Positive I've Read Them All? Positive The Diane Smith Canon Diane Smith is one of those ever-present Connecticut people. I've lived in this state since 1991 and she's always been somewhere on television or radio - or on the book racks. She is a consummate media professional and champion for Connecticut. She's a New … [Read more...]
Book Review: The Cold Blue Blood
Blue Bloods and Blood. Lots of Blood. The Cold Blue Blood, David Handler (2001) This is the first in David Handler's Berger and Mitry Mystery series I'm going to introduce this mystery series by using the publisher's introduction: Welcome to the quaint historic village of Dorset, the jewel of Connecticut's … [Read more...]
Book Review: Loop Year
I'm Loopy Loop Year, John Sheirer (2008) You'd think I'd really like this book. Heck, you'd think I'd love it. I thought I'd love it. I really wanted to love it. I can say I love the idea of it. Any longtime CTMQ reader (or personal acquaintance) will nod along when I say that the book is a daily chronicle … [Read more...]
Book Review: Connecticut Farms and Farmers Markets
Yee-Haw Connecticut Farms and Farmers Markets Eric D. Lehman and Amy Nawrocki (2022) I didn't plan on actually reading this book. I don't think the prolific Connecticut authors plan for anyone to read read Connecticut Farms and Farmers Markets. That's not the point of it at all. I, however, actually read the … [Read more...]
Modern Library Top 100 Books 81-90
Because They Made a List... Modern Library Top 100 Books of the 20th Century (Books 81-90) I used to think I was qualified to write actual reviews of these books. I am not. So 20 years into this effort, I've dumbed it down for the good of us all and now just write a few sentences. 90. Midnight’s Children … [Read more...]
Books & Reading Challenges (Gone)
I've shut down this whole page and all the stuff that branched from it. After all, why would you care about what books I read on a site about Connecticut stuff? (However, if you DO care about books and you have an Instagram account, follow me at stevereadslists over there.) … [Read more...]
Howard’s Bookstore and Noelke Gallery
Howards End Howard's Bookstore and Noelke Gallery, Torrington February 2022 With used bookstores such rarities these days, I visit and write about some them on CTMQ if only because they'll likely be extinct by the time I die. Hoo boy, that was a rough lede. Sorry to bum you out. I'm sure some will … [Read more...]
Book Review: Fairfield County Chef’s Table
Gold Coast Star Fairfield County Chef's Table, Amy Kundrat (Photos by Stephanie Webster (2014) I suppose it's only proper to note that the author of this book is a friend of mine, but I did purchase it on my own at full price for what that's worth. So, there's probably no way I'm going to say that this book is … [Read more...]
Book Review: One of Windsor
Left Me Hanging a Bit One of Windsor, Beth M. Caruso (2015) I dunno... I'm just not a big fan of "historical fiction" I guess. I like good books on history, and I like good works of fiction well enough. But there's always something so awkward when the two genres meet and mingle. I'm sure there are countless … [Read more...]
Book Review: Connecticut Created Cars
Speed Reading Connecticut Created Cars By Paul Pellerin I read this book in about 20 minutes while standing at Bloomfield's Prosser Library one random weeknight after work. I had been looking for something else, saw this, pulled it out of its slot and said to myself, "Hm, I can 'read' this book in 20 minutes and … [Read more...]