I received a pre publication copy of Victoria Christopher"s latest novel Harlem Rhapsody. It tells the story of Jessie Redmon Fauset, the literary editor of The NAACP's magazine, The Crisis, from 1919-1925. While Harlem Rhapsody is historical fiction, Miss Fauset's …more accomplishments are not. In an era where women, especially black women, had limited rights and limited access to education, she was a Cornell graduate, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and an accomplished writer and poet. She nurtured major poets and writers including Countee Cullen, Nella Larson, Jean Toomer and Langston Hughes, who called her the midwife of the Harlem Renaissance. She also rubbed shoulders with Paul Robeson, Ethel Waters, Marcus Garvey, and Charles MacKay. It was enlightening to learn about her world.

This novel is also a love story of sorts. She was appointed the literary editor of The Crisis by W.E.B. Dubois, the civil rights icon, her mentor and her lover, He is a monumental historical figure and very impactful on Miss Fauset's trajectory. However, I would have preferred more history and less relationship. The love story detracts from this woman, seemingly lost to history, and overshadows her individual achievements.

It was interesting to learn that Ms. Murray had only recently learned about Miss Fauset. I am glad that she decided to discover the renaissance life of Jesse Redmone Fauset and share it with us. I recommend this novel to those interested in history, women's history, the Harlem Renaissance, United States history, and black history. For me, it was a welcome education. (less)

I received an advanced copy of The Bright And Tender Dark by Joanna Pearson. The author has had success with short stories. This novel seems like a series of short stories with only the merest link. Each chapter is told from a different character's point of view and then …more swings back and forth between them. When switching chapters, it makes it very jarring.
Initially, this is suppose to be about the murder of college student, Karlie Richards. Years later, her college roommate, Joy starts to investigate. Joy's life is falling about and we get to hear all about it, from Joy, her husband, her husband's pregnant girlfriend, and her kids. There are numerous accounts by various people both past and present. Thrown in is evangelicalism, transgenderism, cults, midlife crises, criminal justice, high school bullying and sexting. A minor character becomes a major character. The conclusion is neither satisfying nor interesting. I am sorry I cannot recommend this novel. I can, however, recommend another novel that has a similar plot, "I Have Some Questions For You," by Rebecca Makkai. (less)

I have read a number of books by David Grann, including The Lost City of Z and Killers of the Flower Moon. I am now fortunate to have read a prepublication of his latest book, The Wager. As with all his books, Mr. Grann has distilled a large amount of research. In fact, …more having read this book on my Kindle, the book itself was finished at 66% and the remainder of the book was citations and footnotes. It is an interesting story of the shipwreck of The Wager. It is not a spoiler to say that more than one group made it back with conflicting stories. It was quite harrowing to read all that they went through in order to survive.

It was interesting to see that this event was the source material for everything from Herman Melville to the poems of Lord Byron (the grandson of a featured midshipman, John Byron). In light of how ill equipped this ship was with a reluctant crew, diseases such as typhus and scurvy, wooden ships, and no measurement of longitude, it was a miracle that anyone came back alive. Mr. Grann's prose has brought their experiences to life. Some of them are difficult to read about but Mr. Grann moves the story along to its surprising conclusion. It is a story that will fascinate readers of his previous books. A worthwhile read. (less)