Book reviews and more!

You are browsing the archive for February2016

MOSES by Balogun Ojetade

February 29, 2016

WILD, ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURE set in a “Steamfunk” universe where Harriet Tubman is a superhero. Fun SF/F! SOLID B

MOSES: THE CHRONICLES OF HARRIET TUBMAN: FREEDONIA
Roaring Lions Productions
2015

Grade: SOLID B

Tags: , , , , , ,

BRONTE PLOT by Katherine Reay

February 27, 2016

THOUGHTFUL, SWEET NOVEL about friendship between two women, one in her twenties and one in her eighties. B PLUS

BRONTE PLOT
THOMAS NELSON PUBLISHERS
2015

Grade: B PLUS

Tags: ,

SEX IN THE SEA by Marah J. Hardt

February 24, 2016

THE SEX LIVES OF MARINE animals, entertainingly discussed by a marine conservation ecologist. Racy stuff! B PLUS

SEX IN THE SEA : OUR INTIMATE CONNECTION WITH SEX-CHANGING FISH, ROMANTIC LOBSTERS, KINKY SQUID, AND OTHER SALTY EROTICA OF THE DEEP
St. Martin’s Press
2016

Grade: B PLUS

Tags: , , , ,

MELODY FOR MURDER by Carolyn Wilkins

February 23, 2016

JUICY CHICAGO MYSTERY with an appealing teacher-sleuth and loads of local flavor. Well-drawn characters! B PLUS

MELODY FOR MURDER
Pen-L Publishing
2015

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

FLORYNCE “FLO” KENNEDY by Sherie M. Randolph

February 20, 2016

THE INCREDIBLE FLORYNCE KENNEDY, pioneering leader in both the Black Power and Women’s Liberation movements. A MINUS

FLORYNCE “FLO” KENNEDY
University of North Carolina Press
2015

Grade: A MINUS

Tags:

QUIXOTE by Ilan Stavans

February 17, 2016

A LOVE LETTER TO CERVANTES from writer Ilan Stavans explores the complexity and impact of DON QUIXOTE. B PLUS

QUIXOTE
W. W. Norton & Company
2015

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

THE STRANGE CRIMES OF LITTLE AFRICA by Chesya Burke

February 15, 2016

JAZZ AGE HARLEM and its cultural Renaissance are the backdrop to a gritty historical mystery. Vivid scenes. SOLID B

THE STRANGE CRIMES OF LITTLE AFRICA
Rothco Press
2015

Grade: SOLID B

Tags:

SPECTACLE by Pamela Newkirk

February 12, 2016

A MAN DISPLAYED AT A ZOO: how early 20th century racism, colonialism, and pseudoscience destroyed a life. B PLUS

SPECTACLE
Amistad Press
2015

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

THE POISON ARTIST by Jonathan Moore

February 10, 2016

SLEEK, SPOOKY THRILLER with a San Francisco setting and a complicated, troubled protagonist. Haunting! B PLUS

THE POISON ARTIST
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
2016

Grade: B PLUS

Tags:

FORTNEY ROAD by Jeff C. Stevenson

February 8, 2016

SHOCKING TRUE STORY of the abusive cult behind a prominent 1970s Christian rock group. Thoughtful journalism. B PLUS

FORTNEY ROAD: LIFE, DEATH, AND DECEPTION IN A CHRISTIAN CULT
Freethought House
2015

Grade: B PLUS

Tags: