Book Reviews
11/4/2020
By Brandon Stanton
$35
448 pages
St Martin’s Press
Oct 6, 2020
‘Humans’
Brandon Stanton’s gorgeous, heart-stopping social media pages, “Humans of New York,” is a huge sensation for a reason. Telling the stories of regular people — in all their messy, wrenching, fallible glory — accompanied by stunning pictures of the storytellers has become a recipe
for seemingly everyone looking for a human connection in any form.
These are not all epic, exciting stories. They are often simple, sometimes bitter, sometimes beautiful — often all at once. Every one of us
has a story, and I can’t think of anything more human than sharing those stories with each other. This is what connects us, what binds us
together no matter who we are, where we came from, or what is happening around us.
This gorgeous book, full of the rich collection of people Brandon has met over the years, is a veritable goldmine of humanity. The pictures and stories are the perfect reminder of the value of humanity, even — or perhaps especially — in trying times.
If you’re itching to start your holiday shopping, this should be at the top of your list. ♦
— Reviewed by Julie Goodrich
By V.E. Schwab
$26.99
448 pages
Tor Books
Oct. 6, 2020
‘The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue’
Looking for a book that will swallow you up in the best way? I’ve got the perfect one to help reality melt away, even for just a few hours. V.E. Schwab has written a gorgeous, genre-bending character study/historical novel that quite simply took my breath away.
Addie LaRue is in desperate circumstances when the devil offers her an impossible choice: she can live forever, but no one will ever
remember her. The deal is struck, and Addie learns just how painful immortality can be, with no one ever knowing her or what she’s done.
For 300 years, the book follows Addie until the impossible happens in a bookstore (the most magical of places), and someone remembers her name. Suddenly, immortality means something different, and Addie’s adventure takes off.
Lyrical, exciting and lush, this is a fantastic book for losing yourself in another world. With the winter coming and long nights ahead, “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” will be the perfect companion. ♦
— Reviewed by Julie Goodrich
