Jason Pettus's Blog, page 21

Book Review: "Kinda Sorta American Dream," by Steve Karas

Kinda Sorta American Dream: Collected Stories By Steve Karas Tailwinds Press Reviewed by Chris Schahfer When Steve Karas is at his best - and he's at his best frequently here - he's a funny and sharp observer of good old human behavior, capable of getting to the heart of things and working out what's behind a bizarre situation. This is exemplified especially in the closing story, "Savior." Its Mayan-apocalypse theme might seem a little dated in 2015, but that's not to take away from how Kara...

Book Review: "In Some Other World, Maybe" by Shari Goldhagen

(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.) In Some Other World, Maybe By Shari Goldhagen St. Martin's Press Reviewed by Jason Pettus After reading it my...

Meet CCLaP's newest book reviewer, Nora Rawn!

Well, a brand-new year here at CCLaP, and we have a brand-new staffer to introduce you to -- I'm happy to say that New Yorker Nora Rawn has just joined us as our fourth and latest book reviewer here at the blog. Originally from Baltimore, Nora got an English Lit degree from NYU, and has held such iconic jobs there as a clerk at the Strand Bookstore, and editorial assistant at Random House Audio and as a foreign scout at a literary scouting agency. She's now at the academic publisher Springer,...

"Our Man in Charleston" by Christopher Dickey

(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.) Our Man in Charleston Christopher Dickey Crown Reviewed by Nora Rawn. Christopher Dickey's latest history boo...

First Time Around: "The Bluest Eye," by Toni Morrison

The Bluest Eye By Toni Morrison, 1970 Reviewed by Chris Schahfer Hi, and welcome to my 2016 review series, First Time Around! This year, I'll look at first efforts by famous authors. Some of these firsts have become quite famous as the years went on, while others were overshadowed by later works. Toni Morrison's as good of an author to start on as anyone, so let's start with her. Toni Morrison has become pretty well established among the modern pantheon of great writers. So much so that read...

Book Review: "Funereal" by Giacomo Lee

(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.) Funereal By Giacomo Lee Signal 8 Press Reviewed by Jason Pettus I have to admit, while I was reading Giacomo...

Book Review: "The Wallcreeper" by Nell Zink

(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 Wallcreeper By Nell Zink Dorothy, A Publishing Project Reviewed by Jason Pettus Ultimately I agree with w...

Book Review: "Selected Letters of Norman Mailer," Edited by J. Michael Lennon

(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.) Selected Letters of Norman Mailer Edited by J. Michael Lennon Random House Reviewed by Karl Wolff Norman Mail...

Book Review: "The Enthusiast" by Josh Fruhlinger

(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 Enthusiast By Josh Fruhlinger Self-published Reviewed by Jason Pettus Up to very recently, Josh Fruhlinge...

"The Tsar of Love and Techno: Stories" by Anthony Marra

(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 Tsar of Love and Techno By Anthony Marra Hogarth / ISBN: 978-0-7704-3643-8 Reviewed by Nora Rawn Followin...