review by Marcianne Miller – When I first came to town, a friend told me about the famous novelist and short story writer Gail Godwin, who grew up in Asheville and often used local characters and settings in her work. I was curious to read her, since we were bothContinue Reading
Hatshepsut’s Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt Written By Kara Cooney, Review by Marcianne Miller I was probably the only archaeologist you ever met who couldn’t stand ancient Egypt. Too hot, too sunny, only one river, and all those pointy-topped pyramids. I’ve got European DNA — give me soggy peatContinue Reading
Mind Bendingly Good Recipes for Cultivated and Wild Mushrooms Written by Becky Selengut, Review by Marcianne Miller What a treat for fungi nuts! This gorgeously illustrated book is designed to take you on a “global culinary journey” of mushrooms—with recipes for 14 cultivated and wild mushrooms, ranging from button andContinue Reading
review by Marcianne Miller – What I remember most about this novel is that I laughed my head off. When I wasn’t close to tears, that is. Or blown away by the quality of the writing. This is a novel worth praising to the sky, in the hopes prayers mightContinue Reading
Every reader is familiar with George Orwell’s dystopias of 1984 and Animal Farm, and the imagined future worlds of Orson Scott Card and similar writers. But Michael Hopping’s rhythms on a flaming drum is more in the tradition of documentaries like Gasland or Citizenfour, or a TV show like PersonContinue Reading
A Novel by Paula Hawkins Review by Marcianne Miller I ordinarily don’t take up precious space to complain about books I dislike. I ignored Fifty Shades of Grey, and barely touched Gone Girl a few months ago. But I have to speak up about The Girl on the Train. It’sContinue Reading
Written by George Friedman Review by Marcianne Miller If you watch or read international news in a state of befuddlement, this book is for you. Flashpoints: The Emerging Crisis in Europe focuses on Europe, that tiny spot of land on the planet that has caused so much trouble in theContinue Reading
For I am Mountainborn review by Patrice Tappé “Each verse is a haiku droplet distilled from clearing mountain mists.” For I am Mountainborn, by Lenore McComas Coberly, is sublime. Open this book to any page and sink into beauty. Each verse is a haiku droplet distilled from clearing mountain mists. OneContinue Reading
Beneath the Chatter: the wise self awaits – A Contemplative Photography Companion for the Journey Home. If ever a book could inspire you into a new way of viewing life, this is it. Beneath the Chatter is an engaging contemplative verbal and visual experience both wise and whimsical, with gentleContinue Reading
