Starred Reviews for George Saunders, Adrienne Thurman, Jenny Lawson, Namwali Serpell, and More!

“In this cartoony, ping-ponging mix of pratfalls, philosophy, psychological nuance, and environmental laments, Saunders once again imagines the afterlife as he did in his Booker Prizewinning Lincoln in the Bardo. In this purposeful, funny, and lacerating variation on Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Saunders ponders suffering and repentance in a wily indictment of greed, greenwashing, and planetary devastation.” —Booklist, starred review

“A ghost attempts to guide an unrepentant oil executive toward redemption and the afterlife in the staggering latest from Saunders…the novel barrels into gleefully absurd territory while posing weighty questions about salvation and justice and whether they’re even feasible. Saunders has outdone himself with this endlessly irreverent work of art.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Saunders’ second novel represents a magnificent expansion of consciousness…What [Jill] (or, through her, Saunders) is suggesting is the need for generosity, despite, or perhaps because of, Boone’s corrupted soul, which has been riven by a lifetime wallowing in many of the deadly sins, particularly pride and greed. Such openness has long been a hallmark of Saunders’ fiction, and it’s on full display in this elegant and subtle book…Saunders has crafted a novel that feels deeply resonant, especially in these fractious times.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A skeptical young woman, feeling directionless and disillusioned with love, agrees to be the first client for her older sister’s matchmaking business in Thurman’s refreshing and emotionally resonant debut…There’s enough comfort and tenderness in this warm hug of a novel to soften the heart of even the staunchest cynic.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Perry’s storytelling skills were sharp until the end. The strong storyline, intricate plotting, incisive exploration of social issues, and trademark active prose make this one of her best. A highly recommended addition to all historical detective fiction collections.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Even after more than 100 books, Perry’s storytelling skills were sharp until the end. The strong storyline, intricate plotting, incisive exploration of social issues, and Perry’s trademark active prose make this one of her best. A highly recommended addition to all historical detective fiction collections.” —Library Journal, starred review

”Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl, 2020) skillfully cloaks several current-day issues, such as swatting, genocide, othering, and concerns about AI, in this captivating futuristic read.” —Booklist, starred review

“A slow-burn, small-town romance that beautifully demonstrates how food, family, and culture can bridge the past and present. Perfect for readers seeking emotional depth with a culinary heart.” —Library Journal, starred review

“Khong’s distinctive writing voice shines, and readers who enjoyed the author’s debut, Goodbye, Vitamin, in particular, will be eager to acquaint themselves with the characters and situations in these stories.” —Library Journal, starred review

“This is an inescapable and fresh noir novel for academic libraries, public libraries, and mature book clubs. It’s a brilliant debut from an author sure to one day have a place in the Irish literary canon.” —Library Journal, starred review

“This scintillating romantasy series launch from Odette (Curse of the Wolf King) transports readers . . . Odette keeps the twists coming as this scheme plays out, leading to several jaw-dropping reveals about both the world and the characters. The forbidden romance that ignites between Inana and Dominic adds both angst and spice on the way to an exhilarating cliff-hanger ending. Fans of dark fantasy romance will be all in.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Highly recommended for libraries looking to provide their patrons with accessible self-help books that don’t feel like a chore to read. Fans of Brené Brown and Samantha Irby will enjoy.” —Library Journal, starred review

“An insightful and stimulating exploration of the work of Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison. Through exceptional close readings and sharp analyses, Serpell puts Morrison’s genius on full display. This will enthrall Morrison fans and cultivate new ones.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Award-winning novelist, essayist, and literary scholar Serpell offers a compelling elucidation of Toni Morrison’s notably challenging fiction, criticism, plays, and poetry… [Serpell’s analysis] is enriched by her prodigious literary background and insights she has gleaned from archival sources: letters, diary entries, notes, and manuscripts… Celebrating Morrison’s “masterful difficulty and superb wit,” “her inscrutable yet perfect metaphors,” and “her unaccountable rushes of imagination,” Serpell affords ample evidence that she was “a writer whose deliberate difficulty—personal, political, and literary—defied classification…and made for brilliance.” An impressive, nuanced work of scholarship.”   —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A vital addition…. Serpell’s keen eye for analysis yields fantastic results…. On Morrison is an astonishing collection of close readings that is an asset to Morrison scholarship, enriching, complicating and, at times, challenging what we have come to know and love about this literary titan.” —BookPage, starred review

“Highly recommended for libraries looking to expand their self-improvement collections. This memoir is sure to resonate with fans of authors like Brené Brown and Eve Rodsky and become a new rallying cry for a generation of exhausted mothers.” —Library Journal, starred review

“[A] brilliant and eye-opening study…Kendi demonstrates [great replacement theory’s] long-standing ties to authoritarianism…and convincingly argues that the success of all authoritarians lies in their ability to redirect the legitimate grievances of the exploited away from their class interests and toward paranoid fantasy. Kendi closes with an astute blueprint for combatting this kind of politics that involves bolstering nonprofit media and civic education…a rousing call for solidarity across lines of class and race in order to fight fascism.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Even at more than 400 pages, this thoughtful, detailed, and nuanced biography of legendary writer Judy Blume may prompt yearnings that it were even longer. Taking on the daunting task of writing about a beloved subject legions of readers feel personally connected to, Oppenheimer (Squirrel Hill, 2021) relies on Blume’s notes and correspondence and on multiple interviews with Blume herself and her intimates, associates, and fans to create a balanced and informative profile. He documents Blume’s life and literary career in chronological order—with some chapters addressing just a year or two—from her childhood, adolescence, and college days through her ventures into early marriage and young motherhood, her desire for something beyond suburban housewifery, her evolving craft as a writer, and her explorations into heady personal, creative, and nonconventional ventures, including both glowing triumphs and disastrous crashes. Additionally, the author examines children’s publishing over the past century or so, with a fair amount of analysis that goes down nice and easy. It seems almost inevitable that all evidence points to Blume being the cool, honest, and empathetic ally readers would expect from the creator of characters as memorable as Margaret, Peter, and Fudge. Oppenheimer’s first biography is engaging, revealing, satisfying, and a fitting tribute.” —Booklist, starred review

“Drawing on letters, interviews, and archival research, this penetrating look into the lives and wartime experiences of Berliners will add a needed dimension to public and academic library collections.” —Library Journal, starred review

“This is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of conservation, as well as readers looking for solutions to current-day conservation crises.” —Library Journal, starred review