Category Archives: Book Reviews

Book Review: The Terminal Experiment by Robert J. Sawyer

When I first heard about the premise of this Nebula Award-winning novel, that a scientist had found proof of the existence of the human soul, I was immediately intrigued.  However, the book had gone out of print, and I could … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Book Review: Gulag: A History by Anne Applebaum

I have had this book in my radar for years, and when I saw it on the shelf in the West Valley Community Library in Yakima and perused it I decided to give it a try.  It’s a big, heavy … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Book Review: The Moon and the Sun by Vonda N. McIntyre

The subject of this novel is that which would normally be least likely to appeal to me: a fantasy-romance set in Louis XIV’s court at Versailles.  However, it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable and well-written novels … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faux Book Review: Reviews and Reflections on Books, Literature, and Writing by John Walters

Why is this a faux, or fake, book review?  Because it’s a review of my own book.  My plan earlier in the week had been to use this week’s blog post to merely announce the publication of this book, and … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, On Writing, Reading | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

It was through the best-selling self-published writer Hugh Howey that I learned about this book. He posted a review of it on his site that got me sufficiently interested to seek it out. Howey, from his frequent online essays and … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, On Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges

Usually in my reading I alternate between fiction and nonfiction, and it was almost time for some fiction. I had a few novels at hand that I had acquired but I hadn’t read, but I was in the mood for … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Favorite Books on Writing

I don’t think you can learn writing from a book.  If it can be taught, it is more through osmosis, through absorbing everything around you, including books, personal experience, and insight from other writers.  I hesitate to add writing classes, … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Memoir, On Writing, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris

I have known of this book for some time, and it has been relegated to that long list of books that I hope to read someday.  Recently, however, one of my sons sent me the following quote ascribed to Theodore … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

If it were not for the sickly green cover, this book would be near perfect.  Why do big New York publishers dress brilliance like this in such mediocrity?  I remember expressing something similar about an inferior cover while reviewing Jhumpa … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Book Review: Jack London: An American Life by Earle Labor

If I had to name the three writers most influential on my own career as a writer, they would be Jack London, Harlan Ellison, and Henry Miller.  I would snap up a biography of Harlan Ellison in a moment, but … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Memoir, On Writing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment