About Book Marks
Recent Reviews
Francis Spufford
Rave Library Journal \"Spufford has written an astounding homage to noir mysteries. A poignant drama-filled novel that his fans and readers of Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian will thoroughly enjoy.\
Lee Mandelo
Positive Library Journal The novella presents an interesting \"what-if\" scenario wrapped within an ethical conundrum. This allows Mandelo to focus on the relationships between their characters and to push them in unsettling and challenging directions.
Helen MacDonald and Sin Blaché
Positive Library Journal A low-key sci-fi mystery that blends the genres into a fusion of something new. With a hard-to-pin-down genre, the novel will appeal to a wide variety of readers.
Daniel Stone
Positive Library Journal Stone’s book is an interesting intersection of science and psychology as he traces the history of the Titanic, and our continual fascination with it, after its sinking. Although centered around that most famous of wrecks, Stone enlarges his view to encompass other famous wrecks and the obsessions, and subsequent actions they create in the hearts of (by and large) men. The details are exquisite, the science is insightful and the personalities of the men who seek, and even claim, shipwrecks is over-the-top entertaining ... A delightful read about humanity’s fascination and obsession with the sea and sea-wrecks.
Michael Smith, Jonathan Franklin
Rave Library Journal The writing makes readers feel as if they are there, weathering the ups and downs and unbelievable turns of fate of those on board. It is a riveting true story that will keep people turning pages until the end ... A harrowing thriller that brings the wide-ranging impacts of the COVID pandemic into the microcosmic enclosed world of a cruise ship.
Bill Gates
Positive Library Journal ... insightful ... Gates’s book is not a narrative of COVID; instead, its aims exclusively to propose global strategies for dealing with future pandemics. Utilizing his prodigious ability to analyze and synthesize data, Gates lays out a comprehensive, idealized plan to try and prepare every level of society to deal with widespread illness ... This book is a possible future blueprint for pandemic preparedness, which means that it’s best audiences might be governments and NGOs, rather than individuals.
Eugene Linden
Rave Library Journal It hurts to read...this book and yet this in-depth, expertly researched, but eminently readable title should be on every person’s bookshelf. Linden combines his analysis with solutions as to where humanity should and may go, and those solutions should surprise, enrage, and enlighten readers ... Of the many books written on climate change and how humanity has gotten to where it is and where it needs to go, this is one of the most essential.
Jessie Singer
Positive Library Journal A title that manifestly seeks to make people rethink the causes of the accidental deaths and injuries that are on the rise in the U.S. Spanning the genres of business, political science, and public health, Singer’s work will challenge readers personally and philosophically.
Paco Underhill
Positive Library Journal The future of food might not turn out exactly as Underhill envisions it, but his book is an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the industry that will surprise readers at what might be coming. Underhill doesn’t prescribe any concrete solutions, which may leave readers wanting more. Hand to fans of Michael Ruhlman’s Grocery ... Written in an informal, conversational style, this is an enlightening look at a central part of human life.
Nadia Durrani and Brian Fagan
Rave Library Journal ... a thorough study of human history, as seen entirely through the impact of climate ... They do touch on climate science, but because of the complexity and fast-changing nature of the discipline, they chose instead to focus on archaeology and history, to great effect. Theirs is not a typical work of popular world history; it’s fresh and new, and, unlike similar titles, marvelously eschews specificity in favor of generality and universality. The authors create thought-provoking connections and draw striking conclusions that will interest even the most climate-savvy of readers ... Complete with maps and illustrations, this wide-ranging historical survey is international in scope, while remaining accessible. A title for every reader, no matter their academic background.
Chris Begley
Rave Library Journal This sociological and scientific exploration is a quiet surprise of a book that will make readers question assumptions about civilizational collapse and apocalypses in general. Begley’s analysis and logical generalities are a refreshing antidote to much of the hype that surrounds the topic ... Full of witty anecdotes about survivalism and prepper culture, Begley’s book is an absolute joy to read and a hidden gem. Pass along to readers who enjoyed Bradley Garrett’s Bunker: Building for the End Times.
Kevin Cook
Positive Library Journal Unlike other books about the Challenger disaster that exclusively focus on the incident, this is a respectful biographical account of one of the non-astronauts on board. Using a plethora of primary and secondary sources, including personal interviews and shuttle operation manuals, Cook puts together the story of McAuliffe’s life, why she wanted to go into space, and what happened after the incident. While Cook does offer details on the disaster and the commission to investigate it, the book’s primary focus is the crew members and their families, which personalizes a pivotal moment in the history of NASA, space exploration, and the U.S. ... A quick biographical account, placing the space shuttle in historical context, that will have YA crossover appeal. Readers will find something new even if they are familiar with the Challenger disaster.
Lawrence Wright
Rave Library Journal Wright cuts through misinformation to present nearly every aspect of the year 2020, including the biological breakthroughs of vaccines, personal tragedies, and collective trauma. All is thoroughly discussed with empathy and compassion ... While there are already several other books about COVID-19 and its sociological impact on the United States, this wide-ranging yet deeply personal account is a great starting point. At times infuriating, unbelievable, heartbreaking, and even witty, Wright’s narrative is sorely needed.
Niall Ferguson
Rave Library Journal Like [Ferguson\'s] other works, Doom is well-researched, well-argued, and all-encompassing. Ferguson uses the depth and breadth of his knowledge to cogently argue for a new understanding of catastrophic events ... A book reminiscent of William H. McNeill’s Plagues and Peoples, Ferguson’s new title is a much-needed book on an important and pressing subject. Ferguson provides ample support for his arguments, uses an interdisciplinary approach, and offers new insights and revelations. An exemplary and thought-provoking work from a renowned author that will not disappoint.
Bo-Young Kim tr. Sophie Bowman and Sung Ryu
Positive Library Journal The epistolary nature of the lovers’ story gives readers a chance to empathize with the characters; to feel the dilemmas, the triumphs, and the lows of the two lovers. The straightforward narrative of the gods’ featurette is a surreal swirl of ideas that weaves the reader through the tale ... This is thought-provoking science fiction that will leave readers musing long after the book is finished.
Raynor Winn
Rave Library Journal Winn\'s writing beautifully evokes the natural world, whether she is describing a doe rummaging in an orchard or her innermost conflicted feelings. This is a perfect \'what happened next\' memoir that gives closure to readers of the first book, and which both fans and new readers will enjoy.
Neil Price
Positive Library Journal Exhaustively researched using cross-disciplinary resources, this breathtaking, epic history will appeal to all types of readers.
Sonia Shah
Positive Library Journal An interesting read that deals with a topic that is current and important to all. It will present a thoughtful challenge to many readers.
Daniel Mathews
Positive Library Journal This timely work, while sober reading, offers some hope and a few solutions as to how forests and their trees can adapt, with human help and support, to meet tougher times. Exhaustively researched with an extensive bibliography, this work does not skimp on information. Instead of focusing on just one aspect of the many issues facing western pine forests, Mathews interweaves them to create an overall picture, effectively showing how everything is coming together into a \'perfect storm\' situation for forests, their trees, and animals that rely on the ecosystem of the forest. The one downside to the book itself is that the presentation of all this information is somewhat muddled, requiring a close reading for full comprehension ... Overall, an impressive and prescient addition to an ever-growing oeuvre on the effects of climate change to an environment.
Jon Mooallem
Positive Library Journal This is a story about how communities pulled together in the face of extreme adversity; while several people described throughout were also pivotal to the disaster relief and recovery process, Mooallem uses Genie Chance as the anchor and heart of the story ... A great crossover read for teens as well as adults about community, tenacity, and the power of one person to make a difference.
Giles Whittell
Positive Library Journal Whittell meanders through various aspects of the cold ice crystals, but doesn’t go in-depth on any one characteristic, which keeps the subject light and allows him to cover many disparate subjects in different chapters. His cursory takes help with clarity when he describes the complex science behind snow or more sobering realities such as the time scientists expect the last flake to fall. Whittell adds enjoyable trivia, such as how many snowflakes it takes to build a snowman, throughout the book ... A delightful, enjoyable, and meandering read that will appeal to, and amuse, teen and adult readers.
Alan Furst
Pan Library Journal Most of the characters in Furst’s 13th spy novel are one-dimensional and clichéd, the history is more of an afterthought than a part of the story, everything that happens is rather stereotypical, and the plot is choppy enough that it becomes a chore to follow ... This is not the master spy novelist at his finest, which may disappoint his many fans. While die-hard devotees will probably want to read it, newcomers should start with his earlier works.
Gilbert M. Gaul
Rave Library Journal Gaul’s work provides a sobering historical and present-day account on a seemingly never-ending cycle ... Thoughtfully written, minutely researched, and eminently readable, this sobering analysis seeks to make people start asking questions about the viability of building on the coasts in an era of climate change.
D. B. John
Rave Library Journal Conceived on the author\'s 2012 trip to North Korea, this well-researched, fast-paced, and pertinent thriller will keep readers\' attention from start to finish. Readers of all sorts—whether spy fiction fans, thriller aficionados, or book junkies looking for a fantastic read—will enjoy.