Stephanie is a writer obsessed with her dog, pop culture, cupcakes and the smell of old books. She likes talking about these things with anyone who will listen.
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, my Irish and honorary Irish friends! On a day when everyone is demanding to be kissed on account of their heritage, I can’t help but think of my favorite Irish-American lass, Katie Scarlett O’Hara, and the charming rascal who told her that she should be kissed and often, and by someone … More Literary Hunk of March: Rhett Butler
Sometimes I can be really late to the party. That’s the only excuse I have for not reading any of JoJo Moyes’ books until now. Thankfully, I’ve rectified that with The Girl You Left Behind, and you can guarantee that I’ll be making up for lost time by reading everything else she’s ever written. The … More The Girl You Left Behind (And Why I’ve Got a Lot of Reading to Do)
The Sound of Music turns fifty this week, which means that fans everywhere are reminiscing about their favorite songs, their favorite von Trapp kids and their favorite of Max Detweiler’s suits. (No? Just me? That guy was a snazzy dresser.) For a half a century, this movie—based on the Rogers and Hammerstein stage musical, based … More Ten Things Every “Sound of Music” Fan Knows
Earlier this month, I shared my ranking of Jane Austen’s heroes—a tough task, since they’re all pretty wonderful. If you really think about it, though, part of the appeal of the Darcys and the Wentworths of the world is that we can wipe our brows at the end of the day and think, “Thank God our … More Jane Austen’s Rascals: Ranked
When I picked up Beth Kendrick’s New Uses for Old Boyfriends, I was hoping for something fun, entertaining and heartfelt. What I found was exactly that, and so much more. New Uses for Old Boyfriends introduces us to Lila Alders, homecoming queen-turned-home shopping host-turned broke divorcee. (That last part wasn’t exactly part of her plan.) … More New Uses for Old Boyfriends: A True Delight
If you’ve ever read this blog, you’ll know that I have no shortage of literary crushes. Why else would we have a Literary Hunk of the Month? Still, the decision of who to crown reigning Hunk of February started to feel somehow more important, what with the hearts and flowers and reminders from Hallmark about … More Literary Hunk of February: Edward Fairfax Rochester
No one can tell a love story quite like Jane Austen. Her six novels have remained popular for over two centuries thanks to her wit, her unforgettable heroines, and—oh, yeah—those dreamy dreamboats that no other author could have created. Poll a group of Austen lovers on their favorite swoon-worthy hunks and you’ll probably get half a … More Jane Austen’s Heroes: Ranked
As I walked my dog through the knee-deep snow this morning, I felt a little bit like Yuri Andreyevich Zhivago, trekking his way across Siberia. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that bad, but this total bombardment of wintry weather is making me crave my favorite snowy day movie, and since I have no place to be today, I … More Doctor Zhivago: The Perfect Snow Day Movie
There is so much to love about Edith Wharton. She was a brilliant and prolific writer who captured old New York and sleepy New England better than anyone. She was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. She dedicated herself to charity work during World War I, and the gorgeous Massachusetts home … More The Age of Innocence: A Classic for the Ages
Today marks what would have been Anne Bronte’s 195th birthday. To me, one of the great mysteries in life is the fact that Anne’s novels are not on as many required reading lists as Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre, and I often find myself wondering why her characters are not discussed as much as Emily’s Heathcliff … More Required Reading: The Tenant of Wildfell Hall
Book Perfume 