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Chris Bohjalian, Karen Russell, Colleen Oakley, Ashley Hope Pérez, and more ...

March 27, 2025

BookBrowse Highlights

Hello Readers!

This week, we feature our book club discussion of Chris Bohjalian’s The Jackal’s Mistress, a Civil War-era literary romance that has been a hit with members.

Meanwhile, our First Impressions readers have great things to say about Karen Russell’s latest novel The Antidote, a supernatural Dust Bowl epic of staggering proportions, and Colleen Oakley’s Jane and Dan at the End of the World, a hilarious romp about life choices and second chances that combines a madcap plot with in-depth characters.

In Editor’s Choice, we bring you Banned Together, a YA compilation edited by Ashley Hope Pérez that serves as a useful guide to people of all ages looking to take action against book bans.

We also invite you to take a peek at some special April books we’re looking forward to!

With best wishes,

The BookBrowse Team

Book Club Discussions

Discussions are open to all to view, so if you've read a book, click on "discuss." If you have not, we suggest you go to "about the book" to avoid spoilers.

The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian

From the Jacket

In this Civil War love story, inspired by a real-life friendship across enemy lines, the wife of a missing Confederate soldier discovers a wounded Yankee officer and must decide what she's willing to risk for the life of a stranger, from the New York Times bestselling author of such acclaimed historical fiction as Hour of the Witch and The Sandcastle Girls.

From the Discussion

"The Jackal’s Mistress is a superbly written and exhaustively researched Civil War novel.” —John_A

“Bohjalian provides readers with a great deal to contemplate about war, the costs of war, the Civil War in particular, racism, and social structures. He gives insight into the different ways his characters see the world and respond to their circumstances…It would make an excellent choice for a book club because there is much to discuss and debate.” —Janie-Hickok-Siess

“I would recommend The Jackal’s Mistress to fans of historical fiction, for readers looking for a book with a strong female character, for readers who appreciate an understated, slow-burn romantic element, and to readers who appreciate a story told from multiple points of view.” —Karen_Belyea

First Impressions

Each month, we share books with BookBrowse members to read and review. Here are their opinions on two recently released titles.

The Antidote by Karen Russell

“This kaleidoscopic novel combines the genres of dystopian, fantasy, and speculative fiction to create a view of a geographical area's collective memories of the past, present, and future…The story follows a prairie witch, Antonina, who is known as ‘The Antidote,’ Dell, a young female basketball player living with her Uncle Harp who farms the land, a photographer, Cleo, who is sent to document the area in images, a corrupt sheriff, and a mysterious scarecrow, who asks himself, ‘What am I?’ ‘Who am I?’…I will read this book again because it is so satisfying. I am absolutely amazed at the depth of its story.” —Laurie S. (Minneapolis, MN)

“This author keeps you engrossed…She describes ‘Black Sunday’ with great details of what this storm did to the Nebraska Plains and how it affected the immigrants who relocated there. There is much discussion about the Native people who were already inhabitants…This is an intense read but so well worth it.” —Ruth H. (Florida)

“I think this book is perfect for history buffs, historical fiction readers, those who love imperfect characters or are into witchy tales, and any reader who wants to ‘hear’ a great story…It would be very interesting to me to read this book within a book club and compare notes on parts of the story to see how others perceive it.” —April H. (Franklin, IN)

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

“Jane and Dan go to one of the most elite restaurants on the planet to celebrate their 20th (or is it their 19th?) wedding anniversary. Just as they dig into some alien-like claws that Jane says look like they were harvested out of Sigourney Weaver's stomach, their dinner is interrupted by a group of eco-terrorists running a script that rings all too familiar to novelist Jane. Well-plotted, highly entertaining, humorous, and somewhat political, Jane and Dan at the End of the World is a fun, quick read about going to the end of the world only to find what you're looking for is right in front of you.” —Jamie K. (Berkeley, CA)

“This book entertains. It has humor and nod-your-head moments that sound like me (or my friend's marriage)…It could provide an interesting book club discussion when a lighter read is needed in the summer.” —Shawna (Texas)

“The narrative brilliantly explores Jane's introspections about her life choices — her roles as a parent, spouse, and writer — while Dan contemplates his own capacity for heroism in the midst of an unraveling night. What truly made this story stand out was its emotional depth combined with an edge-of-your-seat pace.” —Jennie W. (Denver, CO)

For Members

This issue of The BookBrowse Review contains reviews and "beyond the book" articles for 14 titles, including Woodworking by Emily St. James, Nesting by Roisín O'Donnell, and Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah. We also feature recommendations for book clubs, the latest book news, and much more.

Not Yet a Member? Do you love to spend your reading hours immersed in captivating storytelling and intriguing ideas?

Then a BookBrowse membership is for you! What you see on BookBrowse for free and in this newsletter is just a small part of what is available to members—for just $5.00/month! Join Today!

Editor’s Choice

Banned Together by Ashley Hope Pérez 

In the heat of the righteous anger many of us feel when confronting a book ban, it can be easy to lose the forest for the trees. We may feel incensed that anyone would tell us what we can or cannot read—but to truly combat this growing national problem, readers must transform their anger into a useful force for social change.

This is the impetus behind the new anthology Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers' Rights. In this brilliant book, editor Ashley Hope Pérez and an impressive group of young adult authors and artists have joined forces to provide a resource for all readers, and teenagers in particular, who want to fight for their right to read. … continued

Review by Sara Fiore

April Books We’re Excited About

Between April showers and sunshine, you’re sure to be craving some fresh reads.

Here, we present a murky story of literary suspense, a novel of historical England, an African Gothic tale, and a book about a woman with an abiding interest in airplanes.

Read them with your book club safely indoors while weathering spring storms, or take them to the park to enjoy amid the gradually warming breezes. And look out for upcoming coverage in our digital magazine! … continued

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