world. Since then, I’ve lived in countless homes in seven…

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The AAR Good Time Book Club: Elizabeth Hoyt’s The Raven Prince

The AAR Good Time Book Club: Elizabeth Hoyt’s The Raven Prince

May 3, 2021

Hoyt’s The Raven Prince, her debut novel, got a DIK from us when it was released and has a 4.4 rating on Amazon. Here are some question to think about:…

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the ask@AAR: What are your favorite romances featuring interracial relationships?

the ask@AAR: What are your favorite romances featuring interracial relationships?

April 30, 2021

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What We’ve Been Thinking About

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