Karen E. Bender's story collection focuses on the burden of money in everyday life. Her upbeat tone brings a colorful quality to a theme that otherwise would be overbearing. A good collection, now a finalist for the National Book Award in fiction.
A compulsively readable debut
Bill Clegg's new novel is getting a lot of attention, and it should. Here's what it's about, from a review recorded for broadcast on WOSU 89.7 fm.
The lesson of the book critic
What happens when you're supposed to be in-the-know about new books being published, but you bury yourself in the old books?
The last night of summer
In this 1963 novel, written by one of the most widely read storytellers of the 20th century, people do crazy things when the last night of summer arrives.
My brother, my nemesis
Stuart Neville's new Irish crime novel hits the five-star mark with two brothers involved in a murder and keeping secrets. The tension builds with intensity. Here's a look at what the new book -- "Those We Left Behind" -- is about. Also a must read: Neville's debut, "The Ghosts of Belfast."
“It’s a terribly powerful story”
People often ask how and where I find the books and stories I read. Here's an instance where I found "one of those stories that stays with you forever."
Books to look forward to in September
A James Bond thriller, a biography of the first queen of journalism and a new novel by Jonathan Franzen. Here's a glimpse of what they're about and what to anticipate.
Remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird
Harper Lee's second book "Go Set a Watchman" is now published. This literary event forever changes Ms. Lee's famous one-book legacy of the phenomenal classic, the incomparable "To Kill a Mockingbird." Here's how I prepared to read "Watchman," as well as information about the shifting story regarding its "accidental discovery."
The books I won’t be reading
The well-known and, by now, tired saying, "so many books, so little time," has created this library habit of mine.
James Salter’s Ohio connection
Several years ago, I had a memorable conversation at Barnes & Noble that revealed a little known fact about novelist and short story writer James Salter. Here's the story, as well as a remembrance of this exceptional author who died last week.
A legal thriller I couldn’t put down
Consider a trial lawyer who's an ex-con artist and a Russian mob boss on trial for murder who forces him into service via a bomb tucked into his coat, and you've got the beginning of Steve Cavanagh's debut legal thriller. It's filled with surprises and high entertainment.
Through the thin spaces, into plenitude
David Constantine is well known in Britain for his award-winning poetry, translations and fiction. "In Another Country: Selected Stories" is his literary debut in the United States. The 17 stories in the collection are 17 rich, unusual narrative adventures.
They couldn’t find Mick
This is a moving first novel, "The Given World," by Marian Palaia. It takes place during the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's in the life of a woman whose brother goes missing in the Vietnam War. Palaia perfectly captures how the war changed the lives of the loved ones back home.
Compelling tales nominated by librarians
We're in the count-down days to the announcement of the winner of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award. It's not the winner I'm most interested in but the short-list of nominees, which always provides a whopping good reading list. Here are the 10 in the line-up.
Books to look forward to in May & June
A gathering of five books -- fiction and non-fiction -- soon to hit bookstores.
The Longest Chapter 