I am a veteran book seller living and working in SW Florida. I am also a mother and a grandmother. I am passionate about reading and wish to share with others who enjoy receiving information about new authors, new titles and just good writing.
You can find me in the Community section of The Naples Daily News with my column Maurice On Books.
I have a connection to many booksellers and book lovers as well as publishers, authors and literary agents. I give book talks and am very involved in the whole book process. I will be able to review advance copies of books coming out in the future and get it out to you what my thoughts are about the future of these books. Several times in the past few years I have come across a brand new title and pronounced that I believe it to become an important read, and it has. My newest favorite example of this is Abraham Verghese’s CUTTING FOR STONE. And now it’s being made into a movie.
I will be sharing my thoughts and excitement with you and hope you will share yours. I look forward to hearing from book lovers, booksellers and anyone else interested in the book experience.
Oh, by the way, Maurice is my Seal Point Siamese cat of 19 years. He loves a good book!
Yeah! “Maurice on Books” is up and running … Now everyone can benefit, as I have, from your great reviews and interesting book finds. Congratulations, and thanks for sharing. I look forward to reading more from “Maurice”
WOW! This is fantastic! Congrats on all of your hard work which shows through your various genre selections. Your succinctly written reviews provide the reader with more than enough info to whet their appetites. I probably would not have taken the time to read ‘Katz on Dogs’ without your informative review and now I will add it to my reading list. I don’t have as much time as I would like for pleasure reading so your timely reviews allow me to make those reading selections more quickly. Keep those reviews coming…I enjoy reading them! Be sure to give Maurice a pat on the head for his continued participation and inspiration in this endeavor. (-:
Love your site. Will use it as a resource even though I’m just a lowly receiving manager.
So glad to have found your site, thanks to The Naples Daily News. I am a self-proclaimed bookaholic and have stacks of books piled high in every corner of the house. I also run a book club at our church here in Naples and I’m always looking for new titles to recommend. In October we will discuss THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY by Shaffer and Burrows which is a great read! If you haven’t discovered it yet, be sure to look for it at your local bookseller.
Am interested in your bookclub. Live in Estero. Are you taking new members
I do presentations for book groups. I am not actually involved in one of my own.
I have selected a wonderful title for our book club’s January read: THE HEMINGWAY BOOK CLUB OF KOSOVO by Paula Huntley. In 2000 the author and her lawyer husband went to live in Kosovo after the 1999 war. While her husband worked to help establish a modern legal system in Kosovo, Paul taught ESL to young people, most who wanted more than anything to learn English and to attend schools in the USA. As part of the ESL teaching process, Paula used Hemingway’s novel OLD MAN AND THE SEA as a textbook. Her young students were able to relate the story of the fisherman’s struggle to catch a big fish to the struggles they had during and after the 1999 war. It is an amazing story of hope and one that truly is inspirational…one which shows that the desires, hopes, and dreams of human beings, regardless of nationality or religion, transcend both culture and circumstance. I would love to see you review this fine book for your blog readers. Huntley has a most interesting website in which she provides updates on the lives of her students.
I read your column in Thursday’s Daily News and enjoyed your review of Julie and Julia. Since you are a cookbook “expert” I’m hoping you maybe able to help me.
I have a very old cookbook and thought maybe you might be able to help me find a value. I’ve searched Ebay, Amazon and have had no luck. it is “The Original Boston Cooking School Cook Book 1896″ by Fannie Merrit Farmer. It appears to be the 12th edition but I cannot locate a date. It is in very good used condition with dust cover intact, although a little worn. I would appreciate your thoughts – thanks
Glad you enjoyed the review. Unfortunately, I can not help you with your cookbook dilemma. You have done all the correct research. Good luck!
To find older book editions check Bookfinder.com and Alibiris.com. I’ve had good luck with both of these in the past.
I am an MFA student at Spalding University and wold love to speak with you about reviewing books.
My email is bilodeau19@comcast.net
I am looking for book clubs in Naples, Florida. I facilitate one at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Naples but I would like to join others here in Naples. Do you know of any that are accepting new members?
Jean,
I am the ‘fearless leader’ of a book discussion group in a community called Palmira (2 mi. east of I-75 on Bonita Bch. Rd.). There are 60 women in the group. Thankfully, they don’t all come to every meeting! We meet the second Tuesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. Would it be possible for you to meet with us and share your thoughts about books? I mentioned this idea to the group and they were very enthusiastic about the possibility that you might agree. In short-we would love it!
Get back to me when you have time.
Thanks,
Peg Pepe
Peg, you can reach me at work most days.
I just finished reading MAJOR PETTIGREW’S LAST STAND by Helen Simonson and I highly recommend it to you and all of your readers. It is a delightful love story involving two older people in a charming English village.
We stay in Naples for 4 mo. each yr. and ran across your article in the Naple’s paper. I would love to receive your reviews. Recently finished Sarah’s Key and currently reading A Long Long Time Ago Essentially True. Lark & Termite was the best written of all these books.
Hope to meet you next winter.
Gratefully,
Gail
What a great web site! Many thanks to Daniel Silva’s FB page for clueing me in! I’m always on the lookout for new author/book recommendations and look forward to hearing more from you. Anyone who loves Daniel Silva is a friend of mine!
Please add me to your newsletter update list
I like your book reviews and wanted to subscribe to your blog. I don’t see that you have an RSS feed to subscribe to. Let me know if you add one so I can read your new posts.
If you click on the RSS feed area on the right side of the blog you can subscribe through google.
I recently finished The Help byKathryn Stockett. I just couldn’t put it down. I was a young adult in Chicago at the time this book took place.
What a struggle for the people of color anywhere in the USA.
Love your reviews and they have been a great source for my book club. Wondering if you have read “Someone Knows My Name” by Laurence Hill? It is our book club book for this month and all of the members loved it. It does not seem to get much attention here in the US but I understand it is has a big following in Canada where it goes under the title of “The Book of Negroes”. Amazing story of a woman slave during the Revolutionary war.
Just wanted to say thank you for your recommendations! I have read some wonderful books because of your column in the Naples Daily News.
Thanks so much Fran! I really appreciate hearing from you.
Hello,
Thank you for your note on my site, http://www.gaylelemmon.com. I am delighted you enjoyed The Dressmaker of Khair Khana, and very much appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. Readers like you will make the difference for this book, and I appreciate your help in spreading the word. Together we can help get a bit of credit to the unsung heroines who pull families through difficult times every day, all around the world.
My best,
Gayle Lemmon
Dear Jean-
I recently spoke at a newcomers club called Encore while visiting Southwest Florida and I enjoyed reading your reveiw of Keeping Time in The Naples Daily News. I would be happy to send you my latest novel, A Slender Thread (NAL Penguin) for your pleasure or possible review. Thanks for all you are doing for readers and writers!
Best,
Katharine Davis
I just read your column on The Soldier’s Wife. Sounds good…I’ll read it. Since I’m a 3-4 book a week reader (don’t even ask how I get my work done), I have a long list of favorite authors and hate to pick up another one but I do
occasionaly try something new recommended by a friend. I was amused by your reluctance to get into The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I was initally put of by the letter format too but its worth it. Try again……jackie davis
So happy I found your site( thx Naples Daily News) I need some good fiction recommendations,
Your reviews give me direction in selecting just the right book. Keep up the good wor.
Hello, I just wanted to say thank you (or Maurice) for the lovely review of Paris in Love. I’m happy it gave you so much pleasure! All best, Eloisa