Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Jan 18, 2012, 10:09 pm
A Reader's Respite knows well enough that the vast majority of readers out there would most certainly not be interested in the book we are currently reading, The Italian Renaissance: Culture and Society in Italy.  Heck, the dry presentation of material from historian Peter Burke has been enough to ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Oct 19, 2011, 12:02 pm
Evidently our blog secretary has found himself with too much down-time on his hands.  We caught him placing ads on Craigs List and are not amused....so.not.amused.....
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Oct 16, 2011, 7:01 pm
It's finally happened.  Someone has kidnapped author Philippa Gregory's editor.  There really can be no other explanation for the content of her latest book, The Lady of the Rivers, the final installment (we hope) of her Cousin's War series of historical fiction about the influential women during ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Oct 7, 2011, 10:08 pm
....but we lost the mood required for that level of snarkiness.  You'll just have to wait. In the meantime, nothing says "You're Getting Old" like your teen idol signing a book deal reminiscing about the good ol' days of hard drugs and horny teenaged fans.  The biography market is always loaded do...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Sep 13, 2011, 4:39 pm
Blogging is a funny thing.  When A Reader's Respite announced yesterday that the blog would be retiring, we felt a huge sense of relief...after all, writing snark is more difficult than one might think.  It's hard to stay snarky on a daily basis. You might imagine our complete and utter surprise w...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Sep 12, 2011, 11:54 am
For those of you who haven't heard the news, A Reader's Respite is retiring.  Sort of.  Actually, we've been absorbed (for lack of a better word) into the new online literary magazine, The Lit Asylum!  The Lit Asylum is a monthly, online magazine that explores all things books.  Please come vis...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - May 23, 2011, 9:00 pm
While A Reader's Respite can't claim that John Stephens wrote an entirely original new Young Adult Fantasy/Adventure in The Emerald Atlas, we can tell you that originality aside, this was a rollicking good ride. Time-travel, dwarfs, evil warloards, benevolent wizards, and one very pissy Russian coun...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - May 20, 2011, 5:16 am
For some strange reason, there has been an upsurge of mentions of Philippa Gregory's old Wideacre Series in and around blogland the past couple of weeks.  We're not sure why that is, but it revives old nightmares for A Reader's Respite.  This series of three novels (of which we only made it throug...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - May 17, 2011, 10:31 pm
Or rather, make that a tiger in a teapot.  For the past six months or so, mothers across the U.S. have been up in arms about Yale professor Amy Chua's memoir of motherhood.  You see, Amy is a Chinese-American who raised in the strictest of households and decided to continue that tradition with her...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - May 16, 2011, 1:50 am
At last A Reader’s Respite reaches the grand finale of our three-part vacation saga. Now for those of you who have ever flown trans-oceanic flights with children in tow (or if you’ve ever been stuck within a ten row radius of children on one of these flights), you’ll understand our reluctanc...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - May 13, 2011, 5:58 am
A Reader’s Respite’s employer didn’t agree to our request for a vacation from our vacation which would explain the week that has passed since our last post.  Whew.  This working thing is hard.  But on to Part Deux of our vacation, which takes us to Salisbury, England…. If you ever find ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - May 6, 2011, 2:10 am
Whew.  A Reader’s Respite has officially returned from vacation.  We now require a vacation from our vacation.  We’ll call it Secondary Vacation and submit our request at work forthwith. (We’ll be sure to let you know what the powers-that-be think of that.) We’ve realized that for our p...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - May 2, 2011, 9:30 pm
A Reader’s Respite recently read an article that paid homage to the dying era of television soap operas.  With the cancellation of long, long-running daytime soaps such as All My Children and Guiding Light, the article sounded the death knell for the age of soap operas.  And while soap operas h...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Apr 27, 2011, 12:55 pm
It’s that time of year again, folks, and the 2011 Audies Finalists (the best of the best in audiobooks) have just been announced. There are about a bazillion categories for the Audies so A Reader’s Respite won’t list every category here, but we’ll give you a taste of what’s been nominate...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Apr 22, 2011, 3:30 am
A Reader's Respite, as most of you know, has a love of audiobooks.  They don't outnumber the books we actually read with our own two Lasik-ed eyes, but we can't imagine a car ride without an audiobook playing. Testimony, by Anita Shreve, was a bit of a new audio experience for us.  It was the fir...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Apr 20, 2011, 5:38 am
Ever since A Reader's Respite learned that the ship we will be sailing across the Atlantic, Cunard's Queen Mary 2, has an honest-to-goodness shipboard library, we've been fascinated by the concept of floating books.  Queen Mary 2 shipboard library Here's a look at some of the more interesting float...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Apr 18, 2011, 7:10 am
A Reader's Respite is more than a little smitten with Amelia Gray, the heroine of her new mystery-slash-paranormal novel, The Restorer.  Amelia, you see, isn't your normal run-of-the-mill cemetery restorer, although this isn't for lack of trying.  Amelia sees dead people.  She can't help it.  Ev...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Apr 14, 2011, 9:50 pm
Wasn’t that a song from the 80’s?  It’s been in our heads all week long.  That’s because A Reader’s Respite will be out of the office on vacation until the first of May. Where are we going?  We’ll give you some clues…. plus plus plus plus If you need anyt...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Apr 11, 2011, 1:19 am
A Reader’s Respite loves, loves, loves a good series of novels.  Yes, getting sucked into a series means your reading schedule goes to hell in the proverbial hand-basket, but if the series is a good one, it’s worth the disruption.  In fact, it can be downright bliss. If you enjoy a good myst...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Apr 8, 2011, 12:16 am
A genre fake-out is, A Reader’s Respite has decided, what happens when a novel appears to fall into one genre, but then pulls the old switch-a-roo on the reader and morphs into an entirely different genre. Now sometimes this is unintentional on the author’s part and those genre-morphing books ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Apr 3, 2011, 7:40 pm
Although Monday isn’t the start of the work week for A Reader’s Respite (today is our Friday, as a matter of fact), there seems to be a collective bad-vibe out there whenever Mondays roll around and we’re not immune to it. So today will be designated Meh Monday and we can take a looksy at so...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Mar 31, 2011, 10:20 pm
Brilliant, simple, and affordable.  Three of our favorite things. Yes, we realize that despite our impressive collection of bookmarks that we still tend to use a napkin or an airline boarding pass to mark our page, but that doesn’t stop A Reader’s Respite from coveting a little Tiffany’s...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Mar 31, 2011, 2:16 am
A Reader’s Respite wants our own time-machine.  We want one so badly that we sent our blog secretary out to the garage to build us one, but he claimed it wasn’t in his contract (we have a contract?) and pulled a face that precluded any further discussion on the matter: So we reached for th...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Mar 29, 2011, 10:16 pm
  A Reader’s Respite has been suffering from a wicked case of the dreaded bloggy block.  Bloggy block is even worse than writer’s block because at least an author can put forth a veritable fountain of brilliance.  Bloggy writers are lucky to put forth a decent review a few times a week a...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Mar 11, 2011, 1:13 am
Consider, then, this little mnemonic and you'll never forget who's who in English history again..... William the Conqueror long did reign, William, his son, by an arrow was slain; Henry the First was a scholar bright; Stephen was king without any right. Henry the Second, Plantagenet's scion; Richard...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Mar 2, 2011, 8:38 pm
The Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Battle of HastingsThe Norman invasion of England in 1066 AD was a pivotal moment that changed history forever.  We’ve all heard of many of the players: King Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, and so on and so forth.  But making sense of all the people ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Feb 20, 2011, 6:40 pm
Every once in a while, a novel comes along to remind us readers that writing is far more than putting words down on paper….it is a craft.  Peter Cunningham’s historical novel, The Sea and the Silence, is one of those books. Set amid the political upheaval that followed the Irish War of Indepe...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Feb 16, 2011, 1:18 pm
By now we suspect everyone has heard that Borders Books has filed for bankruptcy after losing $168 million in 2010.  They’ve hired a company called Hilco to come in to liquidate and close 200 Borders stores around the U.S….that’s a lot of book store employees out of work, folks. Want ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Feb 9, 2011, 4:45 pm
Every once in a while, if you’re observant, you’ll find a little gem hidden within those inflight magazines airlines foist on you. In this month’s Hemispheres (courtesy of United Airlines), you’ll find an interview with famed shoe-man Manolo Blahnik in which he states: My parents read t...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Feb 4, 2011, 12:34 am
Okay, maybe not an actual snob.  But editions can matter even for the casual reader. Yes, the story within is the same, but certain editions – especially for the classics – are meant to enhance your understanding and reading enjoyment and it can be worth your time to seek out these editions. ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Jan 31, 2011, 9:06 pm
A Reader’s Respite has a love-hate relationship with famous actors who try their hands as audiobook narrators.  For every narration we love, there are at least two that are disasters because – let’s be honest here – acting a role in front of the camera is vastly different from interpreting ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Jan 24, 2011, 9:19 pm
No one likes to think too much about there own mortality, but there are times in our lives when we are struck by how short this life really is. Perhaps you realize it when an acquaintance of similar age unexpectedly passes away.  Or maybe it hits you on a milestone birthday (never thought you’d...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Jan 6, 2011, 12:11 am
In addition to our Etsy obsession, A Reader's Respite is currently going through a book sculpture phase. This piece was created by Hubertus Gojowczyk....it's entitled Latest News from the Year 1732 and 1733.  If you have to ask the price, you can't afford it.  (We asked, so we know this to be tru...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Jan 3, 2011, 2:15 am
Just a few days ago, A Reader's Respite was merrily wishing each of you a year of good reading in 2011.  Too bad we forgot to wish the same for ourselves.  If we had, mayhap we would have been spared the absolute disaster newly released by Delacorte Press, entitled Vixen. With a glitzy cover just...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Dec 31, 2010, 11:22 pm
Happy New Year.  May 2011 be filled with books.  Really good books.
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Dec 27, 2010, 1:18 pm
Most of you already know that A Reader's Respite has an unhealthy obsession with Etsy, the online market place where artists and crafty-like peeps sell their wares. But if you happen to be looking for literature-related goods on Etsy  the cold, hard truth is that you're going to have to wade throu...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Dec 24, 2010, 10:20 pm

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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Dec 20, 2010, 4:08 am
A Reader's Respite recently picked up a second-hand copy of a 2010 historical fiction release written by author Christy English, entitled The Queen's Pawn.  Despite the horrid cover art (really, Penguin Group, what were you thinking here?), the novel features a rather obscure historical protagonist...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Dec 13, 2010, 1:30 pm
Yes, we know A Reader's Respite has been a tad scarce lately.  But it is the holiday season and we all know what that means:  every person in America feels compelled to jump on an airplane and fly somewhere.  Which means that our day job is keeping us very, very busy.  And no matter how many tim...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Nov 29, 2010, 4:11 pm
A Reader's Respite confesses that we've always wanted a hidden bookcase door in our home.  Seriously.  We really want this.... It's only $3,000 at Opulentitems.com.  Please, Santa?
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Nov 26, 2010, 1:06 pm
Because if not, A Reader's Respite has GOT to own this. (Yes, we've been spending far too much time browsing Etsy these days.....)
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Nov 25, 2010, 5:38 am

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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Nov 23, 2010, 4:02 am
Of course you do....who doesn't? Check out America Jane Mercantile's A Year of Good Reading tote.  Not only is this bag perfect for your library loot, but it's made from 100% recycled cotton. And it's only $15 from now until Thanksgiving!
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Nov 21, 2010, 12:32 am
Historical fiction can be broken down into numerous sub-genres, but one of the most important distinctions is between modern historical fiction and, well, historical historical fiction.  What on earth is the difference and why should you care?  Knowing the difference can make or break your reading...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Nov 11, 2010, 3:30 am
This review is part of the Green Books campaign.Today 200 bloggers take a stand to support books printed in an eco-friendly manner by simultaneously publishing reviews of 200 books printed on recycled or FSC-certified paper. By turning a spotlight on books printed using eco- friendly paper, ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Nov 8, 2010, 11:33 pm
Yes, A Reader's Respite knows it's far too early to be doing anything Holiday-related yet.  (And a pox on those stores who were playing Christmas music the day after Halloween.)  But if you want in on the fun of The Book Blogger Holiday Swap, this is just a friendly reminder that you need to sign ...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Nov 8, 2010, 1:25 am
Books Which May Very Well Induce a Coma This is a public service announcement, courtesy of A Reader's Respite, which may very well save you from an unnecessary coma induced by a novel.  Now this is not to be confused with bad writing.  On the contrary, all of the sentences are properly put togethe...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Nov 1, 2010, 9:21 pm
All book bloggers should have this laptop. Read more about it at Yanko Design.  (Yes, it really is a working laptop.)
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Oct 31, 2010, 12:34 am
A Reader's Respite originally had planned a whole slew of spooky Halloween reviews throughout the month of October.  Due to, ahem, some technical difficulties (oddly enough, not with Blogger this time but within our own short-circuiting brain) it simply did not happen this year.  The best laid pla...
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Michele J. posted an article on A Reader's Respite - Oct 25, 2010, 11:28 pm

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