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LATEST ISSUE OF
Kirkus Reviews
Best-seller Jeannette Walls talks about mining her own history for her new novel, The Silver Star.
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BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS



The Most Disappointing Nonfiction of 2010 (page 2)

Cover art for THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 1, 2010
THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC: LOUIS PRIMA, KEELY SMITH, AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF LAS VEGAS
by Tom Clavin
"There's no magic, black or otherwise, in this cut-and-paste bio."
Lazy, hackneyed biography of the lounge act to end them all. Read full book review >
Cover art for PRINCESS NOIRE
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 2, 2010
PRINCESS NOIRE: THE TUMULTUOUS REIGN OF NINA SIMONE
by Nadine Cohodas
"A timid, uncontroversial look at one of the most controversial, outspoken female musicians in history."
By-the-numbers biography of irascible jazz singer Nina Simone (1933–2003). Read full book review >
Cover art for I REMEMBER NOTHING
NONFICTION
Released: Nov. 9, 2010
I REMEMBER NOTHING: AND OTHER REFLECTIONS
by Nora Ephron
"Only occasionally reaches emotional depth--seems like a tardy attempt to capitalize on the success of I Feel Bad About My Neck."
Bland, often rambling anecdotes from the acclaimed director and screenwriter. Read full book review >
Cover art for FOXY
NONFICTION
Released: April 28, 2010
FOXY: MY LIFE IN THREE ACTS
by Pam Grier, Andrea Cagan
"Grier's iconic force fails to translate to the page--a disappointment for fans of her unforgettable performances and reign as the queen of blaxploitation."
Screen goddess Grier reflects on her life as an Army brat and showbiz icon, to middling effect. Read full book review >
Cover art for IT COULD BE WORSE, YOU COULD BE ME
NONFICTION
Released: April 13, 2010
IT COULD BE WORSE, YOU COULD BE ME
by Ariel Leve
"A dour and narcissistic Seinfeldian exercise."
A Debbie Downer pontificates on the minutiae of her daily life. Read full book review >
Cover art for EXTRAORDINARY, ORDINARY PEOPLE
NONFICTION
Released: Oct. 12, 2010
EXTRAORDINARY, ORDINARY PEOPLE: A MEMOIR OF FAMILY
by Condoleezza Rice
"Provides some interesting tidbits but no great revelations, except on why she became a Republican: "I would rather be ignored than patronized.""
Former Secretary of State Rice presents a low-key, modest memoir about growing up an only child to highly educated teachers in segregated Birmingham, Ala. Read full book review >