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Ohio by Stephen Markley

August 24, 2018

ohio

I don’t focus on writing negative reviews, but at the same time, when a new novel is getting a lot of hype, my reading friends want to know what I think about it. In this case the novel is Stephen Markley’s debut, Ohio. If all you need is a one sentence opinion then here you go: The novel is a grim mash-up of the plot from 13 Reasons Why and the setting of Hillbilly Elegy and ... Read More...

18 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: contemporary life, Simon & Schuster, social issues, teen years

Vox by Christina Dalcher

August 22, 2018

vox

Remember two weeks ago when, after reading Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win, I was surprised that a political novel would turn out to be such a trigger for me? Magnify that times ten and you’ll have a picture of my reaction to Christina Dalcher’s dystopian debut, Vox.  There’s a new American president, one not suited for the job, but well propped up by the religious right. Within ... Read More...

10 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: Berkley, book clubs, contemporary life, dystopia, women

It’s Not You, It’s Me: Mini-Reviews

August 8, 2018

it's

These days it seems it’s harder and harder to get anyone to agree on anything so why should books be any different? What is different is that we’re nicer people so sometimes I’m able to admit—It’s Not You, It’s Me when I don’t like a book. In this case, one book left me puzzled and emotionless and the other was a case of timing—American dystopia feels like non-fiction these ... Read More...

3 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Feature, Fiction Tagged: contemporary life, dystopia, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, mini-reviews, science fiction

Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win

August 3, 2018

charlotte

It didn’t matter that she wasn’t the most creative thinker or the most analytical person in the room: When she was presented with a problem, Charlotte Walsh could always fix it. Because I started the week with one strong woman (two actually) I thought I’d go all in and review another intense read about another determined woman. Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win  is by Jo Piazza, ... Read More...

2 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: book clubs, contemporary life, marriage, politics, Simon & Schuster, social issues, women

There There by Tommy Orange

July 23, 2018

there

One of the downsides of reading a lot is the feeling that, while you still enjoy most of what you read, some of it tends to sound familiar—as if you’ve read it before. Which is not unreasonable, as ‘how many truly distinct plots there are in fiction’ is a subject of debate even among critics. Still, it makes it that much more exciting when I come upon something wholly ... Read More...

2 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: book clubs, contemporary life, cultural, debut, literary, Native Americans, social issues

It’s Monday, July 9th: What Are You Reading?

July 9, 2018

monday

Hello, reading lovelies! As I started prepping for this post the date kept jumping out at me. Guess what? Today marks my 6th year as a book blogger. I’ve written reviews of over 1,200 books. It’s a lot to contemplate, but, for once, I don’t have the words. Last week was a busy week of family and travel that left me behind in my writing so I’m going to keep it simple today. I'll ... Read More...

5 Comments
Filed Under: Feature, Reading Tagged: coming-of-age, contemporary life, cultural, friendship, lists, social issues, women

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