

Review of The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
In Strout's newest novel, we meet an irresistible new character in high school history teacher Artie Dam. Only the reader understands Artie's deep loneliness, only we live through his discovery of a shattering secret, and only we witness the life-altering power of his kindness and connections with other characters. This is lovely. In Elizabeth Strout's newest novel, we meet Artie Dam, high school history teacher, father to a grown son, longtime husband to his wife, and friend
Jun 18


Review of The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong
Ocean Vuong's literary fiction offers unexpected bonds between characters coping with desperation, addiction, lies, hunger, and past...
Jun 12, 2025


Review of The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Espach layers complex emotional challenges like suicidal thoughts, grief, and loneliness with funny, quirky, poignant moments in this...
Nov 5, 2024


Review of Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck
Emily Habeck's debut novel offers an unusual premise in which one member of a newlywed couple begins transforming into a great white...
Apr 11, 2024


Review of Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino
In Beautyland, Bertino offers a poignant, funny, strange story full of extraterrestrial observations of humans and their behavior that...
Feb 7, 2024


Review of The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
Rowley brings humor to this heartwarming--but never cloying--exploration of friendship, connection, messy relationships, heartbreak, and...
Jun 1, 2023
