REVIEW: The Disappearers by Marlon James

The Disappearers by Marlon James is truly a masterpiece. 

Set primarily in Jamaica beginning in 1988, the novel follows a group of gay men who respond to an ad for actors to audition for a gay play. Just to note it was not a group of men coming together to rehearse for a "regular" play, it was a group or a group of men joining a co-ed cast. Many will find this book difficult to read because the themes are uncomfortable or disturbing especially the extremely graphic violence and sexual content is because Jamaica according to Time Magazine in 2006 was the most homophobic country in the world*.

The novel is centered around an event that was not proven to be factual. The alleged incident was allegedly based on hearsay, rumor and gossip and Jamaicans do not care about fact checking before they "investigate" and unleash justice. I should know, I am Jamaican. In a recent interview James said "..in Jamaica we trust rumours more than facts, so the fact that people kept whispering about it meant it was true."** The only event I can remember from 1988 is Hurricane Gilbert. I found myself taking mental breaks at times, it is a lot to process and digest so the faint of heart or very sensitive readers are duly warned. 

James came back to the literary world with a true tour de force. The Disappears was longlisted for the Booker Prize before it was even published, something that literally never happens. That's how good this book is and left a lasting mark on the selection committee and I agree. I cannot wait for my preordered copy to arrive. Everyone needs to read this book and approach it with an open mind and really think about how people are labeled by society and mistreated accordingly. 

The only issues I had were (1) more patois was needed, (2) a few grammatical issues (granted this is a review of the uncorrected proof) that caused me to reread a number of sentences multiple times to understand what was being conveyed and for the love of [insert your higher being person] enough of Kurt Cobain. One other thing is the focus of Jamaica's university English lit courses, very white American and British and void of regional works. I was in primary school in the 80's so I can't verify this part of our education system.  

The Disappearers is many things brutal, angry, unflinching, queer, complex, haunting, · provocative, funny (yes, I laughed many times), ambitious and unforgettable. And apart for being a Booker Prize worthy 5star masterpiece, The Disappearers is unapologetically Jamaican. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Marlon James and Riverhead | Riverhead Books for a digital copy (ebook) of #TheDisappearers in exchange for my honest opinion. #TheDisappearers will be published on September 1, 2026. 

P.S. Note to Mr. James, your fans have not forgotten that we are due the last book in The Dark Star Trilogy. 

* https://time.com/archive/6939331/the-most-homophobic-place-on-earth/ 

**This quote was taken from a Booker Prize longlisted author interview published on August 16, 2026 https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/marlon-james-interview.

REVIEW: Handsome by Ezra Palmer

 

Handsome by Ezra Palmer is one of those novels that you have to experience. I was a bit unsure of what to make of Handsome during the first few chapters, however I eventually got in the groove. The writing is like one long stream of thoughts with very little pause. It reminds me of Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann.

The story follows Evvie, a former journalist living with Alzheimer's disease, as she prepares for a trip with her husband. We are invited into Evvie's mind as memories ebb and flow, circle back, and become muddled. There are moments that will make you smile, others will broke your heart. Occasionally I found myself thinking about my own memories, aging, the future and what will happen when my own memories start to fade. 

Ezra Palmer writes Evvie with so much dignity and humanity, and not as a sufferer of Alzheimer's. She's funny, complicated, loving, frustrated, and frustrating - even as her memories become less reliable. This is also a beautiful story about marriage—not the idealized version we often see, but the messy, imperfect kind that's built over decades. Love, resentment, forgiveness, disappointment, loyalty - it's all here. 

Handsome is quiet, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant. It challenged me as a reader in the best possible way, and I'm really glad I stayed with it. It's one of those books that lingers in your mind and has been one of the most memorable books I read this year. I read this Correspondent by Virginia Evans earlier this year and I think Handsome is far superior and deserves it time in the spotlight.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Ezra Palmer and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for a digital copy (audiobook) of #Handsome in exchange for my honest opinion. #Handsome will be published on July 13, 2026. 

Review: The Overseer Class by Steven W. Thrasher

The Overseer Class by Steven W. Thrasher is a sharp and unsettling examination of how modern systems of power operate through networks of surveillance, bureaucracy, and institutional control rather than just obvious political or economic elites. Although an extremely heavy topic is explored The Overseer Class was powerful, informative and insightful. Thrasher challenges readers to rethink power as something embedded within systems and cultural norms that quietly sustain inequality and is designed less to comfort than to provoke deeper reflection about the structures shaping everyday life. The is an important read and should be added to a college reading list as a start. 

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Steven W. Thrasher and Amistad for a digital copy (eBook) of #TheOverseerClass in exchange for my honest opinion. #TheOverseerClass will be published on May 19, 2026. 

Review: Doubles by Nora Gold

There are novels that tell a story, and then there are novels that quietly unsettle you—Doubles by Nora Gold although a novella is firmly in the latter category. This novella packs a punch and lingers long after you’ve finished it. It centers around a young math-obsessed girl stuck in an institution. It is creative, dark, disturbing and clever.  

One can appreciate how this novella resists a clean resolution. If you’re looking for a tidy ending, this isn’t that. But if you’re willing to sit with ambiguity—and perhaps even discomfort—there’s something deeply satisfying in how the story unfolds. It trusts the reader to draw their conclusions.

If I had to place Doubles within a reading mood, I’d call it a quiet psychological study with literary edges—perfect for when you want something thoughtful, slightly unsettling, looking in on someone else's life and experiences that is intellectually engaging without being overwhelming.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the author Nora Gold and Literary Press Group of Canada|Guernica Editions for a digital copy (eBook) of #Doubles in exchange for my honest opinion. #Doubles will be published on May 1, 2026. 

REVIEW: Search for a Mysterious Mushroom Amy Seto Forrester and Andy Chou Musser

 

Search for a Mysterious Mushroom is a lively and imaginative pick-your-path adventure that turns reading and learning into a fun quest. Designed for young readers, the book invites kids to choose their research team, gear, and expedition as they hunt for the elusive Amparoina spinosissima mushroom. Along the way, each choice leads to new habitats and discoveries, that blend real science - an introduction to mycology - with an engaging cast and a fun narrative.

This book would be perfect for an end of the week class or science club activity, with props of course. Even a weekend adventure club or a sleep over etc. The artwork is simple and conveys exactly what the authors want.

The bright comic book/graphic novel style approach makes the information feel interactive, and even if one route doesn’t find the mushroom, readers will still learn a lot. the publisher describes this book as perfect for young adventurers who are into STEM, nature and will enjoy hands-on storytelling.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the authors Amy Seto Forrester and Andy Chou Musser and Chronicle Books for a digital copy (ebook) of #SearchforaMysteriousMushroom  in exchange for my honest opinion. Search for a Mysterious Mushroom will be published on May 5, 2026.