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Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar Years ago a writer named Steve Almond began an advice column on The Rumpus, an online literary site. The idea was that this mythical sage, named Sugar, would dispense advice on love and life. But by 2010, after about a year, Steve was ready […]

For a few years it was trendy to bash the SUV. But the venerable sport utility vehicle persevered, kept accentuating the positive (like the old song said), and slowly but surely won over millions of people. Still, there have been folks who love the idea of a cargo-carrying, four-wheel-drive servant, but they just can’t give […]

Americans have been aware of Toyota pickup trucks for a long time, but they didn’t really become beloved until Marty McFly unveiled his SR5 in the garage during the hit movie Back To The Future. There’s an interesting story about that particular truck. The original got totaled in a crash after filming was completed. Then […]

Do you remember when the first hybrid vehicles emerged? Remember how most of us poked fun at their odd shapes, claiming the extra miles-per-gallon wasn’t worth the embarrassment? Then, as a few years crept by, the snide comments fell away. The exteriors began to appear “more normal.” The interiors inched up in comfort and class. […]

I heard author Hugh Howey mention this book during a podcast interview, saying it was one of his faves. Now, I’ve been let down before when an author I respect recommends one of his/her favorites – but not this time. Max Barry took the idea of mind manipulation through language and forged an interesting novel. […]

We rarely have guests on our morning radio show, but several years ago author Nicholas Sparks popped in for about an hour. Despite being a hot-shot writer, having sold countless millions of books – and had many turned into successful movies – he was down-to-Earth and flat-out charming. It was a fun interview. Fast forward […]

A friend of mine who drove a Jeep Wrangler bristled a few years ago when I suggested that the only reason to drive that vehicle was the image factor. You know, “I’m a rugged Colorado dude, so I drive this Jeep.” He even had a spare tire cover on the back that said something along […]

This will sound strange, since the all-new Jaguar F-Pace is suited quite well to go off-road . . . but I think it’s much too pretty to mix it up in the outback. Like Brad Pitt in Fight Club. It’s probably a challenge for engineers and designers to create a beautiful SUV. I mean, by […]

I didn’t know we needed another luxury sports sedan. Somebody, however, must’ve raised their hand and made the request, so Jaguar complied. Now, find whoever raised that hand and let’s buy them several drinks. The Jag XE is one fun car to drive. Essentially a baby brother to the XF, this is an all-new entry […]

There are some people who do everything expected of them and they still don’t get the recognition they deserve. They show up on time. They do what’s asked. They never cause problems. And someone else gets the glory. I wonder if Toyota has felt that way about its sporty little crossover vehicle, the RAV4. I […]