
- May 18
Review of The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
“In exposing our nation’s troubled roots, the 1619 Project challenges us to think about a country whose exceptionalism we treat as the...

- Apr 27
Review of Going There by Katie Couric
Going There shines through Couric's insider peeks at the media world, playful insights about famous people and behind-the-scenes...

- Apr 13
Review of Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor
ICYMI: I loved Taylor's exploration of various faiths, striving for open-mindedness, respecting differences, and finding captivating new...

- Apr 6
Review of Yearbook by Seth Rogen
Easygoing Rogen's book of essays and memories touches on his start as a boy doing standup in bars, his drug habits, and funny and awkward...

- Mar 31
Review of You Can't Be Serious by Kal Penn
Penn's thoughtful memoir explores serious issues yet also made me laugh out loud. You Can't Be Serious is both thoughtful and playful,...

- Mar 23
Review of This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
ICYMI: This five-star read--part memoir/part essay--is one of my favorite books of Ann Patchett's, and I didn't want her reflections and...

- Feb 24
Review of Nobody Will Tell You This But Me: A True (As Told to Me) Story by Bess Kalb
This is an irresistible tribute to Kalb's funny, opinionated, fiercely loving grandmother--a granddaughter's best friend and a wise and...

- Feb 16
Review of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Hard work, interest, and commitment are essential to achievement, and Duckworth traces her research and offers interviews with various...

- Feb 3
Review of The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson
Bryson's examination of the human body, its processes, its wonders, and its limitations is surprising, illuminating, and wonderful. “We...

- Jan 26
Review of Admissions: A Memoir of Surviving Boarding School by Kendra James
In Admissions, Kendra James explores race, friendship, ambition, and the absurdities and rhythm of daily life during her time at a New...

- Jan 19
Review of Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics by Dolly Parton
Parton shares the background and context for 175 of her songs, frankly discussing her inspiration, life, and the formerly untouchable...

- Jan 13
Review of Festival Days by Jo Ann Beard
In Jo Ann Beard's lovely essays and short stories, she writes honestly and beautifully about moments large and small, from the...

- Dec 6, 2021
Review of Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci
The author shares his love of food, cooking, and sharing meals in this irresistible memoir that's also filled with joys and losses,...

- Nov 24, 2021
Review of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
May explains her own yearning to power down and turn inward during difficult times, and she connects with other interesting people who...

- Nov 11, 2021
Review of Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans
The book's pace felt halting at times and its substance somewhat light at points. The strongest aspect for me was Evans's ongoing...

- Nov 2, 2021
Review of Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Caste is consistently powerful, profound, disturbing, and absolutely necessary nonfiction reading from the brilliant Isabel Wilkerson....

- Oct 27, 2021
Three Books I'm Reading Now, 10/27/21 Edition
The Books I'm Reading Now I'm reading Sally Rooney's newest novel, Beautiful World, Where Are You; the brilliant Isabel Wilkerson's...

- Sep 30, 2021
September Wrap-Up: My Favorite Reads of the Month
My very favorite books from September! These are the books I most loved reading during the past month. I included two titles from my...

- Sep 28, 2021
Review of Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford
In this memoir, Ford shares how she navigated an unforgiving childhood and complicated relationships with her volatile mother and her...

- Sep 13, 2021
Review of Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Haig is vulnerable and specific in his short memoir about his own experiences with mental illness and depression--and he shares the small...