Recent Posts
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Book Review: After by Francine Prose
Title: After Author: Francine Prose Published: 2003 Publisher: HarperCollins Pages: 330 From: Barnes and Noble This novel by young adult writer Francine Prose is very similar in theme to Todd Strasser’s novel The Wave. Where Strasser’s novel looks at a social experiment based on the actions of the Nazis, Prose’s novel looks at the actions […]
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Book Reviews, Harrison, Kathryn
Book Review: The Kiss by Kathryn Harrison
Title: The Kiss Author: Kathryn Harrison Published: 1997 Publisher: Random House Pages: 207 From: Drake Public Library While I was reading Kathryn Harrison’s disturbing memoir, The Kiss, I was also reading several other books. Those books were a lifesaver. They broke up the dark themes woven throughout the memoir I picked up at a local […]
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Girl on Fire: Acknowledging first responders
[As seen in Creston News Advertiser, December 5, 2013] As someone who was on the outside of anything news— and emergency—related until recently, I am still somewhat stuck on the outside looking in. And, this past week is no exception. My boyfriend Russ Finehout and I were on the way back to Creston from a […]
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Girl on Fire: Determination to reach long-term fitness goals
[As seen in Creston News Advertiser, November 21, 2013] Thanks to coworker Brooke McIntosh and newsroom discussion, there is a health and fitness competition in the newsroom. I’m glad we have this competition. Already, having an in-house competition has helped me get on track before Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts roll around. My goal for Thanksgiving […]
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Book Review: Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Title: Allegiant Author: Veronica Roth Published: 2013 Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Pages: 544 From: Barnes and Noble What I’ve failed to give author Veronica Roth credit for in previous reviews is her ability to delve into the human mind and seek out a person’s character, then be able to show that character to her readers. […]
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Girl on Fire: Art on the brain
[As seen in Creston News Advertiser, November 7, 2013] With the help of my friend and coworker Sarah Brown, I got into an artsy mindset and made a piece of crayon art Sunday. Crayon art is really easy. Hot glue crayons to a canvas and melt the colorful wax with a hair dryer. The hot […]
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Girl on Fire: Yellow Brick Road, here I come
[As seen in Creston News Advertiser, October 31, 2013] In six months, I will be finishing my first half marathon. I caught the marathon bug from my mom, who has been doing half marathons for a couple of years now. Her next one is the Monumental Half Marathon in Indianapolis, Ind., Saturday. I wish all […]
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Book Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Title: Insurgent Author: Veronica Roth Published: 2012 Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Pages: 525 From: Barnes and Noble “One choice can destroy you.” The quote on the cover of Veronica Roth’s second novel Insurgent is the perfect lead into the second installment of the author’s Divergent trilogy. Insurgent is a continuation of the first novel Divergent. […]
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Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Title: Divergent Author: Veronica Roth Published: 2011 Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Pages: 487 From: Barnes and Noble The first thought I had when I heard about Veronica Roth’s debut novel Divergent was, “Oh, God. Not another one.” I have a natural hate toward anything paranormal, science fiction or fantasy written after the year 2005, thanks […]
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Book Reviews, Maguire, Gregory
Book Review: Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire
Title: Son of a Witch Author: Gregory Maguire Published: 2005 Publisher: Regan Books Pages: 329 From: Barnes and Noble The second in a saga of four novels, Gregory Maguire’s book Son of a Witch takes the life of Liir, the supposed son of the Wicked Witch of the West, and follows his life after the […]
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