A couple of new books, both fantastic, are now out via The Song Cave.
They are: A Better Place is Hard to Find by Aaron Fagan and Rough Song by Blanca Varela, translated by Carlos Lara.
I have reviewed them in a Harper’s-esque double feature via North of Oxford.
I read a lot this year. 130 books to be exact. Many of them were amazing. Most were informative and educational. They’ve set me off on many new paths as a reader–arguably more new paths than any other time in my adult life. Could the pandemic be to thank for this surge? Perhaps. I also think there’s been some major shifts in my life recently that have inspired me to go further and understand more about the many perspectives that surround us. And audio books. The Libby app has never been so approachable and wide-reaching. Being able to read while commuting and hiking has been a marvelous gift.
In any case, here is the list. The top section are my “five star” books (as per Goodreads) and after that are the rest.
I have a review in the latest Rain Taxi print edition. This one is for Mike Soto’s A Grave is Given Supper. Order a copy of Rain Taxi here.
I’m very grateful for Joshua Lew McDermott’s Of Spray and Mist review for Line Rider Press. Joshua looped in my naturalism and librarianship in a way that elevates the book and pushes it further. Many thanks, Joshua!
My review of Kim Yideum’s Hysteria (Action Books, 2019) is now up at North of Oxford. This was a long-time-coming, and I had hoped for it to be published sooner. Glad to see it up now!
Read the review here.
After long wait, I’m pleased to announce a review of the stellar Ensō by Seattle-based Shin Yu Pai. This writ arrived out of a flash of creative exchanges between Shin Yu and me quite some time ago. It feels like quite a while ago at this point (all Pre-Covid), making this publication feel even more celebratory. Read the review of the unique book here.
My review of Catherine Owen’s extraordinary Riven is now up in North of Oxford.
My latest review revisits the works of Caroline Bergvall by way of her latest book, Alisoun Sings. It’s available in the online edition of Rain Taxi.
All the Useless Things Are Mine, featuring poetry by Thomas Walton and etchings/drawings by Douglas Miller, is an exquisite book, and I’m pleased that my review of it is now up at North of Oxford.
I’ve recently reviewed Black Case Volume I & II: Return From Exile by the legendary Joseph Jarman. The review’s in Rain Taxi. Support them by buying a copy of their print edition.
I have reviewed Ten and Story by Jennifer Firestone via North of Oxford. This review, and the others, can be found as links on my Reviews page. You can learn more about Jennifer Firestone at her website.
My review for May is up! Read my review of Paper Bells by Phan Nhiên Hạo here.
I’ve got a new review of Catherine Corman’s chapbook/short work, Salem, up at North of Oxford.
Read it here.
Two of my latest reviews are now in the print edition of Rain Taxi, now available for purchase.
Both are excellent books. Please consider reading them and reading what I wrote about them!
My latest review is now in Rain Taxi! Laura Eve Engel’s Things That Go, where “the entirety of the world is moving, and our understanding along with it is moving too—often to our surprise and overwhelmingly beyond full comprehension.” Read more here.