Books

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Page 19
How much does it hurt? The cover of ‘Cursed.’ (Image courtesy of Charlesbridge Publishing.)

‘Cursed’ by Karol Ruth Silverstein

Anything but perfect

We’re used to the arcs of YA novels like ‘Cursed.’ What’s new is a realistic protagonist navigating high school and a serious chronic illness. Anndee Hochman reviews.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Articles 4 minute read
A worthwhile read for that last beach trip of 2019: Chuck Wendig’s ‘Wanderers.’ (Photo by Michelle Nugent.)

‘Wanderers’ by Chuck Wendig

Walkers at the end of the world

Pennsylvania author Chuck Wendig launched his latest novel in Doylestown this summer. ‘Wanderers’ isn’t so much concerned with the aftermath of the apocalypse as our humanity and inhumanity within it. Michelle Nugent reviews.
Michelle Nugent

Michelle Nugent

Articles 3 minute read
A gift you love—but where do you put it? (Image courtesy of Temple University Press.)

‘Contested Image': Redefining the City Through Visual Culture by Laura Holzman

The Barnes, ‘The Gross Clinic,’ and 'Rocky'

Laura Holzman’s ‘Contested Image’ follows Philadelphia as it hurled itself into debates over art that would shape our city’s modern identity. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Articles 5 minute read
Hands like tiny starfish: The grandkids. (Image courtesy of Random House.)

‘Nanaville: Adventures in Grandparenting’ by Anna Quindlen

Love the grandkids; hold your tongue

In her new memoir, Anna Quindlen shares advice based on her latest role in life: grandparent. Kathye Fetsko Petrie reviews.
Kathye Fetsko Petrie

Kathye Fetsko Petrie

Articles 4 minute read
Author Laurada Byers with students of the Russell Byers Charter School. (Photo by Ryan Brandenburg.)

‘Wild Wisdom: A Warthog’s Tale’ by Laurada Byers

Surviving the jungle

In ‘Wild Wisdom,’ a new graphic memoir, a Philadelphia woman who’s seen more than her share of grief offers unexpectedly uplifting life lessons with the help of a special ambassador: the warthog. SaraKay Smullens reviews.
SaraKay Smullens

SaraKay Smullens

Articles 4 minute read
Mayor Frank Rizzo in 1972. (Photo by Oliver F. Atkins, via Wikimedia Commons.)

‘Blue-Collar Conservatism: Frank Rizzo’s Philadelphia and Populist Politics’ by Timothy J. Lombardo

How we got here

Timothy J. Lombardo’s ‘Blue-Collar Conservatism’ follows an icon of late-20th-century Philadelphia politics and presages the rise of the right on America’s national stage. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Articles 4 minute read
Kathryn Wood and Kevin Bradley excavating the Humphreys' privy. (Photograph by Tim Mancl.)

‘Archaeology at the Site of the Museum of the American Revolution’ by Rebecca Yamin

Unburied treasures

Of course the Museum of the American Revolution wasn’t the first building to stand at 3rd and Chestnut Streets — but what came before? Now we know, and Rebecca Yamin brings the discoveries to the public in her new book. Pamela Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Articles 4 minute read
Really tying everything together. (Image courtesy of Abrams Books.)

‘The Coen Brothers: This Book Really Ties the Films Together’ by Adam Nayman

Beyond the rankings

Adam Nayman authored 'The Coen Brothers: This Book Really Ties The Films Together,' a new coffee-table book tracing the career of Joel and Ethan Coen. Nayman visited Philadelphia in January, where he talked about the book, the Coens' films, and why he won’t rank them. Stephen Silver reviews.
Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver

Articles 4 minute read

One Book, One Philadelphia presents Jesmyn Ward’s ‘Sing, Unburied, Sing’

Rebellious characters unite Philly

Jesmyn Ward’s second National Book Award-winning novel, 'Sing, Unburied, Sing,' packed the house for the launch of the Free Library’s 2019 One Book, One Philadelphia program. Margaret Darby reviews.
Margaret Darby

Margaret Darby

Articles 3 minute read
A new generation of young readers are learning Ona Judge's story. (Image courtesy of the Museum of the American Revolution.)

The Young Readers Edition of ‘Never Caught,’ by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Kathleen Van Cleve

Correcting our whitewashed history

A nonfiction book about an enslaved woman who eluded the first president of the United States is now accessible to younger readers, part of a much-needed improvement in American history curricula. Anndee Hochman reviews.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Articles 5 minute read