This week, notable titles among the best-reviewed books include Judi Dench’s *Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?*, Ian Rankin’s *The Heights*, Louise Kennedy’s *Stations*, and Simon Garfield’s *The Pen: A Human History*. These selections are featured by Book Marks, a platform from Lit Hub dedicated to book reviews.

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**Fiction**

1. *Stations* by Louise Kennedy (Riverhead)

9 Rave

The Boston Globe's Cory Oldweiler describes it as “extraordinary—and indeed bittersweet,” noting Kennedy’s earned place among contemporary Irish literary greats like Eimear McBride and Sally Rooney.

2. *West of Loveland* by Tom Drury (Grove Press)

5 Rave • 1 Positive

Booklist’s Bill Kelly emphasizes its “richly imagined” narrative and deep exploration of fate and belonging.

3. *The Heights* by Ian Rankin (Cardinal)

3 Rave • 3 Positive • 1 Mixed

Chris Connor from Crime Fiction Lover asserts that even after 40 years, Rankin still delivers the storytelling that made the Rebus series popular.

4. *Sweet Pea* by Kit de Waal (St. Martin’s)

4 Rave • 1 Positive

Enobong Tommelleo from Booklist praises the book’s humor and its theme of radical forgiveness.

5. *Gloria Don’t Speak* by Lucy Apps (Mariner)

2 Rave • 1 Positive

Laura Chanoux remarks on Apps’ ability to immerse readers in Gloria’s perspective, highlighting the book as a compelling character study.

**Nonfiction**

1. *The King Under the Mountain: In Search of J. R. R. Tolkien* by D. J. Taylor (Pegasus)

5 Rave • 1 Positive • 3 Mixed

Marcel Theroux of The Financial Times finds the book insightful, noting its mix of humor and tribute to Tolkien’s quirks and achievements.

2. *Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?* by Judi Dench (St. Martin’s)

5 Rave

Fiona Sturges from The Guardian highlights Dench’s wit and warmth throughout the otherwise erratic structure of her memoir.

3. *Castles: A Fortified History of the World* by Dan Jones (Viking)

4 Rave • 1 Positive

Spencer Strub from The New York Times Book Review appreciates how the book intertwines myth and history.

4. *The Pen: A Human History* by Simon Garfield (Crown)

3 Rave • 2 Positive

Booklist’s Lillian Liao finds it engrossing and relevant to discussions about writing tools in the digital age.

5. *Just a Shot Away: Martin Scorsese’s Life in Film* by Mark Binelli (Metropolitan)

4 Rave

David Pitt from Booklist presents a nuanced portrayal of Scorsese, emphasizing his artistically dedicated approach to filmmaking.