Book Review
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Journalist and book reviewer Suzanne Perez reviews the latest books and such for KMUW on air and right here. Discover new reviews on alternate Mondays.
Available episodes
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5 days ago
In 'Hell If We Don’t Change Our Ways,' author Brittany Means relates a harrowing childhood
As with "The Glass Castle" or "Educated," Brittany Means' new memoir, "Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways," shows a young woman overcoming horrific experiences and sharing with others so they feel less alone.
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Nov 20, 2023
With ‘This is Salvaged,’ author Vauhini Vara gives us lots to think about — and to love
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Vauhini Vara's new short story collection, "This Is Salvaged," is united by a singular question: In a world defined by estrangement, where do we find communion?
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Nov 13, 2023
Author Jacqueline Woodson revisits her Brooklyn childhood with ‘Remember Us’
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says author Jacqueline Woodson's writing prowess is evident again in "Remember Us," which offers a realistic and poignant look at the struggles of adolescence.
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Nov 6, 2023
In her pandemic novel, ‘The Vulnerables,’ Sigrid Nunez blends elegy and comedy
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says "The Vulnerables," a pandemic novel by Sigrid Nunez, reads like a memoir, as the narrator describes the bizarre period through a series of everyday interactions and observations.
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Oct 30, 2023
With ‘One Woman Show,’ Christine Coulson conjures a life through museum wall labels
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says "One Woman Show" is a tiny, powerful novel that you can read in one sitting. But its original structure — told through museum wall labels — makes it a masterwork.
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Oct 23, 2023
Rediscover children’s literature with this year’s crop of National Book Award finalists
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says children's books can reignite your imagination, help you recall the magic of childhood, or give you a new perspective on the world — yes, even as an adult.
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Oct 9, 2023
With ‘How to Sell a Haunted House,’ Grady Hendrix offers creepy, funny fall reading
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says the newest Grady Hendrix novel, "How to Sell a Haunted House," is perfect for this creepy reading season.
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Oct 2, 2023
Dystopian, delectable ‘Land of Milk and Honey’ establishes C. Pam Zhang as a literary force
C. Pam Zhang’s writing is visceral, full of blood and muscle, especially when describing the lavish buffets served to the privileged few
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Sep 25, 2023
National Book Award nominee ‘Simon Sort of Says’ finds joy and humor in a violent world
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says "Simon Sort of Says," a middle-grade novel by Canadian author Erin Bow, tackles a tough subject with humor.
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Sep 18, 2023
With ‘Wellness,’ Nathan Hill explores our never-ending quest for self-improvement
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says Nathan Hill's newest novel explores our never-ending pursuit for self-improvement — and harkens to his days in Kansas.
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Sep 11, 2023
With ‘The Trap,’ Catherine Ryan Howard offers a fictional look at real-life disappearances
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new crime novel by an Irish author that's inspired by real-life disappearances.
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Sep 4, 2023
‘Shark Heart’ explores marriage, motherhood and what it means to be human
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez says revealing too much information about "Shark Heart" would cheat you of a rare and remarkable experience.
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Aug 28, 2023
‘Hello Beautiful’ features heartbreak, grief, forgiveness — all the stuff of great family drama
Ann Napolitano's “Hello Beautiful” deals with love, loss and lonely childhoods, with poignant moments and stellar writing — and a slight nod to Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women.”
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Aug 21, 2023
Love books? Consider planning your own personal reading retreat
Earlier this month, Suzanne Perez and Beth Golay traveled to a friend’s lake house for a three-day, two-night reading retreat.
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Aug 14, 2023
Ann Patchett’s ‘Tom Lake’ is a story of paths not taken — and whether children really need to know
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a new novel that explores whether and how much we tell our children about our past.
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Aug 7, 2023
In ‘The Librarianist,’ Patrick deWitt shows us another life of quiet desperation
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a quiet novel that focuses on the everyday-ness of one man's life.
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Jul 31, 2023
‘Mary Jane’ offers a summertime journey back to adolescence — and the ’70s
Book reviewer Suzanne Perez looks at a novel that will take you back to adolescence — and the '70s.
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Jul 24, 2023
With ‘Ripe,’ Sarah Rose Etter highlights the soul-crushing essence of toxic work culture
Suzanne Perez looks at another quarter-life-crisis novel that takes us into the heart of a toxic workplace.
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Jul 17, 2023
With ‘The Art Thief,’ Michael Finkel delivers a true-crime thriller that’s a work of art
Suzanne Perez looks at a new book about an art thief that calls himself an art liberator.
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Jul 10, 2023
Caroline O’Donoghue infuses ‘The Rachel Incident’ with heartbreak and humor
Suzanne Perez says "The Rachel Incident" author Caroline O’Donoghue imbues her characters with all the complexities of human experience.
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