All Book Reviews
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Dinner with Lenny: The Last Long Interview with Leonard Bernstein
Jonathan Cott's story of a day spent with Bernstein shows an energetic, gifted musician who was determined not to limit himself.
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The Pinecone
Jenny Uglow has created a graceful historical narrative about a forgotten 19th-century heroine/visionary.
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A Memory of Light
No fan of Jordan's work will want to miss this sprawling series-ender. But it is not a book to read out of context.
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The Barbarous Years
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Bernard Bailyn's book on the early settling of America is authoritative as well as entertaining.
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The Big Truck That Went By
Why have well-intentioned foreigners done so little for post-quake Haiti?
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My Beloved World
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor tells her story with wit and candor.
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When 'Spiritual But Not Religious' Is Not Enough
Lillian Daniel's study of what people who opt out of religion are missing is funny and refreshing.
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My Autobiography, by Charlie Chaplin
In his autobiography, Charlie Chaplin is forthcoming with his childhood recollections but oddly reticent when it comes to discussing his film achievements.
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Pinned
Sharon Flake's young adult novel shows high school at its best and worst and gets to the heart of its two teenage main characters.
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Declaring His Genius
In his 1882 lecture tour of the US and Canada, Irish wit Oscar Wilde let his clothing and set design do half the work.
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The World Until Yesterday
Relying on his vast knowledge of New Guinea, Jared Diamond asks what moderns like us can learn from traditional societies.
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The Last Lion: Defender of the Realm
Despite some noteworthy shortcomings, Paul Reid's examination of the last third of Churchill's life gives us the British statesman in all his robust complexity.
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Nature Wars
How can we best handle the wildlife now turning up in our own backyards?
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The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton 1965-2010
The poetry of Lucille Clifton is engaging enough to win over any reader.
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Great Expectations: The Sons and Daughters of Charles Dickens
Despite a world-renowned father and merry times at Christmas, the lives of the 10 children born to Charles Dickens were anything but easy.
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3 YA books just perfect for adults
These young freedom fighters are worthy of readers of all ages.
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Code Name Verity
This young adult novel of female friendship and peril amid World War II is an unexpected gem.
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The Oath
New Yorker writer and CNN analyst Jeffrey Toobin offers an astute and thorough analysis of the relationship between the Obama White House and the John Roberts-led Supreme Court.
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The Watchers
While some parts of Stephen Alford's book are repetitive, his study of life during Queen Elizabeth I's reign is a thought-provoking read.
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A Thousand Mornings
Mary Oliver's poetry collection showcases her clear, strong voice and celebrates nature.
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