Book Review Friday: Summer readings

Photo by Ryan Smith Photography
courtesy of Flickr (Creative Commons)

Here are some book-related posts that have appeared recently in the local blogosphere.

Literary News

Ottawa writer Peggy Blair announces on her blog that her debut novel The Beggar's Opera has been listed by Booklist as one of the best crime novels published in the United States in 2013.  Congratulations Peggy!

Reviews and Recommendations

I Believe in Story lists five books that every woman should read, as well as eight books for mom.  For their part, Kids in the Capital have compiled a list of children's books on birds and bugs that are available at the Ottawa Public Library.  Emilie's Book World, meanwhile, has a post with recommended summer reading

I don't recall linking to a review of an audio book before, so this may be a first.  FireStar Books gives two thumbs down to All You Need is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.  "The audiobook just didn't work out for me," reads the review, which sums up the negative impression of this story.

Pingwing's Bookshelf was also not impressed by Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr.  In contrast, Ottawa Valley Moms enjoyed Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella.

A Glass of Wine writes about The Program by Suzanne Young, which according to the review, "is at once both a thoughtful look at suicide, and mental illness, and it's also a commentary on the pharmaceutical industry itself. The story was both achingly honest, and filled with gripping moments."

Finally, The Bookworm has posts on Schmidt Steps Back by Louis Begley, and Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan.