Books

393 results
Page 22
He might be soft, but he's not spineless. (Photo via Amazon.com.)

'Meet John Dough, Superhero: A Political Fantasy,' by Lucy Bell Wait Jarka-Sellers

Rise up!

Lucy Bell Wait Jarka-Sellers’s 'Meet John Dough, Superhero: A Political Fantasy' mixes a fantastical tale for grownups with a dash of politics and a spoonful of morality. Anndee Hochman reviews.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Articles 3 minute read
The Rare Book Department's holdings come in many shapes, formats, and sizes. (Photo courtesy of the Free Library of Philadelphia.)

Free Library of Philadelphia presents 'Big and Small: Books for All'

Bibliophiles in Wonderland

The Free Library of Philadelphia's 'Big and Small: Books for All' offers a rare glimpse into the offbeat collection of its Rare Book Department. Anndee Hochman reviews.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Articles 4 minute read
Union: Comfortable in her own skin. (Photo by Michael Lavine.)

Gabrielle Union's 'We're Going to Need More Wine'

Sips and stories

Actress Gabrielle Union's autobiography travels from her code-switching childhood to her life as a Hollywood star, with a whole lot of knowledge in between. Jarreau Freeman reviews.
Jarreau Freeman

Jarreau Freeman

Articles 3 minute read
The author's work is provocative yet accessible. (Photo via macalester.edu.)

James Forman Jr. on 'Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America'

When representation isn't enough

The author of a controversial new study of the criminal justice system lectured at the Free Library of Philadelphia. Alaina Mabaso was there.
Alaina Johns

Alaina Johns

Articles 4 minute read
Poet (and actor) Hayden Saunier. (Photo by Kim Carson.)

'How to Wear This Body,' by Hayden Saunier

Making our way in the world

Hayden Saunier’s new collection of poetry, 'How to Wear This Body,' is an astute meditation on mortality and grief. Katie Berta reviews.
Katie Berta

Katie Berta

Articles 3 minute read
Author Heath Fogg Davis makes a compelling argument. (Photo courtesy of NYU Press.)

'Beyond Trans: Does Gender Matter?' by Heath Fogg Davis

Getting on the bus

Author Heath Fogg Davis argues in his book 'Beyond Trans: Does Gender Matter?' that most of the sex classifications we use are useless. Anndee Hochman reviews.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Articles 5 minute read

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Author Zinzi Clemmons. (Photo by Nina Subin)

'What We Lose,' by Zinzi Clemmons

What got lost

'What We Lose,' an unusual first novel by Philadelphia author Zinzi Clemmons, uses an unorthodox structure — for better and for worse. Anndee Hochman reviews.
Anndee Hochman

Anndee Hochman

Articles 4 minute read
A 1955 publicity still of Sarah Vaughan. (Photo via Creative Commons/Wikimedia.)

'Queen of Bebop: The Musical Lives of Sarah Vaughan,' by Elaine M. Hayes

The "Divine One" deserves more

Elaine M. Hayes's new biography of Sarah Vaughan offers some pluses but doesn't match the complexity of its songbird subject. Bruce Klauber reviews.
Bruce Klauber

Bruce Klauber

Articles 3 minute read
'October' author China Miéville. (Photo courtesy of Verso Books.)

'October: The Story of the Russian Revolution' by China Miéville

As radical as reality itself

The 1917 Russian Revolution means many things to many people; to author China Miéville, it's a damn good story. Sarah Grey reviews.
Sarah Grey

Sarah Grey

Articles 4 minute read
Dr. Willie Parker fears no evil. (Photo by Chad Griffith)

'Life’s Work: A Moral Argument for Choice,’ by Dr. Willie Parker

A Christian call for abortion rights

What happens when your faith compels you to dedicate your career to reproductive rights? Dr. Willie Parker wrote the book. Alaina Mabaso reviews.
Alaina Johns

Alaina Johns

Articles 5 minute read