As promised, here is more advance praise for Juliet Kono’s novel Anshū, which Bamboo Ridge Press will publish in September.

For more about Anshū, see “Anshū: powerful novel coming in September.” I am moved by the strong personal impact of the book on these early readers.

Juliet S. Kono has crafted a remarkable novel, weaving together experiences of darkness and flames and turning it into a story of luminous strength and determination. Himiko is a very young child who is consumed with fire—burns them everywhere even at the risk of turning her own body into fuel for the flames. Pregnant in pre-World War II Hilo, Hawai‘i, she is sent to Japan where she encounters harsh treatment from relatives who have little to spare.

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I consider myself extremely lucky to be one of those with an early look at Juliet S. Kono's new novel, Anshū, from Bamboo Ridge Press. The book will be out [...]
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Here's a newly refreshed post to talk about what's happening with your reading club/group or just want to share your recent book finds. Tell us what you're reading--rave about your new discoveries!

Why did England goalie Robert Green let that easy ball roll in for the only USA goal in the 1-1 tie at the World Cup?  I believe I may have the answer. Wa [...]
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Summer, a time for summer reading, discovering a new book, a new writer ... but also a time to visit old friends. Speaking of old friends, my William Shakespeare bobb [...]
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My friend Richie from up the street asks me, “When do you find time to write?”

“Late at night is the second best time,” I tell him, “for me anyway.” He waits for the rest of my answer.  ”But my favorite time is before sunrise.  Five a.m.  While you’re still sleeping.”

Richie cringes just at the sound of  ”five a.m.”  ”You set your alarm?” he asks.

“No, I just wake up some mornings and know it’s time to write. I awake the hound (Simone, our Italian greyhound) and we go downstairs together. She goes back to sleep on the sofa and I pour a large mug of Kona coffee and head for the keyboard.

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by Don J. Hibbard, Glenn E. Mason, and Karen J. Weitze As a leading advocate for the development of a Hawaiian style of architecture, Hart Wood (1880–1957) incorporated local building traditions and materials in many of his pr [...]
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