Marguerite Reads

Weekly book reviews in most genres, including classics and not-to-be-missed. Books selected and reviews written by a librarian specializing in readers’ advisory.

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Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth, by Avi Loeb

September 06, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A fascinating discussion of a recent astronomical observation, and its potential for changing our world view, if we have the courage, curiosity, and humility to explore further, or the consequences if we do not.

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September 06, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Nonfiction
Book Reviews
Comment

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

September 06, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A story within a story, as legendary film star Evelyn Hugo tells her life story, the full hidden, secret story behind her life choices, to junior magazine staff writer Monique Grant. An interesting examination of the cost of fame.

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September 06, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Realistic Fiction, Literary Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah

August 22, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Learn of the sufferings of hard working farmers during the Dust Bowl, and the injustices visited on the migrants escaping it to California, through the eyes of Elsa Martinelli, loving mother, trying to keep her children safe— a dramatic, moving story.

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August 22, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
Historical Fiction, 2021 Reviews
Book Reviews
Comment

Malibu Rising, by Taylor Jenkins Reid

August 14, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A perfect beach read, from the pen of Taylor Jenkins Reid. She has a growing reputation for entertaining page turners. You’ll smell the salt air and tanning lotion, hear the waves and feel the sand beneath your feet!

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August 14, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Literary Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Transcendent Kingdom, by Yaa Gyasi

August 08, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Wonderful novel that takes on issues of the immigrant experience, loss of family through addiction, and struggling with caretaking with a depressed parent— all with a heroine who must discover the personal strength to finally choose for herself.

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August 08, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Realistic Fiction, Literary Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune

July 24, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A novel of this moment in our culture—but be careful to read closely, for some of us will have a problem with its message.

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July 24, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Magical Realism, Fantasy
Book Reviews
8 Comments

The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett

July 24, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Brilliant second novel by Brit Bennett, this is a great choice for book discussion groups, or thoughtful readers everywhere.

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July 24, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Literary Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

We Begin At The End, by Chris Whitaker

July 18, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

If you enjoy beautiful writing, a moving and real intergenerational story, and a captivating murder mystery, then this is the summer book for you.

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July 18, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Literary Fiction, Mystery
Book Reviews
Comment

The Plot, by Jean Hanff Korelitz

July 05, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

If you hear a plot idea, and it isn’t written, are you at liberty to write it? Or is that considered intellectual theft? Enjoy this snarky, story-within- a story of Jacob Finch Bonner, his successful novel, and his subsequent poisoned pen perpetrator. One of this summer’s best.

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July 05, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Mystery, Suspense
Book Reviews
Comment

When the Stars Go Dark, by Paula McLain

June 27, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Paula McLain explores the world of child kidnapping, sexual abuse and neglect in this suspenseful crime novel. Recommended.

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June 27, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Mystery, Suspense
Book Reviews
Comment

Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir

June 20, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Another winner from Andy Weir. Here’s your science nerd read for the summer.

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June 20, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Science Fiction, Suspense
Book Reviews
Comment

A Million Reasons Why, by Jessica Strawser

June 13, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Jodi Picoult-style family drama— not my cup of tea.

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June 13, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Realistic Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

The Premonition, by Michael Lewis

June 06, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Michael Lewis, author of The Big Short and Moneyball, writes about the current pandemic from a different perspective, bringing lessons learned with great storytelling.

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June 06, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Nonfiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Naked Screenwriting, by Lew Hunter with Meg Gifford

May 31, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Learn the writing process that created the stories and scripts of our best loved movies. For movie lovers and want-to-be screen writers.

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May 31, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Nonfiction
Book Reviews
Comment

The Lost Apothecary, by Sarah Penner

May 15, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A first novel, blending mystery and historical fiction, alternating between today and late 18th century London, as three women seek to find a way to make peace with the past, and forge a true path forward.

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May 15, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Historical Fiction, Mystery
Book Reviews
Comment

Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro

May 08, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A beautiful and gentle cautionary tale— Ishiguro describes a world where artificial intelligence and gene editing may lead, and not perhaps to our liking.

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May 08, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Science Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Broken (in the best possible way), by Jenny Lawson

May 01, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Broken is all of us, who are brave enough to admit it. Get ready to laugh hard, and feel deeply.

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May 01, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
Humor, 2021 Reviews
Book Reviews
Comment

Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century, by Jessica Bruder

April 25, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A personal and achingly honest description of people financially falling through the cracks in our broken economic system. A must read.

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April 25, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Nonfiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Let Me Tell You What I Mean, by Joan Didion

April 11, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Creative nonfiction masterfully presented, you will enjoy the reporting and observations of Joan Didion, still relevant today.

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April 11, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Nonfiction
Book Reviews
Comment

The Sanatorium, by Sarah Pearse

April 04, 2021 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A snowy, chilling case of murders set in a posh Swiss hotel, this novel is the kind of fun murderinos love.

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April 04, 2021 /Marguerite Rauch
2021 Reviews, Mystery, Suspense
Book Reviews
Comment
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