Mark Stevens's Blog, page 8

Barbara Kingsolver, “Demon Copperhead”

In an interview with Ezra Klein on his podcast, Barbara Kingsolver said she wanted to write “the great Appalachian novel.” She conceded, however, that the notion “probably sounds ridiculous.” In particular, Kingsolver said she wanted to write about the fact … Continue reading →

2023 Top Books

Highlights from reading in 2023. The order is irrelevant. Note: These are books I read last year, not necessarily published in 2023. NON-FICTION: FICTION:

Barbara Nickless, “Play of Shadows”

At First Light, Dark of Night, and Play of Shadows form one of the richest, brainiest mystery-thriller trilogies around. There is much to like about all three books, but here’s my favorite element—the two main characters are each smart in … Continue reading →

R.F. Kuang, “Yellowface”

Yellowface goes down like guzzling melted chocolate, especially if you’re a writer and know the publishing business. Or if you’re a reader who cares about the issue of cultural appropriation—that is, who gets to tell a story? Or if you … Continue reading →

Mandy Miller, “Friday Night in the Glades”

“One game can change a boy’s life.” The boy being watched is team captain Ozz Gordon. Ozz has already committed to The University of Southern California, disappointing many other suitors. In this case, the game of football. Florida football. High … Continue reading →

Tove Danovich, “Under the Henfluence”

I heard Tove Danovich interviewed on TSNOTYAW*. (That’s an acronym for a fantastic podcast about writing. A search will pull it right up.) Danovich was colorful, the topic sounded interesting, and since going vegetarian two years ago (well, pescatarian) I … Continue reading →

Adrian McKinty, “The Detective Up Late”

“Underneath the surface of the discernible world” in Belfast, Sean Duffy tells us, is a world of “kin struggle and blood feud and death.” This is an “older order of ancient laws and obligations, customs that go back to the … Continue reading →

Curtis Ippolito, “Burying the Newspaper Man”

Buyring the Newspaper Man is built around a nifty premise. What would motivate a cop to make sure a killer gets away with murder? Gotta say: great concept. Marcus Kemp is that cop. He works for the San Diego Police … Continue reading →

Stacie Shannon Denetsosie, “The Missing Morningstar”

Unflinching and sharp-eyed, The Missing Morningstar is a knockout collection of short stories brimming with originality.  Stacie Shannon Denetsosie invites us to look around Navajo Nation through the eyes and thoughts of highly observant characters who are straddling multiple worlds, … Continue reading →

Jeffrey Fleishman, “Good Night, Forever”

“They cut off my wet clothes. My skin is incandescent in the ER light. Voices, needles, blood on gauze, gloved hands, quick as wings. Silver gleams. The bullet is shallow. I feel a tug, hear a ping in the stainless-steel … Continue reading →