Southern Review of Books

Grief, Love, and Doubt in “One Wild Word Away”

By: Katharine Armbrester February 7, 2025February 9, 2025

ReviewsBOA Editions, Geffrey Davis, One Wild Word Away, PoetryLeave a Comment

A review of Geffrey Davis’ third poetry collection, “One Wild Word Away.”

Mary Tyler Moore as Medium, Memoir

By: Ellen Birkett Morris February 5, 2025February 4, 2025

ReviewsJulie Marie Wade, Nonfiction, Review, Texas Review Press, The Mary Years1 Comment

Clever and charming, “The Mary Years” offers stories of Julie Marie Wade’s challenges and triumphs juxtaposed with observations about lessons learned from Moore.

Like Father, Like Son: “Isaac’s Song”

By: Jenny Maattala February 3, 2025February 2, 2025

ReviewsDaniel Black, Don't Cry for Me, Fiction, Isaac's SongLeave a Comment

While “Don’t Cry for Me” followed the trajectory of Jacob Swinton as he used his remaining living days to grow as a human, “Isaac’s Song” gives us the perspective of Jacob’s son, Isaac – a coming of age novel from Isaac’s point of view.

“Witchcraft for Wayward Girls” Confronts Patriarchy Horror With Teenage Witches

By: Claire O'Brien January 29, 2025January 29, 2025

ReviewsFiction, Grady Hendrix, Random House, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls3 Comments

1970s Florida with a supernatural flair – Grady Hendrix transforms the horrors of systemic injustice into a darkly fun tale of rebellion and the fight for bodily autonomy.

Finding Oneself Through Art: Elaine Neil Orr’s “Dancing Woman”

By: Jessi Rae Morton January 24, 2025January 27, 2025

ReviewsDancing Woman, Elaine Neil Orr, Fiction, ReviewLeave a Comment

A review of Elaine Neil Orr’s “Dancing Woman.”

5 Magical Realism Books to Help You Escape (Without Totally Checking Out)

By: Victoria Ward January 22, 2025January 18, 2025

Featureseditor's choice, editorial featureLeave a Comment

Five magical realism books that offer their own unique escape and a possibility that the world can still surprise us.

Books are Everything in “This Book is Free and Yours to Keep”

By: Claire O'Brien January 20, 2025January 18, 2025

ReviewsAppalachian Prison Book Project, Connie Banta, Destinee Harper, Ellen Skirvin, Katy Ryan, Kristin Devault-Juelfs, Nonfiction, Review, This Book is Free and Yours to Keep, West Virginia University Press1 Comment

A review of “This Book is Free and Yours to Keep: Notes from the Appalachian Prison Book Project,” edited by Connie Banta, Kristin Devault-Juelfs, Destinee Harper, Katy Ryan, and Ellen Skirvin.