The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop

Written By: Fannie Flagg Published By: Random House Reviewed By: Melissa Minners                I’m a huge fan of Fannie Flagg’s writing thanks to the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes.  When I discovered that this movie that I have watched hundreds of times was based on a novel, I bought said novel and have read it three

Mayflower

Written by: Nathaniel Philbrick Published By: Penguin Books  Reviewed by Dorothy Doremus             Ah, the tale of the first Thanksgiving.  The Pilgrims, after the long journey from England, set foot on Plymouth Rock where they meet Squanto who befriended them.  After which, they all sit and have a feast of turkey with all of the

The Awakening

Distributed by StudioCanal UK Reviewed by Melissa Minners             Ever since I listened to the musical score of The Awakening, I’ve been wanting to see the movie.  Unfortunately, The Awakening is a British film and wasn’t available in the United States…until now!             The Awakening takes place in England in 1921 and stars Rebecca Hall as Florence Cathcart.  A published author, Florence is a skeptic and has dedicated her

Everything’s Eventual

Written By: Stephen King Published By: Pocket Books Reviewed By: Melissa Minners                When people go on vacation, they usually pick a light read…something that will be quick and easy, requiring very little thought process.  Usually that would be some sort of silly romance novel.  Of course, I’m not that sort of person.  I usually

Abandon Us

Written By: E.T. Gunnarsson Published By: Bragi Press Reviewed By: Melissa Minners                Some time ago, I reviewed a book about a dystopian world that takes place in three stages.  In Forgive Us, we meet three different individuals struggling to survive in different eras of an Earth that has been destroyed through pollution and war. 

We Are the Troopers

Written By: Stephen Guinan Published By: Hachette Books Reviewed By: Melissa Minners                Some time ago, I read Hail Mary, a book about the National Women’s Football League, something I never knew existed until I found that book.  It annoyed me that I never knew about women’s football.  I knew all about women’s baseball, tennis,

The Game of Thrones Finale

My Opinion By Melissa Minners Spoiler Alert: If you have not watched the entire Game of Thrones series through to the last episode of Season 8, don’t read this commentary as it will spoil the ending!                Okay, spoiler alert out of the way, let’s get down to the nitty gritty.  I know I am

The Song of Achilles

Written By: Madeline Miller Published By: Ecco Reviewed By: Melissa Minners                Being a rabid fan of all things mythology, it is no wonder that one of my Christmas presents would be a book based on mythology.  The story of the Trojan War has been told by many, most famously by Homer in The Iliad. 

Matchless: A Christmas Story

Written By: Gregory Maguire  Published By: William Morrow  Reviewed by Melissa Minners                 It’s that time of year again.  Radio stations are playing Christmas music and have been since the weekend before Thanksgiving.  Stores have been pushing Christmas items and advertising Christmas sales (starting long before Halloween).  Santa is in the stores taking photos with

A Firefighter’s Christmas Carol

And Other Stories Written By: Douglas R. Brown Published By: Epertase Publishing Reviewed By: Melissa Minners                When the holiday season comes along, I like to find a new book, movie or soundtrack to add to the various favorites I watch and read around this time of year.  One of my favorite tales is A