RaveLibrary JournalPhilip reflects on the beaver’s significance in American history as she meets with memorable people invested in their futures. Philip successfully distills the many complex worlds that beavers inhabit into both a compelling wildlife portrait and ethnography. She interrogates these different worlds with humor and compassion. The book balances storytelling, history, and science in an accessible way that will appeal widely to fans of history and ecology. It is effectively grounded in Indigenous wisdom and infused with curiosity and a personal narrative that will help readers gain a new respect for these dynamic creatures ... Fascinating and unexpected.
Jessi Hempel
RaveLibrary Journal... magnetic ... [Hempel] revisits these experiences with her family by conducting virtual conversations during the pandemic referred to as \'The Project,\' which she incorporates into the book by giving her family space in their own story, adding a unique, insightful layer to this memoir. Hempel’s writing is evocative and approachable. It will appeal broadly to fans of literary memoir and will hold particular significance for LGBTQIA+ readers and anyone on their own journey to live as their true selves ... A stunning memoir and contemporary exploration of the diversity of family dynamics and coming-out narratives.
Claire McGowan
PositiveLibrary JournalMcGowan’s perspective as a crime novelist and Irish native is unique. Throughout the book, she considers the narrative of safety in Ireland that was perpetuated in her youth. She also reconciles the coordinated resolutions of the crimes in her novels with the realistic complexities of criminal investigations. This book will appeal to fans of true crime and gender studies for McGowan’s empathetic distillation of these crimes ... Thought-provoking, compelling true crime.
Sarah Weinman
RaveLibrary JournalWith this enthralling book, Weinman details the twisted, extraordinary story of a murderer who manipulated his way to freedom and fame ... Weinman thoroughly covers Smith’s deception and his eventual return to crime. She writes with empathy for Smith’s victims, including those left in the wake of his lies, and a critical eye toward the systems that allowed him to continue committing offenses. The book is a must-read for true crime fans, but it will appeal to nonfiction readers across genres ... An immediately absorbing story of crime, manipulation, and influence.
Tom Vitale
RaveLibrary JournalVitale is an engaging and self-aware storyteller, who writes and structures this memoir in the style of the immersive documentary television he’s known for ... This adventurous and candid account is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at Bourdain’s work and an honest story about persisting in the wake of loss. It will resonate with many readers as a travel and entertainment memoir, exploration of grief, and tribute to a beloved figure.
Orville Vernon Burton
RaveLibrary Journal... an extensive, thoughtful narrative charting the history and impact of race jurisprudence in the United States Supreme Court. The authors offer a clear perspective on the Supreme Court’s varied roles ... The book is smartly structured, both chronologically and topically, and the authors make complex information accessible ... With extensive notes, this superb volume is well positioned to be revisited as a reference. It will benefit scholars and students, as well as readers interested in civil rights and legal history.
Sam Kean
RaveLibrary JournalA witty, thought-provoking book ... Kean is a powerful, exciting storyteller who deftly considers ethical questions within an engaging narrative ... A lively, compelling addition to the true crime and popular science genres.
Jacqueline Winspear
RaveLibrary Journal... affecting, personal ... Winspear effectively transports readers into each moment with rich descriptions of even the smallest details. From recalling the fragrance of the hop fields she worked in to exploring her anxieties as generational trauma, her writing is visceral and beautiful. Winspear thoughtfully examines her \'parents’ war\' and its resulting impact on her life. Her words are hopeful and bright, and imbued with a resilience that will resonate with readers ... Fans of Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs books will appreciate the connections she draws between her childhood and themes throughout the series. Yet the book will appeal well beyond Winspear’s fan base as a literary memoir deeply linked to history and as a meditation on place and family.
Anthony M. Amore
RaveLibrary JournalAmore provides effective context for Dugdale’s radical actions and offers an examination of the significance of Vermeer’s art that bolsters the sophistication of her crimes. Readers will be enthralled by the many worlds Dugdale seemed to inhabit ... A captivating book that will entertain fans across genres with its seamless blend of true crime, biography, and art history.
Callum Roberts
RaveLibrary JournalThe book succeeds as both a memoir of a scientist\'s research career and passions and an accessible narrative of the science of coral reefs, making its appeal for a broad audience. Roberts also deftly addresses the decline of coral reefs, persisting threats, and complexities of conservation ... Balancing a sense of urgency with hope and humor that will inspire action, the text is complemented by stunning photos from underwater photographer Mustard ... A vivid, lyrical science memoir for readers curious about coral reefs, and fans of environmental nonfiction.
