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You are browsing the archive for July2020

FRIEND by Nam-Nyong Paek

July 30, 2020

LOVE IN NORTH KOREA: the first English translation of a classic 1980s novel opens a world at once alien and deeply familiar with its spare, gentle prose. B PLUS

FRIEND
Columbia University Press
2020

Grade: B PLUS

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A DOOR INTO TIME by Shawn Inmon

July 27, 2020

A MYSTERIOUS DOORWAY TO THE FUTURE takes a military man into a world of hunters, gatherers, and warriors. Exciting and vividly described low-tech adventure. B PLUS

A DOOR INTO TIME: AN ALEX HAWK TIME TRAVEL ADVENTURE
Pertime Publishing
2020

Grade: B PLUS

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GOOD MORNING, DESTROYER OF MEN'S SOULS by Nina Renata Aron

July 25, 2020

MYTHS OF LOVE AND ADDICTION, and other stories women use to build mazes in their lives, beautifully explored in a thoughtful, eloquent memoir. B PLUS

GOOD MORNING, DESTROYER OF MEN'S SOULS
Crown
2020

Grade: B PLUS

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SIGH, GONE by Phuc Tran

July 23, 2020

THE STRUGGLE TO FIT IN as a Vietnamese immigrant in a small Pennsylvania town takes a boy from the great books to punk rock to movies and television. Brilliant observations in crisp, polished prose. A MINUS

SIGH, GONE
Flatiron Books
2020

Grade: A MINUS

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PROSPER & THRIVE (THRIVE SPACE COLONY ADVENTURES BOOK 7) by Ginger Booth

July 20, 2020

EPIC INTERSTELLAR ADVENTURE unites far-flung colony planets of a dead Earth. Intriguing worldbuilding, memorable characters. B PLUS

PROSPER & THRIVE (THRIVE SPACE COLONY ADVENTURES BOOK 7)
Ginger Booth
2020

Grade: B PLUS

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OLIGARCHY by Scarlett Thomas

July 18, 2020

A RUSSIAN OLIGARCH’S DAUGHTER arrives at a seedy English girls’ school and falls into a gossamer web of bad choices. Witty and enigmatic tale with a hint of the Gothic. B PLUS

OLIGARCHY
Counterpoint
2020

Grade: B PLUS

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BENEATH THE RISING by Premee Mohamed

July 16, 2020

A MYSTERIOUS SCIENTIFIC PRODIGY and her childhood friend face an array of otherworldly forces in a battle for the world’s future. Thrilling fantasy with lots of nuance. A MINUS

BENEATH THE RISING
Solaris
2020

Grade: A MINUS

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THE IMMORTAL WAR (DATHEN LEGENDS) by N.J. Franco

July 13, 2020

AN EVERLASTING MAGICAL WAR, with soldiers resurrected after each battle, takes an unexpected turn. Intriguing fantasy could do more with characterization. B MINUS

THE IMMORTAL WAR (DATHEN LEGENDS)
Independently published
2020

Grade: B MINUS

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DON'T YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU by Laura Bogart

July 11, 2020

A YOUNG ARTIST STRUGGLES with returning to her complicated family life after an accident. Rich, vivid prose and an evocative picture of Baltimore. B PLUS

DON'T YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU
Dzanc Books
2020

Grade: B PLUS

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EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL by Phyllis Grant

July 9, 2020

LOVELY, IMPRESSIONISTIC MEMOIR of a rich, complicated life, tied together by thoughtful recollections of food (and some appetizing recipes!). SOLID B

EVERYTHING IS UNDER CONTROL
Farrar
2020

Grade: SOLID B

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