Book Review: Kinnara by Kevin Ansbro

By: Amira K.
MusingsLeave a Comment on Book Review: Kinnara by Kevin Ansbro

“Why does nobody believe that I saw the evil spirit that day? They make offerings to phantoms, and yet when I offer them actual proof of one, they laugh in my face!” Kinnara by Kevin Ansbro is a charming book with a delightful tone and a happy ending. It interweaves magical realism, mythology, and travel narrative…

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Book Review: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

By: Amira K.
Book Review, Publishing, , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on Book Review: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

It has recently come to my attention that I really like fantasy books. Last summer, I demolished Deborah Harkness’ entire ALL SOULS TRILOGY and Nnedi Okorafor’s WHO FEARS DEATH in three months. Some people might not think that’s a lot of books, but for me, that’s a lot of books. I devoured the first two…

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New Video Alert! What to Drink with A SCANNER DARKLY by Philip K. Dick

By: Amira K.
Book Review, What To Drink With What You Read, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on New Video Alert! What to Drink with A SCANNER DARKLY by Philip K. Dick

Learn what to pour when you open A SCANNER DARKLY by Philip K. Dick

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Book Review: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

By: Amira K.
Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on Book Review: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

My friends, I have a special treat for you today. I am here to introduce you to the inestimable majesty that is Amor Towles’ newest novel, A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW. I have written before that life often hands you the book you most need at exactly the time you most need it, and I find it…

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A Meditation on Lunch, or, Why You Should Eat Alone Sometimes

By: Amira K.
Musings, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 6 Comments on A Meditation on Lunch, or, Why You Should Eat Alone Sometimes

I work at home. My partner works at a winery in the area, so except for the rare occasion once a month or so when he comes home midday, I eat lunch alone every day. Lunch is an opportunity to break up the day’s tasks. Usually I try to get a certain amount of editing…

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Why it’s Totally Okay if You Haven’t Read My Books (and Why it’s Almost Always Okay to Not Read Someone’s Book)

By: Amira K.
Musings, Publishing, Writing, , , , , , , , , , 5 Comments on Why it’s Totally Okay if You Haven’t Read My Books (and Why it’s Almost Always Okay to Not Read Someone’s Book)

Sometimes when I run into acquaintances or old friends, people I’ve stayed in touch with via social media, one of the first things I hear is “I’m sorry I haven’t read your books yet!” My response is usually something like, “Why are you sorry? It’s not your job to read my books.” I’m constantly surprised…

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The Literary Libations Secret: How to Pair Famous Books with Great Drinks, Explained with Funny Gifs and Sample Pairings

By: Amira K.
What To Drink With What You Read, Writing, , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on The Literary Libations Secret: How to Pair Famous Books with Great Drinks, Explained with Funny Gifs and Sample Pairings

LITERARY LIBATIONS, the book I’m working on, is great fun because it allows me to spend a lot of time doing two of my favorite things in the world: reading and drinking. But writing drink pairings for famous books isn’t as easy as tossing back a cocktail or two, sitting in a leather armchair, and…

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Literary Libations: For Whom The Bell Tolls

By: Amira K.
Publishing, What To Drink With What You Read, Wine, Writing, , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments on Literary Libations: For Whom The Bell Tolls

Check it out! The newest episode of the Literary Libations video series is out today. You’ll find out what to drink when you sit down with Ernest Hemingway’s FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, and you might even learn something about Hemingway himself. Enjoy!

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Bury yourself beneath a pile of rotting vegetables. It'll be better. I promise.

The Case For Decomposing Into Nutrient-Dense Compost Now That the Republican Tax Bill Might Actually Become Law

By: Amira K.
Musings, Politics, , , , , , , , , Leave a Comment on The Case For Decomposing Into Nutrient-Dense Compost Now That the Republican Tax Bill Might Actually Become Law

On Friday, the Republican-controlled Senate passed their tax overhaul plan, which, when reconciled with the House bill, will most likely shrivel the U.S. economy like that bag of wilting spinach in the back of your refrigerator. Even though nonpartisan organizations across the country have agreed that this will take away health insurance for up to 13…

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Introducing LITERARY LIBATIONS: The Video Series

By: Amira K.
Musings2 Comments on Introducing LITERARY LIBATIONS: The Video Series

What’s the perfect pairing for Alexandre Dumas’ THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO? What on Earth is one to drink while reading an out-of-this-world story like Heinlein’s A STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND? And how are you to pick the perfect drink to go with a novel by that consummate alcoholic, Ernest Hemingway?

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