I’m Jim McKeown , welcome to Likely Stories, a weekly review of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and biographies. If you are a long-time listener to Likely Stories, you might know, Ian McEwan is one of my most favorite novelists. Ian has a rapier wit when he needs it, and he is a writer of renown. I have read almost all his novels, and I never—for even a moment—have lost the depth and expertise of his writing. His latest novel, The Cockroach , is satire of the highest order. If you are not familiar

I’m Jim McKeown , welcome to Likely Stories, a weekly review of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and biographies. I recently received a book which opened the window on a frightening and horrific story. Freedom Libraries: The Untold Story of Libraries for African Americans in the South by Mike Selby. Mike “is a professional librarian. He received his MLS from the University of Alabama, which is where he first unearthed the story of the Freedom Libraries. He has published over nine hundred articles

A long time ago, I stumbled on an interesting story by a pair of Ph.D students who gathered up all their worldly belongings, and moved to Botswana to study African Lions and hyenas. The adventure drew me to them as I read the story of their lives in Africa. I still have that worn copy, and hardly a year goes by when I am rereading Mark & Delia Owens Cry of the Kalahari. I tracked down a signed, hardback, of Cry, and then came upon Secrets of the Savanna . While not as exciting as Cry, it

Harry’s Trees by Jon Cohen is a most peculiar story. It begins with a tragic accident. Jon is the author of two novels before Harry’s. He was the recipient of an NEA fellowship for creative writing, and he was a cowriter of a film directed by Steven Spielberg. Jon begins, “Oriana had lost a book. It’s very special, Olive Perkins, the ancient librarian at the Pratt Public Library had told her. Somebody had made it by hand. When Olive gave it to Oriana, she almost couldn’t let go of it. There was

M. L. Stedman’s first novel, The Light Between Oceans, is a novel I highly recommend. Stedman begins this luscious and spell-binding novel with a sorrowful sound. “On the day of the miracle, Isabel was kneeling at the cliff’s edge, tending the small, newly made driftwood cross. A single fat cloud snailed across the late-April sky, which stretched above the island in a mirror of the ocean below. Isabel sprinkled more water and patted down the soil around the rosemary bush she had just planted.

I finally got a copy of the third volume of Hillary Mantel’s magnificent trilogy, The Mirror and the Light. Her first two volumes— Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies— garnered well-deserved Booker Prizes. Hilary’s incredible story—with nearly 1,700 pages—delves into the minutest details of the lives of the interesting family of Oliver Cromwell. While reading her latest book, I took some notes of interesting passages. I believe these tidbits will more than whet the appetite for those interested in

Tense and absorbing story of a runaway balloon, and several men trying to help. (Local productions are on hold during the social distance requirements due to Covid-19. This segment originally aired July 12, 2018.) Best-selling author, Ian McEwan has a knack for stories that slowly build for the reader right up until the precipice. According to WikiPedia, McEwan is an English novelist and screenwriter. In 2008, The London Times featured him on their list of "The 50 greatest British writers since

In the midst of a terrible war, a Cellist plays every day for each person killed in a bombing. (Local productions are on hold during the social distance requirements due to Covid-19. This segment originally aired June 7, 2018.) I am fortunate to coordinate a Book Club made up of a number of erudite and voracious readers. I come away from every meeting with some new insights, some new authors, and an all-around fun evening. This past month I was introduced to Steven Galloway, a Canadian novelist

Interesting selection of stories by a Booker Prize winning author. (Local productions are on hold during the social distance requirements due to Covid-19. This segment originally aired April 19, 2018.) Penelope Lively is an author with a subtle and delightful sense of humor and pathos. She has written more than 20 novels and short story collections. Her latest collection, The Purple Swamp Hen and Other Stories is every bit engrossing as many of the others I have read. Penelope was born in Cairo,

A small town with “hockey fever” hopes for a national championship. (Local productions are on hold during the social distance requirements due to Covid-19. This segment originally aired March 22, 2018.) I have read nearly all Fredrick Backman’s work, and his latest novel is Beartown. And I am happy to add it to my collection. This is a peculiar story. Normally, I dislike novels and sports, but ice hockey is a favorite pastime, so I slid into my hockey days. This story tells of a small town with