Book Reviews
Explore thoughtfully curated book reviews that help you discover your next favorite read.
How to Stand Up to Bullying, by M. C. Ryder—Book Review
Part memoir, part self-help guide, M.C. Ryder’s “How to Stand Up to Bullying” draws from Ryder’s personal encounters with bullying across different contexts—childhood, workplace, and family—to create a roadmap for others facing similar struggles. The book’s core argument is that bullying stems…
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Under the Blue Moon, by Joan Schweighhardt—Book Review
Joan Schweighardt’s “Under the Blue Moon” is the type of novel that will leave you feeling more optimistic by the time you finish it. The story follows two protagonists across Albuquerque as their seemingly separate lives gradually converge, both going through a…
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The Seven Wonders of Westerly Point, by E.K. Luke—Book Review
E.K. Luke’s “The Seven Wonders of Westerly Point” opens with sixteen-year-old Bethany Brown contemplating her ceiling while “November winds whip against the windowpane,” when suddenly the postman knocks like a call to adventure. Their mission: scattering the ashes of Bethany’s estranged grandmother…
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Editor's Pick
The Binding of the Twelve, by Nathanael Bazzell—Book Review
Nathanael Bazzell’s “The Binding of the Twelve” opens not with an epic battle or a chosen one discovering hidden powers, but with Fife, a world-weary Keeper, meeting a mysterious nobleman in a filthy tavern that “reeked of unwashed bodies” and looked like…
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Prince of Dawn, by Nicola Zhang—Book Review
Nicola Zhang’s “Prince of Dawn” opens not with clashing swords or royal proclamations, but with an eight-year-old boy named River stumbling into a silent temple—and meeting Anden, a prince in exile. Eight years later, the real story begins, as Anden and River…
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Letter to an Embryo, by Jasna Kaludjerovic—Book Review
In her beautifully written debut memoir, “Letters to an Embryo”, Serbian writer Jasna Kaludjerovic has written an epistolary book that is very timely in this era. Neither traditional memoir nor simple fertility narrative, this book occupies the space between Elena Ferrante’s intimate…
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Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind, by Scarlet Ibis James—Book Review
In her new novella, “Scarlet Birthright: What They Left Behind”, Trinidadian-American writer Scarlet Ibis James has written a memorable and affecting novel that explores Caribbean culture and father-daughter relationships. Neither a simple family drama nor a straightforward coming-of-age story, this work occupies…
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A Pinch of Distrust, by D. T. Bella—Book Review
D.T. Bella’s debut novel “A Pinch of Distrust” offers a captivating blend of fantasy and mystery that will effortlessly draw the reader into a world of fairies and magic. Set in a beautifully imagined and meticulously crafted fairy realm, this story explores…
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A Story or Two to Tell, by Alan Crawford—Book Review
Alan Crawford’s “A Story or Two to Tell” is a memoir-fiction hybrid that doesn’t apologize for its rough edges. The Australian author follows an aging former Environmental Health Officer reflecting on his career from an aged care facility, spinning tales that range…
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Editor's Pick
The Whispering Depths, by Lachlan Bond—Book Review
In his ambitious debut, “The Whispering Depths”, Australian writer Lachlan Bond has written a gripping fantasy novel that refuses easy categorization. Neither traditional quest narrative nor simple adventure, this book occupies the space between Game of Thrones and The Kite Runner, a…
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