Emily Choate | writer

Last month, I had the opportunity to review a unique guide to energy-based spiritual practices and meditations, written by a man who has played a fascinating role in in our culture for over 20 years–Damien Echols, known as the most prominent member of the West Memphis Three. High Magick serves not only as a primer on spiritual disciplines, but also as a kind of spiritual chronicle of how Echols faced his many years on death row, prior to his release via an Alford plea. You can read my review of High Magick over at Chapter 16.

I had the chance to write some thoughts on the new novel from East Tennessee writer Charles Dodd White. In the House of Wilderness presses into that great territory loved by all of us Southern writers: how our landscape can nourish us and imperil us, often simultaneously. You can catch my review over at the ever-nourishing Chapter 16.

Writing for Chapter 16 is such a blissy gig, especially when it entails reviewing a powerhouse talent like Tiana Clark and her debut collection, I Can’t Talk About The Trees Without The Blood. Clark is a necessary poetic voice in Southern literature right now. My review is up over at the also-necessary Chapter 16 and in this week’s Nashville Scene. 

I’m delighted to share that I had the great gig of reviewing Alexander Chee’s essay collection, How To Write An Autobiographical Novel. If you haven’t read Chee yet, there’s no more reason to wait. His work makes a good friend in troubled times. My review is up today at the ever-lovely Chapter 16.

I’m thrilled to share my review of Silas House’s new novel, Southernmost. I had heard House described as the best kept secret among Southern writers, and now I know what that meant. This novel is such a pleasure. You can read my review at the ever-wonderful Chapter 16. 

Because I’m not a poet, and instead a besotted reader of poetry, I especially love to review poetry collections. That fact makes the chance to write about the new collaborative collection from Jesse Graves and William Wright, Specter Mountain, a special thrill. I dearly hope this collection finds its readers and its place in Appalachian literature. My review’s up today at Chapter 16; read it here.

I’m excited to share my review for Meg Wolitzer’s newest novel, The Female Persuasion. I think wide varieties of readers will love this book, and/or be challenged by it. The wide press it received in the run-up to its publication week was well-founded. I could not put this book down, and I loved the challenge of writing about it, too. My review’s up today over at the marvelous Chapter 16, and you can read it here.