Books

Children’s Book Reviews: Stories for Kids about Empowerment, Protest Movements, and Multiculturalism

August 28, 2023
Posted in , ,

A trio of books for kids about combating injustice.

Poetry Review: John Mulrooney’s “Spooky Action” — The Primal Playfulness of Existence

August 28, 2023
Posted in , ,

“Spooky Action” succeeds at its ‘unreasonable’ mission — to supply poetry that sears the mind, charms the heart, and uplifts the spirit.

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

August 26, 2023
Posted in , ,

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

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

August 24, 2023
Posted in , ,

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.

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

August 23, 2023
Posted in , ,

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.

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

August 13, 2023
Posted in , , ,

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

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

August 13, 2023
Posted in , ,

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.

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

August 12, 2023
Posted in , ,

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.

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

August 10, 2023
Posted in , ,

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

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

August 5, 2023
Posted in , ,

“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.”

Recent Posts

Popular Posts

Categories

Archives