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Category Archives: books
"The Year Without Summer: 1816 and the Volcano That Darkened the World and Changed History" by William K. Klingaman and Nicholas P. Klingaman
So I’m reading William K. Klingaman and Nicholas P. Klingaman’s The Year Without Summer: 1816 and the Volcano That Darkened the World and Changed History (published just last month), which is billed as similar to Simon Winchester’s outstanding Krakatoa: The Day … Continue reading
Review of Jim Crace's "Harvest"
So my review of Jim Crace’s new novel, Harvest, appeared Sunday in the Dallas Morning News, here. I liked the book, mainly for its style more than its subject or story, which was taken to task in an interesting review … Continue reading
Posted in books, Uncategorized, writing
Tagged Book Reviewing, Fiction Writing, Good Fiction
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Good Review of "The Bird Saviors" in the San Francisco Book Review, and Eerie Similarities to Alex Prud'homme's "The Ripple Effect" in Recent L.A. Tourist's Death Case
So I’ve been too busy reading/teaching to blog lately, juggling about four books at a time and finishing all of them (more on that later), but had a nice surprise to be told about a good review of The Bird … Continue reading
Posted in books, Climate Change, The West
Tagged Book Reviewing, Climate Change, Drought, The Bird Saviors, The West, Water Crisis
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Review of Jared Diamond's "The World Until Yesterday" in the Dallas Morning News
So after a flu relapse that made me resemble one of those dudes on The Walking Dead, I’m struggling to maintain an upright position, and get back on with the business of the Living. Last Sunday I had a review … Continue reading
From the Flu Ward, a Guest Blog Post in The Superstition Review
So I’m still sick with the flu, ugh, or double ugh. If it were any worse I’d be chanting “Brains! Brains!” But I do have a guest blog post today in The Superstition Review, here.
Posted in books, The West, Viruses
Tagged Book Reviewing, The Bird Saviors, The West
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Greetings from Planet Flu, and a Few Thoughts on the Virus in "The Bird Saviors"
So I should say “Greetings, Fellow Flu Victims!” as it seems everyone I know, have ever known, or will know has the flu right now, which is to some extent why I haven’t posted anything in a while. My bout … Continue reading
"The Bird Saviors" on a List of Best Books of 2012, Plus Is It Getting Hot, or What?
So I was glad to learn today (belatedly, but better late than never) that my novel The Bird Saviors was listed as one of the Best Books of 2012 by the San Antonio Express-News, to which I say, “Wow, man. … Continue reading
Posted in Birding, books, Climate Change, The West, Weird Weather
Tagged Birding, Book Reviewing, Climate Change, The Bird Saviors, The West
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Review of Melanie Challenger's "On Extinction," Plus Attack of the Gadget Zombies!
So I’ve been more or less off-line for a couple weeks now, enjoying the holidays and some glorious snowfall, but my review of Melanie Challenger’s nonfiction book On Extinction appeared in the Dallas Morning News last Sunday, here. I liked … Continue reading
Review of Kevin Grauke's "Shadows of Men," Plus a Northern Harrier To Boot
So last Sunday my review of Kevin Grauke’s debut collection of short stories, Shadows of Men, appeared in the Dallas Morning News, here. It’s an excellent book—at times funny, at times touching, and pretty much hits the nail on the … Continue reading
Posted in Birding, books, Photography, The West, writing
Tagged Birding, Book Reviewing, Good Fiction, Photography, The West, Wildlife photos
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While Reading Melanie Challenger's "On Extinction," Life in "The Other Season"
So I’ve begun reading Melanie Challenger’s On Extinction, to review for the Dallas Morning News, a timely book when Climate Change is panting its hot breath down our neck like an oily wolf: the weather has been so warm this … Continue reading
Posted in Birding, books, Climate Change, The West, Water Crisis, Weird Weather
Tagged Birding, Book Reviewing, Climate Change, Drought, The Bird Saviors, The West, Water Crisis, Wildfires, Wildlife photos
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