What is Random Review?
Random Review is a deep exploration of a selected book by a reviewer with expertise on the topic or theme of that book. Sometimes reviewers cover a classic, series, genre, or author, but usually they cover a specific title. Whether you have read the selection or not, you will love Random Review!
Special Feature: Interview with the Coordinators!
The Friends of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library have coordinated this popular series for the past 30 years, with five Friends members taking turns as chair/co-chair: Connie Foulke, Lois Malango, Cheryl Maze, Debra Goldenberg, and Connie Georgiou. Library staff will be the program coordinators starting in September 2022, and we wanted to celebrate the history of this amazing series by asking the former Random Review coordinators a few questions. Click here for the full interview.
2022-2023 Schedule
September 14: 1984 by George Orwell
Reviewer: John Larison
October 12: Putin’s People: How the KGB Took Back Russia and Then Took on the West by Catherine Belton
Reviewer: Sarah Henderson
November 9: Remember: The Science of Memory and Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova
Reviewer: Helen Kao
December 14: Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Reviewer: Kate Hope Day
January 11: Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II by Daniel James Brown
Reviewer: Russell Yamada
February 8: Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution by Helen Zia
Reviewer: Dolly Chao
March 8: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story by Michael Lewis
Reviewer: Bruce Thomson and Charlie Fautin
April 12: Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard
Reviewer: J. Renee Brooks
CANCELED: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather C. McGhee
Reviewer: Dwaine Plaza
We apologize for the inconvenience, but this event was canceled.
June 14: Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe
Reviewer: David Grube and Gary DeLander
About Random Review
Random Review is co-sponsored by The Friends of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library. Reviews are held on the second Wednesday of the month from 12:00 – 1:00pm and are open to the public and free of charge.
Random Review is held virtually. Please register in advance at the link under the Review of interest. Links to register for each Review will be added to this page no later than 4-6 weeks ahead of the Review.
Captioning can be provided at all virtual events. Contact us in advance or request captions during the event.
