Katiaesque

  • “Rhythm in My Head:” an interview with Ann E. Burg

    Since she was about four years old, Ann E. Burg, a middle child of four siblings, was walking around, “writing poems in [her] head.”                Michael fights, fights, fights                                                                         He fights for his rights               When he wins, he grins . . . Ann’s mother  and  father always had classical music playing on the radio,…

    Katia Raina

  • “All The Broken Pieces” by Ann E. Burg

    Scholastic 2010 Another great find on my hunt for the best contemporary historical fiction, this sparse novel in verse must be what they mean when they describe something as a “deeply felt” work. It is a simple story of a 10-year-old Vietnamese boy with a good arm for baseball who had been adopted into an…

    Katia Raina

  • I am NOT a KGB Spy!

    I have so many great things here in the wings, more awesome contemporary historical fiction titles to share with you, great interviews I have lined up for you, a torrent of thoughts on my writing adventures, my super-duper list of the greatest-ever contemporary historical fiction titles coming along nicely, in fact almost done . .…

    Katia Raina

  • Independence Day USA (with a dash of global perspective)

     Back from Philadelphia this week, “the birthplace of our nation,” with a little Independence Day   report.  My favorite part of the celebration? The late morning parade in historic district. It started with the expected police cruisers and motorcycles showing off their red-white-and blue lights’ blinking and sirens’ friendly wailing. The typical 1770s ladies and gents waved…

    Katia Raina

  • Jonathan Evison: “What More Can You Ask of Anybody?”

    I am so pleased and excited to give you Jonathan Evison, another fabulous author. His novel for   adults “All About Lulu” (Soft Skull Press, 2008) spans the 1970s-1990s, delves into dreams, love, obsession, growing up and family. The  book is impossible to put down, and once you reluctantly close its covers, the characters will keep haunting you.        (Also,…

    Katia Raina