Harvey Freedenberg
@harvf.bsky.social
Reader and writer for BookPage, Bookreporter, Shelf Awareness & Kirkus Reviews. Also meditator, golfer, Dickinson College & University of Michigan Law School alum. I care about our democracy, too.
Pinned
Harvey Freedenberg
@harvf.bsky.social
· Nov 21
“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.” Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
“Creative writers have a habit of thinking every other literary professional is just a failed novelist, though in my case it was at least partially true.” Maria Adelmann, THE ADJUNCT (coming March 2026) #sundaysentence
December 21, 2025 at 8:07 PM
“Creative writers have a habit of thinking every other literary professional is just a failed novelist, though in my case it was at least partially true.” Maria Adelmann, THE ADJUNCT (coming March 2026) #sundaysentence
From @shelf-awareness.com my review of Brian Platzer’s wistful novel, THE OPTIMISTS, the story of a dedicated teacher and his most exceptional student: www.shelf-awareness.com/theshelf/202...
Review: The Optimists
Most people can remember fondly at least one teacher whose classroom became a place where the lessons imparted transcended the mundane subject
www.shelf-awareness.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM
From @shelf-awareness.com my review of Brian Platzer’s wistful novel, THE OPTIMISTS, the story of a dedicated teacher and his most exceptional student: www.shelf-awareness.com/theshelf/202...
Trump's pathetic, farcical attempt to aggrandize himself by having his toadies tack his name onto the Kennedy Center brought to mind Shelley's poem, "Ozymandias":
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46565/...
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46565/...
Ozymandias
Near them, on the sand, Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these...
www.poetryfoundation.org
December 19, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Trump's pathetic, farcical attempt to aggrandize himself by having his toadies tack his name onto the Kennedy Center brought to mind Shelley's poem, "Ozymandias":
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46565/...
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46565/...
Here’s my full list of Favorite Books of 2025:
Nos. 1-6:
Karen Russell, THE ANTIDOTE
Peter Orner, THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST’S DAUGHTER
Ian McEwan, WHAT WE CAN KNOW
Susan Orlean, JOYRIDE
Dan Chaon, ONE OF US
Adam Haslett, MOTHERS AND SONS
Nos. 1-6:
Karen Russell, THE ANTIDOTE
Peter Orner, THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST’S DAUGHTER
Ian McEwan, WHAT WE CAN KNOW
Susan Orlean, JOYRIDE
Dan Chaon, ONE OF US
Adam Haslett, MOTHERS AND SONS
December 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Here’s my full list of Favorite Books of 2025:
Nos. 1-6:
Karen Russell, THE ANTIDOTE
Peter Orner, THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST’S DAUGHTER
Ian McEwan, WHAT WE CAN KNOW
Susan Orlean, JOYRIDE
Dan Chaon, ONE OF US
Adam Haslett, MOTHERS AND SONS
Nos. 1-6:
Karen Russell, THE ANTIDOTE
Peter Orner, THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST’S DAUGHTER
Ian McEwan, WHAT WE CAN KNOW
Susan Orlean, JOYRIDE
Dan Chaon, ONE OF US
Adam Haslett, MOTHERS AND SONS
Nos. 7-12:
Andrew Porter, THE IMAGINED LIFE
Ocean Vuong, THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS
Jess Walter, SO FAR GONE
Jill Lepore, WE THE PEOPLE
Donal Ryan, HEART, BE AT PEACE
Geraldine Brooks, MEMORIAL DAYS
Andrew Porter, THE IMAGINED LIFE
Ocean Vuong, THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS
Jess Walter, SO FAR GONE
Jill Lepore, WE THE PEOPLE
Donal Ryan, HEART, BE AT PEACE
Geraldine Brooks, MEMORIAL DAYS
December 14, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Nos. 7-12:
Andrew Porter, THE IMAGINED LIFE
Ocean Vuong, THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS
Jess Walter, SO FAR GONE
Jill Lepore, WE THE PEOPLE
Donal Ryan, HEART, BE AT PEACE
Geraldine Brooks, MEMORIAL DAYS
Andrew Porter, THE IMAGINED LIFE
Ocean Vuong, THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS
Jess Walter, SO FAR GONE
Jill Lepore, WE THE PEOPLE
Donal Ryan, HEART, BE AT PEACE
Geraldine Brooks, MEMORIAL DAYS
No. 1 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Karen Russell’s novel, THE ANTIDOTE. Here’s my review from @shelf-awareness.com: www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?i...
Tomorrow I’ll recap the entire list.
Tomorrow I’ll recap the entire list.
Shelf Awareness for Thursday, February 20, 2025
Welcome to the Web site for Shelf Awareness: Daily Enlightenment for the Book Trade, the free e-mail newsletter dedicated to helping the people in stores, ...
www.shelf-awareness.com
December 13, 2025 at 1:37 PM
No. 1 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Karen Russell’s novel, THE ANTIDOTE. Here’s my review from @shelf-awareness.com: www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?i...
Tomorrow I’ll recap the entire list.
Tomorrow I’ll recap the entire list.
No. 2 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Peter Orner’s novel, THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST’S DAUGHTER. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
The Gossip Columnist's Daughter | Bookreporter.com
Jed Rosenthal hasn’t published a book in 14 years, the mother of his child left him in a “trial separation” that has stretched on indefinitely, and he struggles to navigate the daily sorrows of their ...
www.bookreporter.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:18 PM
No. 2 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Peter Orner’s novel, THE GOSSIP COLUMNIST’S DAUGHTER. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
No. 3 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Ian McEwan’s novel WHAT WE CAN KNOW. Here’s my review from @shelf-awareness.com: www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?i...
Shelf Awareness for Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Welcome to the Web site for Shelf Awareness: Daily Enlightenment for the Book Trade, the free e-mail newsletter dedicated to helping the people in stores, ...
www.shelf-awareness.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
No. 3 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Ian McEwan’s novel WHAT WE CAN KNOW. Here’s my review from @shelf-awareness.com: www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?i...
No. 4 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Susan Orlean’s memoir, JOYRIDE. Here’s my review from @shelf-awareness.com: www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?i...
Shelf Awareness for Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Welcome to the Web site for Shelf Awareness: Daily Enlightenment for the Book Trade, the free e-mail newsletter dedicated to helping the people in stores, ...
www.shelf-awareness.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:03 PM
No. 4 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Susan Orlean’s memoir, JOYRIDE. Here’s my review from @shelf-awareness.com: www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?i...
No. 5 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Dan Chaon’s novel, ONE OF US. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/one-...
One of Us | Bookreporter.com
It’s 1915, and life is falling apart for 13-year-old twins Bolt and Eleanor. When their mother dies, they are forced to leave home under the care of a vicious con man who claims to be their long-lost ...
www.bookreporter.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:57 PM
No. 5 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Dan Chaon’s novel, ONE OF US. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/one-...
No 6 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Adam Haslett's novel, MOTHERS AND SONS. Here's my review from @readbookpage.bsky.social: www.bookpage.com/reviews/moth...
Book review of Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett
Adam Haslett’s third novel, Mothers and Sons, is a graceful, affecting story about the self-inflicted pain of long-buried memories.
www.bookpage.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:46 PM
No 6 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Adam Haslett's novel, MOTHERS AND SONS. Here's my review from @readbookpage.bsky.social: www.bookpage.com/reviews/moth...
“Lots of people have great marriages while rooting for rival teams.” Brian Platzer, THE OPTIMISTS (coming in February 2026) #sundaysentence
December 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
“Lots of people have great marriages while rooting for rival teams.” Brian Platzer, THE OPTIMISTS (coming in February 2026) #sundaysentence
No. 7 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Andrew Porter’s novel, THE IMAGINED LIFE. Here’s my review from @shelf-awareness.com: www.shelf-awareness.com/sar-issue.ht...
Shelf Awareness for Readers for Friday, April 18, 2025
www.shelf-awareness.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:20 PM
No. 7 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Andrew Porter’s novel, THE IMAGINED LIFE. Here’s my review from @shelf-awareness.com: www.shelf-awareness.com/sar-issue.ht...
No. 8 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Ocean Vuong’s novel, THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
The Emperor of Gladness | Bookreporter.com
One late summer evening in the post-industrial town of East Gladness, Connecticut, 19-year-old Hai stands on the edge of a bridge in pelting rain, ready to jump, when he hears someone shout across the...
www.bookreporter.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:27 PM
No. 8 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Ocean Vuong’s novel, THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
No. 9 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Jess Walter’s novel SO FAR GONE. Here’s my review from @readbookpage.bsky.social: www.bookpage.com/reviews/so-f...
Book review of So Far Gone by Jess Walter
Jess Walter makes an affecting, persuasive case that our deepest happiness is the sort we find closest to home in So Far Gone.
www.bookpage.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:58 PM
No. 9 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Jess Walter’s novel SO FAR GONE. Here’s my review from @readbookpage.bsky.social: www.bookpage.com/reviews/so-f...
From @shelf-awareness.com my review of Anne Fadiman’s FROG and Other Essays: www.shelf-awareness.com/theshelf/202...
Review: Frog: and Other Essays
As she's shown in her collections Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader and At Large and At Small: Familiar Essays, Anne Fadiman (The Wine
www.shelf-awareness.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:59 PM
From @shelf-awareness.com my review of Anne Fadiman’s FROG and Other Essays: www.shelf-awareness.com/theshelf/202...
No. 10 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Jill Lepore’s, WE, THE PEOPLE: A History of the U. S. Constitution. Here’s my review from @readbookpage.bsky.social: www.bookpage.com/reviews/we-t...
Book review of We the People by Jill Lepore
Why is it so hard to amend the Constitution? Jill Lepore’s lucid, accessible We the People sets out to explain why the light of popular constitutional change has dimmed.
www.bookpage.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:31 PM
No. 10 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Jill Lepore’s, WE, THE PEOPLE: A History of the U. S. Constitution. Here’s my review from @readbookpage.bsky.social: www.bookpage.com/reviews/we-t...
No. 11 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Donal Ryan’s novel, HEART BE AT PEACE. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/hear...
Heart, Be at Peace | Bookreporter.com
In a small town in Ireland, the local people have weathered the storm of economic collapse and now look to the future: The jobs are back, the dramas of the past seemingly lulled, and although the town...
www.bookreporter.com
December 4, 2025 at 6:11 PM
No. 11 on my list of Favorite Books of 2025 is Donal Ryan’s novel, HEART BE AT PEACE. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/hear...
Today I begin revealing my Favorite Books of 2025, a dozen selections—fiction and nonfiction—chosen from the 64 I reviewed this year.
No. 12 is Gwendolyn Brooks’s memoir, MEMORIAL DAYS. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/memo...
No. 12 is Gwendolyn Brooks’s memoir, MEMORIAL DAYS. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/memo...
www.bookreporter.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Today I begin revealing my Favorite Books of 2025, a dozen selections—fiction and nonfiction—chosen from the 64 I reviewed this year.
No. 12 is Gwendolyn Brooks’s memoir, MEMORIAL DAYS. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/memo...
No. 12 is Gwendolyn Brooks’s memoir, MEMORIAL DAYS. Here’s my review from @bookreporter.bsky.social: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/memo...
Beginning Monday, December 1, and for each of the following eleven days, I’ll reveal one of my Favorite Books of 2025 of the 64 I reviewed this year. Just in time for you to add one to your holiday gift list for the book lovers in your life.
November 27, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Beginning Monday, December 1, and for each of the following eleven days, I’ll reveal one of my Favorite Books of 2025 of the 64 I reviewed this year. Just in time for you to add one to your holiday gift list for the book lovers in your life.
From @shelf-awareness.com my review of Susan Wise Bauer’s THE GREAT SHADOW: A History of How Sickness Shapes What We Do, Think, Believe, and Buy: www.shelf-awareness.com/theshelf/202...
Review: The Great Shadow: A History of How Sickness Shapes What We Do, Think, Believe, and Buy
Susan Wise Bauer's The Great Shadow is an informative and lively survey of the history of illness and of humanity's attempts to combat it. Though
www.shelf-awareness.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
From @shelf-awareness.com my review of Susan Wise Bauer’s THE GREAT SHADOW: A History of How Sickness Shapes What We Do, Think, Believe, and Buy: www.shelf-awareness.com/theshelf/202...
From @readbookpage.bsky.social my review of Martha Cooley’s MY LITTLE DONKEY: Essays: www.bookpage.com/reviews/my-l...
Book review of My Little Donkey by Martha Cooley
My Little Donkey is a wise, empathetic and consistently surprising essay collection that sparkles with Martha Cooley’s customarily graceful prose.
www.bookpage.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:08 PM
From @readbookpage.bsky.social my review of Martha Cooley’s MY LITTLE DONKEY: Essays: www.bookpage.com/reviews/my-l...
From Shelf Awareness my review of Ian Frazier’s THE SNAKES THAT ATE FLORIDA: Reporting, Essays, and Criticism: www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?i...
Shelf Awareness for Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Welcome to the Web site for Shelf Awareness: Daily Enlightenment for the Book Trade, the free e-mail newsletter dedicated to helping the people in stores, ...
www.shelf-awareness.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:13 PM
From Shelf Awareness my review of Ian Frazier’s THE SNAKES THAT ATE FLORIDA: Reporting, Essays, and Criticism: www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?i...
From @bookreporter.bsky.social my review of Joseph J. Ellis’s THE GREAT CONTRADICTION: The Tragic Side of the American Founding: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
The Great Contradiction: The Tragic Side of the American Founding | Bookreporter.com
On the eve of the American Revolution, half a million enslaved African Americans were embedded in the North American population. The slave trade was flourishing, even as the 13 colonies armed themselv...
www.bookreporter.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:54 AM
From @bookreporter.bsky.social my review of Joseph J. Ellis’s THE GREAT CONTRADICTION: The Tragic Side of the American Founding: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
“Finally, we were introduced to sentence diagramming, which hacked away at the unruly jungle of English syntax until it became a tidy French garden with its topiary sorted and arranged by function.” Anne Fadiman, FROG and Other Essays (coming in 2026) #sundaysentence
November 2, 2025 at 4:22 PM
“Finally, we were introduced to sentence diagramming, which hacked away at the unruly jungle of English syntax until it became a tidy French garden with its topiary sorted and arranged by function.” Anne Fadiman, FROG and Other Essays (coming in 2026) #sundaysentence