Category: Review
2025 Happy Holiday Book List
Since 2010, I’ve been sharing a list of the books I especially enjoyed during the past year. The 2025 list features mostly newish novels (including some surprisingly dark stories), plus a smattering of older favorites—and even some non-fiction (mostly related Read More …
Return to Blue Water: So Much More than a Memoir
Pam Rorke Levy’s uncategorizable success Read More …
New Book Review: Slanting Towards the Sea
A debut novel drops us into life on the Croatian coastline Read More …
What Makes a Strong Opening Chapter?
Three very different novels all draw in this reader with a distinctive opening Read More …
Book Review: Little Great Island
An island novel I wish I’d written Read More …
The Unique Joy of a Well-Designed Book
So much more than how-to Read More …
Book Review: West with Giraffes
A teenager helps transport a pair of giraffes across Depression-era America Read More …
Holiday Book List 2024
My annual list of what I’ve read in the past year (and why) Read More …
Book Review: Long After We Are Gone
Four siblings deal with the aftermath of their father’s death Read More …
Book Review: The Last Days of the Schooner America
Dave Gendell captures a unique moment in history on a familiar shoreline Read More …