Suncoast Scene: Pages & Plates

This week brings you my thoughts on a wonderful novel and a round-up of local restaurants, mostly casual ones. SERIOUSLY GOOD FICTION The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck.  I saw an ad for this book in the NY Times’ book review section and then one of my favorite booksellers said she thought it …

Suncoast Scene

CHAGALL IN THE GARDEN Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota is celebrating Marc Chagall’s art and his depiction of flowers in it.  Several areas of the outdoor gardens are planted in the French style, the conservatory has stained glass screen reproductions as backdrops for orchids, and Payne Mansion has a handful of some original Chagall paintings.  …

Tidy Potpourri: Books & More

Here are notes on two beach reads, my thoughts on a difficult play, and a great restaurant find for birthdays or anniversaries. LEISURE READING Karen White’s Flight Patterns is an absorbing novel about family secrets and the tortured relationship between two sisters and a good candidate to take to the beach.  Set in New Orleans and …

Book Titles Round-up: 2017 Jan.-Mar.

Here’s a round-up of the books I’ve discussed in my blog from January through March of this year.  Happy reading to you all! MEMOIRS All at Sea by Decca Aiktenead Falling by Elisha Cooper Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance When in French: Love in a Second Language by Lauren Collins NOVELS Be Near Me …