Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Critique.
The Shining
I am not sure I may have wrote a review here a long time ago for 'The Shining' written by Stephen King, but not sure. 'The Shining' is a thriller/horror novel that involves a family of a husband/father, young son, and wife/mother living and working at a very mysterious hotel that was and is famous. I like reading thriller/horror books, but for some reason I do not like watching them and I have seen this particular on television. My favorite parts of the book were when the son would play outside in the gardens and when it seemed that they would go back in time in a way in various parts of the book. To me it was quite the page turner. Believe it or not I read this book in two days.
Mark GrahamPublished 4 days ago in CritiqueA Family of Readers
Just finished reading an academic book that I read sections for a course for my Master's degree. Now that I have read the whole book it is a series of articles written by Roger Sutton and Martha V. Parravano, who are editors for 'The Horn Book Magazine'. This is a book that covers children's literature from baby books to young adult books. The pages shaded in gray throughout the book are lists of books for brief synopses of each book for each level of the reader's development. To me the main premise of this academic book is to get children, youth and teens to read books of all kinds and maybe talk about them with other adults.
Mark GrahamPublished 5 days ago in CritiqueUnfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-Earth
Here is another book written and created by J.R.R. Tolkien and edited by his son Christopher Tolkien. This is a collection of chapters mainly from 'The Silmarillion' with various other notes for the stories that his son added and finished the book. This was a book that read along with reading 'The Silmarillion'. 'Unfinished Tales' was an interesting read in its' own right though.
Mark GrahamPublished 5 days ago in CritiqueThe Silmarillion
Who out there has read or wanted to read 'The Hobbit' or even 'The Lord of the Rings'? You have probably read 'The Hobbit' in some form in elementary school and even 'The Lord of the Rings' in high school. 'The Silmarillion' is written by J.R.R. Tolkien but the edition I read was edited by his son Christopher Tolkien. Basically, this is the very beginning of the adventures that Frodo and Bilbo will try to figure out way in the future of 'The Lord of Rings' and 'The Hobbit'.
Mark GrahamPublished 5 days ago in Critique"Blessed Morning"
It was a serene morning, the kind that made you feel grateful to be alive. The sun was slowly rising, casting a warm glow over the world. The birds were singing their sweet melodies, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh flowers through the air.
Isra SaleemPublished 5 days ago in CritiqueNow We Are Six
'Now We Are Six' is another book of poems written by A.A. Milne for his son Christopher Robin. It is a book of verses that will take you back to your early days and wonder what if. There are short poems and there is story poems. In this volume as the last volume of 'When We Were Very Young' Pooh Bear makes his appearance a few times looking for his friend. I have also read this volume of poems many times over the years and I believe that both these books of verse is one reason I am a poet, a writer, and a reader.
Mark GrahamPublished 6 days ago in CritiqueWhen We Were Very Young
In another box set that my parents got me when I was younger contained four books by A.A. Milne. 'When We Were Very Young' is a collection of poems that Milne wrote for his son Christopher Robin. This is a book that is full of references to Mr. Edward Bear, but a lot of the poems give some various descriptions of life of a very young child and where, when, how and why they do what they do. The illustrations are quite cute for you can see what Christopher Robin is and may be thinking. Also, Pooh Bear does make his self-known at various points. I have read these verses many, many times over the years and each time make me feel good about myself.
Mark GrahamPublished 6 days ago in CritiqueBest Fragrances to buy right now
Introduction Fragrances hold a unique and timeless appeal, effortlessly blending into our daily lives and elevating our personal grooming rituals. From evoking cherished memories to enhancing our mood, the right fragrance can make a lasting impression and become a signature element of our identity. Throughout history, fragrances have played a significant role in various cultures, symbolizing everything from status to spirituality. In the modern era, the art of perfumery has evolved, offering an incredible variety of scents that cater to every preference and occasion.
Eighth grade
Eighth grade my last year in what is known as middle school aka junior high. This is a transition year for most students for high school starts the next year. This is year that was all about learning more about the state that you live in from its' history to its' government. Our voices were all changing for the boys and the girls, and you would think that some us were actually left behind again for some reason some students did not fit for good reason (they seemed to adult looking) in many ways. Our various talents were tested from writing, singing or playing an instrument, or drawing and painting along with the practical arts of mechanical drawing and/or home economics. When I was in school, boys had industrial arts and girls had home economics. In the seventh grade my homeroom was the home economics room and I saw how to operate a sewing machine along with a washer and dryer. I knew how to cook and clean up the kitchen at home for I was a latchkey child to a point.
Mark GrahamPublished 6 days ago in CritiqueSeventh Grade
To me Seventh grade was the real beginning of middle school for one thing there was a new school with a different setup and new lockers for in sixth grade even though we switched classes we still kept our books and coats and lunches in our homerooms back then. We were treated differently more grown up. There was new equipment to use and learn. This was the beginning of what was known as open classrooms. There were two huge rooms that could be eight regular size classrooms (four classrooms in each large pod. Seventh grade was also when it seemed hormones seemed to flourish both physically and mentally and emotionally and even socially and some kind of felt left behind.
Mark GrahamPublished 6 days ago in CritiqueSixth Grade
My sixth grade year was actually the start of my middle school/junior high years. This was the first year that I changed classes with each a separate teacher both male and female. I went from a 'grammar school' where my fifth grade stayed in one room to a building where we got to change rooms and learn in different ways. I mean one teacher still stood in front of the classroom while some teachers believed in group learning and doing various projects. It was a fun year for when seventh grade slowly approached there will be a new actual middle school.
Mark GrahamPublished 7 days ago in CritiqueThe Diary of Clotee, A Slave Girl
Just finished reading a youth book that is entitled 'Dear America A Picture of Freedom- The Diary of Clotee, A Slave Girl. This is the story of a slave girl who learned to read and write while doing her job as a fanner (someone who had a big fan and waved over a person to keep that person cool) living at the Belmont Plantation in the state of Virginia 1859. Clotee had her Aunt Tee and Uncle Heb and a few friends that helped pass the days till freedom came while doing all the Big House chores and just being safe right before the War Between the States. At the end of the book there is a recipe for Sweet Potato Pie, a song 'Go Down Moses' and a few other notes.
Mark GrahamPublished 7 days ago in Critique