Category Archives: Uncategorized

HAMNET by Maggie O’Farrell

Posted on August 30, 2020 by

You don’t have to love Shakespeare to love this book.  Although it is a historical novel about young William mostly before he steps into the spotlight, it is so much more.  In fact, he is a bit player; his wife … Continue reading →

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A WELL-BEHAVED WOMAN by Therese Anne Fowler

Posted on March 25, 2019 by

Coincidentally, a few months before I read Therese Anne Fowler’s latest novel focused on another dynamic woman in history (her previous gem was ZELDA), I visited some friends in Asheville, North Carolina and took an eye-popping tour of the Biltmore … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Gilded Age, Historical fiction, Novel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

MAJOR PETTIGREW’S LAST STAND by Helen Simonson

Posted on May 10, 2016 by

Maybe you have a cold, or maybe it’s rainy out, or maybe you are procrastinating from doing something “important.” You could probably come up with a better excuse, but the truth is, when it comes to reading you shouldn’t need … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Novel, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

READING RECONSIDERED by Doug Lemov, Colleen Driggs, and Erica Woolway

Posted on March 6, 2016 by

You might be tempted not to pick up READING RECONSIDERED, thinking perhaps, I’ve already read so many books on literacy: what could this one possibly add? A lot. Subtitled A Practical Guide to Rigorous Literacy Instruction, this book is definitely … Continue reading →

Posted in For EDUCATORS, Literacy Instruction, Nonfiction, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

THE PASSENGER by Lisa Lutz

Posted on March 5, 2016 by

As should be evident from a handful of previous posts, I am a HUGE fan of Lisa Lutz. From her Spellman series (like Harriet the Spy for adults, but funnier) to the hilarious Heads You Lose (written with her ex-boyfriend, … Continue reading →

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PRESENCE by Amy Cuddy

Posted on February 12, 2016 by

As you read this, you could be doing a hundred other things. You might be thinking of them, either at the back or front of your mind, even at this moment. The dishes, the laundry, something for work, haven’t been … Continue reading →

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BOBCAT AND OTHER STORIES by Rebecca Lee

Posted on June 23, 2013 by

As a short story junkie, I am painfully aware that the supply of short story collections published is sparse, so it brings me great joy not only to see one released but also to find it completely engrossing. In the … Continue reading →

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THE RIVER OF DOUBT by Candice Millard

Posted on September 3, 2011 by

Anyone who has seen NYC Mayor Bloomberg “speak Spanish” in a press conference has probably noticed that he appears to be pronouncing the words with somewhat of a New York accent and possibly with a gun pressed to his back. … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, For EDUCATORS, History, Inspirational, Nonfiction, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

TEACH LIKE A CHAMPION by Doug Lemov

Posted on August 17, 2011 by

When I began teaching 24 years ago, all I had was an Ivy League education and a case of Michelob, both courtesy of my parents.  I’m not complaining.  They were both handy.  The beer endeared me to my new roommates, … Continue reading →

Posted in Change, For EDUCATORS, Nonfiction, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Welcome to Only Good Books!

Posted on August 15, 2011 by

I decided to start this blog after noticing that I was incessantly reading good books and recommending them to friends.  In the course of researching for this blog, I noticed that other blogs sometimes review crappy books.  I won’t waste … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments