About Book Marks
Recent Reviews
Ramie Targoff
Positive Booklist While intended for both scholarly and general readers, Shakespeare’s Sisters is more academic in tone and can be overwhelming for those who don’t already know much about the era.
Hannah Durkin
Rave Booklist The Survivors of the Clotilda, a comprehensive account of one of the most important parts of American history, is a triumph.
Premee Mohamed
Positive Booklist A well told story, The Butcher of the Forest will appeal to fantasy readers who enjoy grimdark tales like the works of Teresa Frohock and Brent Weeks.
Scott Shane
Rave Booklist The fascinating tale of a swashbuckling abolitionist and his white activist companion will make readers wish for a film adaptation. This book is a tale of triumph in the face of unspeakable adversity. Highly recommended for both public and academic libraries.
Elizabeth Winkler
Positive Booklist Winkler alternates between historical explorations of the subject matter and ideas about why the Shakespeare experts get so defensive and hard nosed. A must-read for those obsessed with the bard.
Ed. by Joe Vallese
Rave Booklist Each essay provides a plethora of fascinating details. Sumiko Saulson’s work on Nia DaCosta’s Candyman (2021) is moving ... Carmen Maria Machado’s essay on the 2009 film Jennifer’s Body is particularly sublime ... Will appeal to both academic and public-library audiences.
Tricia Hersey
Rave Booklist With key breakdowns about the hidden cost of toxic productivity standards and grind culture, Rest Is Resistance offers crucial guidance on how people can slow down, reclaim rest, and make space for self-care. Although these things may not seem revolutionary, Hersey demonstrates why and how they are radical.
Ainslie Hogarth
Positive Booklist This horror comedy is not for the faint of heart, and some readers may also be a bit confused by the shifts to a play-script format mixed in with the main text, usually indicating interactions between Abby and her husband, Ralph, in which they argue over Abby’s obsession with starting a family. Despite the obstacles in her path, she tries to find a way to get her baby—any way she can. Fans of Jeff Strand, Grady Hendrix, and other dark-humor takes on horror will enjoy Motherthing.
Tomiko Brown-Nagin
Rave Booklist The story of her path toward building an impressive legal career brims with detail and is told in an engaging style. Civil Rights Queen is an essential text for anyone studying the history of racial injustices against African Americans and a testament to one of the most remarkable women in history who deserves far more recognition.
Cassandra Khaw
Positive Booklist Cat’s emotional pain radiates from the pages, making the supernatural elements more tense and frayed as the tension mounts. If Guillermo del Toro directed The Ring, it might play out something like this engaging thriller. Japanese mythological creatures come to life in this dynamic, unique tale that will satisfy horror readers eager for fresh blood.
Kyla Schuller
Positive Booklist After a thorough discussion of the history of women of color within the LGBTQ+ movement in the 1970s on, the author concludes with a dissection of Sheryl Sandberg and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Readers who are not well-versed in feminist theory may find themselves stumbling throughout some parts of this text. Nonetheless, this is a timely and essential piece that should find a wide audience in both public and academic libraries.