Category Archives: books

Weekly Reader

Posted on February 22, 2018 by Ellen Ross

Do you recognize these books? If they look familiar, maybe you were a member of the Weekly Reader Children’s Book Club, too. I have never belonged to a club that gave me so much unalloyed joy. Whenever that alluring, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Children's books, Weekly Reader | 2 Comments

Book Report

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Ellen Ross

If I had to describe myself in one word, I think that word would have to be… Bookworm. In first grade, the reading die was cast. The library let me take out five books. I read them and the next … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Movies, Ready Player One, The Marsh King's Daughter | 12 Comments

The Casting Couch

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Ellen Ross

I was watching The Forsyte Saga on Netflix the other night. Not the original with Eric Porter and Kenneth More. The newer one with Damian Lewis as Soames and Gina McKee as Irene. I was struck by the fact that … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Movies, pop culture, Television | 14 Comments

Applesauce

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Ellen Ross

Did you ever read Andrew Solomon’s monumental work Far From The Tree? The title alludes to the old adage “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” In this case however, Mr. Solomon brilliantly and sensitively documents the stories of … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Memoir, pop culture | 44 Comments

Act Two

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Ellen Ross

Tonight at New York’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre, a new play, Act One, opens. It is the adaptation of playright Moss Hart’s famous show business autobiography and it stars Tony Shaloub. Act One has often been called “The Bible of Broadway.” … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Memoir, pop culture, Theater, Tributes | 10 Comments

Promiscuous

Posted on April 13, 2014 by Ellen Ross

I’m in love again. And he’s rich, urbane, erudite and English. He possesses beautiful manners, an impeccable wardrobe, a manservant, a monocle and a title. He’s perfect for me and I know we’d be blissfully happy together. There’s only one … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Memoir, pop culture | 2 Comments

Andy

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Ellen Ross

I have been re-reading Scott Elledge’s great biography of the even-greater E.B. “Andy” White. White, as I’m sure you know, wrote for “The New Yorker” and “Harper’s” magazines. He was also a dedicated farmer and livestock keeper, an avid sailor, … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Dogs, Memoir, Tributes | 12 Comments

Never Again

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Ellen Ross

This past Monday, April eighth, was Holocaust Remembrance Day. And today I am remembering. I was eleven when I came upon Leon Uris’s Exodus on my parents’ bookshelf. (A voracious reader as a kid, I had already plowed my way through … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Memoir | 14 Comments

Spoiler (sport) Alert

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Ellen Ross

When it comes to literature I hate to be a hater. There are so many wonderful books and gifted authors out there that I think it’s much better to be a cheerleader. And why waste this space and your precious time … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Memoir | 5 Comments