Find Your Next Favorite Book
Welcome to our book reviews page. Click one of the genres listed below to see readers+writers journal's reviews of books in that category. Since 2014 we have reviewed novels, memoirs and non-fiction by independent and traditionally published authors, and we say honestly what works, what doesn't and who each book is for.
Literary Fiction Suspense Thriller True Crime Historical Fiction History Fantasy Young Adult Children's Books
Literary Fiction
- Book Review: Three Seasons by Mike RobbinsThree novellas, three men and one restless decade: Mike Robbins' Three Seasons captures England in the 1980s, from a property gamble to a professor haunted by his past.
- The Big Wide Calm, by Rich MarcelloA young songwriter bets everything on one perfect album, and a former star with dark secrets becomes her guide. Our review of Rich Marcello's novel about music, love and trust.
Suspense Thriller
- Book Review: Rise of The Iron Eagle by Roy A. Teel Jr.A vigilante who hunts serial killers stalks Los Angeles, and the detectives chasing him are not sure they want to win. Our review of Roy A. Teel Jr.'s dark first Iron Eagle thriller.
True Crime
- Joey 22 by Matt Gryta: Book ReviewThe Buffalo News reporter who covered the 1980 '.22-Caliber Killer' case tells the full story. Our review of Matt Gryta's Joey 22, a sober and gripping true crime account.
Historical Fiction
- Featured Book: Baudelaire's Revenge, by Bob Van LaerhovenParis, 1870: a killer leaves lines from Les Fleurs du mal beside his victims. Our review of Bob Van Laerhoven's atmospheric, prize-winning historical mystery of a city under siege.
History
- Featured Book: The Evolution of Bid WhistRonald L. Allen traces the card game Bid Whist from slavery to the Great Migration and beyond. Our review of a book about a game that turns out to be a history of Black America.
Fantasy
- The Raven of Dusk: Transcendence, by Anthony GreerOn the planet Noreis, a prosperous world ruled by women slides toward chaos while the mysterious Ravens watch. Our review of Anthony Greer's political science fantasy epic.
Young Adult
- Book Review: Also Known as Lard Butt by Ann HerrickA girl starting junior high tries to bury a cruel grade-school nickname, until the boy who invented it comes back. Our review of Ann Herrick's funny, painfully true YA novel.
Children's Books
- Children's Books for Adults: 5 Classics Worth Re-ReadingEloise, Ferdinand, Corduroy, The Little Prince and Charlotte's Web: five children's classics that reveal far more when you reread them as an adult, and why they still matter.
Gambling and card-game books
Novels set around the roulette wheel and the card table, and the best non-fiction about poker and blackjack, have their own section: Casino Novels. Start with Dostoevsky's The Gambler or our reading list for poker and casino fans.
Are you an author who would like to submit a book for review to readers+writers journal? Submit your book for review here.