Glenn's Reviews

Charles Frazier (of Cold Mountain fame) takes us to the Great Depression as a New Deal artist accepts a cross-country mission to find a wealthy rancher’s missing wife. Frazier’s characters and his views of history are so compelling because they are deeply nuanced. You’ll find few clear heroes or villains in this book but plenty of intriguing and flawed individuals who are just trying to survive this wild journey. Enjoy the ride!

—Glenn

Joe Ide brings back hard-boiled Philip Marlowe in today’s Los Angeles—a city as gritty as ever with no shortage of dodgy characters. As I followed Marlowe and his former policeman father through two tough cases, I didn’t find myself comparing the story to Chandler’s original novels. Instead, I was simply enjoying a good yarn. This is a fun detective story that stands on its own.

—Glenn

An American tech billionaire wants to help a group of idealistic young New Zealanders with their philanthropic—and illegal—quest. Or does he? Birnam Wood combines the tension of a thriller with the character development of true literary fiction. All that plus an exotic setting and fascinating plot (with plenty of twists and turns) results in a book that just won’t let you go.

—Glenn

Let Patricia Schultz rekindle your wanderlust and remind you that this big, beautiful world is just waiting for exploration. Filled with amazing photographs, inspiring anecdotes, and travel tips, Why We Travel may provide just the push you need to get out of your pandemic funk, whether you jump on a plane or just let your imagination run wild. Easily digestible in one sitting, this quick read is a great way to expand your horizons.

—Glenn

Do you remember the days of high school math and physics, when you were drowning in Byzantine equations that seemed to have no relevance to anything that mattered? The Biggest Ideas shows how those equations can help you better understand mind-bending topics like spacetime, black holes, and event horizons. If you’re interested in knowing how math describes our place in the universe, this book is well worth your time.

—Glenn

Is “progress” always a good thing? James Rebanks shows us how dramatically farming has changed in just a few generations. Small, family-run operations have disappeared, only to be replaced by industrial monoliths focused entirely on producing as much inexpensive food as possible. With all eyes on the bottom line, the soul has disappeared from farming. How much does that matter? Pastoral Song may have you thinking twice before you eat your next meal.

—Glenn

Indigenous photographer Rita Todacheene hears from the dead after documenting violent crime scenes. When the ghost of a victim demands justice, Rita has no choice but to put her own life on the line to solve the crime. More than a whodunnit, Shutter shows us the reality of growing up on a Navajo reservation and the familial love that can help us persevere despite the odds.

—Glenn

Is a sprawling city, where unfettered growth is a cultural hallmark, justified in taking water from a small, impoverished community? How far should a country at war go to protect itself from perceived threats? Set in the stark but picturesque Owens Valley, Properties of Thirst will leave you wondering just what it means to be “American.” If your recent book club discussions have been falling flat, this gem might turn things around.

—Glenn