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In the 18th century, Russia entered the grand stage of European history. It threw aside its “primitive Easternness”, and did everything possible…

Uprooted by Naomi Novik My rating: 4 of 5 stars When I finished this book, I was sure it would get no…

It is easy to become jaded, seeing all the horrors of war on our Facebook wall. It is easy to lose empathy…

The Bright Seven Days The first week of Easter is like an extended single day of feasting. Joyful and bright. According to a pious…

In my second novel (tentatively titled The Garden in the Heart of the World), one of the characters is given a choice–to remain inside…

As I’ve begun to delve deeply into my second novel, I’m considering using the time of the year as a contrast to…