Jason Pettus's Blog, page 16

Book Review: "Pretend I'm Dead" by Jen Beagin

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) Pretend I'm Dead By Jen Beagin Triquarterly Books Reviewed by Jason Pettus Any book that starts with a young...

American Odd: "Them: Adventures with Extremists," by Jon Ronson

A look at peculiar institutions, oddball literary experiments, and reckless rugged individualists. A celebration of American non-conformity. Them: Adventures with Extremists By Jon Ronson Simon and Schuster (2002) Review by Karl Wolff Have you heard of the Bilderbergs? They are instrumental in the creation of the New World Order. They meet in luxurious hotels, are highly secretive, and secretly control the world. They may be Jews, Satanists, or Freemasons. Or any combination thereof. Taking...

Book Review: "Live To Air," by Jeffrey L. Diamond

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) Live To Air By Jeffrey L. Diamond River Grove Books Reviewed by Karl Wolff When a drug deal between the Russi...

Book Review: "anemogram." by Rebecca Gransden

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) anemogram. By Rebecca Gransden Cardboard Wall Empire Reviewed by Jason Pettus For what it's worth, I apprecia...

Book Review: "The Black Presidency" by Michael Eric Dyson

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 12 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in Americas By Michael Eric Dyson Houghton Miffli...

"The Black Presidency," by Michael Eric Dyson

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 12 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) [image error] The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in Americas By Michael Eric Dyson Houghton Miffli...

Book Review: "Fiery Cocoon: Beyond Loss and Fear," by Clarissa Fitzgerald

Fiery Cocoon: Beyond Loss and Fear By Clarissa Fitzgerald CT&L Books Reviewed by Chris Schahfer A well-intentioned book, to be sure. Fitzgerald claims in the forward that she hopes Fiery Cocoon will "help you navigate whatever pain you're currently experiencing," and if you read it and feel it's helped, more power to you. However, good intentions only get you so far when writing a book, and it's up to good writing to get you the rest of the way. The problem with Clarissa Fitzgerald is that s...

Tales From the Completist: "Sharp Objects" (2006), by Gillian Flynn

(Just like anyone else who is a lover of great books, we at CCLaP find ourselves sometimes with a desire to become a "completist" of certain authors; that is, to have read every book that author has ever written. This series of essays chronicles that attempt. Don't forget, a list of all the other books reviewed as part of this series can be found on CCLaP's main book review page.) Sharp Objects (2006) By Gillian Flynn Reviewed by Jason Pettus After reading Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl several y...

Book Review: "The Rising" by Ian Tregillis

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) The Rising By Ian Tregillis Orbit Books Reviewed by Jason Pettus Last month I gave a favorable review to Ian...

Book Review: "To Swallow the Earth" by Ransom Wilcox

(CCLaP is dedicated to reviewing as many contemporary books as possible, including self-published volumes; click here to learn how to submit your own book for possible review, although be warned that it needs to have been published within the last 18 months to be considered. For the complete list of all books reviewed here, as well as the next books scheduled to be read, click here.) To Swallow the Earth By Ransom Wilcox Premio Publishing Reviewed by Jason Pettus Hey, psst, a quick question:...