We are two professionals who like to write and teach. Husband: B.A. from Notre Dame, M.B.A. from U. of Chicago, and law degree from U. of Chicago. Wife: B.A. in English and political science, M.A. in library science, M.A. in political science from U. of Wisconsin. This blog will feature book reviews, vignettes on historical events and personalities, and occasional commentary.
We love to read! Have a book to review? Send an email to nbmars AT yahoo DOT com.
Review Policy:
We are happy to hear from publicists and authors about review opportunities.
Our favorite genres are non-fiction – especially history, biography, law, and religion; literary fiction;, science; science fiction; and mysteries. One of us is also very fond of books for children and for young adults. We generally do not accept self-published books or erotica for review. If you are in doubt, please contact us and we will be more than happy to let you know if we are interested in the book you want to publicize!
Review Schedule:
We are currently scheduling reviews two to three months in advance, but are flexible.
We try to review all books received unless we just can’t get into a book. (There are two of us, so your chances are doubled at least one of us will like it.) We also generally try to follow our mothers’ injunctions to find something nice to say about people, but we will not say we liked a book if we didn’t.
If you’re interested in having us review the book you are publicizing or have any other questions, please e-mail us!
You can check out our past reviews by clicking on the Book Review Tab at the top of this page.
Who Writes Which Reviews?
I, Jill, as opposed to my husband, write most of the reviews. But if the book being reviewed concerns weapons, war, math, science, or Constitutional law, you can be fairly certain the review is by my husband.
Furthermore, you would never expect to see words like “amazing” in Jim’s reviews. You will also not catch him waxing rhapsodic over food, nor will you find him using some of my favorite catch phrases, such as “corporate greed” or “patriarchal oppression.”
Occasionally we edit each other’s work. I try to reign in his pedantry and he tries to tone down my effusive emotionalism.
Starting now, I will specify if my husband has authored the review. Otherwise, I am the default author.
I wanted to stop by and thank you for the comment and entry into my conest. You “paid it forward” for your sisters. I need a name to put into the hat. I’d be happy to give you an entry per sister.
I had to show my husband your blog. We are both avid readers. Not that I have much time for that with four kids. He has a vintage book store on eBay as a hobby. So you can imagine how much your blog intrests the both of us.
Thanks again and have a great weekend.
GO IRISH
I am so chuffed to have come across your blog! You guys both write on such interesting topics, and I’ve really learned a lot from the resources you provide. Your passion for politics really comes through in all your posts. It’s really pushing me towards going back to school and studying political science now.
Keep up the amazing work!
Your blog is filled with insightful and intelligent reflections and reviews. I appreciate the time and talent you are both providing!
I love your site. Keep it up !
Hi!
You were the third place winner for my Laura Griffin Giveaway! You will receive an autographed copy of WHISPER OF WARNING. Please send me your mailing information so I can get these in the mail ASAP (48 hours)! I will post the winners on a post in about 5 minutes in case you want to comment! Congrats and thanks for being a BINGO follower! I have new contests starting this week….one big one running right now and a new one coming up.
Thanks for being a blog friend,
Karen AKA Bingo
Hi, I was just wondering if I could have your names. It would be a lot faster to site your websites as sources for my school projects if I knew the authors names. Thanks a ton. I hope to get into the University of Wisconsin some day to. Thanks a lot for your guy’s help.
I came by to look through your blog after you graciously left a comment on mine.
I didn’t make it past the second post before realizing I MUST put you on my feeder. Thank you so much for stopping by so I could discover you!
U of Chicago – my favorite place. I lived in Hyde Park for umpteen years after an M.A. in English in the late 1960s. I also lived at I. House. Do I know you?