Happy Reading!
Barley Tea Just For Me
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Hello there and happy Tuesday! Today I am doing something different on the blog. I am sharing with you and all my readers a Q&A with author Nancy Jooyoun Kim about her debut novel, The Last Story of Mina Lee. I absolutely love reading about countries and cultures different from my own. It is a wonderful way to explore the world from the comfort of my own couch (perfect during a pandemic). In Kim’s book, Koreatown, Los Angeles and Korea are the backdrop, with family secrets taking center stage.
You Thrill Me Right Round Baby
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Today I am writing to you about two books that literally thrilled me to death. Suspense and crime fiction have really added some zest to my summer days. I’m not going to lie though, you weren’t exactly Mr. Thriller back in the day. As you are aware from previous letters, I will always rely on your simple, yet zealous writing. But once again, I am leaving the thrills and chills to a few others. Let me introduce you to E.G. Scott and Alice Feeney.
Batteries Not Included
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
As I write to you each week, it never escapes me that you too, wrote letters. Whether it was to F. Scott Fitgerald, Ezra Pound or even James Joyce, you were known to write your letters on anything that resembled a piece of paper. To me, there is something so intimate about writing an actual letter as opposed to an email or text (trust me on this one). Well Mr. H., I couldn’t help but think of you and even myself when I read Mary Pauline Lowry’s book, The Roxy Letters.
Ernest “Chitter-Chatter”
Dear Beautiful Book Friends,
Last night the Dear Mr. Hemingway Community had their final book discussion and Zoom with Author Abdi Nor Iftin. I am not going to lie…it was incredible. No worries if you were not able to join, there is more chit chatting about books coming your way. The “Ernest” Chitter-Chatter August book pick is Tiny Imperfections by Alli Frank & Asha Youmans. This book is an absolute juicy treat! You will not want to miss dishing about this gem.
Happy 121st Birthday Ernest Hemingway
Dear Readers,
Happy 121st Birthday Ernest Hemingway! WOW!!!! As I continue to chip away at reading his work, friends are always asking where they can start on their own Hemingway Journey. As of right now, my recommendations remain the same…A Farewell To Arms, A Moveable Feast and The Sun Also Rises. These three never fail, no matter how many times you read them.
“Ernest”Chitter Chatter
Dear Lovely Readers,
I am excited to announce The Dear Mr. Hemingway Book Discussion Group….”Ernest” Chitter-Chatter With Kelly & Friends. My goal is to connect all of my readers (and me too) with a wide variety of fabulous books and incredible authors. Not only will you have the chance to discuss a monthly book with other book lovers from around the world, but you also will have the opportunity to connect with the author as well. All your burning questions can finally be answered by authors you know and love. Not too shabby.
Paint Me Into Your Life
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
You once said, “Writing, at its best, is a lonely life”. Loneliness, oftentimes yields individual efforts that beg to be explored. I can only presume you know it well. This palpable feeling of loneliness exists on the pages of some of your finest writing. You touch upon this solitude in Cat in the Rain and The Old Man and the Sea. Moving forward now to 21st century writing, Luster, by Raven Leilani is a sharply written story that takes on this complex emotion and state of being with a modern flare. In her debut novel…
July Discussion Read
Hello Lovely Readers,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their summer. Over here at Dear Mr. Hemingway, I am constantly developing new bookish ways we can all connect over our love of reading. This month, I am hosting a book discussion on an extraordinary memoir by Abdi Nor Iftin…Call me American.
Buzz Go The Murder Hornets
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
As much as I love your writing and getting lost in your words, I sometimes crave a thrill that you simply can’t deliver (no offense). The breathless feeling from dangling off the top of some absurdly wild amusement park ride. The feeling of my heart literally pounding out of my chest. My mind playing tricks on me. You get the idea, right? Not to worry though.
Guest Writer ~ Ellie Alexander
Dear Book Lovers!
Happy Guest Writer Wednesday! I hope you are hungry today because Guest Writer Ellie Alexander is talking to Mr. Hemingway about the importance of truly listening, passing down recipes from generation to generation and memories made in the kitchen with those you love. Ellie is the queen of writing cozy mysteries.
The Bitter And Sweet of Cherry Season
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I feel like so many of the books I have read lately have me thinking of you, especially your younger days. Today I am talking about a book that took place in one of your old stomping grounds. The story I just read was set in a cozy farmhouse surrounded by a cherry orchard in Michigan. You remember Michigan, right? You may not have been picking cherries, but you definitely enjoyed some high-quality outdoor time there.
Guest Writer ~ Cathy Barrow
Dear Book Lovers,
Its Foodie time over here on Dear Mr. Hemingway, and today I am literally drooling over Guest Writer~Cathy Barrow’s letter to Mr. H. Trout with a buttery crust, scrumptious pancakes, roast chicken, and a cookbook that reads like a memoir are front and center on the menu today. Let me tell you a little bit about Cathy. She is the author of three fabulous books, When Pies Fly (Grand Central Publishing), Pies Squared (Grand Central Publishing) and Mrs. Wheelbarrow’s Practical Pantry (W.W. Norton & Company).
Audio Books Worth Your Hours
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I have written to you about my love of audio books before. In my days, they were actually referred to as “books on tape”. I still catch myself saying that from time to time…especially when my kids look at me like I am speaking a foreign language. Anyway, do you know how many times I have fallen asleep listening to your book, The Old Man and the Sea? Well, it feels like a thousand.
Guest Writer ~ Nikki Marie
Dear Book Lovers,
Happy Guest Writer Wednesday! I am delighted to introduce you to today’s Foodie Guest…Nikki Marie. Nikki is the creator of the popular food blog, Chasing The Seasons and the author of the delicious and ever so stunning cookbook, Simple, Elegant Pasta Dinners (Page Street Publishing). Nikki lives in Northern New Jersey (fellow Jersey Girl) where the seasons are fabulous and the farms are abundant.
I Support You
Dear Readers,
It has been a horrible week in the United States. With so many people hurting, I would like to especially acknowledge all of my Black readers and followers. I will never understand the pain you are going through, but I support you. With that said, my heart is broken. This week I have been quietly reflecting and listening. I am taking time to sort through everything.
Guest Writer ~ Suzanne Nelson
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
My younger, more naïve self of decades past wasn’t particularly fond of your writing. After reading A Farewell to Arms in high school, I felt downright cheated by its tragic ending. I was angry at you for making me uncomfortable. You forced me to think about the unfairness of life, when I only wanted to believe in its goodness and beauty.
Row~Row~Row Your Boat
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Who doesn’t love a warm summer day at the lake? Swimming, fishing, and boating on these glassy waters make for the perfect afternoon. I know you have spent your fair share of time on a lake. Your honeymoon with Hadley on Lake Walloon in Michigan (sorry the weather was crappy for you guys), and let’s not forget your 10 days on Lake Maggiore in Italy while on medical leave during the first World War. Let me ask you this though…did you ever see a dead woman floating in one of those lakes while you were relaxing onshore or boating around?
Guest Writer~Kate Shaffer
Dear Book Friends,
Happy Guest Writer Wednesday. I am thrilled to share with you this week’s Foodie. Kate Shaffer, Owner and founder of Black Dinah Chocolatiers, is typically all about the chocolate. Today however, she is talking all things picnic related to Mr. Hemingway. Before we get to that, let me tell you a little more about Kate.
I Tumble For You
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Summertime, summertime, summertime. While you longed for feeling your fishing rod between your hands on a clear Michigan river with endless trout in sight, I ache to feel a book between my hands, my toes in the warm sand, and endless chapters to devour while lounging in my beach chair. Today, I am focusing on the summertime beach reading scenario (my husband can handle the fishing one another time…if you are interested). Beach Read by Emily Henry (OUT TODAY) and Head Over Heels (OUT JUNE 23) by Hannah Orenstein are two books that you must make time for this summer.
Guest Writer ~ Julia Mueller
Dear Book Friends,
Today’s Guest Foodie Writer is in my opinion..a food and wellness guru! Julia Mueller, creator of the extremely popular food blog, The Roasted Root, makes delicious food that is actually good for you! Julia’s recipes are nutrient rich, anti-inflammatory and are primarily centered around vegetables and meat.
Murders & Mysteries & Madness…Oh My
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
MURDER! Is it madness, or maybe, just maybe, a curated act that offers on a silver platter, a mystery to be solved? Today I am talking about Peter Swanson’s latest book, Eight Perfect Murders, and John Marrs’ new book, What Lies Between Us. While Swanson’s book pays tribute to eight brilliant fictional murder mystery novels, Marrs’ book takes a deep dive into a strained (ok…demented) mother-daughter relationship…murder included!
Guest Writer ~ Natalie Slater
Dear Book Lovers,
Happy Wednesday and Happy Guest Writer Day! As you may already know, we are in the middle of the Foodie Edition series. I can’t wait for you to meet today’s guest writer…Natalie Slater. First, let me back up a minute. My youngest son had a sleep over at his good friend’s house last fall (also one of my BFFs sons). He came home the next day raving about how my girlfriend Molly, made him these awesome Chocolate Waffles for breakfast. I asked her for the recipe and she sent me the link to Natalie Slater’s website, Bake and Destroy.
Stay Gold
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Ponyboy Curtis. Does that name ring a bell? If not, let me fill you in. Ponyboy is the 14-year-old narrator of the coming of age classic, The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton. Hinton started writing this book when she was just a teenager. Her controversial book was published in 1967 when she was 18 years old.
Guest Writer~Melissa Joulwan
Dear Readers,
I am thrilled to present to you the Dear Mr. Hemingway Guest Writers~Foodie Edition series. For the next eight Wednesdays, I will be bringing you the best of the best lovers of food. Cookbook authors, writers, food bloggers, photographers, food stylists, and business owners from all around will be writing to Mr. H. about their love of cooking and their favorite cookbook.