First off, let me say how much I like this book. It is easy to read, has some wit and is incredibly helpful. I love to write, but while my daughters knew of Oxford commas and FANBOY, I did not. For those who do not know, these are all about the uses of commas. I know that now. That tricky piece of punctuation and others are explicated here. I highly recommend this title to anyone who wants to write better.
Many thanks to the publisher, Callisto, for this read in exchange for an honest review.
From the publisher:
Master your favorite pieces of punctuation, like:
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
The PeriodHe has ruled the roost since the beginning of punctuation time, when he helped Aristophanes help the fathers of civilization. The period is stern, opinionated, and unswayable. He holds entire sentences and sentence fragments to rights and clears space for the rest of punctuation to do its thing. |
The SemicolonThe semicolon. What a moment! But, from the other side of the cave (of course it is a cave, this is the end of a fierce quest . . . there is always a cave), all we hear are the raucous giggles of the winking semicolon, sitting on a rock, head thrown back as he shakes with laughter, pointing at us in deep amusement. |
The HyphenLook at the difference between a “small business owner” and a “small-business owner.” What about “fast dog food delivery service”? What is going on? “Fast-dog food-delivery service”? “Fast dog-food delivery service”? Despite doing a lot of the donkey work in keeping writing sensical, the hyphen is being hunted. |
I don’t always read romances although I definitely read my share of women’s fiction, and I know that the two genres overlap. Regardless, Covid has left me wanting to have some reads that I just know going in will be light, engaging and, yes, easy reads. This romance set in North Carolina fits the bill. There are the two protagonists who are as different as can be, although readers know it will only be a matter of time before they face an attraction. There is a nice setting with a house in need of repair and the promise of more books in the series to come. All a win, if this is your kind of book. It could be.
Viola Shipman (the pseudonym for a male author) has successfully been writing fiction that appeals to women. I think that this is his sixth book. The author chose his nom de plume to honor his grandmother.
Looks like mystery and history, along with a modern classic in Stoner. Enjoy.
Lots of good choices this week! See my archive for reviews of the Brenda Novak and Robyn Carr titles. Also, if you have a beginning chapter book reader, I highly recommend Frog and Toad!
Calling young adventurers! Choose where you want to go…it could be Europe; North or Central and/or South America; Asia and the Pacific East; Africa; Australia and Oceania or Antarctica. The whole world is there for you.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 