Reviews

969 results
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Kalaya BSR 6 3 25

Kayala’s Southern Thai Kitchen: A Cookbook, by Nok Suntaranon with Natalie Jesionka

An authentic yet accessible guide for home cooks inspired by Kalaya

In Kayala’s Southern Thai Kitchen: A Cookbook, acclaimed chef Nok Suntaranon shares the flavors of her award-winning Kalaya restaurant with home cooks who want to try their hand at authentic Southern Thai cuisine. An Nichols reviews.
An Nichols

An Nichols

Reviews 4 minute read
The book cover. Title in elaborate scroll of letters over a vintage illustration of Philly, with City Hall at the center.

Philadelphia: A Narrative History, by Paul Kahan

Understanding our city’s history is key to grappling with America’s present

From the Delaware Valley’s earliest inhabitants to the “reform” movements and anti-urbanism of today, Philadelphia: A Narrative Historyis a window on the American experiment—especially as centuries-old attitudespersist. Pamela J. Forsythe reviews.

Pamela J. Forsythe

Reviews 6 minute read
Book cover. Title at top in black handwritten script, with a simple but evocative illustration of a blue mailbox below.

Mendell Station, by J. B. Hwang

A touching story about grief, friendship, and working-class life in the pandemic

J.B. Hwang’s debut novel, out this July, follows a woman who upends her career as she grieves for her best friend, exploring female friendship and working-class lives in the early days of Covid. Krista Mar reviews.
Krista Mar

Krista Mar

Reviews 3 minute read
Book cover. Title in yellow script above a 19th-century illustration of ballerinas onstage in a packed theater with 4 tiers

Theatres of the Body: Dance and Discourse in Antebellum Philadelphia, by Lynn Matluck Brooks

A charged history through the lens of dance

In Theatres of the Body, professor, editor, author, and dance scholar Lynn Matluck Brooks dives into a history of Philadelphia, and the America it influenced, through the lens of dance in the 19th century. Kimberly Haas reviews.

Kimberly Haas

Reviews 3 minute read
The book cover. Title in white letters at center, over a photo of 3 calico koi fish swimming in a lush woodland pond.

minato sketches, by Sharon White

A tsunami of musings

Temple professor and multi-genre writer Sharon White’s latest work of fiction, minato sketches, takes the reader on a rich and poetic interior journey with a woman recovering from stroke. Crystal Sparrow reviews.
Crystal Sparrow

Crystal Sparrow

Reviews 4 minute read

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Book cover: Author & title in white letters above a purple illustration of the sisters back-to-back wrapped in music notes

The Griffin Sisters’ Greatest Hits, by Jennifer Weiner

No-one gets you like your sister

Jennifer Weiner’s latest novel follows two sisters from Philly who achieve pop-music stardom in the early 2000s that leads to an estrangement in the present day. It’s a relatable story of sisters, mothers, lovers, and the search for self. Emily Savidge reviews
Emily Savidge

Emily Savidge

Reviews 2 minute read
Book cover: Title at top in white, over self-portrait of Sully holding a paintbrush, and three smaller framed portraits inset

Thomas Sully’s Philadelphians: Painting the Athens of America, by Peter Conn

The painter who captured Philly at the center of American culture

Notable historian, professor, and author Peter Conn reflects on Philly as the Athens of America in his illuminating and rewarding new book exploring the work of 19th-century portraitist Thomas Sully, and the city he lived in. Gail Obenreder reviews.
Gail Obenreder

Gail Obenreder

Reviews 5 minute read
The book cover. Title at center in pink, on a grid of comics showing diverse trans people in many historical eras.

Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, By Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett

An illustrated history of trans lives, from pharaohs and emperors to the present day

A new graphic novel from Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett tackles the vast, varied, and longstanding history of trans folks around the world, combatting the ongoing erasure of trans lives. Rachel Bellwoar reviews.
Rachel Bellwoar

Rachel Bellwoar

Reviews 4 minute read
The book cover. Title above in white script, with a smiling portrait of a young Wells on a floral purple background

Ida B. Wells: Journalist, Advocate, and Crusader for Justice, by Erica Armstrong Dunbar and Candace Buford

Courage that inspires us today

Erica Armstrong Dunbar’s latest book (coauthored with Candace Buford) explores the life of another trailblazing Black woman of American history, Ida B. Wells, making her story accessible to young readers. Constance Garcia-Barrio reviews.
Constance Garcia-Barrio

Constance Garcia-Barrio

Reviews 4 minute read
Book cover: title in gold over a close-up photo of a woman in a navy blazer with a gold pineapple pin on the lapel.

True Hospitality: Lessons Learned from Behind the Concierge Desk, by Jamie Cooperstein

A real-life Rittenhouse Hotel concierge shares her unexpected career journey

Debut Philly author Jamie Cooperstein started her career as a journalist before grasping an opportunity in the hospitality field, and she never looked back. Now she shares the journey to finding her own niche. A. Lewis reviews.

A. Lewis

Reviews 4 minute read