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
I was honored to participate in this MLK Day community program hosted by my synagogue and to read this sentence from Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
January 19, 2026 at 8:07 PM
I was honored to participate in this MLK Day community program hosted by my synagogue and to read this sentence from Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Happy place. A joy to be reading here this afternoon.
January 18, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Happy place. A joy to be reading here this afternoon.
“We’re seeing—and creating—a condition in which facts seem ever more fungible, in which history that doesn’t fit neatly into the form of a movie seems less true than the history that does.” Megan Garber, SCREEN PEOPLE #sundaysentence
January 18, 2026 at 1:32 PM
“We’re seeing—and creating—a condition in which facts seem ever more fungible, in which history that doesn’t fit neatly into the form of a movie seems less true than the history that does.” Megan Garber, SCREEN PEOPLE #sundaysentence
@meganewrites.bsky.social Thanks for the follow, Megan. Let me know if you’ve found any more of our fellow @bookreporter.bsky.social reviewers here.
January 18, 2026 at 1:30 PM
@meganewrites.bsky.social Thanks for the follow, Megan. Let me know if you’ve found any more of our fellow @bookreporter.bsky.social reviewers here.
Looking forward to this one. Read his recent interview in the New York Times if you haven’t already done so.
January 13, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Looking forward to this one. Read his recent interview in the New York Times if you haven’t already done so.
“Getting out of a hospital is like escaping a casino, they don’t make it easy for you.” Ben Markovits, THE REST OF OUR LIVES. #sundaysentence
And as a bonus, here’s my review of the novel for @bookreporter.bsky.social:
www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
And as a bonus, here’s my review of the novel for @bookreporter.bsky.social:
www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
The Rest of Our Lives | Bookreporter.com
When Tom Layward’s wife had an affair 12 years ago, he resolved to leave her as soon as his youngest child left the nest. Now, while driving his college-bound daughter to Pittsburgh, he remembers his ...
www.bookreporter.com
January 11, 2026 at 1:58 PM
“Getting out of a hospital is like escaping a casino, they don’t make it easy for you.” Ben Markovits, THE REST OF OUR LIVES. #sundaysentence
And as a bonus, here’s my review of the novel for @bookreporter.bsky.social:
www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
And as a bonus, here’s my review of the novel for @bookreporter.bsky.social:
www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
From @bookreporter.bsky.social my review of Ben Markovits’s novel, THE REST OF OUR LIVES: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
The Rest of Our Lives | Bookreporter.com
When Tom Layward’s wife had an affair 12 years ago, he resolved to leave her as soon as his youngest child left the nest. Now, while driving his college-bound daughter to Pittsburgh, he remembers his ...
www.bookreporter.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:09 PM
From @bookreporter.bsky.social my review of Ben Markovits’s novel, THE REST OF OUR LIVES: www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-...
From @readbookpage.bsky.social my interview with Stefan Merrill Block and my review of his new memoir, HOMESCHOOLED:
www.bookpage.com/interviews/s...
www.bookpage.com/interviews/s...
Interview with Stefan Merrill Block, author of Homeschooled
Stefan Merrill Block was 9 when his mother pulled him from school to be taught at home. As he details in his first memoir, the result wasn’t quite a disaster.
www.bookpage.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:01 PM
From @readbookpage.bsky.social my interview with Stefan Merrill Block and my review of his new memoir, HOMESCHOOLED:
www.bookpage.com/interviews/s...
www.bookpage.com/interviews/s...
“In any case, this world is in such bad shape that anyone
who does not actively seek ill to others is doing an
enormous good.” Vicente Luis Mora, CENTROEUROPA #sundaysentence
who does not actively seek ill to others is doing an
enormous good.” Vicente Luis Mora, CENTROEUROPA #sundaysentence
January 5, 2026 at 3:11 AM
“In any case, this world is in such bad shape that anyone
who does not actively seek ill to others is doing an
enormous good.” Vicente Luis Mora, CENTROEUROPA #sundaysentence
who does not actively seek ill to others is doing an
enormous good.” Vicente Luis Mora, CENTROEUROPA #sundaysentence
Final two book reviews of 2025 . . . filed.📚
December 30, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Final two book reviews of 2025 . . . filed.📚
“Long nose, long eyelashes, almost cartoonish, his features interchangeable like on a Mr. Potato Head, as if you could pluck out his mouth and put it where his ear had been.“ Maria Adelmann, THE ADJUNCT (coming in March 2026) #sundaysentence
December 28, 2025 at 2:32 PM
“Long nose, long eyelashes, almost cartoonish, his features interchangeable like on a Mr. Potato Head, as if you could pluck out his mouth and put it where his ear had been.“ Maria Adelmann, THE ADJUNCT (coming in March 2026) #sundaysentence
“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-...