Month: March 2013

March 29, 2013

Tips for Writers: Being a Good Literary Citizen

This morning, a writer friend of mine posted some nice words on Facebook about my book, What the Zhang Boys Know. I appreciated his comments,…
March 27, 2013

2013 Reading: The Case for God by Karen Armstrong

The Case for God by Karen Armstrong is my book club’s selection for March. (See Reading Liberally-Staunton.) It was an interesting read, although frustrating at…
March 25, 2013

The New Yorker: “Marjorie Lemke” by Sarah Braunstein

April 1, 2013: “Marjorie Lemke” by Sarah Braunstein Marjorie Lemke was called a “major loser” in high school. It wasn’t true then, but, according…
March 24, 2013

Wrap-up: 2013 Virginia Festival of the Book

The 19th Virginia Festival of the Book is now history, and it was a good one. I was there for part of every day…
March 22, 2013

2013 Reading: Pagan Babies by Elmore Leonard

Pagan Babies by Elmore Leonard is entertaining. It seemed, in the first half, as though it might be more than that, but in the end,…
March 21, 2013

2013 Reading: Cascade by Maryanne O’Hara

Cascade: A Novel by Maryanne O’Hara was a pleasure to read. It begins in late 1934 when Desdemona Hart, a trained artist, has married Asa…
March 20, 2013

Tips for Writers: She shrugged

I frequently encounter this sentence in the work of both students and would-be contributors to my magazine: “She shrugged her shoulders.” With student work,…
March 20, 2013

Midge Raymond interviews me

Midge Raymond, author of Forgetting English, interviews me on her blog: Q&A with Clifford Garstang. Thanks, Midge!
March 19, 2013

2013 Reading: Hemingway’s Girl by Erika Robuck

Hemingway’s Girl by Erika Robuck is a fast read, and I recommend it. It’s a historical novel set in 1935 (with a prologue and epilogue…
March 19, 2013

The New Yorker: “The Judge’s Will” by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

March 25, 2013: “The Judge’s Will” by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala As of today, March 18, no Q&A is posted, so there’s no help there….