Category Archives: Home

Dark, Dark Tales

Posted on March 21, 2024 by jfkaufmann

What’s wrong with three famous H. K. Andersen’s fairy tales? A couple of years ago, I wrote a post about a collection of fairy tales I got when I was five, my very first books. I loved them—particularly some—for their … Continue reading →

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The Story Behind Gerbeaud Slices

Posted on February 26, 2024 by jfkaufmann

In Central Europe, the word Gerbeaud doesn’t need any additional explanation. It could refer to the cake, Gerbeaud Slices, or to Gerbeaud Cukrászda, the equally famous “kaffehaus” in Budapest. Cukrászda is loosely translated as “confectionary” but it describes a very … Continue reading →

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The Physics of Chemistry

Posted on February 18, 2024 by jfkaufmann

A couple of days ago, I was compiling a booklist of epic love/romance stories for the library website. Poking around the Internet for examples beyond Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy inspired some associative thinking about memorable literary couples and amazing … Continue reading →

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Am I the only one who doesn’t like it?

Posted on February 7, 2024 by jfkaufmann

A few thoughts about the latest trend in romance book covers In the last several years, there has been a significant change in romance book covers, for both contemporary and historical romances, towards cartoon depictions of the main protagonists. I … Continue reading →

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January Blues

Posted on January 29, 2024 by jfkaufmann

I don’t like January, that time after holidays when life tries to get back to a normal routine but somehow fails. At work, this is the beginning of a new fiscal year; in other words, work soars up after the … Continue reading →

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2023 in books: “Meh.”

Posted on December 18, 2023 by jfkaufmann

This parting year was a bland reading experience. I couldn’t pick out more than a few books that made a lasting impression on me. I re-read a lot, though, which gave me some balance. I kicked off my 2023 reading … Continue reading →

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Who Is Your Dostoevsky?

Posted on November 26, 2023 by jfkaufmann

What do you not like that most people seem to like? I stumbled upon a YouTube clip in which someone asked Emma Thompson this question and stayed long enough to hear her answer – cupcakes. For me, when we talk … Continue reading →

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Secret Sorrows and a Few Joys of Linguistic Duality

Posted on November 12, 2023 by jfkaufmann

To exist in two languages, in my case my native tongue and English, implies having two identities. Learning a foreign language as an adult is a tough mission. Even describing the process of learning a foreign language is not easy. … Continue reading →

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Go Tell Diana that I’m gone

Posted on October 28, 2023 by jfkaufmann

Last month I had the pleasure and privilege to read JP McLean’s newest novel, still in manuscripts, Scorch Marks. My job was simple – to read it and catch small errors and inconsistencies before the book goes to a proofreader. … Continue reading →

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The Enchanting World of Comic Books

Posted on February 14, 2023 by jfkaufmann

When I was a teenager and later as a young woman, I loved reading comic books. There was a special time and place for it–summer holidays in my home city, where my “other family” lived: my father and stepmother, my … Continue reading →

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