MJ's Reviews

With his storytelling prowess, Dave Eggers creates an instant classic that also includes Kelly Murphy’s expressive and poignant nautical illustrations in watercolor, pencil, and ink. Lucian lives with his mother by the shore; after storms, he likes to search for washed-up treasure, or “faraway things.” This time he finds a cutlass, and while he falls in love with it, he learns how to let go for a brighter future. This story is whimsical and has something to please the entire family. — MJ

In We Are What We Eat, Alice Waters confronts one of the most pressing issues we face today: fast food culture. From her own experience as a chef, coupled with her work with local farmers, Waters expounds upon the many symptoms of this illness, and suggests an alternative. Aptly named “slow food culture,” the idea of going back to what food was before “fast” was added into the equation is soul nourishing. Michael Pollan fans will definitely enjoy this book. — MJ 

This memoir chronicles Pike’s experience working with the Peace Corps in Brazil. Being indigenous herself (a member of the Karuk tribe), she arrived with the confidence that she would immediately find kinship among the indigenous people around her, but found instead that with colonial organizations there is always extra baggage. This book is honest, poignant, and important. — MJ

Bolz-Weber is anything but conventional. A sober alcoholic Lutheran priest, she founded House For All Sinners & Saints, an LGBT- affirming church that sees everyone as human and deserving of compassion. This updated version of Pastrix, with added content, is a funny and emotional story of her journey. This is for everyone; Bolz-Weber digs down deep to find the importance of community, even with those who may look or live differently from you. — MJ

This wonderfully curated collection of June Jordan’s poetry takes works from every stage of her writing life, including four previously unpublished pieces. Her verse is some of the most important poetry created in the 20th century; every page feels like a privilege, a gift of her talent. I appreciate not only the selection but the flow of the book. There is a rhythm to the order of the poems. Every aspect in here feels intentional. — MJ

Solomon’s writing does something to me that I ironically can’t explain in words. Whether the setting is space, the open ocean, or the forest, their writing examines the human condition, with a focus on race, gender, and sexuality, through the lens of fantasy and science fiction. It always feels fresh; everything about the stories is alien and yet all too familiar. I don’t have a lot to say, but Sorrowland gave me a lot to feel. And I think that’s important. — MJ

This love story between a 23-year-old waitress and a girl from the 1970s who is lost in time is truly charming. At first, cynical August thinks living in New York City is going to make her even more pessimistic. But then she meets Jane on the subway and very quickly realizes Jane’s look isn’t vintage at all, and she knows she has to help this punk rock time traveller, and at the same time confront her own past. For fans of Red, White & Royal Blue. — MJ

For those who love historical fiction and fantasy, we have this: high society women—the vision of Victorian ladyhood—who also happen to be pirates and witches. There’s a Gothic abbey, there’s romance, there are cannons. It’s a wild ride, with assassination attempts and a bunch of badass ladies. The tone of Wisteria Society reminded me a lot of The Princess Bride. It’s fun from start to finish. — MJ

Eighteen-year-old Daunis was meant for great things; unfortunately, an injury and a family tragedy have required her to stay in her small hometown. With a white mother and an Ojibwe father, she feels a constant sense of both belonging and distance in her community. Integrating Ojibwemowin with English, this crime thriller is lyrical and suspenseful. It’s one of the most important books I’ve read this year. —MJ

Tracy Deonn has presented us with a fresh fantasy, the first in a new series. In these pages, readers find a classic story with a modern setting and a vibrant magic system. It’s young adult fiction that will catch the interest of adult readers as well. Nuanced characters take my favorite (but often played out) Arthurian mythology and twist it up into something new, filled with action and, as the publisher says, Southern Black girl magic!
— MJ