The Wanderer was given the opportunity recently to interview Morgan Rice. In the past two volumes of our literary journal, we have reviewed both of Ms. Rice’s newest novels in the Kings and Sorcerers series. Books full of action and adventure, centered around a young heroine who is easy to root for, Ms. Rice took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions that we thought readers would like to know. If you haven’t read the reviews for her two novels as of yet, go read them here and here.
An Interview with Margaret Larlham
Margaret Larlham is a director and playwright at San Diego State University. Her scripts are adapted from children’s literature have a strong focus on physicality and cultural diversity.
Larlham was born and educated in South Africa, and taught in the Speech and Drama Department at the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa prior to moving to San Diego in 1986. Continue reading “An Interview with Margaret Larlham”
Brian Turner at Grossmont College for Literary Arts Festival
An Iraq War veteran, Brian Turner’s work reflects his experiences in the Middle East. His most recent book My Life as a Foreign Country (2014), a creative memoir of his war experience, blends his musings and imagination to create a stunning character which engages readers, both with a military background and without. Continue reading “Brian Turner at Grossmont College for Literary Arts Festival”
The Adventure Continues in ‘Rise of the Valiant’
Fans of Morgan Rice, are you ready for another action packed adventure? If you are, then buckle your seat belts and hold on tight, because her newest novel in the Kings and Sorcerers series Rise of the Valiant is a wild ride. Filled with non-stop action, this sequel is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from cover to cover, as you continue to follow Kyra and her friends through Escalon, fighting for their freedom. Continue reading “The Adventure Continues in ‘Rise of the Valiant’”
Interview with Author Diane Duane
Diane Duane has been an author of science fiction and fantasy novels for over three decades. Duane has written over fifty books and has also written screenplays for TV and film. She is married to novelist Peter Morwood and they live in County Wicklow, Ireland. Continue reading “Interview with Author Diane Duane”
Happiness For Beginners by Katherine Center
The main protagonist of the novel Happiness for Beginners is thirty-two year old Helen Carpenter. Helen is a recent divorcee, who one year after her divorce, decides to go on a hike to become a stronger better person. This hike is no normal walk in the park. It is an intense, away from any civilization, three week, fourteen people group hike. Continue reading “Happiness For Beginners by Katherine Center”
Moxie Theatre’s Lesson 443 by Tatiana Suarez-Pico
Synopsis of Lesson 443: Fiery fifteen year-old Cari Gonzalez, wishes she could hide her Mexican heritage but it’s written on her face and alive in her voice. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she uncovers a terrible secret her father and aunt have hidden from her- a secret which may have been a catalyst in her mother’s tragic death 15 years prior. Continue reading “Moxie Theatre’s Lesson 443 by Tatiana Suarez-Pico”
Name in My Antonia & House of Mirth
Names have been used for eons, though not always; there was a time in history when there was no linguistic need for personal names. In the modern world though, names are essential to to individual. While most people have a vague idea what their own name means, few give it much thought. Many parents will carefully select names with meaning for their children, either rooted in family tradition or bourne of carefully considered meaning. Authors treat their works similarly, putting much thought into choosing names of characters, in the hopes of expressing traits or habits of the character by deciding on a name that epitomizes that character themselves.
The study of names is called onomastics, a field which touches on linguistics, history, anthropology, psychology, sociology, philology and much more. When referring to the “meaning of a name” however, they are most likely referring to the etymology, which is the original literal meaning. The Oxford English Dictionary defines etymology as “the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanings have changed throughout history”.
The development of character identity is essential to understanding individual motive; It has been suggested that, often, authors will select names for characters that will reflect actual traits of or decisions made by the character themselves. This not only adds meaning to the work of literature but adds an element of realism to the characters.
Bitter and Sweet – Milk and Honey
Milk and Honey is a collection of poetry that takes the reader through a time of pain and personal growth. The book is separated into four chapters, or categories: the hurting, the loving, the breaking, the healing. In this order, respectively, Rupi Kaur releases her experiences with violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity. Continue reading “Bitter and Sweet – Milk and Honey”
An Alternative to Shelf Life: Book Crossing
I recently discovered a website and community called Book Crossing. It’s an organization that celebrates and promotes the distribution of book as opposed to keeping your books on a shelf at home. The website encourages users to print out a label for the book, register the book online, and release it into the wild! Continue reading “An Alternative to Shelf Life: Book Crossing”
To Journey Over the Rainbow
From Land of Oz is a quest about finding poetry everywhere it presents itself. These poems are based on L. Frank Baum’s cherished children’s book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” a story has inspired reproductions, continuations and recreations since its original publication in 1900. Inspired, Kathleen de la Chaumette relies on the classic as the basis of her poems in the recently published From the Land of Oz.
Reminiscent and nostalgic, the poems in the collection attempt to recreate the magic and mystery we experienced as children, reminding us of and transporting us back to Oz. The wonderment and joy that follows the childlike innocence experienced and replicated through The Wizard of Oz are retained and revisited in De La Chaumette’s selection of poems. Continue reading “To Journey Over the Rainbow”
Rebecca’s Poetry, Spoken Word Open Mic.
Rebecca’s Poetry, Spoken Word Open Mic., every third Tuesday at 6:30PM.
With its dim yellow lighting against fading yellow wall paint, Rebecca’s provides a classically comfortable setting perfect for recitation or live music. Complete with mismatched armchairs and covered couches, thick wood tables and burlap coffee sacks hung from the ceilings and unframed canvas paintings waiting patiently and hopefully to be purchased, Rebecca’s looks the quintessential coffee house. Against one wall is a bookshelf containing classics and modern romance alike, board games and decks of cards; an old piano waits to be played in the opposite corner of the room. The bar is cluttered with pastries behind glass and cluttered hand-written menus, listing coffees and sandwiches and ‘specialty drinks’. Piled near the door wait a variety of free and local newspapers, magazines, business cards and advertisements in support of local businesses and individuals.
MANDY'S READING LIST 