It’s October! This month, our ‘Travel Europe Through Books’ online book club will be traveling to Moscow by way of the popular novel, A Gentleman in Moscow (2016) by Amor Towles. A Metropolitan Novel The first stop on our trip to Russia is Moscow, and more specifically the Metropol Hotel, pictured above. Just across the … More Gentlemen in Moscow
Do you have a favorite motto, phrase or mantra that keeps you positive or motivated? Maybe it’s something from a favorite book, or a quote from someone you admire. I have many of these: ‘Stay calm and carry on,’ ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going,’ and of course, ‘when life gives you … More Luctor et Emergo
Available in ebook from May 29, 2020. Welcome back! I am so happy that you looked us up again this week to read more of my new short-story Fate and Longing in Lisbon. Last week we met some of the colorful characters of the story and I hope you fell in love with the postman … More The Music behind the Story: Fate & Longing in Lisbon
At the end of January, just as the world was changing, I took one last, deep breath before it became clear that we couldn’t take breathing for granted any longer. On the flight home from Lisbon some passengers were already wearing face masks. China had just begun its quarantine. Since January, I have been holding … More One Last, Deep Breath!
This week we are highlighting the novel, From the Rooftops by V M Karren, which is set mainly in the eastern European country of Romania. We thought you might enjoy taking a brief glimpse at what everyday life looks like in Romania as an introduction to the book. Although the book is set in the … More Everyday Life in Romania
by Christine Karren With the arrival of the Corona virus on every continent of the world besides Antarctica, a lot of people are taking precautions. We started by washing our hands more carefully and frequently, and avoiding contact with possibly contaminated surfaces. Next we were buying out the stocks of hand sanitizers, toilet paper, and … More Canceling Travel Plans?
For a Westerner, Romania is a fascinating place to travel, with fantastic skiing and hiking in the Transylvanian Alps, the richly ornate architecture of Bucharest and other cities, and the well-preserved peasant life in the rural villages. But beyond this, Romanian culture is rich with tradition, patriotism, and high artistic achievement. The struggle of the … More Author Interview: American Novelist Writes About Modern Romania
I am pleased to announce that my debut novel, The Deceit of Riches, has been awarded the status of Finalist in the category of General Fiction/Novels (over 80,000 words) by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards! Five finalists were named, along with one winner in each category for this national award in the USA. The … More New National Acclaim for The Deceit of Riches
What one word or phrase would you suggest to describe this setting?
… More How would YOU describe this place?
