PositiveLibrary JournalAn elaborate puzzle of mystery, crime, and romance that will resonate with readers ... Recommended for mystery and historical fiction readers who are interested in the cultural complexities and hardships of life off the map.
Kiyoko Murata, trans. Juliet Winters Carpenter
PositiveLibrary JournalMurata crafts a powerful story with universal themes, and her deep knowledge of history and culture illuminates the impossible situation women were forced to navigate ... Carpenter’s translation is considerate of the essence of its urtext, but the precise use of language is a key theme in the novel, and nuances are often lost in the translation.
Jo Baker
PositiveLibrary JournalImmersive, heartbreaking, and hard to put down, with an unforgettable heroine. Fans of Baker will enjoy the same compelling style the author is known for, and those who read World War II fiction will be delighted with her thorough research and fresh perspective on the period.
Greg Brennecka
PositiveLibrary JournalBrennecka begins with the birth of the universe and takes readers on a journey through time and space, in a narrative that is both approachable and entertaining ... This book is sure to engage popular science readers of all levels of expertise; for advanced readers, Brennecka has appended the text with more technical information on meteoritics ... Brennecka successfully tackles a niche corner of the popular science genre where anthropology meets astrophysics. His knowledge and wit come together in an excellent debut that will appeal to readers of Munroe, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Carl Sagan.
Adam Rutherford and Hannah Fry
PositiveLibrary Journal... informative and entertaining ... Fry (a mathematician who specializes in patterns in human behavior) and Rutherford (a geneticist) are well-equipped to guide readers through this maze of thought, perception, and knowledge. Their writing is clever and personable, and they incorporate immersive stories of culture, art, and rudimentary science to explain seemingly complex topics (e.g., the theory of time) in consumable morsels. They reference several academic papers, but only to highlight some of the most entertaining research that has been done in the name of science ... This book will appeal to fans of Rutherford and Fry’s podcast and to general popular science readers.
Mary Roach
RaveLibrary JournalThe expert on quirky science writing doesn\'t disappoint ... Roach’s writing combines research with firsthand experience, plus tips for handling an unplanned encounter with a wild animal ... Her natural curiosity and wit pair well with her topics ... Like Roach’s previous best-selling pop science works, this book is unpretentious and honest about what she sees and what she learns along the way ... A must-read for wildlife enthusiasts, popular science readers, and anyone who has enjoyed Roach’s other books. Her occasionally awkward interactions with people and animals make for the engaging narrative style that Roach is famous for.
Stephon Alexander
PositiveLibrary JournalIn engaging and accessible writing, Alexander explains how physics is inflected by non-science disciplines, including art, philosophy, sociology, and psychology ... An interesting and thorough collection of thought experiments for physicists, cosmologists, and aspiring scientists who want to think outside the box. The book will especially appeal to readers of popular science.
Jan Grue tr. B. L. Crook
PositiveLibrary JournalThis artful, poetic memoir thoughtfully explores life with disability ... He thoughtfully muses on the nature of time and describes his life with chronological fluidity, mixing in elements of the past that evolve and acquire new meaning in the present. Grue occasionally digresses from the narrative with relevant quotations and musings, which flow together in a cohesive whole. Crook’s translation of Grue’s book (first published in 2018 in Norway) upholds the literary quality that won the memoir a Norwegian award for literature ... An honest look at the complexities of being human no matter how one’s body functions. Grue’s reflections on life will spark the interest of all readers of literary nonfiction.
Carole Hooven
PositiveLibrary Journal... a thorough and interesting assessment of the science behind testosterone and human behavior ... In addition to the science, Hooven provides cultural context, including personal narratives from people who have transitioned, as well as one person who has detransitioned; she lets people tell their stories in their own words, allowing for a more complete picture. Hooven encourages readers to approach this information through an evidence-based lens and to question their own judgments. Her insight into evolutionary biology and human behavior will be valuable not only to scientists but to anyone interested in social change ... A provocative, academic, accessible look at the science behind human behavior, suitable for those interested in natural and social sciences.
Brandi Carlile
PositiveLibrary JournalCarlile’s writing reflects the same candor that listeners get when they hear her music. She uses a casual tone and often addresses readers directly, which makes the narrative feel like a conversation with a friend ... Carlile makes the format her own by including song lyrics and personal photos between each chapter ... A good read for fans of Carlile who want a peek into her life and her growth as a musician.
