Author: michardillo
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Book Review: The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Kate Westbury
A lot of the recently published novels that I am reading, whether it is historical fiction, cozy mystery, or contemporary fiction, don’t seem to be particularly well-written. The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies (The Oxford Guide #1) by Kate Westbury is a paradox for me. It is well-written, but the plot and character connection…
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Priests in Concert Fundraiser for World Youth Day 2027 in South Korea
See my latest article for the Catholic Standard! https://www.cathstan.org/local/priests-in-concert-performance-raises-funds-for-area-youth-to-attend-world-youth-day-2027-in-south-koreahttps://www.cathstan.org/local/priests-in-concert-performance-raises-funds-for-area-youth-to-attend-world-youth-day-2027-in-south-korea
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Booker Prize News!
Delighted to see one of my most favorite authors nominated – again – for the Booker Prize! See my review of this amazing book at https://michelleardillo.com/2026/04/06/book-review-the-things-we-never-say-by-elizabeth-strout/ Read the books longlisted for the Booker here https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/2026
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Continental Breakfast for Two, si’l vous plait…
If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be? “Only in England is the coffee so atrocious. On the Continent they understand how important it is for the digestion that it should be properly made.” The Big Four, Hercule Poirot on English coffee Before I retired from teaching middle school English,…
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Book Review-Polska: New Polish Cooking by Zuza Zak
As I’ve noted in other book reviews and essays you may have read, I am very active in my church community. We have a new pastor, a priest from Poland, and I wanted to prepare a few dishes from his homeland. I checked out this cookbook, Polska: New Polish Cooking by Zuza Zak, from my…
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Book Review: Fancy Dogs by Tini Malina (author) and Tammi Reichel (translator)
WHAT A CHARMING BOOK! I am a relatively newish dog lover, acquiring my very first dog in late 2011, but as with many things in my life, when I fall, I FALL HARD. I now know all the dogs in our neighborhood, dog-sit for friends (hi to my favorite Golden, Chubbs), pet random dogs whenever…
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In the Eye of the Storm
On the days when I don’t attend daily Mass in my parish, the Shrine of St. Jude in Rockville, Maryland, I watch Mass online via YouTube. Daily Mass is a wonderful way to start the day, and I feel like the rest of the day goes so much better when I begin it that way.…
Michelle Blanchard Ardillo 