The Review Megan Giddings is the features editor of The Rumpus and author of some amazing short stories at places like The Iowa Review and Gulf Coast. After reading some of her shorter work, I was thrilled to receive and advanced copy of her debut novel. Lena Johnson, fresh from her grandmother’s funeral, comes faceContinue reading “Book Review: Lakewood by Megan Giddings”
Author Archives: Rachel Mans McKenny
Book Review: Real Life by Brandon Taylor
The Review In a world full of sex comedies, could there be such a thing as a sex drama? Perhaps? Brandon Taylor’s debut novel follows Wallace, a grad student, through a weekend which will forever change his life. As a reader, I picked up the book prepared for the truncated timeline. Knowing the short periodContinue reading “Book Review: Real Life by Brandon Taylor”
2019 Wrap-Up
Reading Wrap I set my original reading goal at the number of books I ended up reading last year, and the comparative of how much I read now that I’m not in the midst of PPD is pretty unreal. I had a lot of favorites this year, but above the joy of finding a goodContinue reading “2019 Wrap-Up”
Book Review: And I Do Not Forgive You
The Review And I Do Not Forgive You is a 2020 release, and the short story collection from Amber Sparks with the subtitle “and other revenges.” Boy does it live up to that subtitle. At its heart, the collection shows modern people in the quasi-fantastic, mostly-all-too-real world of technology, familial betrayal, and city life. TheContinue reading “Book Review: And I Do Not Forgive You”
Spring/Summer Wrap Up
Been too busy to write monthly wrap-ups, but thought I would update on the last few months! Writing Life Since my last post, I signed with Veronica Park at Fuse Literary, and I’m so pleased to have her as the advocate for my novels. She is a taskmaster when it comes to polishing, and IContinue reading “Spring/Summer Wrap Up”
Interview with Sonya Heaney
Recently I was able to get a copy of an advanced copy of The Landowner’s Secret, due out from Escape Publishing/Harper Collins. The blurb from the publisher: “When Alice Ryan wakes to find thugs surrounding her cottage, on the hunt for her no-good brother, she escapes into the surrounding bush. It is wealthy landowner RobertContinue reading “Interview with Sonya Heaney”
Book Review: The Water Dancer by Ta-Nahesi Coates
The Review The Water Dancer, by Ta-Nehesi Coates, is a marvel, the first full-length work of fiction by the author. The novel follows Hiram Walker, a child born into slavery and the child of the master of a plantation. Hi’s incredible memory sets him apart as a child, bringing him not just to the attentionContinue reading “Book Review: The Water Dancer by Ta-Nahesi Coates”
March 2019 Wrap Up
Reading Wrap Total books read this month: 12 Total Books so far this year: 30/105 Best books of the month: Daisy Jones & the Six was incredible and I finally got to read All You Can Ever Know, both highly recommended. If you want something surreal and yet too real, Severance by Ling Ma wasContinue reading “March 2019 Wrap Up”
February 2019 Wrap-Up
Reading Wrap: Total books toward reading goal so far: 18/105 (2 ahead of schedule!) Total books read this month: 10 Poetry book read for Poetry Challenge: Season of the Second Thought by Lynn Powell. Lovely nature-based poetry with a wry pushback-against-religious undertone. Lots of fine poems in the collection, picked up randomly off the shelf andContinue reading “February 2019 Wrap-Up”
January Wrap-Up
Reading Total books read this month: 8 Most Fun Book of the Month: I adored Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik in terms of pure compulsive-need-to-read-ness. Most Necessary Book of the Month: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison was so hard to read, but so relevant. I wish I would have read it with a group of people, or in a class.Continue reading “January Wrap-Up”
