I first became acquainted with Celeste Ng when her debut novel, Everything I Never Told You, was a book blogger favorite but hadn’t hit the mainstream yet. It was before she won Amazon’s best book of the year in 2015 and she graciously joined in #30Authors. Since then, I’ve patiently (okay, not so patiently) awaited her sophomore novel and I’m overjoyed to report … [Read more...]
Hensley Kills it in ‘Bolt Action Remedy’
J.J. Hensley has reminded me, once again, that I’m a closet thriller fan and his latest book, Bolt Action Remedy, is the proof in the pudding. True to his style (I also reviewed Resolve), Hensley has weaved a story that is fast-paced, witty, and unpredictable. Where Bolt Action Remedy stands out, however, is in its deeper foray into the psychological.The story follows … [Read more...]
‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas Worth Every Piece of Praise
I often hear that we live in a post-racial America, that we have come a long way, and that progress has been made. For years we lived in a country where it was easier to sweep everyday racism and micro aggressions under the rug, giving the glossy veneer of a more accepting society.But those of us who pay attention know the truth: we live in a country where white … [Read more...]
Nickolas Butler Strikes Again in ‘The Hearts of Men’
Few authors are able to strike at the hearts of a reader quite like Nickolas Butler. His first novel, Shotgun Lovesongs, was brilliant and put its finger on the pulse of a vein of American life in a way that neither glorified nor condemned life in a small town. In his latest, The Hearts of Men, Butler pours some of his own experiences into a novel about boy scouting, a lifetime … [Read more...]
Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans de Waal
I love animals. I'd like to think that I understand them because I have rescued more than my fair share of birds (including a wild owl incident), have been chased by a pack of baby raccoons, and love my dogs to pieces. Plus, I've always believe that animals know a lot more than they let on. For many years, science did not support this line of thinking. Animals were … [Read more...]
Alter Recommends We Step Away from the Screen in ‘Irresistible’
Like most people I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I love waking up in the mornings and checking my Twitter feed and the news but I hate how the distraction can make me run late. I love the satisfaction of hitting my step goals but I hate that I feel compelled to log what I eat. I love being connected to other people but I hate the guilt that comes with not … [Read more...]
Edge of Eternity by Ken Follett
As with all Ken Follett trilogies, I knew I would love Edge of Eternity . Not only is Follett a stunning author who writes sweeping histories, this was the third in his more recent endeavor and I devoured the first two. It's such a nice feeling to pick up a book knowing full well that I'm going to adore it and have no trepidations, whatsoever.The Century trilogy kicks … [Read more...]
‘Black Earth’, The Holocaust, and Why We Need to Heed the Warning Signs
It's taken me a long time to finally review this book. Partly, this is because it's a dense read and is chock full of history and military theory, but mostly because it took an emotional toll on me. Black Earth: The Holocaust as History and Warning by Timothy Snyder is about why we need to look at the Holocaust as warning, not history, because the conditions that led … [Read more...]