Book Review

Journalist and book reviewer Suzanne Perez reviews the latest books and such for KMUW on air and right here. Discover new reviews on Mondays.

'Bog Queen' blends ancient history with modern-day forensics

Anna North's newest novel, "Bog Queen," offers everything fans love about historical fiction: a fascinating look back through time with memorable characters, remarkable settings and a story that moves along at a steady clip.

10-27
03:08

Rachel Harrison's new novel explores ghosts and childhood trauma

In Rachel Harrison's new novel, "Play Nice," a woman must confront the demons of her past when she tries to fix up her childhood home.

10-20
03:00

'Paper Girl' is a comprehensive look at a microcosm of modern America

Beth Macy's new nonfiction narrative, "Paper Girl," is part memoir, part reportage, part oral history, and the result is a comprehensive look at a microcosm of modern America.

10-06
03:48

'Life & Death & Giants' explores human weakness and kindness

Ron Rindo's new novel, "Life & Death & Giants," tells the story of a modern-day giant who is raised in an Amish community in Wisconsin.

09-29
03:08

'Dominion' is a provocative look at the crushing power of patriarchy

Author Addie E. Citchens was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and raised as a church kid, and that background breathes life into her debut novel, "Dominion."

09-22
03:30

'The Wilderness' explores the pitfalls of life and the value of found family

Angela Flournoy's sophomore novel, "The Wilderness," follows five Black women over the course of a 20-year friendship, from young adulthood into middle age. It recently made the longlist for the National Book Award for Fiction.

09-15
03:59

Elizabeth Gilbert's new memoir explores the darker sides of friendship, love and addiction

"All the Way to the River" is an impressive mashup of Elizabeth Gilbert’s candid storytelling, along with poems, drawings, prayers and doodles that she crafted during her partner's death and her own recovery from sex and love addiction.

09-08
03:26

Darkly comic 'Discontent' follows the inner world of a mid-level marketing executive

Beatriz Serrano's new novel, "Discontent," follows the life of a mid-level marketing executive who reflects the ennui of so many disillusioned millennials.

09-01
03:34

'The Hounding' is an atmospheric tale that explores misinformation and toxic masculinity

"The Hounding" by Xenobe Purvis is a debut novel set in 18th-century England that explores themes of misinformation, toxic masculinity and mob mentality.

08-25
01:40

‘When the Cranes Fly South’ speaks to our human need for autonomy and agency

Book critic Suzanne Perez says Lisa Ridzen's debut novel, "When the Cranes Fly South," which was Sweden's Book of the Year in 2024, is a poignant study on aging and end-of-life issues.

08-18
01:38

'The Frequency of Living Things' explores the bonds — and sacrifices — of family

Book critic Suzanne Perez says Nick Fuller Googins's sophomore novel, "The Frequency of Living Things," is a well-written exploration of parenting, sisterhood and forgiveness.

08-11
01:40

'Angel Down' offers a brutal and breathless look at warfare

KMUW's Suzanne Perez says the new novel by Daniel Kraus, "Angel Down," is a brutal descent onto a World War I battleground.

08-04
01:39

Horror novelist Paul Tremblay delivers middle-grade scares with ‘Another’

Much as he does in his adult horror novels, Paul Tremblay masters the atmosphere of creeping dread with his middle-grade debut, "Another." Youngsters who love "Goosebumps" and scary stories around the campfire will want to add this novel to their collections.

07-21
01:38

'Vera, or Faith' looks at a broken world through the eyes of a child

Gary Shteyngart's new novel, "Vera, or Faith," tells the story of an anxiety-ridden Korean American girl growing up in a dystopian America.

07-14
01:39

'A Marriage at Sea' pairs a harrowing survival tale with a quirky love story

Sophie Elmhirst's new book, "A Marriage at Sea: A True Story of Love, Obsession, and Shipwreck," tells the harrowing story of a young British couple whose boat sinks on the Pacific Ocean.

07-07
01:36

Jess Walter's 'So Far Gone' is a funny, timely romp through a divided America

The ultimate genius of Jess Walter's new novel, "So Far Gone," is the author's talent for relating our fractured modern society with humor and hope.

06-30
01:37

Love reality TV? Add this debut novel to your summer reading list

Aisling Rawle's debut novel, "The Compound," is the story of 20 young men and women who compete in a reality television competition.

06-23
01:36

'Bug Hollow' captures the full range of human emotion

Like life, Michelle Huneven's newest novel, "Bug Hollow," has it all.

06-16
01:40

'Endling' captures the horror of war and the power of fiction

Maria Reva's new novel, Endling, goes way beyond expansive and ventures headlong into metafiction. And that’s where the magic really happens.

06-09
01:40

'She's a Lamb!' is a twisty tale of one sociopath who dreams of music theater stardom

Meredith Hambrock's new novel, She's a Lamb!, is a dark, disturbing and twisted thriller featuring one of the most despicable narrators since R.F. Kuang's Yellowface.

05-26
01:39

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