Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young: A Fugitive Family in the Revolutionary Underground
by Zayd Ayers Dohrn
A riveting thriller of a memoir (4/21/2026)
I was very moved by this book. Zayd Dohrn has documented his family during a tumultuous time in U.S. history, and his masterful writing allows us to relive it vividly. I'd listened to his excellent podcast and the book complements and fleshes out the personal impacts on family and friends of his parents' decisions.
The Family Man: Blood and Betrayal in the House of Murdaugh
by James Lasdun
Gripping Story of Murder (4/9/2026)
James Lasdun has written a very compelling story about the Murdaugh murders. I particularly appreciated his technique of reviewing the step-by-step investigation by SLEDD in a "you were there" kind of way. Likewise, his reporting of the trial testimony allowed me to understand the important moments that likely persuaded the jury of Alex Murdaugh's guilt. The fact that Lasdun has doubts about Alex's guilt, mostly based on his disbelief that a parent could kill his child, allows him to lead the reader on a deep psychological dive of the current research on the topic, and also to explore alternative theories that would be exculpatory of Alex. It's a very readable, absorbing book about a nightmarish situation.
When They Burned the Butterfly
by Wen-yi Lee
Not for Me (10/2/2025)
I don't usually read books of the fantasy genre, but I was eager to broaden my horizons with this one. Wen-Yi Lee is a good writer, and I stuck with the book until the end, but I just couldn't enjoy the story. The characters were interesting but the ubiquitous gratuitous violence and chaos were off-putting for me and I just couldn't draw any purpose or meaning from them. I can appreciate the creation of an alternate world in 1972 Singapore, the lesbian characters and the nod to feminism, but this reader ultimately just couldn't draw satisfaction with the book.
A Land So Wide: A Novel
by Erin A. Craig
No Mistaking A Good Book (7/8/2025)
I don't normally read the horror/fantasy genre of books, but I got absorbed in this book. Erin Craig creates a vivid picture with words (and a map for reference) of a harsh world beset by monsters and a young woman determined to leave and explore what lies beyond her confined borders. Because Craig is so descriptive and evocative in her writing, I could imagine the lands and the people. Greer, Ellis and Finn are well-developed, sympathetic characters that I easily followed on their adventures. The story had some twists and turns that I didn't anticipate, which is satisfying as a reader.
The Very Long, Very Strange Life of Isaac Dahl
by Bart Yates
Sweeping Story, Unique Format (5/18/2024)
This is a lovely book that kept me entranced. I highly recommend it, and it might appeal most to older readers. It's fascinating that the concept of writing twelve not lengthy chapters, each covering one day in the life of a long-lived man, works so well. Blending real life historical events/time periods with seemingly mundane life events results in a story about interesting, sympathetic people. I really loved all of them and appreciated the lessons about love of friends and family. I can also see this book generating lots of discussion in book groups.
Above the Salt: A Novel
by Katherine Vaz
A lyrical and epic story (9/23/2023)
I very much enjoyed this book.Vaz writes in lyrical prose and the story is compelling and poignant. Initially it seemed to move a bit slow, but pushing through was worthwhile. I think this would be a good book for book clubs to talk about, especially regarding the historical facts woven into the narrative.The author also covers themes of loss, sacrifice, overcoming obstacles, and true love in a way that pulls on the heartstrings and makes for an engaging read and interesting discussion.
Digging Stars: A Novel
by Novuyo Rosa Tshuma
A Well Written Novel about Explorations (7/9/2023)
I enjoyed this book and its themes, although at times I found the pace of it uneven. And although the author is an excellent writer, at times I was put off by redundant adjectives and descriptions. It's an interesting exploration of the effect of an absent parent on a child and on the adult she becomes. Rosa studies astrophysics and other characters study the purpose of melanin in human skin, programming of virtual worlds, ethnicity and identity, providing a helpful academic backdrop that leads her to finally explore the source of her "terrors" and the downside to her idolization of her flawed dead father. I think this would be an interesting book for a book club to read and discuss, both for the psychological issues it raises, but also for the topics related to race, ethnicity and scientific ethics.
The All-American: A Novel
by Joe Milan Jr.
Intense and Absorbing (3/4/2023)
A gifted writer tells a compelling story, funny at times as well as heart-rending. His YA novel creates a very human character to explore Asian American identity and adoption and immigration nightmares. I was immediately pulled into the intense and absorbing story told from the point of view of a young man.I think this would be an interesting novel for book groups to read and discuss.
Moonrise Over New Jessup
by Jamila Minnicks
An Engrossing Novel (1/1/2023)
I became thoroughly engrossed in this book, drawn in by the elegant prose, the vivid characters and New Jessup, Alabama. Jamila Minnicks provides a careful examination of the differing viewpoints among members of this black community about the benefits and deficits of integration. I found myself feeling very protective of New Jessup and appreciating all the citizens there had achieved through their hard work and determination. I really enjoyed the book and think it would be an excellent book club selection. Also, I predict that readers who liked The Vanishing Half and The Prophets will be fans of Moonrise Over New Jessup.
The God of Endings: A Novel
by Jacqueline Holland
Excellent Writing, Engaging Story (10/16/2022)
I ordinarily wouldn't think to read a novel about immortal characters who nourish themselves with blood, but Holland has created a main character in Collette who mesmerized me. In beautiful prose describing parts of Collette's centuries' long life, the author provides a study about love, grief, loss, inhumanity, motherhood and more. I think this would be a great book club selection because it poses many questions. I'm still thinking about the book's implications.
Dinosaurs: A Novel
by Lydia Millet
Simply a lovely book (9/3/2022)
I read this book in one sitting - that's how much it captivated me. Lydia Millet as created characters and a setting that are incredibly compelling. I was touched that the main characters, though flawed, were all trying to be decent, good people. I especially came to appreciate Gil who recognizes, after many unlucky years, that he is incredibly grateful for the friends who become is surrogate family. The Arizona desert interplays with the events of the story and provides a backdrop for his insights. I think this would be a good book for a lively group discussion.
Free: A Child and a Country at the End of History
by Lea Ypi
Thought-provoking (11/25/2021)
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Ypi is a gifted writer who creates a vivid picture of her coming of age during the political and cultural changes in her home country of Albania. The stories she tells personalize the effects of these dramatic changes on her family and others in her community. She is at times humorous and witty, always passionate and seeking the truth.
I think this would be an excellent choice for a book group, allowing discussions about how the adults in her life protected her by not telling her the truths about the system under which they lived, but also exploring the ways in which political philosophies are distorted by those who claim to be creating a society based on them.
New York, My Village: A Novel
by Uwem Akpan
Very Readable but Perplexing (9/5/2021)
I'm left with mixed feelings about Uwem Akpan's book. On one hand, I found it culturally interesting and clever at times. On the other hand, the writing is somewhat jerky and the storyline could give the reader whiplash. Perhaps that's the writer's point, mirroring the mercuric emotions of the protagonist and the plot twists both in New York and in Nigeria. There are plenty of tongue in cheek points made and imagery and metaphors abound. It might make a good book group read so folks can discuss their impressions and interpretation of the writer's intent.
Everybody: A Book about Freedom
by Olivia Laing
Such a Journey! (5/22/2021)
Laing's takes us on a sweeping odyssey to explore the effects of liberation on the human body. Her prose is evocative and her research impressive. This book would be a great book group selection to provoke thoughtful discourse.
Smalltime: A Story of My Family and the Mob
by Russell Shorto
Interesting Family History (3/21/2021)
Russell Shorto is a good writer and has written an interesting history of his family, focusing on his grandfather's time as a small time mafia boss specializing in gambling. Overall I enjoyed the book, including the fact that Shorto takes on a psychological excavation of four generations of his family. By the end of his several years of research, I was left with the impression that the author was more at peace with the messiness of his predecessors because he had answers to questions that had nagged at him during his adult life.
The Prophets
by Robert Jones Jr.
A book of both beauty and horror (10/25/2020)
Reading this book was an intense experience, but it was mesmerizing. The writing is lyrical and beautiful while telling a story about the horrors of slavery as well as the great love between two slaves. This would be a good book club selection, allowing for much discussion of not only the story and the characters, but also the literary techniques the author uses to create a vivid world where hatred, love, desire, self-loathing, loss, and other emotions are raw and on full display.
The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir
by Sara Seager
Life in the Dark and Light (7/12/2020)
Sara Seager has written a touching memoir that I found quite enjoyable. I particularly appreciated how she wove the themes of darkness and light throughout, comparing and contrasting the value of each not only in her work as an astrophysicist but also in her personal life as she deals with tragedy and how to move forward. I particularly enjoyed her descriptions of imagining how to find exoplanets and how that creative ability helped her as well in her personal life. I think this would be a good story for discussion by book groups with the themes of dealing with loss, single parenting and dating, asking for help when overwhelmed, juggling work and personal lives, what it's like to be a little "off" compared to "normal" people, being passionate about intellectual pursuits so as to perform at an elite level, characteristics of genius level people and thinking, and more.
Migrations: A Novel
by Charlotte McConaghy
Gorgeous prose, deeply moving story (4/13/2020)
I very much enjoyed this book, though at times the subject matters and the depth of feeling the words evoked in me were painful. I'm very worried about the effects of climate change, so the story was particularly compelling. The portrayal of repeated trauma in Franny's life and how she dealt with her suffering were well done. I think this could be a good book club selection, evoking lots of discussion.
The Prisoner's Wife
by Maggie Brookes
Intense Portrayal of Prisoners of War (2/3/2020)
I was caught up in this story inspired by true events. The author's thorough research about the prisoner of war and labor camps is evident. I could vividly see the overcrowded barracks, smell the stench of unwashed bodies and imagine the hunger of starving humans pushed to the brink. The brazen act of a woman hiding among all the male prisoners is hard to imagine but makes me think that there had to be a great love affair between husband and wife. I hope, with the publication of this book, someone will come forward and name the real prisoner and his wife and tell us their story.
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge
by Phaedra Patrick
A Pleasant, Heart Warming Book (1/12/2020)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book with sympathetic lead characters who are striving to be better people. Having the story revolve around the tradition of lovers placing locks on bridges is a good device for telling Mitchell's emotional struggles. It would be a good book for young people and book clubs. I can imagine discussions about regret, the effect of kindness, redemption, and healing that would be illuminating.
