Before I actually get to today’s book, I need to embark on a brief explanation.  At some point last year, I felt like I was getting into a rut with the books I was choosing—I was always reading the same kinds of books, and rereading the same books off my shelves.  I don’t think there’s necessarily anything wrong with the latter—we all have comfort reads, I...

March and early April in Maine are gloomy times—still cold, often still snowy, and a mix of frozen snow lumps several feet in height and muddy ground from melting snow lumps.  I have a need at this time of the year to read something that’s going to cheer me up, remind me that life could be worse, and make me laugh.  I have several favorite books or series...

It has, arguably, the most recognized opening line in American Literature. It is loathed by high school students and college lit majors alike. People actually wince when I tell them it’s one of my all-time favorite classics, followed by, inevitably, a statement that takes some form of, “You’re insane.” Yeah, maybe I am. But I’m here to tell you, I do love...