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NOTE: The September 13th Random Review meets virtually. Please register for it below. All other Random Reviews are in-person in the Main Meeting Room, no registration required.
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!
2023-2024 Schedule
September 13**: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee
Reviewer: Dwaine Plaza, Professor of Sociology at Oregon State University
**Note: This review is virtual, please register below. All other Random Reviews of the 2023-2024 season will be in person in the Main Meeting Room of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
October 11: Top 13 Most Challenged Books of 2022 by Various Authors
Reviewer: Ashlee Chavez, Director of Corvallis-Benton County Public Library
November 8: Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
Reviewer: Dr. Mark Edwards, Professor of Sociology at Oregon State University
December 13: Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel by Bonnie Garmus
Reviewer: Liddy Detar, Senior Instructor of Writing and Literature and Academic Advisor at Oregon State University
January 10: An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us by Ed Yong
Reviewer: Scott Heppell, Professor of Marine and Freshwater Fish Ecology at Oregon State University
February 14: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Reviewer: Karen Holmberg, Associate Professor of Literature and Creative Writing at Oregon State University
March 13: The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Reviewer: Virginia Weis, Distinguished Professor of Integrative Biology at Oregon State University
April 10: Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
Reviewer: Kourtni Rader, Local Business Owner
May 8: The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O’Rourke
Reviewer: Dr. Helen Kao, Medical Director of Clinical Innovations at Lumina Hospice & Palliative Care
June 12: Demon Copperhead: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver
Reviewer: Susan Rodgers, Professor of Creative Writing & Literature and Associate Dean of the Honors College at Oregon State University
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 in the Main Meeting Room from 12:00 – 1:00pm and are open to the public and free of charge.
A hearing loop system is available. Please contact us in advance for this service.
Want to know how Random Review got started? Learn the history through a random interview with former Random Review Coordinators here!
