About

BARMY: British • informal
1. marked by spirited enjoyment
2. informal or slang term for mentally irregular
Origin late 15th century

My name is Deborah & I’m barmy about books.

I grew up surrounded by books and music. As soon as I could put words together I began reading and never stopped. My grandfather (pictured in the header) urged me to read anything and everything from his extensive library — no matter how difficult – and I fell headfirst into the magical world of books. I would spend summer days alternately reading Mark Twain, Kipling, and Nancy Drew.

When he died, my grandfather left me his library and his beautiful books now reside in my reading nook tucked away in our little San Francisco row house.

So once again, I am surrounded by books.

I’ll read almost anything, but seem to gravitate to fiction, mysteries, and memoirs. I have a weakness for epistolary novels and historical fiction. I also enjoy writing based on real or imagined diaries — must be the voyeur in me. As a devoted Anglophile, I will read or watch anything British, if only for the scenery and problems solved over endless cups of tea.

I’m retired from too-many years in high tech and now volunteer with the Friends of the San Francisco Library where I happily mess around in their non-profit bookstores. I get to help customers find their next great read, shelve books, and (recognize a theme here?) enjoy being surrounded by books.

Beyond my love of books and reading – I tend my garden, knit, am an adventurous cook, love music of almost any genre, enjoy entertaining loved ones, try to exercise every day (OK 3x a week) and with international home exchanges, am able to travel extensively with my very tolerant and handsome husband.

With this blog I hope to celebrate books and my love of reading, bore you with my musings, and share travel experiences.

You may contact me at Bookbarmy(at)yahoo.com.

Review Policy

When a review copy has been received from a publisher or publishing company, it is in exchange for a fair review, is stated in my review, and has no effect on my opinion of the book. I receive no monetary compensation for reviews (more’s the pity). Otherwise, the books I review are either purchased by me or borrowed from the library. My reviews are also posted on Goodreads and (occasionally) on Amazon.

I very seldom review self-published work or accept books directly from authors. I also do not participate in author blog tours.

I make every effort to post reviews of new releases at or near the publication date whenever possible. I cannot guarantee I will post a review for every book I receive.

I enjoy reading and reviewing the following genres –

Contemporary Fiction
Historical Fiction
Mysteries/Thrillers
Memoirs/Biographies

What I do not read and/or am not qualified to review:

Poetry~Science Fiction~Fantasy~Dystopia~Modern Romance~ Religious ~Christian~Self Help

I accept books in print form: ARCs, galleys or finished copies and digital books in Kindle/ePub format.

Please contact me at Bookbarmy(at)yahoo.com

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