Weekly book reviews in most genres, including classics and not-to-be-missed. Books selected and reviews written by a librarian specializing in readers’ advisory.
Is Joan okay? If her family could back off with their demands, she could maybe think about what she wants in life. The demands of being a woman, a Chinese American, are all getting a bit much for Joan. Expect gentle, ironic humor from this charming novel.
Read MoreCrossroads, a study of a family during the Vietnam era of 1971, is the first of a trilogy by Jonathan Franzen. Check it out!
Read MoreA cautionary tale told in the tone of Vonnegut, this novel describes how our current circumstances create unbearable anxiety in our future, our young people.
Read MoreA pandemic novel, but far, far more. Nagamatsu tries to explore all of human history in this speculative novel.
Read MoreTwo brothers set off on the legendary Lincoln Highway to seek their futures in 1950s California, only to be conned, threatened, and delayed by an unscrupulous character.
Read MoreWhat happened to Agatha Christie when she disappeared for eleven days in 1926? Gramont spins an entire back story for this event, in true Christie fashion.
Read MoreStephenson takes us a few steps into the future, when climate change threats are addressed by independent geoengineering efforts, sparking a new climate cold war.
Read MoreSet in a remote renovated chapel in the wild Scottish Highlands, the romantic setting is perfect for long suppressed secrets to emerge, with violent consequences, as a couple trying to rekindle their relationship resolve more than they anticipated. A fun weekend thriller, surely soon to be a movie.
Read MoreStories of war told by four voices, uncovering the true trauma, violence, and desperation experienced by many in our world. A timely and important novel, given the conflicts in the world today.
Read MoreEnjoy this titilating, suspenseful novel. Don’t expect literature— but expect to be entertained.
Read MoreEnjoy Katie Couric’s story, both the dishy insider’s view of television journalism, and the serious evolution of news coverage, and the role of women as part of those changes.
Read MoreJohn Green is personal and self-revelatory in this series of essays on cultural touchstones of this current epoch on earth, the human-dominated period.
Read MoreMy favorite mystery writer provides a decent suspenseful story, that Clinton mucks up with her political views.
Read MoreA graphic memoir that shows the impact of a parent’s mental illness on a child, and the power of love to nuture and heal. Highly recommended.
Read MoreExcellent graphic memoir about the true crime obsession shared by many women, fellow murderinos.
Read MoreA genuine story of love and survival, Craig Grossi speaks to the importance of these bonds for our humanity, and finding perspective and meaning in the good and the bad experiences of life.
Read MoreMary Roach is back, with stories of unfortunate human-animal failed relationships, how humans try to fix the conflicts, and animals succeed in evading those efforts. Highly recommend.
Read MoreAn early twentieth century investigation into supernatural phenomena at an island home off the coast of England, spearheaded by William James, goes dangerous and deadly in this gothic tale by Erik Larson.
Read MoreA memoir of love and loss of a mother, and the comfort of favorite, shared foods to preserve memory.
Read MoreAn epic ode to the enduring value of stories, the librarians who preserve and share them, and the libraries that preserve and make them available to all.
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