Paula Farmer
Craving alternative literature, an unconventional heroine and a downright weird premise? “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” by award winning writer Ottessa Moshfegh is just what the literary doctor prescribes ... And when you read this bodacious new novel, you’ll ...
Paula Farmer
If the title of this gem of a book doesn’t draw you in, the first chapter made up of two sentences will. “My Sister the Serial Killer” by Nigerian author Oyinkan Braithwaite is a delicious and disturbing novel that takes ...
Two mothers bound together by their love for one lucky boy.
Paula Farmer
“Lucky Boy,” by Berkeley-based writer Shanthi Sekaran, is two stories in one. Either of which, rich in prose and character development, would be worthy of being its own novel, but how much more satisfying with the merging of divergent accounts. ...
Why did Donald Trump follow Barack Obama into the White House?
Paula Farmer
In “Exceptional America” writer Mugambi Jouet portrays America in a provocative manner during a pivotal time in our political landscape. Although this great political divide didn’t just happen with the 2016 presidential election, it certainly seems to have taken it ...
Paula Farmer
Although it is commendable that Zadie Smith’s latest novel, "Swing Time," is ambitious and somewhat interesting, it seems to fall short of its lofty goals. That being said, there is still no denying that Smith is an exceptional writer whom ...
Paula Farmer
There has probably never been a more appropriate title for a book than “Just Mercy,” by Bryan Stevenson. This book is about striving for justice against unsurmountable odds. This book is about sweet mercy that some need and deserve more ...
Paula Farmer
"Exit West," by Mohsin Hamid is a creative, complex, deeply felt saga that reads almost fable-like. Set in an unnamed Middle Eastern City on the brink of civil war, readers are introduced to the main characters of Nadia ...
Toba Singer
Dissemble: (per the OED) Conceal or disguise one's true feelings or beliefs.
Dissemble: A word I have never understood. Why not just say “lie”?
In “Jerzy,” PEN/Faulkner Award-winning novelist Jerome Charyn bites off more than most of us ...
Nancy S. Bishop
Nelson Algren Biography Explores the Writer’s Struggles with Life and Craft
Nelson Algren was a star in Chicago’s bright literary firmament, but his light dimmed in the years after he won the 1950 National Book Award for ...
An Appetite for Food, Drink and Restaurant Realities
Paula Farmer
Stephanie Dandler’s debut novel, "Sweetbitter," is a raw and gutsy romp through a year in the life of a young woman’s launch into a restaurant career in the food capital of the world. The 22-year-old heroine, Tess, has gladly ...
