Emily Choate | writer

Reviewing Dani Shapiro’s most recent memoir, Inheritance, was a great gig. There’s so much to consider in this fascinating, quick-reading book, especially in light of her previous memoirs (Like Slow Motion, Hourglass, and Devotion), all of which touch on the very subject matter at issue in this new story of upended family history. You can read my review over at Chapter 16.

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.

I’m pleased to share my latest review for Chapter 16, this time covering Michael Farris Smith’s third novel, The Fighter. Smith is a great talent who writes in the Mississippi Delta, Grit Lit vein. This book has a unique protagonist, and it was lots of fun to write about, too. My review’s up today, and you can read it here, at Chapter 16.

I get to review lots of great stuff for Chapter 16, but Radley Balko and Tucker Carrington’s powerful The Cadaver King and The Country Dentist is one I’m especially grateful to know. This true story involves the corrupt history of the Mississippi death investigations system and the consequences of allowing lax standards for expert testimony into our courtrooms. I’d recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about how corrupt systems operate and how poisoned legacies don’t just evaporate but instead keep wreaking havoc until we have the courage to go on digging until we hit the true sources of the trouble. My review’s up today; you can read it here at Chapter 16.