Robert Bruce

LATEST ARTICLES ( 529 )

• Stephen King Talks Opening Sentences

  I’ve talked a good bit about opening lines on this blog (here, here, and here, for instance). I love the opening lines of novels so much that I even include the... Read more

  Posted on 19 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Does Reading Help You Cope With Stress?

  Recently, I had a stretch of a couple of stressful days.Nothing life-changing or devastating, but enough to keep my mind occupied for most of the day. I had... Read more

  Posted on 16 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The First 60: A Look Back

  Sixty books down. I’m nearly two-thirds finished with 101 Books.After every ten books, I take a look back on the project as a whole and re-evaluate some of my... Read more

  Posted on 15 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Next Up: A Passage To India

  I’ve never read A Passage To India. But, after reading the premise of the novel, it sounds like what you might get if you moved the plot of To Kill A Mockingbir... Read more

  Posted on 14 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Book #60: A Death In The Family

  

  Just when I thought I had read it all.I’ve read about little kids being created and harvested as organ donors in Never Let Me Go. Read more

  Posted on 13 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Doris Lessing Novel That Got Rejected

  As a writer who hopes to one day have a book published, I don’t find this story very encouraging.Back in the early 1980s, Doris Lessing–Nobel Peace Prize winnin... Read more

  Posted on 12 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Margaret Gets Her Menopause

  It’s been more than two years since I undertook the most daunting literary experience I’ve gone through on 101 Books.Was it Infinite Jest? A daunting experience... Read more

  Posted on 09 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• My Parental Heart Strings Get Pulled Again

  If it feels like I’ve posted a lot about A Death In The Family, it’s because I have. But if you’re ready to move on, this is my final post about the novel befor... Read more

  Posted on 08 August 2013 BOOKS, FAMILY

• 125 Hemingways Enter. Only 1 Hemingway Survives.

  From the land of strange:A couple of weeks ago, Tampa, Florida hosted the 33rd annual Sloppy Joe’s “Papa Hemingway Look-Alike Contest. Read more

  Posted on 07 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• A Death In The Family Gets Updated

  This feels like deja vu. But it’s not.Just a few weeks ago, back when I was reading All The King’s Men, I wrote about the controversy over the different version... Read more

  Posted on 06 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The 101 Books Guide To Responding To Book Snobs

  After my recent blog post about the literary cretin know as the Book Snob (you might remember it as Bookish Pet Peeve #3), I thought I’d give a quick tip on... Read more

  Posted on 05 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 10 Cheesy Literary Pick-Up Lines That Will Get You Slapped

  Literary pick up lines? Yeah, why not!Book geek? Need a date?Well, you’ve come to the wrong place. Here’s 10 literary pick-up lines to make you have an... Read more

  Posted on 02 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Knoxville: Summer of 1915

  This might be the most boring post ever on this blog. I say that just because I’m not into opera, high-pitched singing.Just the thought of this post almost... Read more

  Posted on 01 August 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Guy Opens Bible, Finds Mein Kampf.

  

  If you frequent the Reddit Books forum, then this is old news. But, if not, hopefully you’ll find it fascinating like me.This guy found a mint condition origina... Read more

  Posted on 31 July 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Here’s A Passage That Made Me Cry

  While posting about A Death In The Family, I’ve briefly mentioned a few times how this novel really hits home.Here’s why. I’m 37. I’m married. Read more

  Posted on 30 July 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• The Power Of Quiet

  I apologize if this is a little off topic today. I don’t normally post about nonfiction here at 101 Books. But as an introvert, I find this both fascinating... Read more

  Posted on 29 July 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• 7 (Even More) Annoying Words That Should Die A Horrible Death

  

  It’s been awhile since I’ve done this. Well over a year ago, in fact. Here’s part one and part two of my annoying words series, if you’re interested. Read more

  Posted on 26 July 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• “The Axe Can Fall At Any Moment.”

  Read more

  Posted on 25 July 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• Your Blogs Are Now Featured!

  A few weeks ago, I dedicated one post to giving you guys the opportunity to share about your blogs in the comments.I figured I might get a couple of dozen... Read more

  Posted on 24 July 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE

• What Is Steve Earle’s Favorite Book?

  I mentioned this in my previews, but there’s no spoiler in saying that A Death In The Family is about the death of a young father. That’s the premise of the... Read more

  Posted on 23 July 2013 BOOKS, CULTURE