About Book Marks
Recent Reviews
Karin Lin-Greenberg
Positive Booklist Masterful and understated ... Lin-Greenberg beautifully translates the lives of an ordinary group of people into an extraordinary, even triumphant novel.
Mazey Eddings
Positive Booklist ... an unconventional and messy love story brimming with steamy scenes between the instantly attracted duo, and has a raw wit that will leave readers cackling.
Clare Pooley
Rave Booklist ... another joyous tale about serendipitous friendship and seizing each day with vigor. The epitome of a feel-good book that is also laugh-out-loud hilarious, it centers on the titular Iona, an indomitable middle-aged woman, and the eclectic cast of characters she encounters each day on the train ... In a time when our differences so often divide us, Pooley’s novel is like a reassuring hug, assuring readers that our differences can strengthen relationships and should be embraced and celebrated. A not-to-be-missed read in the mode of Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine (2017).
Tim Harford
Positive Booklist Conquering the intimidating world of statistics is a daunting task, but Harford has a knack for making complex subjects accessible. On the surface, this is about making use of statistics, but at its core, Harford’s book is focused on encouraging readers to maintain a sense of curiosity about information and data. He presents ten rules, which he expertly weaves into historical contexts to explain the importance of each tenet. These rules will not trigger flashbacks to math class or economics 101, instead they have to do with intuition and asking the right questions. The Data Detective is sure to be another success from Harford, and is a powerful tool, especially in the current climate, one that will give readers the confidence to delve into data and statistics in a new and meaningful way.
Natalie Zina Walschots
Rave Booklist In this refreshing, subversive, and darkly humorous debut novel, poet and journalist Walscholts slowly reveals the nuances of her superpower-filled world, keeping readers guessing. Hench reads like a comic without the illustrations and is packed with subplots and rapid-fire wit. With a diverse and inclusive cast of characters, Walschots’ original tale performs a brilliant and exciting variation on the superhero trope and is not to be missed.
Jennifer Block
Rave Booklist This investigative account will shatter worldviews and everything you think you know about contraceptives, hysterectomies, and childbirth, to name a few essential topics ... Readers will gain a new and thorough understanding of the major issues facing women in the U.S., and why a revolution in women’s health care is urgently needed.
Erling Kagge, Trans. by Becky L. Crook
Positive Booklist ...this book is not about the thrill of adventure or perilous journeys. Rather, Walking reads much like the act of wandering itself as Kagge’s narrative meanders through different thoughts with short vignettes about his life and candid take-aways from his varied experiences. Kagge’s purposeful lack of plotlines and direction is meant to challenge readers to let go of traditional constraints and take pleasure in his lyrical and sometimes philosophical prose, just as he encourages people to walk for pleasure without hurry. Kagge’s intimate relationship with walking and the natural world resonates throughout this reflective book, and his awe and wonder are contagious. A brief read, Walking is meant to be savored at a leisurely pace and is a perfect companion for those who seek mindfulness and meditation in their everyday lives.
David Brooks
Positive Booklist [Brooks\'] argument can be daunting, partly due to length but also because of the weighty examples Brooks provides—it is difficult to picture ourselves striving to live our lives like Martin Luther King Jr. or Mother Theresa. But if readers can approach Brooks’ core message with an open mind, potentially life-changing lessons can be found in this relevant and thought-provoking book.
Nicholas Sparks
Rave Booklist \"Sparks is known for crafting sweeping romances that make readers feel deeply and believe in the power of love. In 1990, Hope Anderson visits her family’s longtime summer cottage on the North Carolina coast ...Tru Walls, a Zimbabwe-born safari guide, is invited to North Carolina by a man claiming to be his father ... When Hope and Tru meet on the beach, they are drawn to each other but never expect to make a connection that will change their lives forever. Sparks confirms his gifts as he spans the last two decades and transports readers to the bush of Zimbabwe and the Carolina coast in this thoughtfully researched and spellbinding story of love that defies time, a tale both heartbreaking and heartwarming. \
Suzanne O'Sullivan
Rave Booklist \"Fascinating ... these profiles poignantly capture the indiscriminate nature of epilepsy and its wide-ranging manifestations ... O’Sullivan’s prose strikes a balance between empathy and science, thoughtfully communicating each person’s story while explaining the uniqueness of his or her case and the intricacies of the brain. This book will especially appeal to those interested in medicine and education, anyone impacted by epilepsy, and all Oliver Sacks fans. Enlightening and humbling, O’Sullivan’s neurological detective work captures the mysterious nature of the brain and emphasizes how much more there is to learn.
Ben Sasse
Rave Booklist Sasse presents a compelling, well-supported look at why so many of us no longer have strong community ties and, why, in spite of all the interconnectivity in our constantly expanding, internet-driven world, so many people feel lonely ... While not completely apolitical, Sasse is careful in his disclaimers about how his beliefs shape the book, and whether readers agree with his political views or not, Them is a crucial contribution to a more open and productive social dialogue.
Paul Seward, MD
Rave Booklist Seward’s engrossing and approachable memoir plunges readers into the unpredictable life of an emergency-room physician ... His humble recollections are sad yet joyful, moving yet lighthearted. Seward’s memoir is easy to read, just the right length, and packed with stories that will capture readers’ attention. In the increasingly popular medical-memoir genre, this one stands out.
Daniela Lamas
Rave Booklist Lamas somehow manages to be both clinical and compassionate and beautifully conveys how the line between life and death is not always clear and that we must consider recovery and quality of life when making medical decisions. An important read for anyone involved with, affected by, or curious about critical care medicine.