Book reviews and more!

You are browsing the archive for November2018

THE LAST CRUISE by Kate Christensen

November 29, 2018

A SHIP’S LAST CRUISE turns sour, as things fall apart and tensions build. Sharp parable of changing times, vivid characters. B PLUS

THE LAST CRUISE
Doubleday Books
2018

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

THE TORCHBEARERS by Bairbre Higgins

November 26, 2018

INTRIGUING THRILLER, VIVID New Mexico setting: a burned-out financial genius stumbles into a deadly clash of cults. SOLID B

THE TORCHBEARERS: A NOVEL
Terra Nova Books
2018

Grade: SOLID B

Tags:

FASHION CLIMBING (HARDCOVER) by Bill Cunningham

November 24, 2018

AN ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL MEMOIR from the late, great fashion writer and photographer Bill Cunningham tells witty, wise tales of fashion’s golden years. A MINUS

FASHION CLIMBING (HARDCOVER)
Penguin Press
2018

Grade: A MINUS

Tags:

JELL-O GIRLS (HARDCOVER) by Allie Rowbottom

November 22, 2018

A FAMILY’S TWIN LEGACIES: Jell-O, and a profound dysfunction that wealth did nothing to relieve. Thoughtful, touching memoir. B PLUS

JELL-O GIRLS (HARDCOVER)
Little
2018

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

THE CONCORDIA DECEPTION – A SPACE COLONIZATION EPIC ADVENTURE (SPACE COLONY ONE BOOK 1) by J.J. Green

November 19, 2018

A DEEP-SPACE COLONY IN CRISIS as they start life on a new planet. Fast-paced SF thriller with memorable characters. B PLUS

THE CONCORDIA DECEPTION – A SPACE COLONIZATION EPIC ADVENTURE (SPACE COLONY ONE BOOK 1)
InfiniteBook
2018

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

MARY B by Katherine J. Chen

November 17, 2018

ENTERTAINING RIFF ON AUSTEN recasts awkward sister Mary from Pride and Prejudice as a keen observer with a gift for words. B PLUS

MARY B : A NOVEL: AN UNTOLD STORY OF PRIDE AND PREJUDICE
Random House
2018

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE VAMPIRE UPRISING (HARDCOVER) by Raymond A. Villareal

November 16, 2018

VAMPIRES GO VIRAL: a bloodborne epidemic leads to the creation of a new elite. Cleverly framed thriller with a touch of satire. B PLUS

A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE VAMPIRE UPRISING (HARDCOVER)
Mulholland Books
2018

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

CRINGEWORTHY by Melissa Dahl

November 15, 2018

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF AWKWARDNESS, explored in a heady, sometimes vicariously embarrassing, mix of personal stories and research findings. B PLUS

CRINGEWORTHY : A THEORY OF AWKWARDNESS
Portfolio
2018

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

THE DRAMA TEACHER (HARDCOVER) by Koren Zailckas

November 14, 2018

MARVELOUSLY SUSPENSEFUL THRILLER about a lifelong con artist desperately trying to make a better life for herself and her children. A MINUS

THE DRAMA TEACHER (HARDCOVER)
Crown
2018

Grade: A MINUS

Tags:

CALCULATED FATE by Conor McCarthy

November 12, 2018

INTENSE NEAR-FUTURE THRILLER follows a ragtag resistance against an AI-enabled totalitarian state. Lots of action, firefights! B PLUS

CALCULATED FATE
Conor McCarthy
2018

Grade: B PLUS

Tags: