Books

Book Review: “Poland, A Green Land” — A Meaningful Reflection on Horror

August 26, 2023
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Aharon Appelfeld’s final novel is haunting meditation on how to deal with past hostilities that are all too present.

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Book Review: “Writing for Their Lives” – How Women Established a Beachhead for Science Journalism

August 24, 2023
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The nearly 60 women science writers mentioned in “Writing for Their Lives” – and listed in an  appendix – are testament to women’s pioneering contribution to science journalism.

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Book Review: “Mass Supervision” — The Need for Alternatives

August 23, 2023
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In this valuable book, Vincent Schiraldi firmly establishes that the people currently on parole or probation – as well as the community at large – would be better off and safer if both systems were to disappear.

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Book Review: August Wilson — Poet, Pugilist, and Playwright

August 13, 2023
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Patti Hartigan’s biography is a workmanlike portrait of dramatist August Wilson that never delves deep enough into his poetic soul.

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Book Review: Ann Beattie’s “Onlookers” — From a Bemused Distance

August 13, 2023
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A fairly strong showing for Ann Beattie. Readers who know Charlottesville will probably have a ball with this collection of short stories, which spotlight the town’s upscale, professional residents.

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Book Review: “Virginia’s Sisters: An Anthology of Women’s Writing” — An Inclusive Conversation

August 12, 2023
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By assembling a rich array of poetry and prose by Virginia Woolf’s contemporaries from across the globe, Gabi Reigh honors the famed author’s desire that female writers be named and celebrated.

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Poetry Review: “The Collected Poems of Anselm Hollo” – Playful Poetry from a Contemplatively Curious Spirit

August 10, 2023
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Finnish-American poet Anselm Hollo’s writing, once contained in forty modest volumes, finally arrives as an eminently enjoyable book of unceasing wonders.

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Arts Interview: Author and Editor Mark Jay Mirsky on Writing, Reading, and Literary Friendships

August 5, 2023
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“For a writer the important thing is to write. The second important thing is the resonance of a reaction, a response. Without an audience, you’re basically locked in your cavern.”

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Book Review: “Rodney Kills at Night” — Engaging Company

August 5, 2023
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Poe Ballantine is often compared to Charles Bukowski and Jack Kerouac. I’d say he’s closer to the former than the latter, but he’s more polished than either and funnier than both put together.

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Book Review: “Backstage & Beyond Volume I” — A Valuable Addition to Any Rock ‘n’ Roll Library

August 2, 2023
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Rock journalist Jim Sullivan’s writing style has always been conversational rather than confrontational.

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