End of Year Reads

As 2015 comes to a close, I have been reading plenty of biographies/memoirs penned by the stars. I will continue to do so and review these as time permits, but definitely by the end of 2015.  The tab name where these book reviews will be located has been changed from “Books from Famous People” to “Penned by Stars” (please make note).

Contributing writer Freddy Ramos is also doing the same and is currently reading Half a Life by Darin Strauss. This was a required read by his mother (me) that before he gets his driver’s license he read Half a Life. I read it and was floored. I think it should be required reading for all teens in the process of receiving their driver’s license.  

I am currently reading the funny Bossypants by Tina Fey and loving and laughing my ass off the entire way. OMG! I love Tina Fey; she is so hilarious. After I complete this, I will read Amy Poehler’s, Yes, Please. 

Lastly, I will finish off the year with my newest obsession the talented writer and amazing actress, Lena Dunham and her bestselling memoir, Not That Kind of Girl.

You are welcome to read along with me, as I take in the end of the year with some lighthearted reads from strong, funny women! If you don’t fancy the books mentioned, I welcome you to read along with contributing writer, Freddy Ramos and his end of year read, Half a Life by Darin Strauss.

Whatever you may choose, may you just choose to read. As you know, here at Anthem Book Review our motto is #smartpeopleread.

J Happy Reading

~Francine Ramos

Second Time Around

In my search for books, I often scour Thrift Shops, used book stores and yard sales. While searching the Goodwill, I could not believe my eyes.

Mark Arax's In the Name of My Father, Daniel Chacon's And the Shadows Took Him (hardcover & autographed), Joyce Carol Oates, Wonderland, and Isabel Allende's Paula were all there waiting to be given a home for the second time around.

Gladly, I opened my doors and my wallet and purchased all four books for a criminally insane low price. These books are priceless. I have been dying to read Arax's book about his father. And well Chacon, I am a fan of all his work.

Allende and Oates are always treasures that I welcome to place among my collection. I look forward to reading these book and reviewing them.

In my blog absence I have read: Hope by Amanda Berry and Gina Dejesus, `Wild by Cheryl Strayed, Forgiven by Chiqui Rivera, F.X. Toole's Rope Burns, The Book of Strange New Things by Michael Faber, Different Kind of Same by Kelley Clink a memoir and my current read, the amazing Toni Morrison's God Help the Child. 

Reviews to come soon.

Happy Reading

Francine

Beloved

I have been dying to read this book. Last week I spent my lunch hour at Book Nook on Herndon and First and browsed their used books for goodies. And I was fortunate enough to find this gem.

Toni Morrison is such an amazing, talented and gentle writer. She writes with such tenderness that her sentences make my heart ache, a good ache, an ache of love. I wish I could somehow capture her technique and write with her keystrokes, but still like myself of course.

This is my fun read. The book I read in between reading Powell's 25 Books to Read Before You Die. I really just read everything I can. I am also re-reading Stephen King's "On Writing", which is essential for writers.

I will review this book once I am done. So stay tuned in the American Writers tab for this beauty.

Happy Reading!

~Francine

New "Before You Die" book

Well this is 7 of the 25 "Books to  Read Before You Die" for me. I purchased this book at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, against my will of course. I promised myself that I would not buy any of these books full price. I went to local used bookstores & thrift stores and was unable to find any of the books listed on Powell's 25.

It was a very inexpensive purchase, around $8 bucks and in a small but fat paperback. I am on chapter 2 and so far in awe of it. Abbey's writing is raw and in just a few chapters I have already began to flow with the beauty his sentences form. It is like swimming in a calm river and taking in every vibrant feel, touch, and scene to behold. It is writing of the world and nature at its finest. Mind you; I am only on the 2nd chapter. I look forward to devouring this book.

Happy Reading!

Stay tuned for the review.

Francine :)