Samuel Andresen-Anderson is a complicated man. An English professor at a small college, video game enthusiast, and failed author, he has a penchant for getting himself into morally ambiguous situations. He also has a habit of ruminating on where it all went wrong, which he can pinpoint to an exact moment in time: the day his mother abruptly abandoned him as a child. So … [Read more...]
Ng’s ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ A Sizzling Sophomore Novel
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...]
‘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...]
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...]
Career, Marriage, and DC Politics Crash Together in ‘The Hopefuls’
I recently revealed that I'm running for office, so it's no surprise that a book about two young hopefuls moving to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career in politics would intrigue me. Plus, The Hopefuls is by Jennifer Close, whose book, The Smart One, was one I thoroughly enjoyed. Unsurprisingly, I quite enjoyed this one, as well.The Hopefuls follows Beth and Matt, two … [Read more...]
The Clairvoyants by Karen Brown
A few years ago, The Longings of Wayward Girls by Karen Brown hit the streets running, generating a lot of early positive reviews. I remember it clearly because I didn't read it, which is a perpetual problem for avid readers. But when the publisher reached out to see whether I wanted to try out her latest, The Clairvoyants, I vowed not to let Brown pass me by … [Read more...]
‘The Summer that Melted Everything’ – What Would You Do if the Devil Came to Town?
Read this book. It's not often that I start off a review with these words, but Tiffany McDaniel's debut novel, The Summer that Melted Everything, is more than worthy of an off-the-bat recommendation. I say this for many reasons: the writing is beautiful, the characters are unforgettable, and the storyline is an important one. Plus, it made the Guardian's Not the Booker Prize … [Read more...]