Category: Book Review

Book Review: Small Great Things

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult The cover says this is Picoult’s most important book. As Handle With Care was a book about raising a disabled child, this book could be titled “A White Person’s Guide to Racism.” Picoult is a very accessible author;. Reading her is like reading the novel equivalent of a mainstream …

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Book Review: Educated

Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover This is a memoir of what I call the “my childhood was worse than your childhood” sub-genre. In fact, I would say that it’s a standout in this sub-genre, although “worst childhood” is not a contest anyone really wants to enter, much less win. It’s a good book, well-written …

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Book Review: Furiously Happy

Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson Humor doesn’t always work well in books, especially if the comedian is used to stand up. But Jenny Lawson works well in the written word. Her tone comes through, her humor works and instead of feeling like I was reading the depressing memoir of …

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Book Review: Jitterbug Perfume

Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins I read this book because my friend told me about it, saying it was her favorite book while referencing her beet tattoo. I really love this friend and wanted to know what she loved about this book; if not for her, I would have quit many times. This author is …

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Book Review: The Bear and the Nightengale

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden I enjoyed this book quite a bit for the fantasy elements, but especially for the vivid portrait of life in rural Russia back in the days when boyars still gave tribute to the khans to keep the horde at bay. Even Vasilisa, the daughter of a feudal …

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