Literature
The Albertine Prize: Proving Literature Matters
Last week, I received an invitation to attend the cocktail reception and ceremony for the inaugural Albertine Prize. This marked my first attendance at a literary award event. You might say that I was excited. I’ve described the refined, serene, and daresay magical qualities of Albertine in a past post. I’ll not bore anyone with…
Words from a Master: On Writing by Stephen King
While browsing at the legendary and beloved Strand bookstore in Manhattan several weeks ago, I picked up a copy of Stephen King’s On Writing for a birthday present for my friend (and sometimes collaborator). For years, bookstore clerks have recommended this book to me, so I bought a copy for myself, too. Preparing for the…
The Fisherman: Hudson Valley Horror
John Langan’s The Fisherman is a complex horror novel set in the Catskills Mountains in New York. Creepy, atmospheric, and strange–a perfect read for a dark and rainy night.
Autumn and October at Albertine Books
The autumn is the season befitting deep thoughts and reflections, strolling through a neighborhood park fragrant with fallen leaves, and watching the nighttime sky on a quiet beach. Rainy and chilly days are perfect for patronizing museums, theaters, historic homes, and bookstores. The autumn awakens the mind and the imagination. A few months ago, I…
A New Life in Union Grove: Thoughts on the World Made By Hand Series
The Harrows of Spring concludes an eight-year fictional odyssey for author James Howard Kunstler. His four-volume World Made by Hand series began in 2008 with the novel by the same name. Each novel is set during a season within a single year. The series opens in the summer and now closes with spring, a time…
Stephen King in Jersey City
This past Tuesday, Stephen King entertained a sold-out crowd of casual and hardcore fans at the grand, historic, and simply breath-taking Loew’s Jersey Theatre. The event marked the release of King’s latest novel End of Watch and the beginning of his summer book tour. Yes, Stephen King’s book tour began in Jersey City, New Jersey.…
The Secret Agent: A Review
Published in 1907, The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad centers on the intrigue and plotting of Adolf Verloc, a political agitator and a paid informant for an unnamed foreign government, most likely the now deceased Russian Empire. This book differs from Conrad’s better known sea-faring short stories and novels: The Secret Agent is a work of…
Washington Irving, Gibbet Island, and Jersey City
My post from last summer examined the connection between Washington Irving, America’s first international author and a connoisseur of Dutch culture, and the village of Communipaw—a part of contemporary Jersey City. This post has proven to be my most read piece with visitors from around the globe, illustrating the power and the possibility of culture—whether…
Don Quixote: Initial Thoughts
The subject of this piece has no relationship with Jersey City. No relationship with New Jersey. Except the subject might be found in a bookstore, a library, or a dusty bookcase and that many New Jerseyans speak the tongue of the author. A few times every year, I try to tackle one of the great,…
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside
My main summer goal is taking more advantage of the cultural and recreational offerings in Jersey City and the New York City region. After writing my post on Washington Irving’s relationship with Jersey City, I decided to visit Irving’s estate, Sunnyside, a National Historic Landmark in Irvington, New York.
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