Jocelyn's Reviews

Kelefa Sanneh is so intelligent and knowledgeable that you could almost miss his wit and passion. Almost. The fast-paced narrative of his new book Major Labels at first seems to delve into the known annals and legends of modern music (rock, R&B, country, punk, hip-hop, dance, pop), but quickly shows that, in fact, Sanneh is taking us into uncharted waters: In popular music, what was and is actually popular—and for whom? And why? A one-of-a-kind, fascinating, and delightful book for every music fan. 
—JOCELYN

Not only a must for any hip-hop fan, this is destined to be an instant classic for all music lovers and historians. Jonathan Abrams’s seminal new book details the rise of hip-hop in the words of those who were there and uses those interviews to pull us into each moment itself. On the streets and at the parties, with the first beats, first rhymes, first flows, turn the pages and live the history of today’s most popular music genre. 
—JOCELYN

From a cardboard sign and Instagram to international action, Vanessa Nakate’s memoir is accessible and inspiring. One of Africa’s leading climate activists, Nakate simultaneously presents her own story with hard facts and numbers on climate change, calling attention to its outsized effects on the Global South, and offering resource lists and practical ways anyone can take action. With neither her fight nor the emergency anywhere near completion, this an important addition to the library of any aspiring or experienced activist.

—JOCELYN

Derecka Purnell, human rights lawyer and community organizer, knows exactly how challenging the concept of abolition can be. Her powerful activist memoir and abolitionist text charts her own lived experiences tracing her personal evolution toward abolition, alongside historical context and hard numbers on poverty, crime, militarization, and policing in the US and beyond. No matter your politics, this is an intelligent, empathetic, immediate work to expand your perspective and share the hope of a safe, free future for all. 
—JOCEYLN

Calling all millennials nerds! Do you remember Saturday morning cartoons? Did Toonami set the rhythm of your afterschool hours? Do you wax nostalgic about your first anime or have strong opinions about the MCU? Maya Phillips does and, with the love and knowledge of a true fan, uses her wickedly sharp intellect to dive deep into the craft, meaning, and impact of these pieces of culture that used to be fringe and are now mainstream.   

—JOCELYN

This was so much fun! A Martian cruise. An incognito heiress (with chronic pain and PTSD) and her definitely-retired-PI spouse on honeymoon. A murder, and said retired-PI arrested for the crime. Secrets, false identities, robots, cocktails, and the adorabl-est service dog. Mary Robinette Kowal has crafted the most fun whodunnit I’ve read since The Thin Man, in a beautiful, inclusive, space-born future. I hope this is just the beginning of Tesla Crane and Shal, but meanwhile, join me in reveling in this delightful caper. 
—JOCELYN

Wanda M. Morris has crafted a vibrant thriller, set in the Jim Crow South during Freedom Summer. Violet, a young Black woman who killed the white man who raped her; her sister Marigold (with secrets of her own); the white man who hunts them; and the diverse people they find along the way are large as life, as is the danger they are in. An engrossing chase, driven by Black resiliency and hope, that fully satisfies.   
—JOCELYN
 

A sudden call from home. A dead body in the dark. A priceless piece of history missing. D. M. Rowell’s debut own-voices mystery has all the pieces of a classic whodunnit, vibrantly immersed in the modern-day Kiowa community in Oklahoma. Mud (aka Mae) is an achingly relatable heroine, sharply and methodically sleuthing clues, suspects, means, and motive to find the true story behind murder and theft. With her engrossing and satisfying style, Rowell is a new mystery author to watch for.  
—JOCELYN
 

Vanessa Riley’s first mystery is a vivid, atmospheric whodunnit set in the true-to-history diverse streets and parlors of Regency London, where a charmingly beautiful society bride is found dead next door to amateur sleuth and secret abolitionist Lady Abigail Worthington. Riley breathes vibrant life into her characters as Lady Worthington follows secrets, clues, suspects, and hearts through London and country, seeking the motives that can bring a man to kill. A fully satisfying beginning of a new, engrossing historical mystery series, from a writer to know.  
—JOCELYN
 

Trust me: You won’t be able to help yourself from loving Maggie Banks. Shauna Robinson’s irrepressible, vivacious heroine, who sees everyone as a potential new friend, has an infectious drive to make the world around her better and more fun. This literary comedy explores the power of books (for good and ill), friendship, and finding one’s own way, with an intriguing, opposites-attract romance. Escape for a while in Cobblestone Books, its contraband paperbacks, classic/genre mashup parties, and cheddar scones.

—JOCELYN