Book Review: Recent Episodes
KMUW
Journalist and book reviewer Suzanne Perez reviews the latest books and such for KMUW on air and right here. Discover new reviews on alternate Mondays.
Author Geraldine Brooks explores death and grief in her new memoir, "Memorial Days." It recounts the days, months and years following the sudden death of Brooks' husband, Tony Horwitz.
"Good Dirt" by Charmaine Wilkerson tells the story of a well-to-do Black family who settled on the coast of New England.
Layne Fargo's new novel, "The Favorites," explores the dazzling but brutal world of elite ice dancing.
Journalist Pagan Kennedy spent years tracking down the full story of Martha "Marty" Goddard, and her book reflects that troubling history along with the author’s personal experiences and motivation.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Grady Hendrix's new novel, "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls," is a creepy, quirky story of teenaged girls who discover their hidden power.
Rachel Kushner's newest novel, "Creation Lake," tells the story of a seductive American secret agent who infiltrates a rural commune of French subversives.
Jolabokaflod, which translates loosely to "Christmas book flood," is an annual tradition that celebrates books and reading. Every year on Christmas Eve, people in Iceland exchange books and spend the evening reading.
In "Smitten Kitchen Keepers: A Kitchen Counter Conversation," author Deb Perelman riffs on some of her favorite recipes, sharing stories about what inspired it or how she has tweaked, simplified and perfected it over the years.
Danzy Senna’s 'Colored Television' is a dark comedy that explores issues of parenting, art, Hollywood, real estate and the racial-identity industrial complex. There’s really not a single aspect of modern life that escapes the author’s critical eye or searing wit.
Katherine Rundell's 'Impossible Creatures' is the first installment of a planned fantasy trilogy for young readers. It introduces us to the Archipelago, where mythical creatures like unicorns and krakens coexist with humans.
Samantha Harvey's novel "Orbital," which won this year's prestigious Booker Prize, is nearly plotless. But Harvey’s writing shimmers as she describes daily life on the International Space Station and six astronauts' view of the world.
At just over 100 pages, Irish author Claire Keegan’s novel, "Small Things Like These," is deceptively simple. But her carefully crafted story and characters have readers wrestling with essential moral questions.
Author Julia Phillips uses the bones of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale to ground her novel, "Bear," but fleshes it out with modern characters and sensibilities.
Mason Coile's 'William' offers a Hitchcock-meets-cyber-noir level of intensity. It’s definitely one of those stories that, once you start, is impossible to put down.
Fans looking for a lightning-paced thriller won’t find that in Laura Dave's "The Night We Lost Him." But what the novel lacks in jaw-dropping plot twists it more than makes up for in soulful romance and family drama.
Author, actor and famous foodie Stanley Tucci has released another memoire, "What I Ate in One Year (and Related Thoughts," which chronicles one gastronomical year in his life.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Rivers Solomon's newest novel, 'Model Home,' confronts heavy topics like race, class, identity and mental health alongside a constant hum of psychological dread.
Celebrity chef Ina Garten's new memoir, "Be There When the Luck Happens," is perfect for fans of foodie memoirs and anyone interested in the tricky business of building a brand.
M.L. Rio's new novella, "Graveyard Shift," centers on five friends who work the late shift in a college town. It’s atmospheric and eerie, but at less than 150 pages, it leaves true Rio fans wanting more.
In her newest novel, “There Are Rivers in the Sky,” Elif Shafak weaves characters and storylines together with a single raindrop that falls, freezes, evaporates and reappears across time.
Marcus Kliewer’s debut novel began life as a serialized short story on Reddit, where it won an award for Scariest Story of 2021. It's a deliciously twisty haunted house tale with nods to Shirley Jackson and Jordan Peele.
'That Librarian: The Fight Against Book-Banning in America' tells the story of Louisiana school librarian Amanda Jones, who sued harassers for defamation when they attacked her on social media. Jones has led the fight against efforts to censor books in school and public libraries.
Author Helen Phillips says plot points in her latest novel, "Hum," are just slightly exaggerated versions of recent facts or statistics. And that's precisely what makes it so terrifying.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Miranda July's new novel, "All Fours," is a mid-life-crisis story that's part artistic discovery, part bizarre sexcapades — with a whole lot of kinky and sometimes grotesque episodes that are not for the faint-hearted.
At about 600 pages, Chris Whitaker's new novel, "All the Colors of the Dark," takes its time to paint detailed characters and a complex story over 25 years. But its dramatic plot and micro-chapters move the story along at a lightning pace.
The Amazon Originals 'Creature Feature' collection includes six short stories from some of today's best horror novelists, including Grady Hendrix, Josh Malerman and Paul Tremblay.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says J. Courtney Sullivan's new novel, "The Cliffs," isn’t a ghost story, per se, but the characters dig up and deal with the ghosts of their past.
"Pearce Oysters," a new novel by Jocelyn Takacs, offers a better understanding of the interdependence of nature and man, and readers come away with a deeper respect for those who make their livings on the coast.
Author Liz Moore weaves so much into her new 500-page novel, "The God of the Woods," including class struggles and family secrets. But it never feels confusing or overplotted.
Sager is known for fast-paced thrillers with titles like Lock Every Door and Home Before Dark, and this one stays true to the formula. But it’s a formula that works.
"Margot's Got Money Troubles" by Rufi Thorpe tells the story of 20-year-old Margot Millet, the child of a Hooters waitress and an ex-pro wrestler, who gets knocked up by her community college English professor and decides to keep the baby.
KMUW book reviewer Suzanne Perez says "One of Our Kind" by Nicola Yoon is a fast-paced thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Some books are just perfect for summer, like “Love & Saffron” by Kim Fey, or a food memoir like “Taste” by Stanley Tucci. Anything by Kevin Wilson works great, as do psychological thrillers like “The Push” or “The Whispers” by Ashley Audrain.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says author Holly Gramazio scores with her debut novel, "The Husbands."
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says she used to avoid contemporary romance novels. But the latest book by rom-com queen Emily Henry proves what all the fuss is about.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Sloane Crosley's "Grief is for People" is a poignant and smartly written memoir that will resonate with anyone who has experienced a personal loss.
Adam Rapp's newest novel, "Wolf at the Table," promises to be an eerie, serial killer novel but turns out to be a wandering family tale.
In the audio version of her memoir, comedian and former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Leslie Jones speaks with honesty and emotion about her life and career.
KMUW book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Anne Lamott's newest book of essays, "Somehow: Thoughts on Love," is just as warm and witty as her past collections.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says "Monstrilio," a debut novel by Mexican author Gerardo Samano Cordova, is perfect for fans of "Shark Heart," "Nightbitch," or the disturbingly fantastical movie, "Poor Things."
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says "Headshot" by Rita Bullwinkel is a one-of-a-kind reading experience — crisp, lyrical, almost poetic.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says "The Great Divide," by Cristina Henriquez, transports readers to the steamy jungles of Panama during the construction of the Panama Canal.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Canadian author Scott Alexander Howard's "The Other Valley" is great for fans of Margaret Atwood or Kazuo Ishiguro.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Kiley Reid's sophomore novel, "Come and Get It," takes a meandering approach that never quite hits the mark.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Kaveh Akbar's debut novel, "Martyr!", is a touching look at one man's discovery that a meaningful death requires a meaningful life.
Dave Eggers' middle-grade novel, "The Eyes & the Impossible," is funny and wise, and a perfect example of a children’s book that appeals to adults as well.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Marie-Helene Bertino's fourth book, "Beautyland," is a love letter to humanity and our universe, in all its staggering and spectacular weirdness.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Kate DiCamillo's latest children's book, "The Puppets of Spelhorst," is a magical tale that harkens back to "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane."
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Daniel Mason's novel "North Woods" deserves to be on best-of-the-year lists. The sprawling story and Mason’s creative storytelling make it one to remember.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says the female characters in Jessica Knoll's "Bright Young Women" are brave and relentless. Their stories propel the novel and make it much more than your average true-crime tale.
The idea behind the #ReadICT Challenge is to expand your reading horizons, and maybe push yourself to explore genres or topics you wouldn’t normally read.
KMUW book reviewer Suzanne Perez says "Pete and Alice in Maine" by Caitlin Shetterly deftly explores the everyday joys and heartbreaks of marriage.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says "The Frozen River" by Ariel Lawhon is a gripping look at the life of a real-life 18th-century midwife.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Irish author Liz Nugent knocks it out of the park with her latest novel, "Strange Sally Diamond."
The new Britney Spears memoir, "The Woman In Me," features plenty of behind-the-scenes revelations about everything from the star’s battles with paparazzi to her tumultuous relationships with her younger sister, Jamie Lynn.
As with "The Glass Castle" or "Educated," Brittany Means' new memoir, "Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways," shows a young woman overcoming horrific experiences and sharing with others so they feel less alone.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new crime novel by an Irish author that's inspired by real-life disappearances.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says revealing too much information about "Shark Heart" would cheat you of a rare and remarkable experience.
Ann Napolitano's “Hello Beautiful” deals with love, loss and lonely childhoods, with poignant moments and stellar writing — and a slight nod to Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.”
Earlier this month, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay traveled to a friend’s lake house for a three-day, two-night reading retreat.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel that explores whether and how much we tell our children about our past.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a quiet novel that focuses on the everyday-ness of one man's life.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a novel that will take you back to adolescence — and the '70s.
Suzanne Perez looks at another quarter-life-crisis novel that takes us into the heart of a toxic workplace.
Suzanne Perez looks at a new book about an art thief that calls himself an art liberator.
Suzanne Perez says "The Rachel Incident" author Caroline O’Donoghue imbibes her characters with all the complexities of human experience.
“Little Monsters” is the story of the Gardner family of Cape Cod. Suzanne Perez says even though the novel's cover screams “beach read," its title and synopsis hint at something deeper and perhaps even sinister.
Suzanne Perez looks at a snarky new novel that offers a cutting critique of the publishing industry.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez was riveted until the very last scene of Ashley Audrain's new novel, "The Whispers".
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says “Chain-Gang All-Stars” is both brilliant and devastating, a look at our resilient humanity and the damage we are capable of.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says “The Guest Lecture” is not your usual summer fare. It’s not even your usual literary fiction. But it’s smart and interesting and thought-provoking
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says “The Marriage Act” is every bit as Orwellian as you might imagine, with unexpected twists that keep you guessing.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Barbara Kingsolver’s "Demon Copperhead" took her on an emotional journey that she just can’t stop thinking about.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel that is being compared to “Station Eleven” and “Where the Crawdads Sing.”
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel that tackles themes such as anti-Asian racism, cultural differences, family dynamics, and the American dream.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel that explores racial inequities in the music industry and beyond.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a disturbing novel about mermaids that is way more disturbing than the Disney movie.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a poetic new memoir that explores the journey through divorce.
Up next, book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a debut collection from a young Black poet who went viral on YouTube.
Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel from author Jen Beagin that hooks you right from the start.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez talks about a horror novel that surprised her with its humor.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a delicious new essay collection that explores the connection between food and memory.
KMUW book reviewer Suzanne Perez is setting goals and scanning her bookshelves for titles to fulfill the 2023 ReadICT Challenge. In today's book review, she tells you more.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel by Kevin Wilson that's quirky, nostalgic and full of heart.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel that's about everything... and nothing.
Suzanne Perez looks at an essay collection by an Indigenous woman and scientist that will help you reflect on our relationship with the natural world.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new book by Anna Quindlen that might just encourage you to pick up a pen.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a dystopian novel that strikes a little too close to reality.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel by Angie Cruz that features an unforgettable narrator.
KMUW book reviewer Suzanne Perez says a new memoir from TV star Jennette McCurdy offers more than celebrity gossip.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel about professional tennis that explores what it takes to be great.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a provocative new novel titled, "The Last White Man." It's from the author who brought us "Exit West."
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel about video games. But you don't have to be a gamer to appreciate it.
KMUW's book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a Toni Morrison short story that experiments with language and the subjective nature of race.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at the darker but still funny new essay collection from humorist David Sedaris.
KMUW book reviewer Suzanne Perez talks about traveling to Portland, Oregon, to check an item off her bookstore bucket list.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a novel that illuminates a disturbing episode in American history.
KMUW book reviewer Suzanne Perez missed a lot of great novels during the early months of the pandemic. Here's one she's glad she went back for.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a slim but powerful new novel that's about much more than the title implies.
Sometimes the best way to understand brutal realities is to read a well-conceived, well-written novel about how those events play out in the lives of real — if fictional — people.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a dysfunctional family drama that illustrates the messy bonds between siblings.
In today's book review, Suzanne Perez looks at a thrilling new novel that explores the psyche of a serial killer.
Up next, book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a novel that explores humanity's approach to overwhelming loss.
Up next, KMUW book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a true-crime novel that blurs the line between fact and fiction.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a dystopian novel about a reform school for mothers.
The new memoir-slash-cookbook, “Taste: My Life Through Food,” reveals a whole other side of actor Stanley Tucci: his “love of food and all that it encompasses.”
KMUW's Suzanne Perez has a reading challenge for you. The #ReadICT Challenge is in its sixth year.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says that a new collection of essays by one of her favorite writers does not disappoint.
In today's book review, Suzanne Perez looks at a new short story collection that delves into issues of race and racism.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new middle-grade novel from the author of "Wonder."
In today's book review, Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel that spans outer space and the human mind.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a debut novel that's perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson or Alfred Hitchcock.
Suzanne Perez looks at a highly anticipated new novel that pairs everyday life with weightier issues.
Suzanne Perez looks at a new mystery novel that's rooted in real-life missing person cases.
Looking for a blood-and-guts crime novel? Book reviewer Suzanne Perez wasn’t, but she loved this one anyway.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at an unconventional but lovable novel that you should add to your list.
Fasten your seatbelt—book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at an airplane disaster novel that will keep you guessing.
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez explains why her travel itinerary always includes at least one indie bookstore.
In today's book review, Suzanne Perez looks at a free-verse novel for young readers that explores themes of hope and resilience.
I knew I wanted to read Death in Her Hands, Ottessa Moshfegh’s newest novel, before I knew anything about it. Moshfegh’s My Year of Rest and Relaxation was one of the best books I read in 2019—a darkly comic novel about a young woman’s extended hibernation with a battery of prescription meds—and I couldn’t wait to see what the author would do next.
I took a road trip recently—a long road trip—and downloaded a few audiobooks to pass the time. One was The Push, a debut novel by Ashley Audrain.
This coming weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer. Which means summer reading. Which means—for lots of folks—a little something light and funny, maybe set in a sunny locale.
During a visit to my local bookstore a couple weeks ago, a bookseller ushered me over to the nonfiction table and grabbed a copy of Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad. “A Memoir of a Life Interrupted” was the subtitle. On the cover, a photo of the author and her terrier, Oscar, atop a goldenrod-colored Volkswagen bus.