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BUY OR DIE by Theodor Ventskevich

April 29, 2019

SATIRE? FABLE? SCIENCE FICTION? Yes, all of these. A thirtieth-century world where advertising rules all is the setting for this delightful, surreal Gogol/Heinlein hybrid. B PLUS

BUY OR DIE: THERE COMETH A TIME OF RUTHLESS ADVERTISING.
Theodor Ventskevich
2019

Grade: B PLUS

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LOOKING FOR LORRAINE (HARDCOVER) by Imani Perry

April 27, 2019

THE TRAGICALLY SHORT LIFE of playwright Lorraine Hansberry, opened up beyond the merely iconic. Thoughtful writing with an emphasis on Hansberry’s politics. B PLUS

LOOKING FOR LORRAINE (HARDCOVER)
Beacon Press
2018

Grade: B PLUS

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IN A HOUSE OF LIES by Ian Rankin

April 25, 2019

A COLD CASE GOES SUPERNOVA in the newest Edinburgh mystery starring old warhorse John Rebus and the tireless Siobhan Clarke. Deeply entertaining procedural. B PLUS

IN A HOUSE OF LIES
Little Brown and Company
2018

Grade: B PLUS

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INDEPENDENT LIVING by E. M. Foner

April 22, 2019

SENIOR LIVING IN SPACE, with an imperious AI ship who also has a soft spot for young wanderers. Charming, fun SF. B PLUS

INDEPENDENT LIVING
Foner Books
2019

Grade: B PLUS

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TO THROW AWAY UNOPENED (HARDCOVER) by VIV Albertine

April 20, 2019

AN IRREVERENT KALEIDOSCOPE OF MEMOIR from punk pioneer Viv Albertine spares neither scrutiny nor whole-hearted love. B PLUS

TO THROW AWAY UNOPENED (HARDCOVER)
Faber & Faber Social
2018

Grade: B PLUS

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A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF HEAVEN (HARDCOVER) by Mathangi Subramanian

April 18, 2019

THE GIRLS OF A BANGALORE SLUM find friendship, loyalty, courage, and creativity in their harsh surroundings. Lovely novel, sweet but never syrupy. A MINUS

A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF HEAVEN (HARDCOVER)
Algonquin Books
2019

Grade: A MINUS

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THE VOSS COIN by A.B. Alexander

April 15, 2019

A WILD THRILLER EXPLODES with cryptocurrency, international gangsters, chase scenes, and lots of sex. Delightful if implausible. SOLID B

THE VOSS COIN: A NOVEL
A.B. Alexander
2019

Grade: SOLID B

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GHOSTS OF GOTHAM (PAPERBACK) by Craig Schaefer

April 13, 2019

A SKEPTICAL REPORTER UNCOVERS a hidden world of magic and ancient legends in New York. Fast-moving, exciting fantasy thriller! B PLUS

GHOSTS OF GOTHAM (PAPERBACK)
47north
2019

Grade: B PLUS

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WE CAST A SHADOW (HARDCOVER) by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

April 11, 2019

IN A RAMPANTLY RACIST NEAR-FUTURE US, medical “whitening” divides a family and a city. Bold, complex satire dazzles. A MINUS

WE CAST A SHADOW (HARDCOVER)
One World
2019

Grade: A MINUS

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TAINTED LOVE (AN ALEX MERCER THRILLER BOOK 6) by Stacy Claflin

April 8, 2019

A MOMMY BLOGGER’S SECRET unraveled by a young cop with a complicated family situation. Clever premise, lots of action. SOLID B

TAINTED LOVE (AN ALEX MERCER THRILLER BOOK 6)
Stacy Claflin
2019

Grade: SOLID B

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