Book Reviews

Now's the time for cheerful reads, so we've picked three — including Emma Straub's latest and two lively culinary memoirs — that'll help transport you to a happier place for a few hours.

Journalist Lawrence Wright learned a lot about pandemics for his new thriller — and he packs it all into sometimes-clunky dialogue. But right now, all that information is exactly what readers want.

Authors Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch prove gifted at providing essential context, including deftly painting a picture of 19th-century America and the prevailing attitudes toward race and politics.

Kaouther Adimi's novel tells the real-life story of Edmond Charlot, the Algerian bookseller and publisher who witnessed his country's independence struggle — and famously discovered Albert Camus.

Dr. François S. Clemmons' ambition and artistry, pain and struggle informed the person behind his character, Officer Clemmons. His memoir is often disarming in its intimacy and honesty.

With few new books coming in, our kids' books columnist turns to the favorite reads of her childhood — beginning with the 19th-century classic Five Little Peppers and How They Grew.

In Alisha Rai's latest, a former model escapes unwanted viral fame by hiding out with her bodyguard, on his family's peach farm. It's packed with humor, drama — and a pair of very sexy eyebrows.

Nothing guarantees a happy escape like a romance novel, and escape has never been more necessary — so for April we've got three reads packed with humor and heartache to savor while you stay inside.

These three young adult novels center on girls pushed to their limits, figuring out what they're willing to do to survive, be remembered and protect what they love.