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MAKE ME A MOTHER by Susanne Antonetta

April 30, 2014

A PASSIONATE, THOUGHTFUL ADOPTION memoir shares joys and challenges of transracial, transcultural parenting. B PLUS

MAKE ME A MOTHER
W. W. Norton & Company
2014

Grade: B PLUS

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BRED IN THE BONE by Christopher Brookmyre

April 29, 2014

ANOTHER BRILLIANT GLASGOW noir from Christopher Brookmyre. Not to be missed by crime-fiction aficionados! A MINUS

BRED IN THE BONE
Atlantic Monthly Press
2014

Grade: A MINUS

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BRED IN THE BONE by Christopher Brookmyre

April 28, 2014

ANOTHER BRILLIANT GLASGOW noir from Christopher Brookmyre. Not to be missed by crime-fiction aficionados! A MINUS

Grade: A MINUS

BRED IN THE BONE
Atlantic Monthly Press
2014

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RESURRECTING CYBELE by Jenifer Mohammed

April 27, 2014

A SNARKY COUNTERCULTURE SATIRE is packed with fun classical and pop-media references, a bit too much plot. SOLID B

Grade: SOLID B

RESURRECTING CYBELE
Self-Published
2014

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ALENA by Rachel Pastan

April 26, 2014

AN ELUSIVE HAUNTING at the intersection of art and life sparks a story of love and loss inspired by REBECCA. B PLUS

Grade: B PLUS

ALENA
Riverhead
2014

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I SEE YOU MADE AN EFFORT by Annabelle Gurwitch

April 25, 2014

CHATTY, CATTY HUMOR targets the stresses and anxieties of midlife, middle-class moms. Wry, but warmhearted! SOLID B

Grade: SOLID B

I SEE YOU MADE AN EFFORT: COMPLIMENTS, INDIGNITIES, AND SURVIVAL STORIES FROM THE EDGE OF 50
Blue Rider Press
2014

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WHY ARE YOU SO SAD? by Jason Porter

April 24, 2014

A QUIRKY EXISTENTIAL FABLE of a corporate drone who writes a happiness survey. Surrealism, bleak wit abound. B PLUS

Grade: B PLUS

WHY ARE YOU SO SAD?
Plume
2014

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THE WATCHER by Charlotte Link

A COMPLEX, UNEASY THRILLER with a likable protagonist, but a far too tangled web of suspects and motives. B MINUS

THE WATCHER : A NOVEL OF CRIME
Pegasus Books
2014

Grade: B MINUS

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THE GUEST CAT by Takashi Hiraide

April 23, 2014

A SIMPLE, ELEGANT NOVEL set in a quiet Tokyo quarter traces a couple’s growing affection for a neighbor cat. B PLUS

THE GUEST CAT
New Directions Publishing Corporation
2014

Grade: B PLUS

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FREEZING PEOPLE IS (NOT) EASY by Bob Nelson

April 22, 2014

THE EARLY YEARS OF CRYONICS, in all their improvisatory cowboy chaos, described by a founding enthusiast. SOLID B

FREEZING PEOPLE IS (NOT) EASY : MY ADVENTURES IN CRYONICS
Lyons Press
2014

Grade: SOLID B

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