About
For years, in addition to reading and reviewing for publications, I’ve become an unofficial book concierge of sorts. I thrill to answer an unexpected text from a loved one in a bookstore, wondering, what should I read?
I like to suggest books readers might not find in the few mainstream outlets that still publish reviews: books in translation, small press titles, university press books, and cookbooks. I built this site to make these recs — tagged by genre, subject, and vibe — available to all. Think of it as the Staff Picks shelf in my nonexistent bookshop.
This project is called The Fine Margin because it’s often small details that distinguish the great from the merely good. The Fine Margin also refers to the increasingly constricted and difficult spaces artists must navigate in a culture that doesn’t care enough about our work.
As a writer and critic, I’m known for strong literary opinions, but you’ll only find books I love here — that’s by design. This site is a place to visit for inspiration when you’re wandering the aisles, literally or virtually. It houses mini-reviews that don’t sacrifice seriousness in favor of blurb-y superlatives. You won’t find Most Anticipated lists of titles I haven’t read yet or roundups of books with cool covers, though I love those too. This is a project dedicated to substance. If a book is here, I’ve read it, thought about it, reviewed it (without input from AI), and think it’s worth your time. Each month, I’ll also publish a short interview with an author.
If you use the links on this site to purchase books through Bookshop.org, I'll receive a small commission. I hope you will do that so I can continue to offer this free public service.
