Book Review: Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?: A Novel by Crystal Smith Paul When I first picked up Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?, I was immediately intrigued by the blend of old Hollywood glamour and the weighty undertones of race, gender, and family legacy. Crystal Smith Paul has crafted a debut novel that skillfully unravels complex social issues against a backdrop as dazzling as a silver screen. The novel, a Reese’s Book Club selection for May 2023, captures a multifaceted narrative that makes history feel both urgent...

King Sorrow: A Journey Through Darkness and Redemption From the moment I heard that Joe Hill, the son of the legendary Stephen King, was releasing his latest novel, King Sorrow, I felt a jolt of anticipation mixed with trepidation. After all, exploring a work penned by someone who has spent two decades carving his own niche in the literary world—while unmistakably influenced by his father—promised to be anything but ordinary. As I dived into this sprawling 900-page epic, I quickly realized that Hill's distinctive voice was alive and well,...

The Imposters: A Metafictional Tapestry of Life and Stories I stumbled upon The Imposters by Tom Rachman amidst the cacophony of books clamoring for my attention, and I was instantly intrigued. Rachman’s previous works had carved a niche in my reading heart, so the idea of diving into a story about a writer wrestling with her own narrative felt like the perfect fit for my literary cravings. The premise suggested layers of introspection and complexity, and I was eager to see how Rachman would unfold this metafictional narrative. At its...

A Personal Encounter with MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors When I first picked up Richard Hooker’s MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors, I’ll admit I did so with a bit of trepidation. Like many, I grew up with the iconic TV series, and while it’s beloved, I couldn’t help but wonder how the original novel would stack up. Would it harbor the same levity mingled with poignant commentary, or would it be merely a pale reflection of its screen counterpart? I was pleasantly surprised to discover...

Plain Truth: A Novel by Jodi Picoult – A Journey Through Faith and Justice When I first picked up Plain Truth, I was drawn in by Jodi Picoult’s reputation for weaving complex narratives that challenge our perceptions of morality and humanity. A murder in a tranquil Amish community? That’s a premise promising depth and unexpected contrasts. Throughout my reading journey, I found myself grappling with questions of faith, familial loyalty, and the nuances of cultural disparity. The story revolves around Katie Fisher, an 18-year-old Amish woman accused of infanticide...

Book Review: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson From the moment I stumbled upon the intriguing title of Benjamin Stevenson’s Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, I felt an irresistible pull—a mix of curiosity and trepidation. Who could resist a darkly humorous mystery that causes you to ponder your own family's skeletons? Here we find a clever blend of classic and modern murder mystery that keeps you guessing while eliciting hearty chuckles. Spoiler: it didn’t disappoint! At its heart, we meet Ern Cunningham, a lovable,...

Close to Death: A Novel - A Whimsical Whodunit in a Gated Community From the moment I picked up Close to Death: A Novel, the latest in Anthony Horowitz's Hawthorne and Horowitz series, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and intrigue. A story revolving around a murder in a seemingly perfect gated community? Count me in! Horowitz has a knack for crafting intricate mysteries that keep you guessing, and this one was no exception. With his signature wit and clever narrative play, he managed to deliver...

Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel by Shelby Van Pelt – A Heartfelt Dive into Life’s Complexities When I first picked up Remarkably Bright Creatures, I was captivated by the intriguing premise: a widow forming an unexpected bond with a giant Pacific octopus. The title alone piqued my curiosity, and after reading about Shelby Van Pelt’s acclaimed debut, I couldn’t resist diving into a tale that promised to be as heartwarming as it is profound. At its core, this novel is a gentle exploration of loneliness, the human condition, and...

Much Ado About Margaret: A Final One-Star Farewell As the year winds down, I find myself reflecting on the literary journeys I've taken this year, and I must confess, the latest offering from Gina L. Maxwell, Much Ado About Margaret, has left me with enough questions to fill a novel of its own. After diving into the novel with high hopes, I now find myself wrestling with my disappointment, feeling that I quite unceremoniously ended the year with a one-star read. At its core, the story promises to explore Maggie’s...

Review of Shattered by Hanif Kureishi In a world where most of us grapple with the fragility of life, Hanif Kureishi’s Shattered caught me right in the heart, pulling me into a profound exploration of suffering, identity, and resilience. Kureishi, renowned for his incisive reflections on society and the human condition, offers us an unfiltered peek into his own life following a devastating accident that changed everything. As I turned each page, I was reminded of how art often arises from the deepest of pains, and how the voice...