Book reviews that read between the lines.
I see criticism as a conversation—one that connects personal insight with broader cultural and literary ideas. Through my book reviews, I use literature as a lens to explore the world, weaving in my experiences, relationships, and perspectives on the themes that matter most to me.
A member of the National Book Critics Circle, I champion underrepresented voices and independent publishers. Since 2020, I’ve written “Quinn on Books,” a monthly column for the Brooklyn paper The Red Hook Star-Revue, where I review books across genres and interview local authors and booksellers. Some of my columns are photo essays, for which I take all the pictures as well.
I’m also a frequent contributor to The Gay & Lesbian Review.
Book Reviews for The Red Hook Star-Revue
I’ve written “Quinn on Books,” a monthly newspaper column, since 2020. I review New York-centric titles, spotlight traditionally marginalized writers, and champion books from small presses and independent bookstores. I also interview local authors and booksellers, bringing their voices to a wider audience.
The Red Hook Star-Revue, a Brooklyn neighborhood paper reaches 9,000 readers across Red Hook, Carroll Gardens, the Columbia Waterfront District, and Gowanus (and many more online).
Check out my latest column below, then dig through back issues.
Review of Days Without Number, New York City, photographs by Giovanna Silva, with a text by Sasha Frere-Jones
Published by The Red Hook Star-Revue (February 2025)
Book Reviews for The Gay & Lesbian Review
This bimonthly magazine of history, culture, and politics serves an educated LGBTQ+ readership. I’ve reviewed books across genres, including art, design, drag, essay collections, memoirs, and poetry, bringing a critical eye to works that shape and reflect queer experiences.
Check out my latest review below, then explore past issues.
“An Ohio State of Mind”
Review of The Spring Before Obergefell, by Ben Grossberg
Published by The G&LR (March–April 2025)
Book Reviews for Literary Journals
Fiction
“Turn, Turn, Turn”: Review of Marcovaldo, by Italo Calvino (The Common)
“The River Was Deep”: Review of Lava Falls, by Lucy Jane Bledsoe (Gertrude Press)
Nonfiction
“Mending History”: Review of A Quilt for David, by Steven Reigns (Gertrude Press)
“The Spiritual Forebear of Lana Del Rey”: Review of A Voice of the Warm, by Barry Alfonso (Gertrude Press)
“Gals and Gales”: Review of Zephyrian Spools, by Dalia Neis (Gertrude Press)
“Many Voices, One Song”: Review of Transcending, edited by Kevin Manders and Elizabeth Marston (Gertrude Press)
“Master Class in American History”: Review of I Like to Watch, by Emily Nussbaum (The Adroit Journal)
Memoir
“The Girl from Josephina”: Review of Big Freedia, by Big Freedia, with Nicole Balin (Gertrude Press)
“Just Dandy”: Review of I’ve Seen the Future, and I’m Not Going, by Peter McGough (Drizzle Review)
“Time Passages”: Review of Year of the Monkey, by Patti Smith (The Adroit Journal)
“Dial-Up Access—to the Past”: Review of People I’ve Met from the Internet, by Stephen Van Dyck (Gertrude Press)
“Deathbed Revelations”: Review of All We Knew But Couldn’t Say, by Joanne Vannicola (Gertrude Press)
“Autumn Closing In”: Review of Night Moves, by Jessica Hopper (The Adroit Journal)
“It’s Her Story Now”: Review of Self-ish, by Chloe Schwenke (Gertrude Press)
Poetry
Review of Live in Suspense, by David Groff (Colorado Review)
“Into Every Life, a Little Rain Must Fall”: Review of Come Thunder, by Barbara Helfgott Hyett (Heavy Feather Review)
“I Drive, Therefore I Am”: Review of Today in the Taxi, by Sean Singer (Heavy Feather Review)
“Midlife Crisis”: Review of Ghost Hour, by Laura Cronk (The Literary Review)
“Disappeared, Disregarded, Dead”: Review of Rest of US, by Richard Hamilton (Gertrude Press)
“What the Living Do”: Review of One Illuminated Letter of Being, by Donald Platt (Green Mountains Review)
“Live Through This”: Review of Girls Like Us, by Elizabeth Hazen (The Literary Review)
“Great Plains Evenings”: Review of Prairie Architecture, by Monica Barron (Gertrude Press)
“How to Live”: Review of Flourish, by Dora Malech (The Literary Review)
“A Serious Piece of American Music”: Review of The Miracles, by Amy Lemmon (Green Mountains Review)
“Within You, Without You”: Review of Hard Some, by Hailey Higdon (Gertrude Press)
“All Mixed Up, for a Reason”: Review of For Every Girl, by Kate Gray (Gertrude Press)
“Michael has been a truly invaluable team member...giving thoughtful feedback on at least a dozen stories and essays weekly. He meets a piece where it’s at and sees its merit while evaluating weaknesses and possible improvements that the editing process might address. He produces a high volume of work without slacking on care and quality.”
Book Reviews for Publishers Weekly
This weekly trade publication covers the book publishing industry for publishers, booksellers, librarians, literary agents, and authors. From 2018 to 2023, I contributed reviews (without bylines) in three key areas: gardening, LGBTQ+ topics (gender studies, history, memoir), and literary nonfiction. I also conducted author interviews, bringing industry insights to a professional readership.
“Michael’s friendly, professional, and diligent attitude makes him a pleasure to work with, and his stylish and thoughtful submissions are a pleasure both to edit and read—I always look forward to getting back [submissions] from him, knowing that their clean prose style and careful organization will make my job exceptionally easy, and also that I’ll encounter lively and original insights and turns of phrase.”