I have been wanting to read a novel by Sean Stewart for a long time. Stewart's novels tend to border the contemporary fantasy/magical realism territory. His novel, Galveston, has come on my radar over the years. I was able to buy a copy from my local library bookstore here in San Antonio for $1 over the weekend. Just got started with this one. Full review to come.

As the clock turns to December, it's about the time to discuss what were your favorite reads of 2019. I'm early but thought I would share my favorites of the year.

1. Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport (best non-fiction read of the year for me)
2. A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay
3. Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck
4. A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham
5. The Chef‘s Secret by Crystal King

What are your favorite reads of 2019?

I'm just over halfway through this excellent, character-driven first contact story. Ascending tells the story of Avery Alcott, an Earthwoman, as she is aboard an alien ship because she can speak their language and is a part of an intercultural exchange. Pechenick is doing an excellent job so far of showing the highs and challenges of being in such of a scenario. Full review to come.

One of my favorite reads of 2019. The Chef's Secret is a novel inspired by the life of famed and mysterious Italian Renaissance Chef Bartolomeo Scappi. If you are a foodie and love reading about secret lives, then this one is worth reading. Here's my full review: http://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-30-the-chefs-secret-by-cr...

I got to do some sightseeing while I was in Frankfurt last week. I visited the cities of Mainz, Mannheim, Wiesbaden, and Heidelberg. Of course, Heidelberg is the main tourist destination for most Americans when they go to Germany. It's a short train ride from Frankfurt. Well, I made it to Heidelberg & it lives up to the hype. Just a beautiful city. This picture was taken when I reached the top of the castle and could see the entire city.

I was at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany last week. It is really wonderful as a writer when you get to me someone you have admired online for years. This was case with Joanna Penn of the Creative Penn Podcast and author of over 30 books both fiction and nonfiction. We attended a workshop together and spoke about what it means to be an independent author. She is the same way in person as she is on the podcast.

The Gondola Maker by Laura Morelli tells the story of Luca Vianello, heir to a gondola-making business. However, he is a participant to a tragedy that strikes the business and alters the course of his life.

Morelli tells an excellent story from the first person perspective of Luca and brought me into the 16th Century Venice world of Gondola Boats, Art, and Culture. The Gondola Maker is not a novel of action and thrills. But a novel of character.

King writes an interesting, psychological story about a nine year old girl that gets separated from her family and lost in the woods. King probes the internal psyche of a young girl in such a situation and uses the power of imagination in the form of her favorite baseball player, Tom Gordon of the Boston Red Sox as a coping mechanism. I can see long time King fans not really liking this novel because the horror is of an internal nature.

I re-read The Pearl by John Steinbeck over the past 2 days. I will admit I'm not a huge classic or modern classic reader. I will have read more of those books. Anyway, The Pearl is one of the few modern classics I have read and re-read over the past 20 years. I continue to learn new things from this novella based from a Mexican folk tale. Here's my full review: http://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-26-the-pearl-by-john-stei...

I just saw this Amazon Original Story by Blake Crouch a few minutes ago. I enjoyed Recursion and will give this novella a try.

Stonecliff was an interesting novella about an aging, great writer being interviewed by an upcoming writer. The upcoming writer learns more than he expected from his subject and that a writer's muse can come from an unlikely place. This was published in 1967 and felt like it throughout several points in the novella. However, I found it readable and Nathan does a credible job blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.

I spent a couple of hours today to finish reading Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Most readers know of his body of work through One Hundred Years of Solitude and Love In The Time of Cholera. Well, this novella is a good entry point into his work if you are not ready to read those aforementioned novels. http://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-25-chronicle-of-a/

I have finished this one. Penny writes well-drawn characters and the setting of Three Pines has made a fan. Here's my review: http://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-24-how-the-light-gets-in-...

One of the true joys of reading is coming upon a series that you would never read at first glance. This has happened to me with Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny. I'm a not a big mystery or crime fiction reader. However, I read The Long Way Home a couple of years ago & was immediately taken by the characters and setting of Three Pines. While, I'm not reading the series in order, I'm currently reading and enjoying How The Light Gets In.

I must admit that Flannery O'Connor has been one of those authors I have been reluctant to read. However, I read this short story and thought it was well-written. O'Connor exposes the bigoted beliefs of the son and mother. But, I thought it was very much an old-fashioned view of racism. I plan to read more of her work.

I had my 48th birthday yesterday. And what does this bookworm get for his birthday....a new bookshelf. I had a buddy come help me put this bookshelf together and place it in my office. Glad I had a glass of my favorite Malbec afterwards! LOL!!

Charles de Lint is one of the few authors I have read for over 25 years. His novels & stories set in the fictional city of Newford have been delightful to read. I read Timeskip this morning. One of de Lint's best and well-known stories about a ghost appearing everytime it rains. A young woman notices this ghost & wants to connect with it. However, when she finally connects with the ghost, she learns that it comes with a price.

I've been in a short story mood for the past week to 10 days. This short story by Ursula Le Guin was recommended to me. I bought the Kindle version this evening and will start reading it tomorrow. Has anyone else read this famous short story of hers?

I just read “Haven“ by Alice Munro from her Dear Life collection of stories. An interesting coming-of-age story of a girl having to stay with her ultra-religious uncle & submissive aunt. Munro writers clearly and thoughtfully. Not a lot of action...but her observation into human nature is solid. I will admit this type of story would have bored me years ago. I guess I have grown as reader. I really liked it. Has anyone else read Alice Munro?

August is Women in Translation Month and I have decided to read German Women Writers. I have already read Blue Night by Simone Buchholz and next up is Go, Went, Gone by Jenny Erpenbeck. Erpenbeck came on my radar last year with her novel, The Visitation. I did not get a chance to read that one. However, Go Went Gone was recommended to me. Looking forward to reading this one.

I found out about the passing of Toni Morrison earlier today. I‘ve only read 2 of her novels, Song of Solomon and Jazz. Morrison is one of the best writers that America has ever produced and she leaves behind a body of work that rivals anyone in American Literature. RIP

I'm heading the Frankfurt Book Fair in October. And I'm starting to read more fiction from Germany. This crime novel came across my radar and plus I want to visit Hamburg. Berlin gets all the love as Germany's biggest city. But, I've been told that Hamburg (2nd biggest city} has a lot to offer. I hope this novel will introduce me to the city.

I usually don't read the “Summer Blockbuster Read“, but (it's a big one) I have been seeing Recursion all over book social media. Many people have praised this thriller. So I went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and bought a copy. I'm going to start it today and see if meets the hype. Has anyone read this novel? What do you think of it?

Here's the review for the second book of the Sarantine Mosaic. You do have to read the first book, Sailing to Sarantium to get the full story but this series was enjoyable to read. http://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-9-lord-of-emperors-by-guy...

Guy Gavriel Kay has become one of my favorite authors. I've read 5 Kay novels over the past 2 years and his brand of “historical fantasy“ is unique to the fantasy genre on the whole. Sailing to Sarantium is the first book in the Sarantine Mosaic Series. Highly recommended. http://marion-hill.com/book-review-147-sailing-to-sarantium-by-guy-gavriel-kay/

I'm currently reading this second book of the Long Price Quartet. I don't know how I missed this fantasy series when it first came out in 2005-2006..but I'm going to write it will one of the best fantasy series I have ever read. Abraham has created a fascinating Asian-influenced secondary world and the characters are what make this book and the first one really shine. These novels are slow-burn, low fantasy books and thought-provoking.

I finished reading this one today. It is the first book in his Long Price series. This series was recommended it to me a couple of years ago and billed as being original to epic fantasy. However, I will need to finish the entire series to make my determination on that claim. Abraham has a created an Asian-influnced secondary world of The Khaiem and the characters really shine in this first book of the series.

Summer Reading for me has always been about taking a chance on books outside of my normal reading zone. I truly believe that reading is the cheapest passport you can get to a new world. I was a bookseller for 10 years in the 1990s and readers would come in to get Nora Roberts books. I said to myself one day I'm going actually read one of her books. I'm currently reading The Villa because I love wine! I'm 60% done and Roberts can a tell story!

I just spent the past couple of weeks reading this one slowly. Highly recommended for writers. Rusch shares her experiences as a freelancer for nearly four decades. The chapters on success, professional jealousy, and setting up a will is worth the entire book. A must read and have for writers. http://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-16-the-freelancers-surviv...

I spent the weekend reading Hollywood vs the Author edited by Stephen Jay Schwartz. It is a sobering look at the challenging relationship between novelists and Hollywood. Most authors dream getting our books turned into movies or television series. This book shines a light on the dark side of Hollywood and the biggest takeaway for me is that our IP is extremely valuable. I would highly recommend that all writers get this book and read the essays.

I have finished Guy Gavriel Kay's latest novel and now it's time to read The Black God's Drums. I've had this one on my Kindle for awhile.

Gene Wolfe passed away last month at the age 87. Wolfe is known for his dense prose and use of the unreliable narrator throughout his work. I decided to read The Knight last week in honor of his passing. Even though, he wrote science-fiction and fantasy and never got a wider audience....he should be read by all serious readers. Here's my full review: http://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-11-the-knight-by-gene-wol...

Guy Gavriel Kay's latest novel, A Brightness Long Ago, was released yesterday & I got my copy from Amazon in the mail. I have read 4 Kay novels & have begun to believe he is not only one of our very best fantasy writers working today. Kay has shown that fantasy is not just about knights, wizards, dragons, magic & endless fights for power. It is about art, music, religion, secularism, & culture. He is one of our best writers working today.

Journey and Discovery: Omnibus Edition combines the first two of my Kammbia novels in one compelling read.
It will be released on May 13th. However, this edition has been accepted on NetGalley where you can download an advance review copy and leave a review. If you have a NetGalley account, then click on the link to get your advance copy of Journey and Discovery: Omnibus Edition.

https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/159058

Here's my latest review. I'm going to miss reading about Frank Bascombe. http://marion-hill.com/wisdom-from-kammbia-book-review-2-let-me-be-frank-with-yo...

I told myself that I would stay away from the bookstore over the holidays. Well, I stop into Half Price Books earlier today and started reading the book description from the inside flap. Yep...I bought it! 😂😂 The description intrigued me and worth spending $2.50 for the book. Hopefully, I will like it. Question: does a book description make you want to buy a book from an unknown author?

I just watched the movie today. I liked it. Bullock does a good job carrying the movie and the ending is interesting.

Merry Christmas Litsy! I got this one as a gift. It will begin my 2019 reading year. I have not read her novels and I thought this collection would be a good introduction to Jemisin's work.

I have made an effort to read translated fiction this year. The best translated novel I read in 2018 is The Tiger and the Acrobat. Here is my review: http://marion-hill.com/book-review-148-the-tiger-and-the-acrobat-by-susanna-tama...

I don't read a lot of short stories. But, I decided to end my reading year by reviewing one of my favorite authors short story collections. http://marion-hill.com/book-review-149-dreams-underfoot-by-charles-de-lint/

I got an email from a reader asking where my love of story comes from. Interestingly enough, I had been examining this question all year. I realized my love of story came from reading map books. You can read my blog post about it: http://marion-hill.com/story-is-king-2-what-books-gave-you-the-love-of-story/

I contributed to a Kickstarter campaign for artist Seth Hahne. Seth is a huge fan of Haruki Murakami and made prints of his most popular novels. I got the print in the mail a couple days ago of my favorite Murakami novel, A Wild Sheep Chase. Love it!

I had heard of Graham Joyce's work over the years but not had a reason to read him until this past weekend. House of Lost Dreams is an odd but compelling novel about an English couple moving to a Greek Island and what they encounter upon arriving. My full review is here: http://marion-hill.com/book-review-144-house-of-lost-dreams-by-graham-joyce/

My novel, Diondray's Discovery, has been selected for NetGalley through Kobo Writing Life for month of October. Check it out and get a free copy of Diondray's Discovery. If you do get a copy, I would appreciate if you give it a review. That will help with the discoverability of the book. Thank you!

https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/publisher/82818

I was asked by a reader if I had to start my library over what novels would I choose. Read my answers on my latest blog post: http://marion-hill.com/story-is-king-1-what-novels-would-you-restart-your-librar....
I would love to know what novels you choose to restart your library?

Next month, I will begin blog posts about power of story and imaginative fiction. Feel free to subscribe. I would like to interact with those who love stories. http://marion-hill.com

I'm halfway through this one. Really enjoying this novel and the choices these two French sisters have made to resist German occupation of France during WW2. I have not read a Kristin Hannah novel before but she is a good storyteller and can understand why she is popular with readers. I have been completely absorbed by this story. Full review to come.

I just updated my "Books I Recommended" page. Feel free to check it out and let me know if you have read any of the novels I recommended. http://marion-hill.com/books-i-recommend/

Here's my latest review. What if a writer's character came to life to help him win back his lost love and cure his writer's block? What if you believe that it's possible? The Girl on Paper by Guillaume Musso proposes that possibility. http://marion-hill.com/book-review-142-the-girl-on-paper-by-guillaume-musso/

I'm currently reading Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman. However, I have decided to read a uber popular novel after I finish the Hoffman novel. I'm going to read The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah. I put it on hold at my local library. Hannah has a devoted readership and this novel is considered one of her best. It will be interesting to read something outside of my normal reading zone.