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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In Ascension, by Martin MacInnes

August 19, 2024 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A speculative, science fiction novel that explores the big questions about the relationship humans have with other life on Earth, and our quest to understand the universe and ourselves. Fascinating intellectually, but not heart warming.

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August 19, 2024 /Marguerite Rauch
2024 Reviews, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Literary Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

The Ministry of Time, by Kaliane Bradley

June 30, 2024 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A time travel romance, bringing a near-future woman together with a early Victorian Royal Naval officer. Add some spy adventure, and you have a good-enough, fun summer read.

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June 30, 2024 /Marguerite Rauch
2024 Reviews, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng

April 22, 2023 by Marguerite Rauch

A cautionary tale of what often happens when people are threatened and look for easy solutions, losing our humanity in the process. Highly recommended.

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April 22, 2023 /Marguerite Rauch
2023 Reviews, Realistic Fiction, Speculative Fiction
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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
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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
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Anthem, by Noah Hawley

May 29, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A cautionary tale told in the tone of Vonnegut, this novel describes how our current circumstances create unbearable anxiety in our future, our young people.

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May 29, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Speculative Fiction
Book Reviews
Comment

How High We Go in the Dark, by Sequoia Nagamatsu

May 15, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

A pandemic novel, but far, far more. Nagamatsu tries to explore all of human history in this speculative novel.

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May 15, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
2022 Reviews, Speculative Fiction, Science Fiction
Book Reviews
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Termination Shock, by Neal Stephenson

April 24, 2022 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Stephenson takes us a few steps into the future, when climate change threats are addressed by independent geoengineering efforts, sparking a new climate cold war.

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April 24, 2022 /Marguerite Rauch
Science Fiction, Action & Adventure, Speculative Fiction, 2022 Reviews
Book Reviews
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Axiom's End by Lindsay Ellis

November 21, 2020 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

Great science fiction novel, combining good story telling with much food for thought. One of this year’s best, and a first novel from YouTuber Lindsay Ellis.

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November 21, 2020 /Marguerite Rauch
2020 Reviews, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction
Book Reviews
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Rodham, by Curtis Sittenfeld

July 05, 2020 by Marguerite Rauch in Book Reviews

What if Hillary Rodham did NOT marry Bill Clinton? An entertaining alternative history.

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July 05, 2020 /Marguerite Rauch
2020 Reviews, Speculative Fiction, Alternative History
Book Reviews
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