A traveler, a Peace Corps Volunteer, a librarian, a research specialist, a web designer, and finally ... a writer of rhyme and tales.

There are so many paths to follow, it is hard to keep track of them all. Like you, my eye has wandered and taken my toes in many different directions. I have truly loved the journey, and now I set down some of the impressions and experiences of those journeys.

I live with two playful young ladies, my kitties Serendipity Marguerite la Petite and Pooh, amongst the greenery and art of southern Oregon. We celebrate the seasons with the Goddesses and welcome the snow and sun, crisp and cool breezes, that come into our lives.

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MaryAnn Shank's Blog

Sor Juana is Fascinating

Sor Juana, My Beloved: The Poetry, the Passion That Is Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz by MaryAnn Shank

An intriguing tale of a young woman gifted with remarkable intelligence, but one who faced the severe discrimination against women in 17th century Mexico. Her solution was to become a nun, where she could write poetry and plays, and where she could meet with fascinating travelers from around the wo Read more of this blog post »

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Published on June 15, 2024 21:58 • Tags: biographical-fiction, literary-fiction, mexico, sor-juana, women-s-fiction

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Average rating: 4.55 · 11 ratings · 9 reviews · 5 distinct works

	Sor Juana, My Beloved: The Poetry, the Passion That Is Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz 4.33 avg rating — 6 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Mystical Land of Myrrh 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	On Target: Business Finance it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2002	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sausalito Sunrise: Poems for lesbians and other lovers it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — published 2013 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sor Juana, My Beloved: The Poetry, The Passion That Is Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey

by Jane Goodall

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MaryAnn Shank rated a book it was amazing Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey by Jane Goodall	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 30, 2026 02:09PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Reason for Hope by Jane Goodall. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Reason for Hope by Jane Goodall <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
MaryAnn Shank rated a book it was amazing The Faerie Morgana by Louisa Morgan (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A wonderful romp into King Arthur's world, with the focus on his sister, the Lady Morgana. Rumors said that she was "fey", a faerie, one who bewitches. And perhaps she was. But her magic was so wonderful that her world stood in awe. ...more
Jan 30, 2026 02:05PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Faerie Morgana by Louisa Morgan. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Faerie Morgana by Louisa Morgan <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
MaryAnn Shank is currently reading Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey by Jane Goodall	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 17, 2025 10:56AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Reason for Hope by Jane Goodall. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Reason for Hope by Jane Goodall <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
MaryAnn Shank liked sid sibo's review of Sor Juana, My Beloved: The Poetry, the Passion That Is Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz: "Imagining the Americas of the latter half of the 17th century is no small feat, and even reading about such strange times can take some fortitude. But Shank performs an amazing job with ventriloquizing that world, most especially the woman who seems " Read more of this review »
Dec 05, 2024 03:32PM · see review
MaryAnn Shank is now following Karin Lee's reviews
Nov 14, 2024 02:29PM · like
MaryAnn Shank liked LTG's review of Sor Juana, My Beloved: The Poetry, the Passion That Is Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz: "Shank merged story telling and a deeply researched biography of Sor Juana de la Cruz (1664-1695), and the result is a novel that is educational and a delight to read. The novels begins in Sor Juana’s childhood when her grandfather recognizes her bril" Read more of this review »
Oct 18, 2024 03:07PM · see review
MaryAnn Shank rated a book it was amazing The Scent of Distant Family: A Novel by sid sibo (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
It tells of a search for a special dog, one that is more than a pet. It tells of a winter that is more than brutal. It speaks of a family with so many decisions to make. More than that, it speaks to the consequences of those decisions, of knowing whe ...more
Sep 09, 2024 12:13PM · 2 likes · like · see review
MaryAnn Shank rated a book it was amazing Song of the Wooden Sparrow by Isabel Tutaine (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
THE SONG OF THE WOODEN SPARROW speaks to us gently about the nature of loss, the meaning of trust, how to grow your persona when fingers point wickedly at you. The story is set in the 17th century, but is as real as yesterday, or tomorrow. A young wo ...more
Sep 09, 2024 12:10PM · like · see review
MaryAnn Shank rated a book it was amazing Courting the Sun: A Novel of Versailles by Peggy Joque Williams (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
What a splendid tale! From a country village in France to the court of King Louis, this story resonates with strong characters, opulent description and a heroine who simply grabs your attention. While her life is not always easy (she is even banished ...more
Aug 13, 2024 09:05AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Courting the Sun by Peggy Joque Williams. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Courting the Sun by Peggy Joque Williams <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
MaryAnn Shank rated a book it was amazing Sor Juana, My Beloved: The Poetry, the Passion That Is Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz by MaryAnn Shank (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
An intriguing tale of a young woman gifted with remarkable intelligence, but one who faced the severe discrimination against women in 17th century Mexico. Her solution was to become a nun, where she could write poetry and plays, and where she could m ...more
Jun 15, 2024 09:44PM · like · see review