The Time Tax by Annie Lowrey

THE TIME TAX by Annie Lowrey is subtitled “How the Government Wastes Our Time—and How to Fix It.” I think the colorful cover alone, plus the general annoyance about red tape will prompt readers to pick up this text. However, it has also been the subject of reviews at The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly (“Equal parts distressing and galvanizing, it’s a trenchant case for reform”), and, amongst others, Ron Charles (formerly with The Washington Post) in his Substack newsletter. Lowrey (a journalist at The Atlantic) argues persuasively that change is needed and her voice is a call to action: “Americans should be mad about the time tax. They should be angry about how unfair and how unnecessary it is. They should be furious at how it increases inequality, wastes money, diminishes public health, erodes political participation, degrades civic trust, and allows politicians to hide their policy goals behind reams of paperwork, …. We deserve better than the DMV. We deserve the services this country is capable of. We deserve to get our time back.”

Surely, we can all agree, for example, that “Enrollment forms are written in impenetrable High Bureaucratese and are loaded up with fine print.” Plus, we often have to repeat the effort annually (like requesting a mail-in ballot in Texas, even if it is based on age). Lowrey’s statistics are astounding, too; she references a report by The American Action Forum which estimates that filling out various government forms takes about the equivalent of six workdays per person, or roughly 12 billion hours a year. Lowrey also cites how the time tax falls disproportionately on the poor and people of color. Sadly, her examples, such as those across four types of administrative costs go on and on and on:

(1)   Learning or research costs (e.g., or varied impact of the 2022 Supreme Court decision regarding Roe v. Wade)

(2)   Compliance costs (time to actually fill out forms like Louisiana’s application for SNAP which asks about baptismal certificates and income from 24 possible sources)

(3)   Redemption costs (time and effort to exercise a benefit or use a right) and

(4)   Psychological costs – emotional burdens like waiting for your spouse to join you in the USA; these may be particularly high for people who are already ill, disabled, or traumatized and trying to navigate the system.

Read Lowrey’s book to learn more about this topic and about her thoughts on reform. THE TIME TAX is very well-researched. Notes comprise at least twenty-five percent of the text.

The Woman Who Wouldn't Die Quietly by Bivald

THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN'T DIE QUIETLY by Katarina Bivald (The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend and more ) is the third book in Bivald’s series about Berit Gardner and her friend, DCI Ian Ahmed. I have developed real affection and even affinity for Berit’s character who loves her time alone: “she could have been fond of cities if it weren't for all the people in them.” In this cozy mystery, she is in Sweden at her grandmother’s cottage on an archipelago near Stockholm where she spent many happy summers. It’s late fall and winter, though, so the environment is cold and dark and Bivald deftly employs descriptions of the physical environment to add to the sense of menace and reflection. Berit and Ian are invited to a nearby island to celebrate the eightieth birthday of Margrethe Cullberg-Franzen, an especially abrasive woman who still leads her family’s art gallery business. That celebration ends in a tragic death leaving behind many family suspects and motives (revenge, greed, fear). More adventures - and another death - follow, as Berit and Ian and local police try to solve this puzzle. Publishers Weekly gave THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN'T DIE QUIETLY a starred review (“Bivald excels at surprise and misdirection, and she buttresses those mystery fundamentals with a psychologically complex lead and intoxicating Scandinavian atmosphere.”). A Reading Group Guide and Conversation with the Author are included. Enjoy!

Just sharing quotes from the preview, part of Berit’s rather comforting outlook:
“Even the most difficult things became more manageable if you faced up to them. Apprehension and unease only grew if you tried to escape them.”

“If nothing lasted forever, then that was part of what made having lived and existed so wonderful: the fact that the people she loved had lived, and that nature and the world around her would continue to do so even after she was gone.”

Golden Boy by A. J. Symon

GOLDEN BOY by A. J. Symon is a young adult novel with a strange supposition. It has a wonderful cover which mirrors the story of a dog (Hudson) being turned into a high school boy (Bud Golden). Emma Branch is a lonely high school student who ended up taking care of her brothers (Chip and Buckhead – who act like their names) and her rather obnoxious, opinionated, and prejudiced father, Wayman, after her mother dies. Emma’s dream is to study science, and she has developed an injection to prolong the life of fruit flies. No one is really interested, though, until in desperation she injects her dog. Suddenly there’s a star player for the football team that Wayman coaches, and the adventure (filled with deception) begins. There is some suspense and high school relationship drama which could appeal to readers. As all gets resolved, the author is not afraid of explicitly highlighting the value of scientific experimentation (“Flying machines. The telephone. Landing on the moon. All crazy ideas until they weren't. Magic is just science no one can explain yet.”) and quality parenting (“It's amazing what a kind word from a parent will do.”). Thankfully, the father character does mature, but it’s not a subtle transformation. School Library Journal (starred review) and Booklist suggest GOLDEN BOY for grades 6 thru 10, and these less mature students may appreciate the hijinks, although the animal experimentation could be triggering for some. I am more apt to agree with Kirkus: “An interesting premise that suffers from clumsy execution.”

Rundell's Why You Should Read Children's Books

WHY YOU SHOULD READ CHILDREN'S BOOKS, EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE SO OLD AND WISE by Katherine Rundell was not what I expected. Honestly, I thought there would be many more references to favorite children’s books, perhaps like Believe in the World or The Enchanted Hour or the classic Read-Aloud Handbook. Still, at only 80 pages Rundell (fellow at Oxford and writer) provides a series of essays about the value of reading in general and stresses the history and key role played by children’s books. It’s a bit on the academic side and would have been improved with more childhood anecdotes (think back to your favorite books as a child). I especially like the conclusion drawn by the Wall Street Journal reviewer: “head straight for the nearest library to see for yourself what all the fuss is about.”  

Age-specific state awards list numerous quality titles each year; an older wonderful resource – covering multiple states and ages and compiled by Cynthia Leitich Smith – is provided here. Reading Rockets also provided some fun links recently at the start of the new school year: Interviews with Children's authors and illustrators and Read Across America calendar and booklists.

Breathing Under Water by Jacqueline Friedland

BREATHING UNDER WATER by Jacqueline Friedland received a starred review from Booklist and Kirkus called it “a touching novel about unexpected connections and found family.”  It is the first book in a while to really grab my attention, and I can readily see book groups finding so much to discuss. Chapter narration alternates between Berry Selinger and McKenna Jamison, two caring women from different generations with a host of issues to face. Berry is an assistant principal hoping for a promotion and trying to balance her career with supporting her sixteen-year-old son, Leo, who is autistic. McKenna is a scholarship college student who relies on her coach and swim team as her grandmother’s dementia worsens. Readers will be surprised by the workplace sabotage, marital strife, anger management issues, and homelessness which also feature in the plot. Yes, it is a lot for either one to handle and the stories intersect when McKenna begins teaching Leo to swim. He really is the pivotal character and obviously dear to Friedland who says her own mother taught her that “every child deserves to be seen, to be challenged, and most of all, to be respected and understood.” BREATHING UNDER WATER is about perseverance, self-reflection, and acceptance, as Berry says, “I don't see the trials and tribulations only as hardships. I can now see the ways they've led to profound growth, making us stronger, more resilient, and ready for whatever comes next.” 

Weeknight Winners, Family Dinners

WEEKNIGHT WINNERS, FAMILY DINNERS by Jack (a former chef) and Emmy (child development expert) Zhang offers “Kid-Approved, Adult-Loved Recipes” in an interactive, appealing format. Sample recipes include “Spinach Egg Drop Soup,” “Easy Peasy Chicken,” and “Chinese-Style Baked Fish.” The cookbook is divided into sections on Mains, Noodles, Soups & Stews, Salads & Sides, Snacks, and Sweets. Booklist comments, “The Zhang's family-friendly book is designed with recipes that are quick to get on the table… They aim to help readers tap into the curiosity of children and help their families connect.” The Zhangs do seem to put kids front and center, sharing conversation starters and often highlighting steps that younger family members can contribute (e.g., line the pan with foil) as a recipe is prepared. Aside from recipes, they also include very helpful sections on “Language and Curiosity in the Kitchen” and on “Ten Ways to Get Your Kids Excited about Food.” This seems like a wonderful resource for young families (especially those who enjoy Asian ingredients) although the photos in the preview are black and white and nutrition information is not included. More ideas are available on the Zhangs’ YouTube channel, Cooking with Levi.

My Sister is Going to Kill Me

MY SISTER IS GOING TO KILL ME by Nina Simon (Mother-Daughter Murder Night) is a closed room mystery of sorts. Two very different sisters, a rule-follower and State Department employee named Liv and an impulsive elementary school art teacher named Mandy, are setting off on their annual sister trip. This year they are rafting on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. It turns out their fellow adventures are all associated with a wellness company called Babette Botanique. The CEO misses the kickoff of the trip and disagreements amongst the leadership become apparent, especially when threats start appearing. Soon, there is a dead body with Liv, Mandy, and their companions in growing danger, not just from the challenging physical environment, but also from an increasingly daring killer amongst them. Honestly, it took me a little while to get over being annoyed by both sisters, but I soon found myself coming to care for them, much as they begrudgingly began to acknowledge their complementary skills and affection for each other. The mystery is suspenseful and full of details in a fabulous setting.

God's Country by William Kent Krueger

GOD’S COUNTRY by William Kent Krueger is the latest in his series about Cork O’Conner, former sheriff and half-Irish and half-Ojibwe who loves the Boundary Waters area of Minnesota. That’s where he heads with his son, grandson, and other family members only to find that his lifelong friend, Cordell Bishop, was guiding another group in the same area and sees signs that things are not right. Cork’s family decides to get to safety and, despite their protests, he stays behind to rescue his friend. It is the start of a grueling several days, including multiple dead bodies and battles over a gun and food supplies. Throughout, Cork is meditating on two wolves, one of hate and one of love, as he wishes to kill some evil men while trying to protect others from becoming their prey. There is a repetitive element here – perhaps evoking the constant struggle we face between good and evil. And Krueger has included more violence than I remember from his earlier works. GOD’S COUNTRY received a starred review from Booklist (“harrowing and fascinating”).

Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews

Publishers Weekly called the latest novel, ROAD TRIP, by Mary Kay Andrews “perfect for the beach bag” and it is a light read, with a combination of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. Two adult (thirty-something) sisters, practical professor Maeve and carefree struggling actress Therese, are brought together by their mother’s recent death and her squandering of funds on a televangelist. She wanted them to repair their relationship with a trip to Ireland and they travel, hoping to establish provenance for a family painting and thereby secure an inheritance. At first, the sisters are not very likeable characters, but the trip gradually transform them. Plus, Andrews weaves in the story of Kathleen Connor, who emigrated to America in 1926 and of an IRA heist in the mid-1970s with the present-day quest. At the end, the sisters learn to admire and emulate “all the gutsy, ballsy women in our family who’ve picked up the pieces and kept going.”

United States of Oligarchy by Casey Michel

UNITED STATES OF OLIGARCHY by Casey Michel is subtitled “How America's Wealthiest Ally with Dictators, Weaken the U.S., and Destroy Democracy.” Michel (American Kleptocracy and Foreign Agents) is a financial expert and has written extensively about related crimes (e.g., tax evasion, money laundering). Recently described in Foreign Affairs journal as “a blistering account,” his latest text is accessible, but fairly academic in tone and centers on the ways in which national security and democracy are being threatened both by very wealthy Americans and foreign influences from places like Russia, China, and the Middle East. I was surprised at the extent to which he calls out rich and powerful people like Elon Musk and Jared Kushner, for example. Even the Afterward is chilling. Writing about “Just how monstrous American wealth inequality has become in recent decades -- and how it's now surpassed anything the country has ever known,” Michel cites statistics meant to shock: (“First year the 400 richest Americans paid a lower tax rate than the bottom 50% of Americans: 2018”) and outlines recommendations (e.g., more enforcement of existing laws or enacting new taxes on the ultra-wealthy) to halt or curb these practices. He goes on to point out that this as a global phenomenon, “infecting even places like Britain (where the top 1 percent owned 21.3% of the country's total wealth), France (27.2%), and Germany (27.6%). UNITED STATES OF OLIGARCHY received a starred review from Publishers Weekly (“Readers will be outraged by the egregiousness of it all.”). The text is extensively researched with over a thousand footnotes.

The Digital Delusion by Jared Cooney Horvath

THE DIGITAL DELUSION by Jared Cooney Horvath discusses “How Classroom Technology Harms Our Kids' Learning--and How to Help Them Thrive Again.” Horvath, a neuroscientist and educator who specializes in human learning and brain development, has certainly produced a thought-provoking text. He divides it into three sections: defining the problem (including a chapter which looks at the impact on attention, empathy, and transfer of knowledge); a deeper dive into the use of cellphones and artificial intelligence; and an action-oriented section on how to push back. Some of his most interesting comments concern discrepancies between commonly held beliefs and what research shows. For example, he notes that, “although EdTech is frequently promoted as a tool for equity, evidence suggests it most often benefits students who already possess strong knowledge and self-regulation skills. As a result, digital technology tends to amplify existing inequalities rather than eliminate them.” And, in an interview earlier this year with American Enterprise Institute, Horvath explained that high international test scores do not necessarily correlate with tech use, saying, “the countries that use technology the least in schools in the world are Japan, China, Malaysia, and Singapore.” He continues, “[their] rich digital infrastructure is for adults producing work, not kids learning how to become adults.” He repeatedly probes the difference between knowing something and merely knowing where to find it, writing, “human beings think in stories. … digital technologies largely kill sustained narrative. They flood us with disconnected, context free fragments … with no coherent thread linking one idea to the next. This consistent stream of randomness doesn't just weaken memory, it also disrupts comprehension, deep thinking, and the ability to build usable knowledge.” THE DIGITAL DELUSION offers much to contemplate in what Publishers Weekly calls an “intriguing if flawed treatise … sure to spark plenty of conversation.” References and Appendices accounted for approximately half of the preview copy I received.

Death at a Scottish Halloween by Lucy Connelly

DEATH AT A SCOTTISH HALLOWEEN by Lucy Connelly is part of a Scottish Isle series about a new doctor, Emilia McRoy, who has moved to Scotland where she puts her former emergency room skills to work helping patients and solving police cases. This was the first that I had read, and I felt that the characters needed more introduction. Their relationships became clearer as the story went on, of course. But one, Abigail, who is the assistant in the medical practice is definitely too good to be true … always ready with the scans, tests, and support, willing to work all hours, and not asserting herself in personal or professional settings. The mystery involved two deaths (one in a haunted house; another of someone “scared to death”) which was interesting and provided some twists with a hint of romance. Connelly also includes facts about witches and Scottish history (e.g., scientist Mary Sommerville). Overall, DEATH AT A SCOTTISH HALLOWEEN is a quick, light, cozy read, with a fun, festive theme and I hope that the quality of editing improves with future additions to the series.

When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston

A LibraryReads selection for August, WHEN LEMONS GIVE YOU LIFE by Anna Johnston (The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife) is the story of an older man, named Griff, who was a Michelin star chef but now lives (according to the author) in “the most negligent nursing home imaginable.” That low quality of care was a big obstacle for me when I started reading about Griff, his estranged sister, Lisa, and his partner, Beau. The author jumps around in time and shares stories from the childhood of Griff and Lisa, (thirteen years apart in age with different fathers) as well as from their adult lives. WHEN LEMONS GIVE YOU LIFE is very cleverly written (“odd that we fear ageing, forgetting how lucky we are to even get the chance”). Booklist says, “Johnston thoughtfully explores grief, loneliness, aging, and sibling relationships while leavening with warmth and humor.” Indeed, Johnston comments movingly on “the invisibility cloak of age and dementia,” while also promoting laughter with some madcap adventures. I found myself coming to care for the characters more and more and particularly enjoyed the last third of the book as conflicts were resolved and reconciliations occurred. One more quote: “What matters – what lasts – is how you love people. How you treat them when no one’s watching. That’s the only legacy worth leaving.”

The Castle in the Glen by Rhys Bowen

THE CASTLE IN THE GLEN is the latest stand-alone historical mystery by Rhys Bowen, bestselling author of more than sixty novels. This is the story of a famous mystery writer, Iris Blackburn, who was recently diagnosed with dementia and needs to find a co-writer to help finish her latest work, the prequel to her best-selling Inspector Melrose series. She offers the opportunity to Emma Callander, a young writer living in London, but from Australia. Emma is hesitant at first but quickly becomes enthralled by the author’s book within a book about the drowning death of the daughter of a laird and her male companion. The draft chapters describe fictional Melrose’s first solo case and he, too, is concerned about solving the puzzle, especially since the main suspect, a rival suitor, has disappeared. To help writing and revising, Emma is given a trip to Glascow and the Isle of Skye and there she begins to learn some troubling facts and is threatened while also starting a romance. The pace picks up and readers will likely predict some of the ending Bowen has crafted, but she includes numerous twists and surprises, so they are unlikely to foretell them all. The unique geography and environment on Skye is vividly described in this entertaining combination of suspense and historical fiction.

Human Raised by Dana Suskind

HUMAN RAISED by Dana Suskind should be on your reading list. It is on several others, including an appearance as the notable non-fiction choice on the LibraryReads July 2026 selections and on the Next Big Idea Club’s summary of July 2026 Must Read Books. Suskind, an MD who writes extensively and is a professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of Chicago, focuses this new book on “Nurturing Connection, Curiosity, & Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI.” In chapters with titles like “The Human Edge,” “How Parents Build a Child’s Brain,” or “Robots in the Classroom,” she makes several very compelling and interesting arguments. For example, Suskind writes, “I believe that the relationship between child development and artificial intelligence is one of the most critical and overlooked challenges of our time, one that has the potential to transform childhood, family structures, and ultimately nothing less than our future as a species. And it's up to us as parents and caregivers to decide how these intelligent tools will shape our children's lives.” I found her sharing of Hinton’s comments on embedding maternal instincts in AI models to be quite thought-provoking. And, like many of us, she expressed  concerns about the pervasiveness of AI, asking, “Will a primarily or entirely human-raised childhood be a luxury experience, like a farm-raised diet?” Parents, grandparents, caregivers and educators will find much to consider and discuss in HUMAN RAISED. This book is not anti-technology; rather Suskind is encouraging us to act and to shape the future; she eloquently points out, “In Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, … the birds that no longer sang weren't the tragedy. They were …. a warning that something essential was dying. I hear a similar warning now in a different kind of silence: the eerie, algorithm-induced quiet of children transfixed by technology.” Suskind stresses four guiding principles (HOPE) for raising children alongside AI:  Human connection is irreplaceable; Own your imperfections; Protect the early years; and Enhance—don’t replace—connection. Highly recommended.

The Whole30 Fast & Easy Cookbook Revised

THE WHOLE30 FAST & EASY COOKBOOK REVISED by Melissa Urban is beautifully illustrated and filled with a variety of delicious recipes grouped by cooking method (e.g., sheet pan, slow-cooker). This updates the New York Times 2017 bestseller edition with 35 new recipes. As the title promises, they generally can be prepared fairly quickly and are not overly complicated; plus, they use ingredients from a variety of cultures. A couple of examples include Cashew-Crusted Chicken and Wilted Kale Salad, Harissa Turkey Loaves with Tomato-Ginger Gravy and Cumin-Roasted Carrots, or Slow-Cooker Shakshuka with Artichoke Hearts. This cookbook is worth a look BUT a great deal of space is devoted to explaining the Whole30 movement and encouraging readers to limit (or eliminate) consumption of many foodstuffs in a manner consistent with that program. Honestly, that aspect felt too complicated for me, but I do look forward to trying some of the recipes which Melissa Urban suggests.

The Chase by Felix Francis

THE CHASE by Felix Francis continues in the tradition of the excellent horse racing mysteries by Dick Francis. In this case, his son, Felix, shares a tale about almost fifty-year-old Fabian Tulley who runs an art gallery. The paintings and sculptures he buys and sells are generally related to the racing world and horses; plus, Tulley’s father is a trainer with horses in major races, so he is definitely involved in that world. Easing into retirement does not look likely for Tulley when an unpleasant client very publicly accuses him of knowingly selling a forged painting. Troubles compound when more paintings are vandalized and Tulley is physically attacked. To me, THE CHASE is stronger (and closer in style to an original Dick Francis novel) than Francis’ previous offerings largely because of the way he shares Tulley’s musings and suppositions with the reader. THE CHASE received a starred review from Booklist (“It’s fascinating to follow his [Francis’] hero into art galleries and auctions as well as the stable and racetrack.”) and is scheduled to be published on September 8.

Your Fellow Americans by Peter Santenello

YOUR FELLOW AMERICANS by Peter Santenello is a wonderful collection of “Dispatches from Across the Country We Call Home.” Santenello has a YouTube channel with over four million followers and pulled many of these stories from those encounters. He divides the book into four broad sections. In the first, he looks at “groups of people living in the modern world and yet almost alongside the modern world,” travelling to an Amish outpost in northern Florida, to East LA, and to Alaska. Santenello comments on “the thing that keeps hitting me each and every time I find myself somewhere new is how much people here care -- about their families, their towns, their little corners on the map.” Next, he writes about “The Underdogs” with interviews in Central Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta. That is followed by a section with stories about endurance and overcoming obstacles from the Pacific coast of northern California and on to an island in the Chesapeake Bay. The final section, “Pioneering Spirit,” veers towards stories of exploration and adventure; here, Santenello provides insight into one of his first travel experiences, a post high school road trip on a tight budget (in a repurposed van named Vandura) with his best friend Steve. Santenello clearly has a passion for travel and for learning about people and his essays are well presented and generally optimistic. He writes, “As America celebrates its 250th anniversary I think we could all use some stories that leave us feeling good about our country.” Interested readers may also want to pursue Judy Woodruff’s America at a Crossroads, or the Make America Dinner Again movement, or even expand upon the idea of creating connections with titles like David Brooks’ How to Know a Person or Nicholas Epley’s A Little More Social.

The Distinctly Competent District Councillor

THE DISTINCTLY COMPETENT DISTRICT COUNCILLOR by Jonas Jonasson is a quick read (144 pages) which will have readers laughing and smiling even as Jonasson satirizes multinational conglomerates and their impact on small towns. The newly elected mayor, Julia Back, of a small Swedish town, Halstaholm, is intent on improving future prospects for her constituents and she spearheads a campaign to attract investment by a German mattress manufacturer. Her local task force (including a ten-year-old boy) quickly devise a number of surprising ways (e.g., starting a German language school) to convince the owner, Konrad Kaltenbacher Jr., and his two young daughters that Halstaholm is German-friendly. They are up against a tight timeframe and some unethical competition from consultants pushing for a rival location, however. Let the contest begin! Jonasson said that he “felt the urge to write something that might give us hope … about friendship between people from different nations.” Booklist called THE DISTINCTLY COMPETENT DISTRICT COUNCILLOR a “warm-hearted satire” and The Mail on Sunday described it as “a shot of serotonin in book form.” Enjoy!!