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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Putin's Russia: The Rise of a Dictator, by Darryl Cunningham

December 04, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

An important graphic biography of the rise of Vladimir Putin, from young KGB operative to dictatorial leader of Russia, documenting his brutal tactics and risks to free nations if left unchecked.

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December 04, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Nonfiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Marple: Twelve New Mysteries. Various authors.

December 03, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Miss Jane Marple, legendary detective of Agatha Christie, is featured in twelve new mysteries by some of our best female mystery writers.

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December 03, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Mystery
Book Reviews
Comment

Crown & Sceptre, by Tracy Borman

November 25, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

From ancient Anglo-Saxon kings to the House of Windsor, this book follows the evolution of British royalty in an entertaining, engaging narrative.

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November 25, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Nonfiction
Book Reviews
Comment

A Carnival of Snackery: Diaries (2003-2020), by David Sedaris

November 19, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Feast on these humorous bites (bits) from David Sedaris, circa 2003-2020.

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November 19, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Nonfiction, Humor
Book Reviews
Comment

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin

November 12, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Great novel about video gaming, creativity, relationships, and life. Highly recommended, especially for book clubs.

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November 12, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Realistic Fiction, Literary Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Portrait of a Thief, by Grace D. Li

October 30, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Enjoy this slick, fast-paced, globe-trotting suspense novel before the Netflix movie comes out.

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October 30, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Suspense
Book Reviews
Comment

Helltown: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod, by Casey Sherman

October 23, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Read of the grisly murders of Tony Costa, written about by Norman Mailer and Kurt Vonnegut, at a time before we knew about serial murderers, and had fewer tools to solve such crime.

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October 23, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, True Crime
Book Reviews
Comment

Election and Tracy Flick Can't Win, by Tom Perrotta

October 16, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Great vehicle for the return of unforgettable Tracey Flick. Read these together.

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October 16, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Humor, Realistic Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Once There Were Wolves, by Charlotte McConaghy

October 08, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch

McConaghy produces another novel immersed in nature, skillfully telling the story of traumatized twins who seek the same wild freedom they try to give the wolves in their care.

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October 08, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Literary Fiction, Mystery
Comment

The Paris Apartment, by Lucy Foley

October 08, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Another good suspenseful mystery from Lucy Foley, this one set in beautiful Paris.

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October 08, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Suspense, Mystery
Book Reviews
Comment

Upgrade, by Blake Crouch

October 02, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Can we hack our genome to become smart enough to think our way out of our current environmental and political problems? Crouch’s novel sets up a cool answer to that question in this sci fi action adventure.

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October 02, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure
Book Reviews
Comment

Barely Functional Adult, by Meichi Ng

September 24, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Excellent, honest and funny essays reflecting on lessons learned in early adulthood. Highly recommend.

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September 24, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Graphic Novel, Memoir
Book Reviews
Comment

The It Girl, by Ruth Ware

September 18, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Was the wrong person convicted for Hannah’s roommate’s murder? Ten years on, and Hannah cannot move forward in her life until this is resolved. Enjoy Ruth Ware’s latest mystery!

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September 18, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Mystery
Book Reviews
Comment

Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases, by Paul Holes

September 13, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

The pursuit of the Golden State Killer told from the perspective of one of the forensic scientists who was resolved to find the killer. Paul Holes gives an honest recounting of the difficulties of investigating heinous crime.

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September 13, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, True Crime, Nonfiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus

September 11, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Meet Elizabeth Zott, uncompromising scientist with a heart of gold and steel in her spine. Enjoy author Garmus’s witty banter in this novel of 1950’s workplace sexual relations. Very funny!

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September 11, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Historical Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Sea of Tranquility, by Emily St. John Mandel

September 04, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A novel of time travel and big questions for humanity. More pandemic fiction from Mandel, in a cleverly plotted novel.

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September 04, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Science Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Before the Coffee Gets Cold, by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

August 28, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A gentle, sensitive set of four stories set in a modern day Tokyo diner, that will charm you and give you a boost of hope.

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August 28, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Magical Realism
Book Reviews
Comment

Clean Air, by Sarah Blake

July 30, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

It’s the rise of the plants and their choking pollen in this postapocalyptic world, and a serial killer is on the loose. Great climate disaster-mystery mashup, good for your book discussion group.

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July 30, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction, Mystery, 2022 Reviews
Book Reviews
Comment

When Women Were Dragons, by Kelly Barnhill

July 24, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Imagine a mass phenomenon where some women suddenly become dragons and disappear. This novel takes on that big idea and explores the consequences.

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July 24, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
Speculative Fiction, Alternative History, 2022 Reviews
Book Reviews
Comment

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, by Dawnie Walton

July 09, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Take a trip back to the seventies, for an excellent fictional story of Opal & Nev, afro-punk duo, and learn more about the intersection of rock, race, and gender equality. Highly recommend.

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July 09, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment
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