Do you love espionage and spies? Do you love historical dramas? Do you love murder? Mystery? Mob stories? And do you want it all while wearing the best mascara MAC has to offer? Because holy moly this book had it all. This week, I had the pleasure of reading Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and … Continue reading Review – Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry by Richard Kirshenbaum
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My Top 10 LGBT+ Books
We’re just past halfway through Pride Month, so it seems like the natural time for me to share with you my top 10 favorite LGBT+ books. Because, you know, I’m known for being consistent and timely. As I compiled this list, I thought about how limited my experience actually is with books featuring LGBT+ protagonists. … Continue reading My Top 10 LGBT+ Books
Excerpt – Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry by Richard Kirshenbaum
From Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry. Copyright © 2019 by Richard Kirshenbaum and reprinted with permission from St. Martin’s Press. Chapter 1 HOLLYWOOD DREAMS New York City, 1933 A Technicolor sky hung over the city even though it was only early May. At times, even New York City seemed to have caught the bug. The pear trees that bloomed … Continue reading Excerpt – Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry by Richard Kirshenbaum
Interview with Fred Waitzkin
I had the incredible opportunity to interview Fred Waitzkin, author of Deep Water Blues, which I reviewed last week. When I started The Plucky Reader, I never expected it to go anywhere. Never in my wildest imaginings did I believe people would read the words I wrote or send me books to review. And I … Continue reading Interview with Fred Waitzkin
Review – Deep Water Blues by Fred Waitzkin
Does anybody remember that 90s movie, Searching for Bobby Fischer? I remember watching it—I was probably in the fifth grade—and I was struck by a revelation at the end. The credits rolled and an important thought crossed my mind: chess was definitely not a game for me. I didn’t have the patience for it. I … Continue reading Review – Deep Water Blues by Fred Waitzkin
Review – What Could Go Wrong? by Brett Grayson
Friday night I came home from school, immediately changed into my pajamas, poured a mug of tea (I’ve been trying to consume less coffee these days) and curled up in my bed with a book. I’ve had very few Friday evenings lately that I could just curl up with a book and ignore the world, … Continue reading Review – What Could Go Wrong? by Brett Grayson
Review – How to Experience Death for Beginners by Jessica Branton
So many updates in the Pluckyverse, I don't even know where to begin. The semester started off crazy with me taking on way more responsibilities than I could manage and somehow getting them done. What that meant, though, was my reading life suffered and my blogging life became nearly nonexistent. But I am back and … Continue reading Review – How to Experience Death for Beginners by Jessica Branton
Banned Books Week – Looking for Alaska
It's my favorite literary week of the year! Happy Banned Books Week, reader! For those of you who are unfamiliar with Banned Books week I've provided some information, before I begin talking about my favorite banned books. What is Banned Books Week? Banned Books Week is the annual celebration of the freedom to read. Every … Continue reading Banned Books Week – Looking for Alaska
Review – The Storm Runner by J. C. Cervantes
Some time ago, I read that Rick Riordan was opening his own publishing imprint. As an avid reader of Riordan's work, I was pumped. The more I read, the more excited I got. Not only was he starting an imprint, he was going to use this imprint and his influence to publish original middle-grade works by … Continue reading Review – The Storm Runner by J. C. Cervantes
Book Tour – I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel
Today is an exciting day as I get to be part of Anne Bogel's release tour for her new book, Reading People: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life, which will be released September 4, 2018. Last year, I was chosen to be part of Anne's launch team for her first book, Reading People, … Continue reading Book Tour – I’d Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel