SAM&PAM's Book Radar

"All About Love: New Visions", by bell hooks, is a self-help book published in 2000 . The book explores the meaning of love and how to create loving relationships. hooks argues that love is not a feeling, but an action that we choose to take. The book discusses topics such as: the definition of love the impact of patriarchy on love the importance of honesty and commitment in relationships the role...

"Say Nothing" by Patrick Radden Keefe is a work of narrative non-fiction published in 2018 . The book delves into the disappearance of Jean McConville amidst the turmoil of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Through interviews with over a hundred individuals and extensive archival research, Keefe explores the lives of key figures like Dolours Price, Brendan Hughes, and Gerry Adams, shedding light o...

"Brothers" by Alex Van Hale a Memoir published in October 2024 "Brothers" is a memoir by Alex Van Halen recounting the formation and rise to fame of the band Van Halen. It details the band's early years in Pasadena, their struggles to break into the music industry, and their eventual success. The memoir also touches on the personal lives of the band members, including Alex's relationship with his...

"Greenlights" by Matthew McConaughey, is a non-traditional memoir published in 2020. It's described as "an approach book" that shares stories, insights, and philosophies from the author's life. The book is not intended to be a typical memoir focused on nostalgia or an advice book telling readers what to do. Instead, it's a playbook based on the author's personal adventures, offering perspectives t...

"Now or Never"is authored by Janet Evanovich. A mystery novel published in 2024. The story follows Stephanie Plum, a fugitive-apprehension agent working for her cousin's bail bonds business in Trenton, New Jersey. She finds herself engaged to two men and has to explain her situation to her coworkers. Stephanie's cases include a porch pirate who calls himself Robin Hoodie and robs from the rich to...

"Spare" is a memoir by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, published on January 10, 2023 . The book details Prince Harry's life as the younger son of King Charles III and the late Princess Diana. Prince Harry recounts his childhood memories at Balmoral Castle, highlighting the impact of his mother's death and the media attention surrounding his family. He delves into his experiences attending Eton C...

"The Creative Act: A Way of Being" by Rick Rubin. Published in 2023. The book is in the self-help genre and offers advice for sparking creativity. The author emphasizes that everyone is a creator, not just those involved in traditional art forms. The book encourages readers to view life as an artist would: paying attention, refining their sensitivity, and noticing what draws them in or pushes them...

Lightlark by Alex Aster is a young adult fantasy novel published in 2022. Isla Crown is the young ruler of the Wildling realm, cursed to kill anyone she falls in love with. Every 100 years, the rulers of the six realms meet on the island of Lightlark for the Centennial, a deadly competition that offers one realm the chance to break their curse. Isla attends the Centennial, determined to save her r...

"The Reappearance of Rachel Price" by Holly Jackson is a work of fiction in the mystery genre. The copyright is 2024. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price disappeared. Now she's back, but her daughter, Bel, doesn't believe her story. Bel is determined to uncover the truth, even if it means going against her family and the police. With the help of Ash, a member of the documentary film crew following the...

"The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder", by David Gran, is a historical non-fiction book published in 2023. The book tells the true story of the HMS Wager, a British ship that was part of a squadron sent to attack Spanish ships and settlements in the Pacific Ocean. In 1741, the Wager was shipwrecked on a desolate island off the coast of Patagonia. The crew was stranded for months, fac...

"The Glass Girl" by Kathleen Glasgow, a young adult fiction novel published in 2024 , tells the story of 15-year-old Bella Leahey who is struggling with alcoholism. After a blackout lands her in the hospital, Bella is sent to a rehabilitation facility in the Arizona desert called Sonoran Sunrise, where she must confront her addiction and its underlying causes, such as anxiety, family issues, and g...

"If He Had Been with Me" by Laura Nowlin is a young adult novel published in 2013. The story follows Autumn, a high school student who has been best friends with Finny since childhood. They drift apart as they get older, but Autumn can't help but wonder what would have happened if they had stayed together. Throughout the novel, Autumn navigates the complexities of friendships, romantic relationshi...

"A Study in Drowning" by Ava Reid is a young adult fantasy novel published in September 2023. The story follows Effy Sayre, a young architecture student and admirer of the late, celebrated author Emrys Myrddin. Effy wins a contest to design Hiraeth Manor, the estate of the late author, in his hometown of Saltney, Bay of Nine Bells. Effy travels to Saltney and begins working on her designs but quic...

"Betting on You", by Lynn Painter, is a young adult romance novel published in **2023**. The story begins with Bailey, whose parents are separating, taking a solo flight to live with her mother. On the flight, she meets Charlie, who cuts in the security line and ends up sitting next to her. Charlie is obnoxious and irritating, and Bailey is annoyed by his behavior. A year later, Bailey and her boy...

Dive into the gripping world of "The Good Wife" by Jacqui Rose , a crime novel published in 2025 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Q1ojNs "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." Ava Barclay appears to be living an enviable life, but beneath the surface lies a web of secrets and untruths [1, 2]. Recovering from a hazy night and a forgotten injury, Ava finds herself caug...

Title: Divine Rivals Author: Rebecca Ross Genre: Fantasy Romance / Young Adult Publication Date: 2023 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hKXTeW "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." Summary: In a world caught in a devastating war between gods, two rival journalists, Iris and Roman, find their lives intertwined by a magical connection. Through enchanted typewriters and...

Title: We Who Wrestle With God: Perceptions of the Divine Author: Dr. Jordan B. Peterson Genre: Religion/Philosophy Publication Date: 2024 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Eo2GEt "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." Summary: Delve into the depths of humanity's relationship with the divine in "We Who Wrestle With God," a profound exploration of biblical narratives b...

Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter is a romantic comedy and a sequel to Better Than the Movies available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/40HIEMS "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." The story follows Wes and Liz as they navigate their feelings for each other while dealing with the challenges of college life. A tragedy separates them right before their freshman year at U...

Title: Cher: The Memoir Author: Cher Genre: Memoir, Autobiography Publication Date: November 2024 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/42GhCb1 "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." Dive into the extraordinary life of Cher in this candid and captivating memoir. From her humble beginnings and early career struggles to her rise as a global icon, Cher shares the intimate det...

Title: The Boyfriend Author: Freida McFadden Genre: Psychological Thriller Publication Date: 2024 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jKCuUU "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." Summary: Sydney is cautiously optimistic about her Cynch dating app date with Kevin, but the man who arrives looks nothing like his profile. Despite the initial shock, she decides to give him...

Delve into the riveting story of Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind SpaceX, Tesla, Neuralink, and X, in this gripping biography by Walter Isaacson available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aHsrM9 "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." Explore the complex life and motivations of a man driven to revolutionize multiple industries and push the boundaries of human innova...

Title: If Only I Had Told Her Author: Laura Nowlin Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance/Fiction Publication Date: Copyright 2024 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hDlbD6 "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." Summary: In If Only I Had Told Her , Laura Nowlin explores the complexities of unspoken feelings, second chances, and devastating consequences. This poignant...

Title: Melania Author: Melania Trump Genre: Memoir Publication Date: 2024 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4aHsBDf "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." Summary: "Melania" is a deeply personal memoir where Melania Trump shares her extraordinary journey, revealing the woman behind the public persona. From her childhood in Slovenia to the White House, she illuminates t...

"Prophet Song" by Paul Lynch. Genre:Dystopian novel. Date of publication: 2023 on Amazon: https://amzn.to/40JFurN "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." "Prophet Song" is a dystopian novel about a country where fear and suspicion are on the rise due to a tyrannical government that employs surveillance. The government uses the GNSB, a new type of secret police, to threaten...

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer, published in March 2024, is a science fiction novel on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Q308OJ "Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create." The novel tells the story of Annie , a Cuddle Bunny model Stella, an advanced android designed for companionship. Annie lives with her owner, Doug , in New York City. Doug is initially satisfied with Annie, but their rela...