June's Literary Blog
 

A LITERARY BLOG ABOUT BOOKS
How they affect us.
How they shape our lives.

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"We read to know
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C.S. Lewis

Copyright 2011-2018


Top 12 Reading
Recommendations
 
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Novels, books, and musicals
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"Meditations for New Members is a beautifully written little book...a gem.
The thoughts are striking and orginal--a few are quite profound."
--Fiona  Hodgkin, author of The Tennis Player from Bermuda

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Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Still Life with Bread Crumbs
I’ve been carrying this book around with me, you see, for about a month now. Every night up the stairs to read before falling asleep, but I was waylaid by a game or two of Word Chums or Gin Rummy Plus. Every morning I’d tote it back down the stairs, where I put it on the coffee table thinking I’d catch a chapter or two before dinner. But, again, I was waylaid by household chores, FrankieBernard walks, and all the trappings of Christmas. But… But! Yesterday was a rainy morning, so I finally settled in and opened the covers of Still Life with Bread Crumbs: A Novel by Anna Quindlen and couldn’t close them until I had finished reading.

Not only a prolific writer (seven novels, eight works of non-fiction, and two children’s books, as well as being columnist for Newsweek) Quindlen is a talented, insightful writer whose plot lines are unique and whose characters are so real they seem to be drawn from reality. Who, in this case, is the main protagonist Rebecca Winter inspired by the author in an earlier age when she began to question the meaning of each stage of a woman’s life. Her life, the life of Rebecca, who, at first, is valued by her work assayed by others, not by herself. Once renowned and rich, our sixty-year-old heroine is reduced to financial straits; forced to lease out her New York City apartment and rent a run-down cabin in the rural woods. Rebecca finds herself bereft of luxuries, lacking amenities, and “reduced” to fending for herself.

In the process of going from “riches to rags” (and living on the edge of poverty), puzzled into an existence she never knew before, Rebecca learns more from life as she discovers who she really is. All of this may sound like a bit of lofty banality, but this author is a master of couching the major, deeper meanings of life in minor events; all of which are somehow, sometimes humorously, interwoven. Sarah, the tea shop and bakery proprietress; Jim Bates the roofer; Polly, Jim’s sister; small white crosses with talismans inexplicably placed in the forest; Jack, the dog; Sonya, her father’s maid and companion; and Ben, Rebecca’s son. Each is complex with his/her own philosophy; each with their own deepening message in which Rebecca comes to find the true meaning of her own.

For those of you who would deem this a “chick lit” romance novel, think again. It is a well thought out and well-written literary gem that sparkles in the dark recesses of the mind and lights up the gloomiest winter chambers of the heart. And, unlike most of Quindlen’s other novels, she moves its moments of darkness into light richness with a very satisfyingly moving happy ending.

I would call this the perfect holiday read; but as the last days of December are quickly passing into the uncertain nether regions of the coming new year, I recommend 
Still Life with Bread Crumbs as an anecdote to what may be many dismal weeks ahead. A breath of spring time reading in the midst of the winter of our own discontents. Who knows? You may find hope and solace within the covers of this novel. Just as I did.

4:20 pm est          Comments

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

New Novel and Appearance Schedule
Finally, after six months of research and “living” with a tall, unconventional character who “told” me her name was Faith Little, my fourth novel and the third in the historical Novels of Phoenixville… series, has been published! Just in time for your holiday gift giving!

Columbia Hotel: A Novel of Phoenixville during the Early 1900s is set in at the turn of the last century, with flashbacks and recalls to historical events and (most interesting) character backgrounds that occur in the 1800s. Not to brag (but I will), I just have to say that three of my advanced readers really liked it! And these three, folks, are my worst critics. Issued by B’Seti Pup Publishing, this intriguing romantic novel, which is really a mystery (my first?), is available for purchase in both paperback and Kindle formats on amazon.com. Just click the cover photo in the side panel or the title at the beginning of this paragraph. And for those of you in the Phoenixville area, copies will also be available at both Gateway Pharmacy (165 Nutt Road) and the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area (204 Church Street; Hours: 9 to 3 Wednesday and Friday and on First Fridays and Sundays).

Now, I’m beginning to get a bit of reputation around town as the historical novelist of the area. And, as such, I am now on local television (information below), doing yet another few book signing, and have even been invited to participate in the local library’s literary series.

Television Interview: The Prisoner's Portrait: A Novel of Phoenixville during World War II with Dr. Lou Beccaria, the host of And Now You Know, is airing three times a day (egad!) on the local TPN channel (22 on Comcast; 29 on Verizon). Here are the times:

Sun:  7:30am 5:00pm 9:00pm

Mon:  7:30am 5:00pm 8:00pm

Tues: 7:30am 5:00pm 9:00pm

Wed: 7:30am 5:00pm 9:00pm

Thurs:7:30am 5:00pm 8:00pm

Fri:     7:30am 5:00pm 8:00pm

Sat:    7:30am 5:00pm 9:00pm

  

And for those of you who are not in the area, here's a link to the video online (of all places...YouTube!): https://youtu.be/Y8JYw9_dNG8

Book Signing: Saturday, January 14, 2017, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Gateway Pharmacy, 165 Nutt Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Copies of all four of my novels will be available for personalized encryptions and purchase.

Phoenixville Library Lecture Series: Monday, February 13, 2017, 7:00 p.m. at the Phoenixville Library, 183 Second Avenue, Phoenixville, PA. German Prisoners during War World II at Valley Forge General Hospital. Lecture by Jack Ertell from the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area and discussion of my novel, The Prisoner’s Portrait.

Well, these are the dates and times so far. So, please mark your calendar and join us!

And now, back to work on yet another novel about Phoenixville! Teaser: This one is told by a mansion…

Have a great day and enjoy all your reads!
 

2:43 pm est          Comments


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June J. McInerney, the host of this Literary Blog, is an author, poet, and librettist. Her currently published works include a novel, a book of spiritual inspirations, two volumes of poetry, stories for children (of all ages) and a variety of children's musicals. Her titles include:
 
Miss Elmira's Secret Treasure: A Novel of Phoenixville during the Early 1900s
Colonial Theatre: A Novel of Phoenixville during the Roarin' 20s 
Phoenix Hose, Hook & Ladder: A Novel of Phoenixville during World War I
Columbia Hotel: A Novel of Phoenixville during the Early 1900s
the Schuylkill Monster: A Novel of Phoenixville in 1978
The Prisoner's Portrait: A Novel of Phoenxville during World War II
Forty-Thirty 
Rainbow in the Sky
Meditations for New Members

Adventures of Oreigh Ogglefont
The Basset Chronicles.
Cats of Nine Tales
Spinach Water: A Collection of Poems
Exodus Ending: A Collection of More Spiritual Poems

We Three Kings

Beauty and the Beast

Bethlehem

Noah's Rainbow

Peter, Wolf, and Red Riding Hood

 

 

Originally from the New York metropolitan area, June currently lives near Valley Forge Park in Pennsylvania with her constant and loving companions, FrankieBernard and Sebastian Cat. She is currently working on her sixth novel.

June's novels can be purchased at amazon.com, through Barnes and Noble,
at the Historical Society of the Phoenixville Area,
and 
the Gateway Pharmacy in Phoenixvile, PA
.

For more information about her musicals, which are also available on amazon.com,