Robert Bruce

LATEST ARTICLES ( 529 )

• A Round Up of Harper Lee Content

  With Harper Lee’s passing last week, I thought I’d round up all the many blog posts I’ve made about her and her two novels over the last several years. That... Read more

  Posted on 26 February 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The One Harper Lee Quote I’ll Never Forget

  As I’m sure you all know by now, Harper Lee passed away on February 19. She was 89.I’ve always been a huge Harper Lee fan, and To Kill A Mockingbird still stand... Read more

  Posted on 24 February 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Persona of Joan Didion

  I’m wrapping up Play It As It Lays, but I wanted to take a minute to post about the novel’s author, Joan Didion.Every author has some form of persona–the... Read more

  Posted on 17 February 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Samuel Jackson as Scarlett O’Hara?

  

  Here’s a little humor to start off your Friday.W Magazine asked some (mostly) A-List celebrities to read two iconic lines from Gone With The Wind. Read more

  Posted on 12 February 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• How Do You Get On The New York Times Best-Seller List?

  Short answer: Who the [bleep] knows.Long answer: It seems obvious, right? The book was a best-seller, meaning it sold more than all the other books that... Read more

  Posted on 05 February 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Joan Didion Talks About Female Writers

  I’ve said this many times, but I love The Paris Review “Art of Fiction” interviews. They really are a fascinating look at famous authors. Read more

  Posted on 03 February 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Next Up: Play It As It Lays

  Today we start my 85th novel from the Time list. 85!Only 16 more of these books to go, and we’ll kick off the final 16 with Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion. Read more

  Posted on 29 January 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• How Hot Are These Famous Authors?

  

  Hopefully, by now, you know that 101 Books isn’t necessarily a blog of high literary criticism. If you don’t, I’m telling you now: We ain’t high-fallutin’ book... Read more

  Posted on 27 January 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Next 5 Novels Will Be…

  It’s that time again. It’s time to tell you guys what’s coming down the pike here at 101 Books.Yes, the reading has been slower lately. No, I’m not sure if the... Read more

  Posted on 20 January 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Book #84: On The Road

  I used to love On The Road. Loved it.When I first read the novel in my early-to-mid 20s, it became a new personal favorite, along with Into the Wild. Read more

  Posted on 08 January 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 8 Grammar Jokes To Start Your Day Off Right

  

  It’s a special breed of person who enjoys a good grammar joke.And I believe many of you, like me, are fond of them.So if you keep a copy of Strunk and White on... Read more

  Posted on 06 January 2016 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 9 Book Recommendations For Annoying Family Members

  I don’t know if you realized, but Christmas will be here in two days. Two days, y’all!Christmas is my favorite holiday by far, and I’m fortunate to be able to... Read more

  Posted on 23 December 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Read All Of Virginia Woolf’s Works Online

  Y’all may or may not know that I’m not a big Virginia Woolf fan.I wrote a pretty scathing review of Mrs. Dalloway, and I’m dreading the soon-to-be day when I... Read more

  Posted on 18 December 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Louis CK On “The Grapes of Wrath” Ending

  

  I’ve pontificated on the ending of The Grapes of Wrath in the past. I’ve even been criticized for calling it “creepy” because art and all that. Read more

  Posted on 16 December 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• “That’s Not Writing. That’s Typing.”

  Of Jack Kerouac, Truman Capote famously said, “That’s not writing. That’s typing.”While I’ll agree that Kerouac is no Fitzgerald, he does have his moments. Read more

  Posted on 11 December 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Win One of 50 Literary Posters from Postertext!

  

  I’m excited today to partner with the kind folks at Postertext who want to give you guys a brand new 2016 literary calendar!But this isn’t just some... Read more

  Posted on 09 December 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Day Jobs That Inspired Famous Authors

  

  I’ve written on this topic before, but I think this infographic does an even better job of summarizing the whole thing up.I think the writing profession,... Read more

  Posted on 02 December 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Giving Literary Thanks, Year 4

  So this is a little tradition I have here at 101 Books.The day before Thanksgiving, I always post a few literary-themed things I’m thankful for. Read more

  Posted on 25 November 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Pale Blue Dot

  

  This is possibly my favorite quote from any book–fiction or otherwise.Let me give a little context if you’re not familiar with it, though. Read more

  Posted on 20 November 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE

• What Did Jack Kerouac and Junior Seau Have In Common?

  So what do Jack Kerouac and Junior Seau have in common?Who is Junior Seau, you might ask? He’s a Hall-of-Fame linebacker who played in the NFL for 19 seasons,... Read more

  Posted on 18 November 2015 BOOKS, CULTURE