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

World Reading Habits During Covid

World Reading Habits During Covid

November 22, 2020

Have you been reading more in 2020? Because of coronavirus and the lockdowns, we’re spending more time at home than we’re used to. For many people, it was the perfect…

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the ask@AAR: Could you forgive this hero?

the ask@AAR: Could you forgive this hero?

November 20, 2020

It’s always an experience to read Vintage AAR.  This article by Paula Detmer Riggs on writing taboo subjects is especially thought-provoking. She wrote about the hero of her book, Her…

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It’s the final round….

It’s the final round….

November 17, 2020

The final round in the Goodreads Choice Awards is up and, guess what guys, it does not include AAR’s most recent winner which, with 16 of the 61 votes cast,…

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It’s the Semi-Final Round at Goodreads and they’ve added books!

It’s the Semi-Final Round at Goodreads and they’ve added books!

November 15, 2020

Today is the last day of the semi-final round in the Goodreads Choice Awards and they’ve added books nominated by readers. In our survey, based on the choices in the…

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The ask@AAR: Scruffy or Suited?

The ask@AAR: Scruffy or Suited?

November 13, 2020

A friend of mine just sent me this article. (Men are shaving less during the pandemic. Women are not.) My instant–and very personal–response, was “Great, just what we need, more…

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?: A guest post by Alexandra Y. Caluen

WHAT’S IN A NAME?: A guest post by Alexandra Y. Caluen

November 11, 2020

“The naming of cats is a difficult matter’ – T.S. Eliot At what point do fictional characters get a name? Generally, it’s when they have to be identified in order…

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Best Jane Austen adaptation?

Best Jane Austen adaptation?

November 9, 2020

I am–and this is embarrassing–finally watching the 1995 BBC production of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. And yes, it does have Colin Firth in a sexy…

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A Love Letter to London by Courtney Giardina: A Guest Post

A Love Letter to London by Courtney Giardina: A Guest Post

November 7, 2020

I have to admit, it was my love of the fairy tale romance between Prince William and Kate Middleton that prompted me to vote for London when my now husband…

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the ask@AAR: What are your favorite holiday books?

the ask@AAR: What are your favorite holiday books?

November 6, 2020

We’re coming up on the holiday stretch: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, the Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the New Year. (Let me know if I’ve missed one you celebrate, please.) This constraints of…

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AAR wants you!

AAR wants you!

November 4, 2020

Today, we are running a review by Elaine S, a regular commenter at AAR.  She’d contacted me and suggested we consider reader reviews which, historically, we have published but in…

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the ask@AAR: Which Goodreads nominated romance would you pick?

the ask@AAR: Which Goodreads nominated romance would you pick?

October 30, 2020

It’s that time of year again when readers are thrilled, startled, and irritated at the picks for what is now the biggest reader poll in the world: The Goodreads Choice…

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What’s the worst EVER book ending?

What’s the worst EVER book ending?

October 25, 2020

The Washington Post has an article today about readers’ choices for the books whose ending infuriated them. Their readers singled out Gone Girl–I love that book’s ending!–, Cold Mountain, and…

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