All Book Reviews
‘Wandering Stars’ explodes the nation’s myths about Native AmericansTommy Orange’s “Wandering Stars,” a follow-up to his novel “There There,” confronts Indigenous trauma and shows the strength of tribal ties.
Sweating over a hoodie: The hurdle to making garments in the US“Making It in America” tracks the struggle of an idealistic couple who wanted to manufacture clothing using American-made components and fair labor practices.
Marilynne Robinson unearths treasures in the Book of GenesisThe novelist and essayist brings literary and spiritual insights to bear on Bible stories and characters in “Reading Genesis.”
Scoundrels, as well as heroes, shaped America’s foundingTwo historians tackle the daunting task of giving Benedict Arnold and Aaron Burr – two of America’s most infamous villains – more nuanced portraits.
A jazzy new biography unfurls Ella Fitzgerald’s life and careerBlending historical knowledge with insights gleaned from newly available archives of Black newspapers, Judith Tick recounts Ella
Fitzgerald’s trailblazing career.
She fled the Taliban, but leads efforts to help educate Afghan girlsThe daughter of an Afghan tribal leader, Pashtana Durrani grew up in Pakistan, but was drawn back to Afghanistan to bring education and hope. Her autobiography inspires and illuminates.
President Lincoln has long provided wisdom. What can he offer today?Lincoln led a country divided not just over slavery, but also over immigration. One biography delves into this corner of his career. And a second biography focuses on Lincoln’s stalwart faith in democracy.
Five novels by Black writers pulse with powerful storytellingBlack fiction, in these five examples, explores how past injustices prolong present-day struggles.
‘The Waters’ ripples with secrets and lies in rural MichiganBonnie Jo Campbell proves her mastery of Midwestern Gothic in “The Waters,” a portrait of three generations of women living close to the land, and drawing power from it.
From parole to prison design, these reformers seek humane solutionsTwo books unfold timely ideas on how to restructure not only America’s system of parole and probation but also the architecture of prisons.
‘The Book of (More) Delights’ charms with quirky insightsRoss Gay pays attention to the dozens of small moments that give life meaning. His second book of everyday observations is loaded with detours, digressions, and humor.
Growing mighty: How a Jamaican author created a freer lifeIn a vivid and poetic memoir, Safiya Sinclair chronicles her journey from sheltered Rastafarian girl to a self-assured, award-winning poet and author.
The US government stole Lakota land. Her Jewish family benefited.Author Rebecca Clarren’s immigrant Jewish family was helped by federal policies that stripped Native Americans of their homelands. Her book wrestles with that legacy.
Moscow’s Metropol Hotel served as a ‘gilded cage’ for Western journalistsIn “The Red Hotel,” Alan Philips unfolds the difficulties faced by British and American reporters in Moscow during World War II.
Hack your fridge: Delicious meals with less wasteMindfulness in the kitchen – from how to store food properly, to what to make from odds and ends in the fridge – will go a long way toward reducing waste.
How the women’s movement transformed societyThree recent books explore the contours of the second-wave feminist movement, from titan Betty Friedan to the editors and readers of Ms. Magazine.
How cats teach their humans to be – well, more humane“The Goodbye Cat,” Hiro Arikawa’s follow-up to “The Travelling Cat Chronicles,” celebrates the unbreakable – and sometimes unearthly – bonds between felines and their adoring owners.
‘The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store’ weaves a tale of love and communityIn his triumphant novel “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store,” James McBride explores the appeal and elusiveness of the American dream.
Women war correspondents marched to their own drummerTwo reporters – Jane Ferguson and Dickey Chapelle – covered separate conflicts in different eras, but both were driven by the need to “go see for themselves what was happening.”
Anna May Wong blazed a trail for Asian actors in HollywoodChinese American actor Anna May Wong defied racism and bias through persistence and determination. “Daughter of the Dragon” tells her story.
