Book Reviews: Cummins, Puchner, Wade, Tapper & Thompson
Reviews of 'Talk with Me of Home', 'Desire State', 'Gertrude Stein: An Afterlife', and 'Initial Transgression'. Diverse themes explored: family saga, biography, political cover-up, and romance.
Biden’s Aides: Undemocratic Actions to Defeat Trump?
A new book reveals Biden's aides allegedly took "undemocratic points" to counter Trump, even if it meant hiding Biden's decline and keeping him in power. Risk to democracy?
Navy Ingenuity: Rigging a Sail After Torpedo Damage
After a torpedo strike jammed a ship's tail, a resourceful Navy crew crafted a massive sail to steer home. Their ingenuity and teamwork saved the day, echoing the spirit of seafaring.
Little Boat: Violence, Indifference, and the Drowning in the Channel
Vincent Delecroix's 'Little Boat' explores the banality of evil and institutional indifference surrounding a tragic drowning in the English Channel, highlighting the culpability of ordinary individuals.
Copyright, AI & Libraries: Book World News (May 2025)
Copyright concerns, AI-generated book lists, Authors Guild lawsuit, copyright office changes, book burning incident, library challenges, event issues, and IMLS updates defined book world's landscape in May 2025.
Friendship, Loss, and Modern Life: Book Review Highlights
Reviews explore friendship, loss, and modern anxieties in novels. They touch on themes of social critique, women's rights in rural India, and reflections on tragedies and repetitive existence.
Little World: A Dead Girl’s Journey and Matti’s Transformation
In Little World, a preserved girl's body sparks a journey across continents, intertwining with Matti's life, hunger, and ultimate liberation as she confronts the past and finds her purpose.
Wokism, Social Justice, and Free Speech: Grayling’s Analysis
Grayling analyzes 'wokism,' social justice, and free speech, highlighting the risks of 'othering' and intolerance. He contrasts traditional leftist values with woke activism's potential for excess and cancel culture.
Book Publishing & Library News: Events, Copyright, and Controversies
Key events in book publishing, libraries & copyright: conference, NEA grants rescinded, IMLS defense, curator termination, book burning. Facing copyright, AI & political issues.
Inconvenient Women: Australian Radical Authors & Their Legacy
Kent's 'Inconvenient Women' explores the lives & works of radical Australian women authors, their political engagements, & literary contributions from early 20th century. Highlights collaborative relationships & historical context.
Museums, Libraries & Copyright Under Attack: Trump Administration Actions
Federal museums, libraries and copyright protections faced challenges in May 2025. Actions by the Trump administration included firings, budget cuts and executive orders. Court rulings provided some pushback.
Guide of Records: Dignity, Empathy & Survival in Crisis
"Guide of Records" explores dignity, empathy, and intellectual depth amidst crisis, critiquing historical cycles of fascism and illustrating individual resilience through Lina's journey and philosophical guides.