Category: Book Reviews
-
Later by Stephen King – A Book Review
I erroneously declared years ago that Stephen King’s best fiction writing days were behind him. As with Elevation, he continues to prove me wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed Later for a few very simple reasons. First, it’s a short, concise, fast read. Second, it sticks to a main plot and does not deviate at all. Third,…
-
Star Wars – The High Republic: The Rising Storm – A Book Review
In this second novel of the The High Republic series, author Cavan Scott continues the story initiated in The Light Of the Jedi. Set roughly 200 years before The Phantom Menace, Marchion Ro and his Nihil minions still plot against the Republic. They will do anything to disrupt peace, including a brutal attack against civilians…
-
The Annual Migration Of Clouds by Premee Mohamed – A Book Review
I picked up The Annual Migration Of Clouds by Premee Mohamed while browsing my local library. I’m currently interested in reading novellas, so this slim work caught my eye. The story takes place in a future where the climate fully turned against humanity. Pockets of civilization exist without any of the comforts or interconnectedness that…
-
Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw – A Book Review
I know we’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I absolutely grabbed Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw off of the shelf at my local library because its cover jumped out at me. Also, it’s very thin–just 124 pages–and I’ve been on a novella kick of late. In my opinion,…
-
Day Zero by C. Robert Cargill – A Book Review
Day Zero is C. Robert Cargill’s follow-up to Sea Of Rust. Sequel isn’t quite the right word because it actually takes place before Sea Of Rust. Prequel doesn’t quite fit, either, though, because the stories are largely disconnected from each other. Let’s just say companion piece. Regardless of how you’d like to label it, if…
-
Mapping the Interior by Stephen Gram Jones – A Book Review
Most of my recent reads come from a list of recommendations by Literary Hub’s “The 50 Best Contemporary Novels Under 200 Pages.” Mapping the Interior is from among those many wonderful books. Written by Stephen Graham Jones, Mapping the Interior is a concise 107 pages. It’s told from the perspective of a Native American boy…
-
Grief Is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter – A Book Review
I once again must thank Literary Hub’s “The 50 Best Contemporary Novels Under 200 Pages” for suggesting yet another novella, this time the book called Grief Is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter. At just 114 pages, this novella is a series of paragraphs and stanzas exploring the utter heartbreak of a man after…
-
Train Dreams by Denis Johnson – A Book Review
I’ve enjoyed short novellas all summer that were recommended by Literary Hub’s “The 50 Best Contemporary Novels Under 200 Pages.” I just finished my favorite one yet – Train Dreams by Denis Johnson. I find it very hard to believe this book is only 116 pages. Though I flew through it, I literally felt as…
-
Winter In the Blood by James Welch – A Book Review
Once again, I must give Literary Hub’s “The 50 Best Contemporary Novels Under 200 Pages” credit for helping me find yet another substantial read. This time, it is the novella Winter In the Blood by James Welch. At just 138 pages, it is indeed a brief, yet potent, experience. Though it’s a provocative, expertly executed…
-
Mrs. Caliban by Rachel Ingalls – A Book Review
Like several of my other recent reads, I discovered Mrs. Caliban on Literary Hub’s “The 50 Best Contemporary Novels Under 200 Pages.” At just 111 pages, Mrs. Caliban is indeed a swift, potent read full of social commentary but cleverly disguised as pseudo-fantasy. The story focuses upon a housewife named Dorothy. Dorothy is in an…
scottwilliamfoley.com 