Joseph Rauch
@josephrauch.bsky.social
Author of "The Last of the Mentally Ill," Founder of The Rauch Review - populist, half Lebanese + half Ashkenazi atheist from San Diego
Does a first-person narrative with memory holes justify plot holes? Can we fairly evaluate a 2019 English translation of a 1994 Japanese text? Read our review to decide if our critique is fair and whether Yoko Ogawa’s "The Memory Police" deserves its accolades >> https://bit.ly/4c4uEE4
‘The Memory Police’ Explained: Loss of Memories, Characters and Story
"The Memory Police" offers a unique first-person narrative where objects, ideas and words disappear both from the narrator’s world and the prose we read.
bit.ly
February 11, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Does a first-person narrative with memory holes justify plot holes? Can we fairly evaluate a 2019 English translation of a 1994 Japanese text? Read our review to decide if our critique is fair and whether Yoko Ogawa’s "The Memory Police" deserves its accolades >> https://bit.ly/4c4uEE4
Dollartorium, by Ron Pullins, follows a Kansas corndog savant pulled into a too-good-to-be-true empire of self-help seminars and “success.” When it implodes, he has to find his way back to family and the best corndogs in Kansas, despite the lizard people. Out tomorrow!→ https://bit.ly/4bEulQa
DOLLARTORIUM — Unsolicited Press
KIRKUS REVIEWS calls Pullins’ DOLLARTORIUM, “A boisterous and thoughtful journey through the absurdities of modern capitalism.” Ralph makes world-class corndogs in a small Kansas shop. It’s humble work, but honest. The problem? The bills pile...
bit.ly
February 9, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Dollartorium, by Ron Pullins, follows a Kansas corndog savant pulled into a too-good-to-be-true empire of self-help seminars and “success.” When it implodes, he has to find his way back to family and the best corndogs in Kansas, despite the lizard people. Out tomorrow!→ https://bit.ly/4bEulQa
What’s your favorite literary fiction title right now? Maybe we can promo it in our newsletter.
February 6, 2026 at 10:03 PM
What’s your favorite literary fiction title right now? Maybe we can promo it in our newsletter.
“Girl, Interrupted” by Susanna Kaysen offers a first-person perspective on a young woman living with mental illness stigma brought on by herself and the people around her. This book feels like a blast from the past - read more in our review > https://bit.ly/46eAhMc
‘Girl, Interrupted’ Book Review: Sanity, Insanity and the Female Experience
If you’re looking for a solid retelling about a particular time living in a psych ward, then this is the book for you.
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 4:13 PM
“Girl, Interrupted” by Susanna Kaysen offers a first-person perspective on a young woman living with mental illness stigma brought on by herself and the people around her. This book feels like a blast from the past - read more in our review > https://bit.ly/46eAhMc
Now that I've watched part of this story in "The Rings of Power," I've been more motivated to read the original version. Check out J.R.R. Tolkein's "The Fall of Númenor" >> https://amzn.to/4q8VFcN
Amazon
Amazon
amzn.to
February 3, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Now that I've watched part of this story in "The Rings of Power," I've been more motivated to read the original version. Check out J.R.R. Tolkein's "The Fall of Númenor" >> https://amzn.to/4q8VFcN
Every week I promote one literary fiction and one nonfiction book (usually memoir or political) in my newsletter. Drop yours here, and I’ll consider it. We prioritize hidden gems and self-published authors.
January 30, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Every week I promote one literary fiction and one nonfiction book (usually memoir or political) in my newsletter. Drop yours here, and I’ll consider it. We prioritize hidden gems and self-published authors.
As an NYU alumnus, I still receive newsletters about poetry collections faculty have been a part of, so this popped up. Seems like a hidden gem. > https://amzn.to/3ZzYRDp
Amazon
Amazon
amzn.to
January 29, 2026 at 6:22 PM
As an NYU alumnus, I still receive newsletters about poetry collections faculty have been a part of, so this popped up. Seems like a hidden gem. > https://amzn.to/3ZzYRDp
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe -v- Wade, “Red Clocks” is a book that flies uncomfortably close to the truth of American abortion politics. Did author Leni Zumas provide an equally terrifying dystopian future as “The Handmaid’s Tale?” >> https://bit.ly/46hB8vv
‘Red Clocks’ Book Review: Where Abortion Policy is Headed?
Hailed as a ‘post-Atwood’ dystopian novel, a risky moniker to be handed down to any novelist, did author Leni Zumas manage to provide an equally terrifying dystopian future as Atwood envisions in “The Handmaid’s Tale?”
bit.ly
January 27, 2026 at 7:43 PM
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe -v- Wade, “Red Clocks” is a book that flies uncomfortably close to the truth of American abortion politics. Did author Leni Zumas provide an equally terrifying dystopian future as “The Handmaid’s Tale?” >> https://bit.ly/46hB8vv
What have you been reading lately? Post it here. If it’s underappreciated and within our scope, we’ll promote it on our newsletter and other social channels.
January 23, 2026 at 4:14 PM
What have you been reading lately? Post it here. If it’s underappreciated and within our scope, we’ll promote it on our newsletter and other social channels.
The author of "Remarkably Bright Creatures" endorsed this book, and I can see why. It's also about an older widow trying to find a new purpose in life, although by traveling instead of befriending an octopus lol. Check out Laura Pritchett's "Three Keys" > https://amzn.to/49yzjMU
January 21, 2026 at 9:35 PM
The author of "Remarkably Bright Creatures" endorsed this book, and I can see why. It's also about an older widow trying to find a new purpose in life, although by traveling instead of befriending an octopus lol. Check out Laura Pritchett's "Three Keys" > https://amzn.to/49yzjMU
Check out "Giselle," our latest short fiction by Leif Gregersen featuring artwork by Annika Connor > https://bit.ly/4r94yEl
Giselle
One day you will see how lucky you are that I made sacrifices so you could learn, my little love.
bit.ly
January 20, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Check out "Giselle," our latest short fiction by Leif Gregersen featuring artwork by Annika Connor > https://bit.ly/4r94yEl
Who’s your favorite literary author right now? If I haven’t heard of them, I’ll consider adding their books to my newsletter promo list.
January 16, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Who’s your favorite literary author right now? If I haven’t heard of them, I’ll consider adding their books to my newsletter promo list.
I'm obsessed with debating grammar, so I love the premise of this novel. Check out "The Grammarians" by Cathleen Schine > https://amzn.to/3LG4Cw8
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
amzn.to
January 14, 2026 at 3:25 PM
I'm obsessed with debating grammar, so I love the premise of this novel. Check out "The Grammarians" by Cathleen Schine > https://amzn.to/3LG4Cw8
What started as a childhood fixation on The Legend of Zelda turns into something much bigger: a meditation on identity, inheritance, and what it means to be Arab and Ashkenazi. This piece moves between pop culture, memory, and history >> https://bit.ly/4qiknZ5
Ganondorf and My Arab-Ashkenazi Journey
I did wonder why the Arab-looking man from the desert had to be the villain.
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM
What started as a childhood fixation on The Legend of Zelda turns into something much bigger: a meditation on identity, inheritance, and what it means to be Arab and Ashkenazi. This piece moves between pop culture, memory, and history >> https://bit.ly/4qiknZ5
Any new under-the-radar poetry books I should be aware of?
January 9, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Any new under-the-radar poetry books I should be aware of?
As someone who has struggled with chronic illnesses since I was 12, this type of memoir is always really inspiring to me. Check out "Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis" by Arlene Faulk > https://amzn.to/4pqV9GT
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
amzn.to
January 7, 2026 at 10:47 PM
As someone who has struggled with chronic illnesses since I was 12, this type of memoir is always really inspiring to me. Check out "Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis" by Arlene Faulk > https://amzn.to/4pqV9GT
At the Rauch Review, we use the rating system of five stars, but our star ratings have specific meanings. Before we read a book, we think of it as five stars. While reading, we look for mistakes that justify knocking its rating down. To understand the system, read more >> https://bit.ly/3L110ol
Our Philosophy on Book Star Ratings
Unlike the typical system, however, our star ratings have specific meanings that are informative for readers and fair to authors.
bit.ly
January 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
At the Rauch Review, we use the rating system of five stars, but our star ratings have specific meanings. Before we read a book, we think of it as five stars. While reading, we look for mistakes that justify knocking its rating down. To understand the system, read more >> https://bit.ly/3L110ol
This week I’m looking for a hidden gem illustrated novel or memoir to promote in my newsletter. We include manga, manhwa, etc. Please leave recs!
January 2, 2026 at 4:48 PM
This week I’m looking for a hidden gem illustrated novel or memoir to promote in my newsletter. We include manga, manhwa, etc. Please leave recs!
Rather than trying to cancel all the authors whose views we disagree with, I asked a key question: If I buy or read books written by "problematic" authors, am I potentially contributing to the victimization of innocent people and the degradation of communities? > https://bit.ly/4pch58z
Is It OK to Buy Books by These Problematic Authors?
Rather than trying to cancel all the authors whose views we disagree with, I decided to make this list about authors who have allegedly and/or admittedly harmed innocent people and communities with their actions, books or words.
bit.ly
December 31, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Rather than trying to cancel all the authors whose views we disagree with, I asked a key question: If I buy or read books written by "problematic" authors, am I potentially contributing to the victimization of innocent people and the degradation of communities? > https://bit.ly/4pch58z
On my list ever since my wife took me to the Philippines for the first time many years ago. While touring Intramuros, our guide educated me on José Rizal, who died because of this book. Check out José Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" > https://amzn.to/4pbstl1
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
amzn.to
December 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
On my list ever since my wife took me to the Philippines for the first time many years ago. While touring Intramuros, our guide educated me on José Rizal, who died because of this book. Check out José Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" > https://amzn.to/4pbstl1
I’m looking for underappreciated memoirs to promote in my newsletter. Please comment!
December 26, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I’m looking for underappreciated memoirs to promote in my newsletter. Please comment!
Another stop on my journey to better understand and appreciate the craft of poetry. Take some time at the end of this year to explore some poetry. Check out Jenny Xie's "Eye Level" > https://amzn.to/49p4jyK
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
amzn.to
December 25, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Another stop on my journey to better understand and appreciate the craft of poetry. Take some time at the end of this year to explore some poetry. Check out Jenny Xie's "Eye Level" > https://amzn.to/49p4jyK
My novel writing process is a combination of unplanned inspiration and detailed planning. Life, observation and eavesdropping inspire the core idea. Once the premise of the book fully reveals itself to me, I frantically jot down as many notes as possible. Read more > https://bit.ly/4pToGtG
Inside My Novel Writing Process
My novel writing process is a combination of unplanned inspiration and detailed planning.
bit.ly
December 24, 2025 at 4:05 PM
My novel writing process is a combination of unplanned inspiration and detailed planning. Life, observation and eavesdropping inspire the core idea. Once the premise of the book fully reveals itself to me, I frantically jot down as many notes as possible. Read more > https://bit.ly/4pToGtG
What are some underrated books by famous authors?
December 19, 2025 at 6:13 PM
What are some underrated books by famous authors?
When I was editing a review of “O Beautiful” by Jung Yun, I noticed she gave herself a five-star rating on Goodreads. I was aware of this feature that allows an author to rate and/or review their own books, but she was the first I saw exercise this privilege. Read my take > https://bit.ly/49bycm1
Should Authors Rate and/or Review Their Own Books on Goodreads?
Before this instance, I had assumed all authors would decline the self-review option because of the risky optics.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
When I was editing a review of “O Beautiful” by Jung Yun, I noticed she gave herself a five-star rating on Goodreads. I was aware of this feature that allows an author to rate and/or review their own books, but she was the first I saw exercise this privilege. Read my take > https://bit.ly/49bycm1