PositiveBooklist... weaves together the lush setting of the Penobscot River in Maine and disparate characters struggling to coexist on a verdant, alluring land ... profound truths, the mournful beauty of the land, and mythologies encoded within the people who live there are revealed.
Semezdin Mehmedinovic, tr. Celia Hawkesworth
RaveBooklistNotable Bosnian poet Mehmedinović writes in first person in this autobiographical novel that explores themes of survival, perseverance, and love, ultimately conveying an intimate, yet profound and lyrical portrait of a man and his family. Each of the novel’s three parts is a soulful reverie that opens with the narrator, nicknamed Me’med, describing an unforgettable physical experience that then serves as a catalyst for deep, internal reflection ... an introspective, literary journey worth taking.
Todd Robert Petersen
RaveBooklistBlending dark comedy and crime fiction, Petersen examines a moment in time that exquisitely reveals timeless and far-reaching themes ... Throughout the novel’s adrenaline-filled external conflicts, Sophia is simultaneously considering deep, universal questions: To whom does this treasure really belong? Who owns this land? And, ultimately, who owns history itself? Picnic in the Ruins is an excellent read for those who enjoy thrillers set in the Southwest and readers interested in the preservation of history and culture.
Paul Morley
PositiveBooklistMorley views his subject through the lens of his decades-long accomplishments as a music journalist as he expertly probes classical composers’ agitated minds and collective oeuvres. Adeptly framing observations of pop, rock, and classical music within the context of the industry, Morley also underscores extraordinary changes in our time, highlighting the rapid growth of technology and its impact on music ... includes copious recommendations and is a rich resource for music lovers.
Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong'o
RaveBooklist[An] eloquent retelling of an epic Kenyan origin story ... essential reading and especially vital for our times. Told in verse, its plot, characterization, and setting are masterfully woven to create an enigmatic, yet uplifting atmosphere in which the human spirit and its interconnectedness with the natural world shine.