1. David Bruce Smith’s review of Toni Tennille: A Memoir by Toni Tennille with Caroline Tennille St. Clair (Taylor Trade Publishing). “‘Daryl and I had our differences for many years, but he had never cursed at me with such rage. Perhaps he had his own reasons to be angry, reasons I could never understand even though I had tried repeatedly. Maybe I had unwittingly done something to evoke this vitriolic response. But at that moment I knew…I had no choice but to leave.’ Some legends claim dragons are fiery, loyal, passionate, and generous, but they never hurt anyone. In this very sad story, the complicated ‘dragon’ couldn’t receive his wife’s love. Or wouldn’t.” [Editor’s note: We suspect the renewed interest in this review is a result of Daryl Dragon’s passing on Jan. 2, 2019.]


2. Julia Tagliere’s review of The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel by Heather Morris (HarperCollins). “As the camp expands and fills and Sokolov is asked to tattoo women and girls, he recoils, but Pepan reminds him that ‘he either follows the rules or risks death.’ It is one of dozens of moments Morris includes that reminds the reader that the ‘normal’ rules outside of the camps do not apply inside; as Gita tells Sokolov later in the book, ‘Outside doesn’t exist anymore. There’s only here.’”


3. The 2019 Washington Writers Conference Schedule of Events. We’ve got loads of literary goodness planned from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, May 10-11, and readers couldn’t wait to peruse the specifics for themselves! (Is this your year for publishing success? Click here to register at the Early Bird rate!)


4. “Notes from the Fringe” by E.A. Aymar. “There is an exasperated sense that often accompanies those who oppose social advancement. It’s a sense that the current state of affairs is fine, and a belief that anyone who takes grievance at it is petty or sensitive. When that exasperation is coupled with a professional environment, it often bleeds into the sense that those complaining simply haven’t worked as hard or wanted it as much.”


5. Robert Allen Papinchak’s review of Transcription: A Novel by Kate Atkinson. “Her narrative is clever and serious yet not without the element of Atkinson’s trademark humor. Juliet, with an ‘inclination to levity,’ often silently comments on her adversaries. At one point, she has an outing with otters that looks as though it’s going to be a scene of seduction. And there is a comic fiasco of farcical proportions that becomes tragic. At every point, however, it is clear that lying is the foundation of Juliet’s character. She understands that ‘if you’re going to tell a lie, tell a good one.’”

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