Book reviews on contemporary fiction.
Wildy Human: Quirky and Empowering Stories for Women is exactly that – a collection of delightfully odd stories with a positive kick. Expect the unexpected with this gem. Digital Rabbit Hole | 2015 | Kindle | 150 pp The stories are meaningful allegories meant for women who are held hostage by societal constraints, male dominance, or…
By Nightfall is a contemporary work of fiction by lauded author Michael Cunningham. It is a coming of age tale not only for the younger characters but for the middle-aged main character as well. The story is centered around Peter Harris and his wife Rebecca. Peter is an art dealer in New York City…
For local residents who are fond of both books and geocaching, you might be interested to know that there is a secret code to a New Hampshire geocache hidden within the pages of Journey by Mykl Walsh, a wildly strange and deceptive short story. Inkshares | Paperback | December, 2015 | 145 pp “In what…
The Perseid Collapse, written by Steven Konkoly, is an action packed thriller, guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat. This novel takes place in the New England states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Personally, I tend to gravitate away from some fiction novels because they can be so unrealistic. However, The Perseid Collapse…
Lucifer’s Game, Book One: The Realm of Shadows by Will Schneider is the first book in an up -and-coming series and was published in 2015. The sequel is currently being written. It is a quick read at 262 pages but every page is used wisely. You will not want to put the book down. The…
A New York Times Bestseller, The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry was one of the most popular books in 2014, easily becoming a GoodReads Choice Award Nominee for Best Fiction in 2014. Based on the life of a small town bookstore owner, it’s commonly lauded as the perfect fit for bibliophiles and book clubs. Algonquin Books | 2014 |…
As a parent, I understand knee-jerk reactions when it comes to my kids, but much less so when it comes to book banning. Last year, Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult came under fire in Gilford, NH when some high school parents objected to the contents of this assigned book. At the time, I knew little about…
Jean Hegland, the author of several books including Into the Forest, a personal favorite of mine, has put forth a new novel expected out in just a few days. I jumped at the opportunity for an advance look at Still Time, a contemporary novel of an academic struggling through Alzheimer’s Disease and his deteriorating memories of the…
A Visit From the Goon Squad is a work of fiction by Jennifer Egan which most notably won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize in 2011. The novel focuses on two main characters, the music executive Bennie and his assistant Sasha. Egan explores the themes of adolescence, aging, death, friendship and family through a uniquely woven narrative…
Run by bestselling author Ann Patchett is the Portsmouth Book Club’s June pick. Published in 2007, this was the first time I’d heard of this book and it was my first introduction to Ann Patchett (hey – I usually wade around in scifi whirlpools). For you local readers, this book takes place in Boston and Cambridge….