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PODCAST · arts

Book Review

Journalist and book reviewer Suzanne Perez reviews the latest books and such for KMUW on air and right here. Discover new reviews on Mondays.

  1. 20

    'Dear Monica Lewinsky' is part comedy, part cultural reckoning

    Julia Langbein's new novel, "Dear Monica Lewinsky," is part comedy, part fairy tale, part historical reckoning — a clever and creative work that will have you rethinking much of what you have come to believe.

  2. 19

    'Small Boat' inspires readers to examine their own moral failings

    "Small Boat" by Vincent Delecroix is a fictionalized account of a real-life tragedy, during which 27 migrants died after their inflatable dinghy capsized in the English Channel. It was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2025.

  3. 18

    Live from New York, it’s … a pretty great novel, especially on audio

    "The Midnight Show," by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne, tells the story of a 'Saturday Night Live'-style comedy show and the decades-long mystery surrounding the death of its rising star.

  4. 17

    Lauren Groff’s ‘Brawler’ is a gut-punch of a story collection

    All nine stories in Lauren Groff's new collection, "Brawler," are bold and emotional. Many feature shocking endings. And there’s not a dud in the bunch.

  5. 16

    Poet Maggie Smith explores body and mind in her new collection

    Maggie Smith is best known for her poem Good Bones, which went viral in 2020. Her new collection, A Suit or a Suitcase, is an emotional, mind-opening study on the relentlessness of time.

  6. 15

    'Good People' reveals itself through myriad narrators

    Fans of Liz Moore's "The God of the Woods" will love Patmeena Sabit's debut novel, "Good People," which is another literary mystery-thriller that keeps you wondering and guessing until its final pages.

  7. 14

    'Evil Genius' is a dark and clever feminist fantasy

    Claire Oshetsky's new novel, "Evil Genius," explores complex themes of obsession and desire, with a darkly comic style and a storyline that twists, turns and goes places you never expect.

  8. 13

    'Blob: A Love Story' offers a surreal look at love and identity

    Maggie Su's debut novel, "Blob: A Love Story," tells the story of a young woman who tries to transform a sentient blob into the man of her dreams.

  9. 12

    Jennette McCurdy's debut novel explores misguided yearning

    Jennette McCurdy's debut novel, "Half His Age," is the story of a 17-year-old girl who craves a sexual relationship with her high school creative writing teacher.

  10. 11

    'Just Watch Me' explores odd corners of the internet

    Lior Torenberg’s debut novel, Just Watch Me, follows a 20-something woman who starts a livestream marathon to raise money for her little sister, who is in a coma.

  11. 10

    'The Hitch' is a perfect blend of comedy and oddball charm

    A new novel by Sara Levine tells the story of a woman whose 6-year-old nephew is possessed by the ghost of a Corgi.

  12. 9

    Get ready, readers: There's lots to look forward to in 2026

    Great news for book lovers: 2026 is shaping up to be a banger of a year, with several big-name authors returning after long breaks.

  13. 8

    Booker Prize-winning 'Flesh' shows a man detached from his own emotions and desires

    David Szalay's award-winning novel, "Flesh," follows the life of one Hungarian man from adolescence to old age. And it manages to do a lot with precious few words.

  14. 7

    'The Ten Year Affair' recounts a young mother's imaginary tryst

    Erin Somers' new novel, "The Ten Year Affair," offers an evocative and emotionally charged look at the realities of marriage and family life, and a meditation on the roads not taken.

  15. 6

    John Kenney's new novel explores what makes life worth living

    John Kenney's newest novel, "I See You've Called in Dead," tells the story of a middle-aged obituary writer who uses an unplanned leave of absence to explore what life is really about.

  16. 5

    Ready for another dystopian nightmare? 'The Merge' explores the dark side of population control

    Grace Walker’s debut novel, "The Merge," opens in a world where Earth’s resources have been pushed to a breaking point. That has given rise to a controversial new procedure in which two people’s consciousness can be combined and exist in one body.

  17. 4

    Sleeper hit: Debut novel 'The Correspondent' has become a word-of-mouth best-seller

    "The Correspondent" was published back in April with little fanfare. But months after its release, the Virginia Evans debut made the New York Times Bestseller list and is a breakout hit, which speaks to the power of human connection.

  18. 3

    Aja Gabel's new novel, 'Lightbreakers,' explores the intersection of art and science

    Aja Gabel's sophomore novel, "Lightbreakers," explores a wide range of questions ranging from environmental concerns to deep personal loss.

  19. 2

    With 'Wreck,' author Catherine Newman revisits some favorite characters and topics

    Catherine Newman's new novel, "Wreck," is set two years after her previous best-seller, "Sandwich." It finds main character Rocky back home in western Massachusetts and once again surrounded by family.

  20. 1

    'Bog Queen' blends ancient history with modern-day forensics

    Anna North's newest novel, "Bog Queen," offers everything fans love about historical fiction: a fascinating look back through time with memorable characters, remarkable settings and a story that moves along at a steady clip.

  21. 0

    Rachel Harrison's new novel explores ghosts and childhood trauma

    In Rachel Harrison's new novel, "Play Nice," a woman must confront the demons of her past when she tries to fix up her childhood home.

  22. -1

    'Paper Girl' is a comprehensive look at a microcosm of modern America

    Beth Macy's new nonfiction narrative, "Paper Girl," is part memoir, part reportage, part oral history, and the result is a comprehensive look at a microcosm of modern America.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Journalist and book reviewer Suzanne Perez reviews the latest books and such for KMUW on air and right here. Discover new reviews on Mondays.

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KMUW

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Book Review have?

Book Review currently has 22 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Book Review about?

Journalist and book reviewer Suzanne Perez reviews the latest books and such for KMUW on air and right here. Discover new reviews on Mondays.

How often does Book Review release new episodes?

Book Review has 22 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Book Review?

You can listen to Book Review on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Book Review?

Book Review is created and hosted by KMUW.
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