BookBrowse | Book Reviews and Recommendations

The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl
by Bart Yates

Sweeping Story, Unique Format (5/18/2024)

This is a lovely book that kept me entranced. I highly recommend it, and it might appeal most to older readers. It's fascinating that the concept of writing twelve not lengthy chapters, each covering one day in the life of a long-lived man, works so well. Blending real life historical events/time periods with seemingly mundane life events results in a story about interesting, sympathetic people. I really loved all of them and appreciated the lessons about love of friends and family. I can also see this book generating lots of discussion in book groups.

Above the Salt: A Novel
by Katherine Vaz

A lyrical and epic story (9/23/2023)

I very much enjoyed this book.Vaz writes in lyrical prose and the story is compelling and poignant. Initially it seemed to move a bit slow, but pushing through was worthwhile. I think this would be a good book for book clubs to talk about, especially regarding the historical facts woven into the narrative.The author also covers themes of loss, sacrifice, overcoming obstacles, and true love in a way that pulls on the heartstrings and makes for an engaging read and interesting discussion.

Digging Stars: A Novel
by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma

A Well Written Novel about Explorations (7/9/2023)

I enjoyed this book and its themes, although at times I found the pace of it uneven. And although the author is an excellent writer, at times I was put off by redundant adjectives and descriptions. It's an interesting exploration of the effect of an absent parent on a child and on the adult she becomes. Rosa studies astrophysics and other characters study the purpose of melanin in human skin, programming of virtual worlds, ethnicity and identity, providing a helpful academic backdrop that leads her to finally explore the source of her "terrors" and the downside to her idolization of her flawed dead father. I think this would be an interesting book for a book club to read and discuss, both for the psychological issues it raises, but also for the topics related to race, ethnicity and scientific ethics.

The All-American: A Novel
by Joe Milan Jr.

Intense and Absorbing (3/4/2023)

A gifted writer tells a compelling story, funny at times as well as heart-rending. His YA novel creates a very human character to explore Asian American identity and adoption and immigration nightmares. I was immediately pulled into the intense and absorbing story told from the point of view of a young man.I think this would be an interesting novel for book groups to read and discuss.

Moonrise Over New Jessup
by Jamila Minnicks

An Engrossing Novel (1/1/2023)

I became thoroughly engrossed in this book, drawn in by the elegant prose, the vivid characters and New Jessup, Alabama. Jamila Minnicks provides a careful examination of the differing viewpoints among members of this black community about the benefits and deficits of integration. I found myself feeling very protective of New Jessup and appreciating all the citizens there had achieved through their hard work and determination. I really enjoyed the book and think it would be an excellent book club selection. Also, I predict that readers who liked The Vanishing Half and The Prophets will be fans of Moonrise Over New Jessup.

The God of Endings: A Novel
by Jacqueline Holland

Excellent Writing, Engaging Story (10/16/2022)

I ordinarily wouldn't think to read a novel about immortal characters who nourish themselves with blood, but Holland has created a main character in Collette who mesmerized me. In beautiful prose describing parts of Collette's centuries' long life, the author provides a study about love, grief, loss, inhumanity, motherhood and more. I think this would be a great book club selection because it poses many questions. I'm still thinking about the book's implications.

Dinosaurs: A Novel
by Lydia Millet

Simply a lovely book (9/3/2022)

I read this book in one sitting - that's how much it captivated me. Lydia Millet as created characters and a setting that are incredibly compelling. I was touched that the main characters, though flawed, were all trying to be decent, good people. I especially came to appreciate Gil who recognizes, after many unlucky years, that he is incredibly grateful for the friends who become is surrogate family. The Arizona desert interplays with the events of the story and provides a backdrop for his insights. I think this would be a good book for a lively group discussion.

Free: A Child and a Country at the End of History
by Lea Ypi

Thought-provoking (11/25/2021)

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Ypi is a gifted writer who creates a vivid picture of her coming of age during the political and cultural changes in her home country of Albania. The stories she tells personalize the effects of these dramatic changes on her family and others in her community. She is at times humorous and witty, always passionate and seeking the truth.
I think this would be an excellent choice for a book group, allowing discussions about how the adults in her life protected her by not telling her the truths about the system under which they lived, but also exploring the ways in which political philosophies are distorted by those who claim to be creating a society based on them.

New York, My Village: A Novel
by Uwem Akpan

Very Readable but Perplexing (9/5/2021)

I'm left with mixed feelings about Uwem Akpan's book. On one hand, I found it culturally interesting and clever at times. On the other hand, the writing is somewhat jerky and the storyline could give the reader whiplash. Perhaps that's the writer's point, mirroring the mercuric emotions of the protagonist and the plot twists both in New York and in Nigeria. There are plenty of tongue in cheek points made and imagery and metaphors abound. It might make a good book group read so folks can discuss their impressions and interpretation of the writer's intent.

Everybody: A Book about Freedom
by Olivia Laing

Such a Journey! (5/22/2021)

Laing's takes us on a sweeping odyssey to explore the effects of liberation on the human body. Her prose is evocative and her research impressive. This book would be a great book group selection to provoke thoughtful discourse.

Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob
by Russell Shorto

Interesting Family History (3/21/2021)

Russell Shorto is a good writer and has written an interesting history of his family, focusing on his grandfather's time as a small time mafia boss specializing in gambling. Overall I enjoyed the book, including the fact that Shorto takes on a psychological excavation of four generations of his family. By the end of his several years of research, I was left with the impression that the author was more at peace with the messiness of his predecessors because he had answers to questions that had nagged at him during his adult life.

The Prophets
by Robert Jones Jr.

A book of both beauty and horror (10/25/2020)

Reading this book was an intense experience, but it was mesmerizing. The writing is lyrical and beautiful while telling a story about the horrors of slavery as well as the great love between two slaves. This would be a good book club selection, allowing for much discussion of not only the story and the characters, but also the literary techniques the author uses to create a vivid world where hatred, love, desire, self-loathing, loss, and other emotions are raw and on full display.

The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir
by Sara Seager

Life in the Dark and Light (7/12/2020)

Sara Seager has written a touching memoir that I found quite enjoyable. I particularly appreciated how she wove the themes of darkness and light throughout, comparing and contrasting the value of each not only in her work as an astrophysicist but also in her personal life as she deals with tragedy and how to move forward. I particularly enjoyed her descriptions of imagining how to find exoplanets and how that creative ability helped her as well in her personal life. I think this would be a good story for discussion by book groups with the themes of dealing with loss, single parenting and dating, asking for help when overwhelmed, juggling work and personal lives, what it's like to be a little "off" compared to "normal" people, being passionate about intellectual pursuits so as to perform at an elite level, characteristics of genius level people and thinking, and more.

Migrations: A Novel
by Charlotte McConaghy

Gorgeous prose, deeply moving story (4/13/2020)

I very much enjoyed this book, though at times the subject matters and the depth of feeling the words evoked in me were painful. I'm very worried about the effects of climate change, so the story was particularly compelling. The portrayal of repeated trauma in Franny's life and how she dealt with her suffering were well done. I think this could be a good book club selection, evoking lots of discussion.

The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes

Intense Portrayal of Prisoners of War (2/3/2020)

I was caught up in this story inspired by true events. The author's thorough research about the prisoner of war and labor camps is evident. I could vividly see the overcrowded barracks, smell the stench of unwashed bodies and imagine the hunger of starving humans pushed to the brink. The brazen act of a woman hiding among all the male prisoners is hard to imagine but makes me think that there had to be a great love affair between husband and wife. I hope, with the publication of this book, someone will come forward and name the real prisoner and his wife and tell us their story.

The Secrets of Love Story Bridge
by Phaedra Patrick

A Pleasant, Heart Warming Book (1/12/2020)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with sympathetic lead characters who are striving to be better people. Having the story revolve around the tradition of lovers placing locks on bridges is a good device for telling Mitchell's emotional struggles. It would be a good book for young people and book clubs. I can imagine discussions about regret, the effect of kindness, redemption, and healing that would be illuminating.

I Want You to Know We're Still Here: A Post-Holocaust Memoir
by Esther Safran Foer

A Poignant Memoir (11/19/2019)

I thoroughly enjoyed this very heartfelt, readable story-even though it is a tough one. Esther Safran Foer compellingly describes her search for the story of her father's first wife and child and how he survived the Holocaust. The book will appeal to anyone who has grown up in a home with secrets, anyone who has survived tragedy, or anyone who is interested in this period of history. It is extremely well-written and poignant and will appeal to readers of all ages. I can imagine some intense book club discussions.

Mighty Justice: My Life in Civil Rights
by Dovey Johnson Roundtree , Katie McCabe

A trailblazing life (9/16/2019)

Dovey Roundtree's account of her life is an excellent read. Writing in her nineties, she shows profound reflection on how her childhood formed her and led her to take on racism and sexism throughout her working life-and thereafter. This would be a good book club assignment, especially for those interested in history and law. Dovey's life is an inspiration and the tone of her story makes we wish I'd known her.

Yale Needs Women: How the First Group of Girls Rewrote the Rules of an Ivy League Giant
by Anne Gardiner Perkins

Higher Education and the Second Wave Women's Movement (7/15/2019)

Anne Gardner Perkins has carefully documented an important time in the modern women's movement and made it come alive by zeroing in on the experiences of the first women admitted to Yale and the efforts made by them and other allies to increase the number of women to a level equal to that of the male students. This book may have been of particular interest to me because I entered a public university in Texas the same year the first women arrived at Yale. It was fascinating to read of their experiences on that Ivy League campus and to see how they contrasted or paralleled my own. Gardiner Perkins did an excellent job describing the women and what happened over about a four-year timeline. This is definitely a worthwhile read.

Beirut Hellfire Society
by Rawi Hage

Dramatically Displays the Horror of War (5/8/2019)

This is a hard book to describe, but I found it profound, touching, visceral, honest and full of dark humor. Hage writes beautifully, lyrically, angrily and starkly about living in a city consumed by war and death. The main character, a young man who is the son of an undertaker, and all the strange and haunting people with whom he interacts, all paint a vivid picture. I think this book would be a good one for a book group. There are many metaphors, references to classical literature, and some mysticism that could be explored. Hage has written a fine book that kept me engrossed.