While movie sequels sustain the box office, so too, book series are at the forefront of the latest crazes: from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games, Twilight to Divergent. Let’s face facts: we like to binge (*cough* House of Cards). I am no exception. Despite reservations, I picked up Diana Gabaldon’s novel Outlander a fewContinue reading “Gabaldon’s Fifty Shades of Red”
Author Archives: Jen
Review: Luka and the Fire of Life
Luka and the Fire of Life: a Novel by Salman Rushdie (Random House, 2010) Remember what happened when David Lynch and William Blake went out for tea? Well, now imagine that Salman Rushdie emceed a brunch-time conversation between Neil Gaiman, Norton Juster, Lewis Carroll, and Paulo Coelho. The result would be Rushdie’s Luka and theContinue reading “Review: Luka and the Fire of Life”
A Word About Coffee Addicts
You know you have it bad as a coffee addict when you run out of the house, late, screaming behind you as you run, “I hate you, Benedict!”, having just renamed your travel mug (formerly “Harvey”), who—yes, “who”—disappeared at a most inconvenient moment. Fifteen minutes later, when the aforementioned coffee mug rolls out from beneathContinue reading “A Word About Coffee Addicts”
A Tiny, Prickly Anti-Snark
Every now and then, you encounter something too adorable for snark. (Thanks, Dave.) This little guy wins. Today is not a Tuesday, but the tiny things demand to be noticed. Must watch with sound. SOURCE: “Watching This Porcupine Taste This Pumpkin Is Why the World Is Going to Be Okay Today,” from Mother Jones.
The Happiest Little Introvert’s Night on the Town: A Child’s Book for Adults
The Happiest Little Introvert woke up in time for tea, then ambled through the kitchen singing, “There’s no one but me!” The Happiest Little Introvert stopped dead and gave a hoot: she’d reached a well-thought-out retort for last week’s lost dispute. Two hours hence, our Introvert sat digging through her clutches. The goldContinue reading “The Happiest Little Introvert’s Night on the Town: A Child’s Book for Adults”
Workouts for Apartment Living, 2.0
Living in an apartment has its own unique charm. Even though many apartment complexes boast state-of-the-art workout facilities on site, residents also have access to more basic, everyday forms of exercise. All it takes is a little ingenuity. Lest you think I’m reverting to the old whine about the calf workout you get from livingContinue reading “Workouts for Apartment Living, 2.0”
Book-friendly Adventures
Moving to a new city solo can be an intimidating experience. If you’re like me, you might be too impatient to wait for friendships to develop before venturing out to see all that the new city has to offer. In light of that experience, I’ve realized that bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and other gathering placesContinue reading “Book-friendly Adventures”
Push-ups for Tall People
I have long wondered why push-ups, in particular, are the bane of my best intentions to get in shape. Surely there must be a reason! Well, at last, I think I have found one. Behold these two visual representations of why push-ups are more difficult for tall people. (And just so we’re clear, I’m talkingContinue reading “Push-ups for Tall People”
A Gangly, Galumphing Teddy Bear
I went on a walk today. I quickly became distracted… …by what I would call a Gangly, Galumphing Teddy Bear: …who is also very shy and adorable. I named him Gonzo. ❤
Grape Yolks for the Young at Heart
After a fun but hectic Saturday working at the Yadkin Valley Wine Festival with RayLen Vineyards & Winery, I was eager to read the write-up in the Elkin Tribune. Reading local news coverage about my interests produces a very basic pleasure. But, then, this happened: “A popular wine yolk glass holder adorned the neck ofContinue reading “Grape Yolks for the Young at Heart”
Snark on the Side 