The Normal School's Spring 2014 edition is out!

Fresno's best literary magazine, The Normal School is now out and ready to be read. I purchased my copy at Barnes & Noble Bookstore for only $5 bucks.

Editors Steven Church, Sophie Beck & Matt Roberts have put together another great edition. I encourage you to pick up a copy today.  Help support local writers and local Fresnans like Church, Beck & Roberts that are keeping readers up to date in the literary scene.

Another great read to keep you busy this holiday weekend.

Happy Reading!

~Francine

Memorial Weekend Reads

What will you be reading this holiday weekend?

There is nothing better than relaxing with a good book and a cup of coffee. This four day holiday weekend I plan to do just that.

Here goes my reading list... I am rereading Tennessee William's "Eight Mortal Ladies Possessed". This is one of my favorite short story collections written by him. I only reread the first story of the bunch which is my favorite. It is titled "Happy August Tenth". It brings back fond memories of my friend Maria.  My wonderful boss purchased this edition for me when a few weeks ago he found out my copy was falling apart and so old and beat up from constant usage. He is one of the best attorneys I know and I am so thankful for him and his kind gestures. 

I am also reading in entirety Dave Eggers "What is the What". I totally love this book so far. I'm only on the third chapter but already I am addicted. Eggers is one of our best writers today. I adore him and his ability to have me so intrigued with the serious nature of his novels and at the same time Iaughing at his dry humor. He must be the smartest man in the world. He also wrote one of my favorite movies Away We Go. I swear this guy can do no wrong.

I am also simultaneously reading Arthur Miller's collected plays from 1944-1961.  I usually read this book late at night before bed and I am in no rush. This is my fun book. I love plays and Arthur Miller is my favorite playwright. Shattered Glass is my favorite play. I will eventually begin reviewing plays and have a tab indicating where to find the reviews. So look forward to that. I know I am.

My romance book read this month is "Labor Day" by Joyce Maynard. O my gosh, I am so a sucker for love and this book is so lovely.  Love always comes unexpectedly and when it does it should be sweet and peaceful. This story is just that. The relationship begins unexpectedly but is welcomed by both with such sweet unconditional love and trust. I will finish this probably tonight. I can't wait.

After the above mentioned books are devoured by my eyes I will begin to read and review local Fresno or Central Valley writers. So if any of you have any recommendations please share your thoughts with me.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.  Be safe and take time to read a book.

Happy Reading!

~Francine

Books vs. Kindle Fire

photo courtesy of bookhurricane.com  

And the winner is............. 

I received a Kindle Fire for Mother's Day. I can't say I was ever completely opposed to Kindle Fire or any other handheld book reading device. However, because of my strong adoration for books, they never interested me.

On Mother's Day, my mother surprised me with one. I immediately enjoyed it. I have always read at least two books at a time. One book would be a serious novel and the other something fun like a memoir or biography.

While enrolling on Amazon.com I purchased a few magazines from the New Yorker and The Atlantic and as I was scrolling through the pages of newly released books, I came across an angelic looking face that compelled me to inquire more. After reading the first sentence of the book I knew immediately who this angelic looking face belonged to. It was Michelle Knight one of the three women from Cleveland that were kidnapped and held captive for eleven years.

Finding Me, was my first book purchased on Kindle Fire. I read the entire book in two days. Just like an actual book, I was able to highlight and type notes in the margins.. I was able to stay up way past midnight with the lights off, huddled in my bed reading in the dark with an aching heart at what this poor woman had to endure. This will be my next book review after I complete Capote this week.

In the end, I would much rather hold a book but am still a fan of the Kindle Fire. I love its simplicity, the virtual bookshelves used to display my magazines and books, and the convenience of it all. I love that it weighs little and easily fits in my purse. It holds its charge well, which allows me to read well into the night while my sons sleep soundly in dreamland, no longer waking them with the bright light in my room.

I will still purchase books. I still long for the day in old age where shelves of books line my family room and the pride of knowing all that knowledge was devoured by my eyes and lives deep within the matter of my brain and I will be happy.

Kindle Fire vs. Books, in the end they both win. Thank you mama for always knowing what is good for me :)

Happy Reading!

~Francine
Anthem Book Review