Category: Book Reviews
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The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon – A Book Review
I’ve often said that Michael Chabon is one of America’s preeminent contemporary authors, so when I heard he had a children’s picture book available, I jumped at the chance to procure one on behalf of my three-year-old. Michael Chabon’s The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man is cute and innocent and consistent with what we know…
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The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian – A Book Review
The Night Strangers begins with a bang and draws the reader into a story that cannot be denied. Unfortunately, everything that works in the first half of the book is abandoned to an inferior sub plot and finally ends in one of the most dissatisfying conclusions that I’ve ever read. Chip Linton suffers extreme depression…
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Down the Mysterly River by Bill Willingham – A Book Review
Though Down the Mysterly River is written primarily for middle-graders, the fact that it is scribed by Bill Willingham proved irresistible. You may know Willingham as the creator and author of the Vertigo series entitled Fables. He won me over long ago, and I don’t mind admitting that I’ll give anything he writes a chance.…
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Misery Bay by Steve Hamilton – A Book Review
I recently discovered Steve Hamilton and read his work entitled The Lock Artist, a book I thoroughly enjoyed. So when the opportunity arose to procure an advance copy of his latest, a thriller called Misery Bay, I jumped at the chance. Misery Bay stars a character called Alex McKnight. McKnight has, apparently, appeared before in…
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The Rhythm of Secrets by Patti Lacy – A Book Review
With The Rhythm of Secrets, Patti Lacy proves herself an author of immense talent. The Rhythm of Secrets is an ambitious tale that presents the story of Sheila, a humble woman married to a high-profile pastor. However, Sheila has secrets—dark secrets—that even her husband has not yet discovered. From the wildness of 1940s New Orleans…
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Crossover Dribble by PJ Farris – A Book Review
One thing’s for sure: PJ Farris knows basketball! In this young adult novel released by Mayhaven Publishing, Joe Perkins is a young man desperately in love with the game of basketball and willing to do anything to improve his playing skills. However, his father—a hardworking, relentless farmer—is constantly after Joe to help out more on…
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Ex Machina: Term Limits by Brian K. Vaughan – A Book Review
Few conclusions have been as utterly satisfying as Ex Machina: Term Limits. Ex Machina has always been one of those titles that demanded both patience and commitment. With its myriad flashbacks, labyrinth plotlines, and complicated subject matter, it often required several readings. I assure you, in this tenth and final volume, your dedication is rewarded…
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Sunset Park by Paul Auster – A Book Review
Sometimes if you read enough of a certain author, you tend to notice the author’s trends, tendencies, and recurring themes. Sunset Park is clearly a Paul Auster book, especially in regards to the above mentioned, but I believe it also features the most engaging and well-rounded characters he’s presented in quite some time. Sunset Park features Miles Heller,…
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Koko Be Good by Jen Wang – A Book Review
This graphic novel, released by :01 and created by Jen Wang, is something of an enigma for me. On one hand, the story has been done, the characters aren’t very likable, and there isn’t really much in the way of plot, particularly climax. However, the art is so fetching that I can ignore the previous…