Book Review: A Loaded Gun by Jerome Charyn

Award-winning author Jerome Charyn returns to the world of Emily Dickinson in his latest biography, A Loaded Gun.

With his thought-provoking, eloquent style Charyn explores the complex woman often referred to as the Belle of Amherst. At times shy, yet, sometimes bold, this often misunderstood poet has fascinated readers for generations.

As he did with his novel, The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson, he entices the reader to reconsider what they know about Dickinson. Was she merely that reclusive spinster trapped in her "Pearl Jail" at the Homestead or was she a gifted writer scribbling fragments on brown wrapping  paper and stray envelopes that spoke of a passionate woman who chartered her own destiny and whose words inspired works of art?

The depth of Charyn's research is clear from the start. He's studied previous biographies, explored Dickinson's letters and poems, and interviewed experts to bring what he sees as the real Emily Dickinson to life for modern readers. More than a woman who was trapped by her father in the family's home, more than someone's odd aunt or sister, more than the cockeyed girl in a dark dress we know from the daguerreotype, Dickinson was a powerful woman who seduced people with her words.

It will be interesting to dig out my Emily Dickinson collection after reading A Loaded Gun to see if my own perceptions of her work have changed.

Ultimately, I don't think we will ever learn more about Dickinson than she wished to share with us, but Charyn's in depth look at her life has definitely brought me closer to this "unknowable genius."

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Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Bellevue Literary Press (March 15, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934137987
ISBN-13: 978-1934137987

I received a free copy of this book from the author through Tribute Books Blog Tours. This review contains my honest opinion, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

I read this book for the following challenge:

Blogging and the TBR Pile

Who knew blogging would provide so many of us with more reading material than we could possibly read. I remember my early days of blogging in 2007 when I had to review books I had bought simply to draw attention to my blog.

Now? I haven't been able to open The Book Connection up to reviews in years and I am still behind. Yet, the requests keep coming. 

Perhaps that is because longevity in blogging isn't always the norm. When I was working in online book promotion, I can't tell you how many bloggers just dropped off the face of the planet with no explanation leaving promised book reviews unwritten. But we must understand that most bloggers are getting paid only in free books and that life sometimes gets in the way. 

Right now, I owe two for virtual book tours that have already ended: Portrait of a Conspiracy by Donna Russo Morin and A Loaded Gun by Jerome Charyn. I'm reading both now while on vacation and hope to have these reviews posted by the end of next week.

I wonder what your TBR pile looks like right now because mine is ridiculous. Not even counting all the free Kindle books I'vev downloaded it must be in the hundreds. 

Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Reading is supposed to be enjoyable and relaxing. When it starts becoming regulated, does it become less of both or either? 

How many books do you think are in your TBR pile?

Have you made changes in how many books you accept to keep your TBR pile at a manageable level?

Have you ever or do you now participate in virtual book tours? How has that influenced your blogging choices?

Has a large TBR pile ever forced you to stop taking new review requests or to temporarily stop blogging? 

Have you ever participated in a reading challenge to help you whittle down your TBR pile? Has it helped?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books I Enjoyed That Have Under 2000 Ratings On Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. Each week they will post a new Top Ten list that one of the bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Books I Enjoyed That Have Under 2000 Ratings On Goodreads

Why I liked it: This story is filled with a ton of emotions.

Why I liked it: A strong plot, well-defined characters, and a hint of romance swirl through the pages of this dangerous cat-and-mouse mystery.

Why I liked it: This mystery/suspense novel offers a well-written story, a unique plot, and superbly drawn characters.

Why I liked it: This vampire spoof combines everything southern and quirky characters.

Why I liked it: This author was already a favorite of mine. With this novel she showed her versatility while delivering a murder mystery whose ending totally shocked me.

Why I liked it: This cowboy romance features great characters and a great plot. If they were all like this, more of my reading list would include this genre.

Why I liked it: The author made the conflict clear from the beginning and the last chapter of this one was so strong I read it three times. 

Why I liked it: Memorable characters, an engaging plot, and the heartbeat of the untamed west blend to create an excellent historical romance.

Why I liked it: This story is told by one of the survivor's sons, but it is still an objective thoroughly-researched account of survival and faith. If every memoir was this well written, my bookshelves would be lined with them.

Why I liked it: This book let me know it's okay to not be the perfect wife and mother.

Happy Independence Day!

Wishing all our readers a happy, healthy and safe Fourth of July!

Musing Mondays - July 4

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme now hosted at Jenn's blog Books And A Beat that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What is/are your favorite book title?

Happy Fourth of July from the Outer Banks! I hope you're having a great time with your family celebrating the birth of this wonderful nation of ours. It's a bit cloudy today, but we are hoping to attend the fireworks in Manteo (where Andy Griffith lived) tonight.

This week's question is tough. How can I pick just one favorite title? I've been reading for decades. Here is a list of five of my favorite titles:

• The Stand by Stephen King
• The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
• Anne of Windy Poplars by Lucy Maud Montgomery
• The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
• All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

What are some of your favorite titles?

Musing Mondays - June 27

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme now hosted at Jenn's new blog Books And A Beat that asks you to choose one of the following prompts to answer:

• I’m currently reading…
• Up next I think I’ll read…
• I bought the following book(s) in the past week…
• I’m super excited to tell you about (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I’m really upset by (book/author/bookish-news)…
• I can’t wait to get a copy of…
• I wish I could read ___, but…
• I blogged about ____ this past week…

THIS WEEK’S RANDOM QUESTION: What is/are your favorite book cover(s)?

It's been a while since I've done one of these and it's about high time I got back to it. I've missed blogging now that work has taken over my life.

I'm currently reading:

My review was due weeks ago, but I haven't been reading much lately. Our annual trip to North Carolina is coming up, so I will be reading it then. What I have read so far is really good.

Here's the line up of paperback books I am taking on vacation with me. I'm also taking both of my Kindles. 

• Deep Shadows by Vannetta Chapman
• Anna's Healing by Vannetta Chapman
• Joshua's Mission by Vannetta Chapman
• A Loaded Gun by Jerome Charyn
• The Strangers on Montague Street by Karen White
• When Butterflies Came by Kimberley Griffiths Little
• Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown
• While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax

What books are you looking forward to reading this summer?

Book Review: Real Estate Rules! by Debbi DiMaggio

Maybe you're a new real estate agent looking for tips on how to create a successful career. Perhaps you're a seasoned agent who wants to bring her business to the next level. Maybe you just need some ideas on how to sell yourself.

Well, whatever you're looking for, you'll find it in Real Estate Rules!: 52 Ways to Achieve Success in Real Estate by Debbi DiMaggio.

Part of the Rules! books collection, DiMaggio shares the tips and tricks that secured her place in the top one percent of real estate agents nationwide. Broken down into four parts, this helpful guide has the power to transform your business. Empowering and informative, you won't be able to stop the ideas from coming once you've made it to the end of this book. You'll learn how to sell yourself, how to market properties, and get tips on working with clients and how to grow your business.

The adorable illustrations by Steve Hickner provide some light comic relief for what is a very serious subject: how to better position yourself for success in the real estate industry. As a REALTOR®, I truly appreciate DiMaggio's desire to help others succeed. It's evident in every word that she loves what she does.

Let Real Estate Rules! by Debbi DiMaggio inspire you to reach new heights in your real estate career.

Highly recommended!

Paperback: 134 pages
Publisher: Brigantine Media (April 4, 2016)
ISBN-10: 1938406540
ISBN-13: 978-1938406546

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

I read this book for the following challenge: