Book Reviews

So many romances explore what we'd do for love — but as summer heats up we're bringing you three heroines who'd do a lot for love, and even more to keep their business ventures going.

Edgar Cantero's head-kick of a novel about damaged adults who used to be spunky kid detectives mixes bright, pulpy cartoon nostalgia with some seriously dark trauma-survivor subtext.

The rural Virginia county of Accomack was plagued by arson in the winter of 2012. The arsonist was caught, and in American Fire, Monica Hesse tries to tease out the elusive truth of why he did it.

Rachel Khong's first novel is a heartwarming account of family devotion and dementia — which sounds sickly, but her offbeat sensibility and flair for wordplay keep the story from becoming saccharine.

In Armstrong's autobiography, the classically trained actor humorously makes peace with the fact that the first line of his obituary will reference his nose-picking character from an '80s sex comedy.

Christopher Brown's new book plays out in a world where all our fears have become manifest — the nightly news, turned up to 11. And while there's a hint of hope at the end, this is not a happy book.

Elaine M. Hayes' new book traces the ups and downs of the singer known as the Queen of Bebop, from her great Town Hall debut in 1947 to the cheesy but profitable novelty songs that marred her legacy.

Sportswriter Steve Rushin's memoir of growing up in Minnesota in the 1970s is familiar territory, but Rushin mines it with irony and affection, working hard to capture the look and feel of the era.

Looking for books to feed your child's curiosity and ignite the social activist inside of them? Here's our list of children's books to keep your child occupied all summer long.