Jason Pettus's Blog, page 9

Book Review: "How to Set a Fire and Why: A Novel," by Jesse Ball

(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.) How to Set a Fire and Why: A Novel By Jesse Ball Pantheon Books Reviewed by Chris Schahfer I raked Jesse Ball...

Tales from the Completist: "The Gods Drink Whiskey" by Stephen T. Asma

(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.) The Gods Drink Whiskey: Stumbling Toward Enlightenment in the Land of the Tattered Buddha (2005) By Stephen T. A...

Book Review: "TRUMPED! Beyond Politically Correct," by Peter Davidson

(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.) TRUMPED! Beyond Politically Correct: What You Would Say if You Had the Guts By Peter Davidson Sweet Memories...

Book Review: "The Vegetarian," by Han Kang

(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 Vegetarian By Han Kang Hogarth Books Reviewed by Chris Schahfer It's not often a book this surreal become...

Book Review: "Magic and Loss: The Internet as Art" by Virginia Heffernan

(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.) Magic and Loss: The Internet as Art By Virginia Heffernan Simon & Schuster Reviewed by Jason Pettus So for wh...

Book Review: "A Manual for Cleaning Women," by Lucia Berlin

(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.) A Manual for Cleaning Women By Lucia Berlin Farrar, Straus and Giroux Reviewed by Chris Schahfer For a long t...

Book Review: "The Flood Girls" by Richard Fifield

(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 Flood Girls By Richard Fifield Gallery Books / Simon & Schuster Reviewed by Jason Pettus Every so often I...

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

(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.) Kinda Sorta American Dream: Collected Stories By Steve Karas Tailwinds Press Reviewed by Karl Wolff A couple...

First Time Around: "You Bright and Risen Angels," by William T. Vollmann

(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.) You Bright and Risen Angels: A Cartoon By William T. Vollmann Penguin Books, 1987 Reviewed by Chris Schahfer...

Book Review: "Under the Influence" by Joyce Maynard

(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.) Under the Influence By Joyce Maynard William Morrow / HarperCollins Reviewed by Jason Pettus One of the thing...