A heart-wrenching and vulnerable memoir, "Docile" is Hyeseung Song's look back on her complex and longstanding struggle with her own identity and upbrA heart-wrenching and vulnerable memoir, "Docile" is Hyeseung Song's look back on her complex and longstanding struggle with her own identity and upbringing. The oldest child of Korean immigrants, Hyeseung's grew up in the deep south of Texas where, from the very beginning, she knew she was not like other children. Her appearance and her family's financial difficulties made for a difficult childhood, her father's constant pursuit of the "American dream" and becoming an entrepreneur leading to many fights with her mother, eventually forcing the family to declare bankruptcy and lose their home. Some of her earliest memories are of her inserting herself between her parents when they fought, trying to keep the fragile peace within the family.
As Hyeseung grows older, however, she becomes inundated with the messaging that many Asian parents dump on their children - the singular goal of academic excellence, which she absorbs as her own benchmark for life. Even when she gets accepted to some of the best schools in the nation, it's still not enough for her mother, who only wanted Harvard. Hyeseung graduates from Princeton, floundering on a path forward and questioning her future path in life; she is accepted to Harvard Law but her struggles with her own mental health completely derail her life - to the point where she must completely reassess what she's always been told she should do.
As a first generation Chinese-American immigrant myself, this novel hit so close to home and was relatable on far too many levels; I think readers who don't grow up with this background may not understand the weight of Hyeseung's upbringing and how devastating the (dis)approval of one's parents can be, even far into adulthood. It's painful, reading how exhaustingly she worked to follow path that was set for her, and what she sacrificed of herself in order to achieve it. She builds and fleshes out her parents into complex, multi-layered individuals - flawed, emotional, and imperfect, but also deeply loving individuals who also wanted the best for their children and thought they knew how to raise their daughter in a brand new country.
I admire Song for being able to pivot her life even as an adult, letting go of the years and time she'd put into pursuing a career that she never wanted, and finding her voice as an artist and writer. The last few chapters of the novel, as she comes to terms with her decisions and actions did feel a little rushed, especially with the passing of her mother, and I personally wish she had spent a little more time and focus on the more recent years.
Very much a recommended read when "Docile" is published in July 2024, especially for those with a similar upbringing.
Thank you Simon & Schuster for the advance copy of this novel!...more
This was one of the most difficult and painful books I've yet to read - but I'm so grateful that Tia Levings put into words the experiences she went tThis was one of the most difficult and painful books I've yet to read - but I'm so grateful that Tia Levings put into words the experiences she went through. "A Well-Trained Wife" is her memoir that looks back on her life, from her upbringing where church and religion served as a place of security and a means of connecting to others, to her future marriage where Christian fundamentalism took on became omnipresent force that nearly consumed her family.
While my own knowledge and background in religion is fairly limited as I grew up agnostic, I came to see how much of my own upbringing I'd taken for granted through this work. The bulk of the writing focuses on Tia Levings' life after her marriage to Allan, a man who initially appears to be a loving partner but reveals himself to be far from it. The long-standing mistreatment and abuse that Tia has to endure is excruciating and infuriating; as a woman, there were so many moments I wanted to scream. The fact that still, in this day in age, women are treated as beneath and subservient to men, that there are still populations that believe a wife's only duty to is take care of her husband and make him happy... is truly mind-blowing. Yet, Tia endured the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse all while raising four children and attempted to maintain some semblance of normalcy in their lives.
The triumph of this novel comes when she's able to take her words and utilize them as a source of power, identity, and sufficiency and take herself and her children to safety - and slowly rebuild a life all over again. She doesn't shy away from the difficulty of having to face and come to terms with her trauma, and the ongoing scars that still linger with her to this day.
This book should be approached with caution given the sensitivity of the topics, but it is nonetheless a book I think many should read. Very much looking forward to its publication in August 2024!
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this novel!...more
A beautiful, transportive multi-generational novel, "Songs for the Brokenhearted" tells the story of Zohara, a young Yemeni Jewish woman in 1995 as shA beautiful, transportive multi-generational novel, "Songs for the Brokenhearted" tells the story of Zohara, a young Yemeni Jewish woman in 1995 as she's confronted with news of the death of her mother Saida. Despite the physical and emotional distance she's placed between herself and her mother, Zohara flies back to her hometown in Sha'ariya, Israel and is reunited with the family and friends that she hasn't seen in decades. Over time, we learn more about Zohara and the events that have shaped her, including the complicated relationship she had with her mother and father; the tension that exists between her and her older sister Lizzie; and the bond that develops between her and her nephew Yoni. As Zohara begins to clean up her mother's belongings, she stumbles across a number of writings and tapes - many of which are recordings of her mother singing. These serve as a starting point for her as she begins to dig into her mother's past and tries to learn more about the person she was.
There's a second timeline that is woven in set in 1950 at Rosh Ha’ayin, Israel, an immigrant camp where thousands of Yemeni Jews have sought refuge following the events of the Holocaust. Yaqub is a young man who crosses path of Saida as she sings by the riverbank; immediately enamored, the two become closer despite the fact that Saida is married and is at the camp with her young son Rafael. It's also at this camp that Rafael disappears - just one of thousands of children that disappear from their families in these immigrant camps - and this loss reverberate years into the future.
There's so much that this novel covers and made clear to me how little I truly knew about these time periods. Tsabari covered how overlooked the disappearing children from the Israeli immigrant camps were and are, as well as the difficult conditions for residents. In more recent years, I also saw a different side to the Oslo Accords that were signed between Israel and the PLO, and the events and build up leading to the assassination of Prime Minister Rabin. The writing is complex and well-structured, and I found myself equally invested in both Zohara's storyline as I was in Saida and Yaqub. A number of difficult themes and topics are also raised, including the historical (and sometimes present) treatment of women; fidelity in relationships; ethnicity and identity; and the role of songs and songwriting in tradition and history. And while there are elements of romance present in this novel, it is far from the main focus it; instead, we get to truly understand the protagonists and see the ways in which Zohara is able to understand and make amends with her mother even after her death.
Very much a recommended read when "Songs for the Brokenhearted" is released in September 2024!
Thank you Random House for the advance copy of this novel!...more
In "The Quiet Damage", journalist Jesse Cook takes a deeper look at the rise of QAnon in recent years and the extent of its repercussions on a handfulIn "The Quiet Damage", journalist Jesse Cook takes a deeper look at the rise of QAnon in recent years and the extent of its repercussions on a handful of families across America. Each chapter focuses on a different story, and rotates across individuals and perspectives, highlighting the "before" and the quick and unexpected chaos that followed in the "after".
We're introduced to a number of families - starting with Emily, a single mother-turned-lawyer who's raised her three children by herself following the suicide of her husband. When all three of her children become successful adults and leave their childhood home, she struggles with the isolation and loneliness, turning to the internet to fill the gap. We spend time with Doris and Dale, who've been married for decades, but a misdiagnosis of cancer sends Doris down a spiral and she also gets pulled into the conspiracy theories that flood social media. Another couple, Andrea and Matt, also reach a breaking point after Matt work with a Christian radio station and video producer leads him to a QAnon video - and his actions also pull in his wife with him. Alice, who grew up a Democrat and was a former Bernie Sanders supporter, also fell prey to the influence, and her husband Christopher can only watch on as the person he loves completely morphs in front of his eyes. The final story centers on Kendra and her older sister Tayshia, growing up as black girls in Milwaukee and how one sibling's pull into QAnon irreparably scarred the other.
Cook treats each of these stories and families with incredible care and empathy; each person's backstory is lovingly captured, their personalities, passions, and accomplishments fleshed out. The individuals range in location, age, and race but there are a number of common themes and situations - a jarring emotional or physical shock; feelings of loneliness or abandonment; the isolation and fear caused by the COVID-19 pandemic - that highlight just how alluring the QAnon movement was to them. As someone who had only heard of the movement in passing or referenced at high-level in the news, hearing in detail some of the messaging or channels that the theories spread was informational, if not shocking. And the emotional, mental, and physical toll this had on the loved ones around these individuals was heart-wrenching and devastating; for some families, there was no resolution.
This is an eye-opening book that treats a group of people with much-needed compassion. Personally, I think it would have been better served keeping each story to one section, instead of chopping them up into multiple ones as it sometimes made it hard to keep up with each. I also would have appreciated some more scientific support - earlier studies that would have refuted some of the strategies employed, or additional literature to better support the statements - but can understand that this was more focused on the individuals and stories highlighted.
Thank you Crown Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!...more
4.5/5 stars for an impressive debut novel that covers a little-known aspect of WWII history.
"The Sunflower House" opens in present day New Jersey, whe4.5/5 stars for an impressive debut novel that covers a little-known aspect of WWII history.
"The Sunflower House" opens in present day New Jersey, when Katrine Strauss returns to her mother Alina's home and stumbles across a box of her belongings; inside are a myriad of photographs, letters, and documents that detail a history that her mother never shared with her. Seeing the confusion and pain in her daughter, Alina finally opens up about her past taking her and readers to Badensburg, a quiet village in Germany, where she grows up peacefully and is prepared to marry her childhood sweetheart. Alina's life is forcefully changed though when her town is raided, her loved ones killed, and she is taken hostage by the Schutzstaffel and brought to Hochland Home, one of the institutions part of the Lebensborn Program.
It's here that Allina learns of the true intention of the program, which sought to further Hitler's goals for making the Aryan population supreme, and housed women and expecting mothers who would give birth to children that fell under this ideology. In order to survive, she's forced to work at Hochland Home, all-the-while hiding a devastating family secret that could cost her life. When Allina meets Karl von Strassberg, a high ranking officer in the SS, she sees him as just one cog in the large machine, but little by little, begins to realize he's an ally in her goals and her determination to save a number of the neglected and mistreated children at Hochland Home. Their partnership blooms into one of love, even in the midst of the looming war and the unspeakable violence and destruction that follows.
Despite the fact that I've read a number of historical fiction novels that cover a similar time period, this novel introduced me to the Lebensborn Program and yet another group of women and children who were taken advantage of and had their lives destroyed by the goals of the Third Reich. It's clear that Adriana Allegri did an extension amount of research for this novel, and she includes a number of notes and clarifications in her afterword, which I found helpful. I found the storyline to be well-constructed, with steady pacing and complex and compelling characters; while romance isn't a genre I typically enjoy, I enjoyed the evolution of Karl and Allina's relationship and their growth as individuals.
Very much a recommended read when "The Sunflower House" is published in November 2024!
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this novel!...more
"The Road to the Country" centers on the perspective Adekunle Aromire, or Kunle - a young Nigerian man who grows up on the precipice of the Biafran Wa"The Road to the Country" centers on the perspective Adekunle Aromire, or Kunle - a young Nigerian man who grows up on the precipice of the Biafran War. He has a lengthy, strained relationship with his younger brother Tunde, who was an a car accident as a child and became confined to a wheelchair, and has blamed himself for the incident ever since. When he returns home from university to visit his parents, he finds out that Tunde and his childhood friend Nkechi have disappeared in the middle of the violence, and sets on himself the harrowing task of finding them and bringing them back. Joining of small Red Cross convoy, Kunle tries to make a quick leave - only to find himself completely lost and conscripted into the Biafran Army against his will.
Despite his best attempts to avoid the battlefront, Kunle is eventually trained and forced into the ravages of war - the daily bombings and shootings, the omnipresence of death, and the grotesque and brutal injuries and casualties that it brings. However, even in the midst of such destruction, he's able to find camaraderie and friendship in his fellow soldiers despite the blurring of allegiances and sides, love, and a chance at finding his own identity and voice. Kunle's story is a complex, multi-faceted one as he is forced to face grief and loss, war, and redemption in a place he never expected.
This novel is a brutal and graphic look at the Biafran War that wracked Nigeria in 1967, and the political machinations that ultimately led to so many casualties and deaths - both directly and indirectly. It's a testament to the strength of the human character and the ability to adapt and succeed even in the most trying and painful of situations, and we follow Kunle as he ultimately carries through in his prophecy. Obioma's writing is poetic and descriptive, painting the scene for such a desolate period and the individuals that Kunle encounters and comes to know as the war drags on. I have to say that I struggled with a few aspects of the novel, including the pacing and progression of the storyline as much of the first half of the novel is mired a ceaseless barrage of battle; while these have their purpose, they felt less impactful the more they occurred. I also didn't fully appreciate the injection of the Seer's passages as they interrupted Kunle's storyline and forced the reader to switch between different time periods.
I think some readers will appreciate this more than others, but I encourage anyone curious about the Biafran War to give this novel a try when it's published in June 2024.
Thank you Hogarth Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!...more
In "Tell Me Everything", Elizabeth Strout brings together the protagonists in two of her beloved series with aplomb and grace.
In the quiet town of CrIn "Tell Me Everything", Elizabeth Strout brings together the protagonists in two of her beloved series with aplomb and grace.
In the quiet town of Crosby, Maine, Lucy Barton and her ex-husband William have settled in after leaving to flee the pandemic in NYC. Her friendship with Bob Burgess, a retired lawyer, has deepened in to a close friendship despite their older ages and his own marriage to Margaret, a pastor. However, Bob is called to action when a senior woman by the name of Gloria Beach is found dead, and the primary suspect is her adult son, Matt Beach, who lived with her and served as her primary caretaker. The unraveling of this mystery serves as the central plot for this novel, as Bob begins to learn more about the Beach family and the series of events that led to this ultimate end.
This is not just a murder mystery, however. The novel focuses on the complicated relationship developing Lucy and Bob and also pulls in the storylines of the individuals around them, including Bob's ex-wife Pam and her struggles with her own husband and alcoholism; Bob's brother Jim and his family as they face a devastating loss; and Lucy's new friendship with Olive Kitteridge. While the number of characters and backstories may be daunting at first for new readers, they are integrated smoothly and seamlessly throughout the chapters. They serve to bolster the story's main focus - on the breadth and depth of human lives and stories, and the beauty and fragility of the connections that form between people. Strout's writing is engaging and diverse, at times humorous and glib, other times deeply sad and moving. Her primary characters have such depth and complexity it's almost impossible not to develop empathy for them and the trials they go through.
Very much a recommended read for when "Tell Me Everything" is published in September 2024!
Thank you Penguin Random House for the advance copy of this novel!...more
"Kaikeyi" had been one of my favorite reads of the prior year, so I was especially excited to get my hands on an early copy of "Goddess of the River"."Kaikeyi" had been one of my favorite reads of the prior year, so I was especially excited to get my hands on an early copy of "Goddess of the River". In a similar thread to her debut novel, author Vaishnavi Patel has crafted a retelling of another female being from the Mahabharata, this time focused on Ganga, goddess of the River Ganges.
Most of the novel is centered on Ganga's first-person perspective, as she recounts her earliest days and her eventual imprisonment into a human form by a sage with the power of Shiva; she's given a curse in which the eight godlings, or Vasus, that were under her care must now become her children. She eventually meets Shantanu, raja of Hastinapur, who is determined to marry her - and Ganga, calling herself Jahnavi, acquiesces on the condition that he asks her no questions. Shantanu agrees, even despite the birth and passing of their infants, but eventually confronts his wife and takes back Devavrata to raise as his heir.
The following chapters alternate between perspectives and timelines as the years pass in Hastinapur and tensions after Shantanu's passing lead to bickering and conflict over the Kuru Kingdom. Central to the later years is Bhishma, who watches as his grandchildren and grandnephews vye for ownership and control and questions his duties to his kingdom over his own moral compass. Ganga herself comes to question her own place and purpose as a deity watching over the mortal world, and her responsibilities as both a goddess and a mother.
This is a beautifully written novel that has Patel's poignant and lyrical prose built upon a complex and multi-layered protagonist. Ganga's passages were the strongest for me, especially in the emotional and heart-wrenching moments where she was simply a mother watching her son, unable to intervene on his behalf. However, this was not a smooth read for me, since there were just so many characters and plotlines to keep track of, made even more difficult by the number of time and perspective skips across chapters. There were a number of side characters that I didn't feel were fully necessary to the story and dragged the pacing heavily, and the sheer number of factions and political backstories to keep track of was also confusing and detracted from the main focus of the novel. There's such a strong story hidden in here that gets muddled by the sheer volume of characters and events Patel wanted to cover.
Thank you Redhook for the advance copy of this novel!...more
It's been over a decade since I last read a novel by Jodi Picoult, but when I had the chance to get an early copy of "By Any Other Name" I immediatelyIt's been over a decade since I last read a novel by Jodi Picoult, but when I had the chance to get an early copy of "By Any Other Name" I immediately jumped on it - and 500+ pages later, I have no regrets.
As the title would suggest, the novel is a nod to William Shakespeare and the many works attributed to him - but gives a much-needed twist and examination to the events of the past. Told across alternating perspectives, the story opens in New York City in 2024, where struggling playwriting Melina Green is trying to make a name for herself in the male-dominated theater industry. Her roommate and friend Andre, a black gay man, shares in a number of her frustrations and after a night of too much drinking, submits Melina's play to a competition - but uses the name "Mel Green" to mask Melina's gender. When "By Any Other Name" wins, however, Melina and Andre are forced into a complicated ruse in order to see the play to fruition, all while hiding it from NYT critic Jasper Tolle, whom Melina remembers as the critic that destroyed her work when she was a student at Bard.
The second perspective dives back to 16th century England, where Emilia Battano is sold by her remaining family to serve as a courtesan to Lord Chamberlain. His work in theater, however, piques her interest, and gives Emilia the chance to begin influencing the works that make it on stage, and to become familiar with the playwrights of the time. She begins writing works of her own, inspired by her own life and childhood, and is given an opportunity to see her words become printed and come to life... even if it means her name will never be attributed to them. As time passes, we see how the events that shape her life - falling in love with someone she can never be with, being forced into an abusive marriage after she falls out of favor with Lord Chamberlain, and becoming a mother - influence the work she creates that she ultimately gives to William Shakespeare.
This is a fascinating novel that not only does a deep-dive into the validity of Shakespeare's works and who the true author(s) behind them might be, but also sheds a glaring spotlight onto the ongoing bias within the theater industry at large. It's clear that Picoult did an immense amount of research in this novel, which she covers in more detail in the afterword. Emelia's character and story was the most compelling to me, and her character was beautifully crafted and complex - a strong, intelligent, and dedicated woman who was born several centuries too early, and thus taken advantage of by a number of men. Melina's story seemed to have less focus, but served to tether the past to the present and how many things have simultaneously changed yet stayed the same.
This was a longer read for me, but I enjoyed the journey and how well Picoult weaved in fact with her own creative liberties. So excited for when "By Any Other Name" is published in August 2024!
Thank you Ballantine Books for the advance copy of this novel!...more
Set in the mid-19th century, "Clear" follows John Ferguson, a Scottish minister whose split from the established church system for the newly formed FrSet in the mid-19th century, "Clear" follows John Ferguson, a Scottish minister whose split from the established church system for the newly formed Free Church places him and his wife Mary in a difficult financial situation. In an attempt to make ends meet, he accepts an unconventional job to travel to a remote island off the coast of Scotland to evict the last remaining resident there: Ivar. It's just one of many of the situations caused by the Highland Clearances, a movement where wealthy landowners forced many of the residents out in order to make room for pastoral areas.
John's journey to find Ivar is not without trouble, however, and a fall from the cliffside renders him unconscious, with a damaged leg. Ivar finds John, brings him home, and tries to nurture him to health - all while not knowing who he is or his purpose on the island. When John regains consciousness, the two attempt to communicate despite their unshared language, and as the days pass, the two come to find comfort and familiarity in each other.
Despite the lack of a concrete plot, I was immediately drawn into "Clear" from the opening passages. Davies writing is immersive and atmospheric, and she's adept at building the setting and each of the characters in her novel. The story rotates between perspectives, giving insight and clarity into John and Ivar's thoughts and backstories, and also sheds some light on Mary and her relationship with John. While the pacing can feel slow at times, it gives us enough time to understand the characters and builds the complex and evolving relationship between them. There is much more showing than there is telling, which lets the reader come to their own conclusions. I also appreciated that this novel covered a point in time I wasn't familiar about, and the author's afterword was also helpful in adding context to the events during this time.
Very much a recommended read, especially for those who enjoy shorter novels!
Thank you Scribner for the advance copy of this novel!...more
5/5 stars. Now, more than ever, "The Truth About Immigration" is needed to shed light on a heavily debated topic in American politics and society.
Auth5/5 stars. Now, more than ever, "The Truth About Immigration" is needed to shed light on a heavily debated topic in American politics and society.
Author and Wharton Professor Zeke Hernandez lays out his work in several concise sections; starting with the economic and financial impacts immigration has on countries and communities, followed by the societal impacts, and closes with a few of his own thoughts and suggestions on reform. Each part of this novel lays out the arguments currently used by opponents (ex. "Immigration takes jobs away from existing citizens" or "Immigrants commit crimes and increase the crime rates in the areas they live in") and clearly and patiently debunks each and every one of them, by analyzing the impact of innovation and patents, positive externalities that benefit countries that both receive and send immigrants, and the impact on government aid at the state and federal levels, as well as in the short and long-term. I appreciated as well that there's sufficient background and explanation on things like the visa application process, which is something I've frequently heard in passing on the news or through friends of friends, but had never looked into in detail.
The sections balance Hernandez's distinct explanations with references to studies either he or other researchers have conducted, and also include his own personal experiences and anecdotes, where we're able to learn that he emigrated from Uruguay to the U.S. for school, saw first-hand the difficulty of achieving financial stability and the need for relying on government aid, to the way he continues to give back to his present home country while still maintaining pride in his roots. He also gives nods to individuals he knows in his own life who have been impacted by immigration laws, tying in academic and legal terminology to actual people and stories.
My only complaint about this novel, and is most likely because it is an early ARC as well as a digital copy, is that a number of charts/graphs/tables that were referenced in the book either did not display, or displayed very poorly on my e-reader, but I'm sure that will be addressed in future copies. (My only other complaint that I wasn't able to take a class with Professor Hernandez while I was at Wharton, but he unfortunately wasn't teaching then.)
Very much a recommended read for when "The Truth about Immigration" is published in June 2024!
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this novel!...more
4.5/5 stars - A stunning foray into the realm of speculative/dystopian fiction.
Set centuries into the future in the year 2529, "This Great Hemisphere"4.5/5 stars - A stunning foray into the realm of speculative/dystopian fiction.
Set centuries into the future in the year 2529, "This Great Hemisphere" focuses on young Sweetmint, a young woman with the official name of Candace. She's an Invisible in Forest 26 of the Northwestern Hemisphere, just one of many dealing with the repercussions following an environmental and societal upheaval that has split the world into hemispheres, where individuals are either in the minority, lower-class population known as "vizzers" or are part of the the D.P. (Dominant Population), or "dippies". However, Sweetmint has been given the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to work with Croger Tenmase, a renowned inventor known as the Great Architect, and she eagerly accepts the internship. It's her first chance to enter the D.P. community, but one that gets threatened when a shocking event happens: Chief Executive Rhitel, the leader of the Northwestern Hemisphere, is murdered - and the lone suspect is her older brother who abandoned her three years ago.
In the events that follow, Sweetmint attempts to keep some semblance of normalcy despite the immediate suspicion she's placed under. The story jumps perspectives to a number of other individuals with key roles in the ensuing political tangle, including Local Manager II Stephan Jolis and Hemispheric Guard Director Curts, as they try to reassure their citizens that justice will be met. All the while, we find out more and more about what happened in the centuries in-between that have passed, the true identities of individuals, and what has truly unfolded over time.
This novel is such a jarring, thought-provoking work that handles the concepts of race and class in a way I've yet to encounter. Despite the complete transformation of the world, the new societal and political rules in place - it's clear that the concept of minority and majority populations, and those with versus those without continue to hold true over time, and there are strong criticisms on gender discrimination and politics as well. While the plot is driven forward by the events that follow the murder of the Chief Executive, it leaves room for the detailed world-building and we're able to learn more about each of the main characters in this novel; Sweetmint's character growth and development by the end of the story is impressively done.
I did struggle with the sheer number of characters and names that were part of the storyline however (especially tough as they frequently have more than one name) and the complexity of this future world, which not only had new rules and structures, but also new languages and terminology that took some time to understand. The first half or so of the novel was difficult to get through because of this, but once the plot picked up towards the second half it was difficult to put down.
Very much a recommended read when "This Great Hemisphere" is published in July!
Thank you Dutton Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!...more
While I rarely venture into the fantasy genre, "A Song to Drown Rivers" pulled me in with its basis in Chinese history - and I blazed through this novWhile I rarely venture into the fantasy genre, "A Song to Drown Rivers" pulled me in with its basis in Chinese history - and I blazed through this novel in less than a weekend.
Inspired by the story of Xi Shi (西施), one of four Great Beauties of China, the novel takes on her first person perspective growing up in Zhuji, a small village in the kingdom of Yue. From a young age, she has known to fear their enemy kingdom Wu, especially having witnessed the death of her younger sister at the hands of the Wu soldiers. An unexpected encounter with a mysterious swordsman leads to her inclusion into a dangerous scheme, one that will put both her and her childhood friend Zhengdan in the middle of enemy territory, as a gifted concubine to the Wu emperor Fuchai. She and Zhengdan are trained in secret by Fanli, the Yue emperor's military advisor, in order to succeed in their task - but as time progresses, it becomes harder for Xi Shi to deny her true feelings.
From the first page, the writing was enthralling and spell-binding, transporting me to the early years of China and crafting a strong and multi-layered protagonist. Xi Shi has been told all her life that she is beautiful - a trait that causes her frustration and annoyance as she realizes that little else about her matters. Her loyalty to her kingdom as well as her desire to help are finally put to use when she's presented with an opportunity to change the course of history, and that remains the core of all her following actions. The storytelling is sublime, with rich descriptions of the setting and environments, deeply emotional movements, and a steady and controlled pacing throughout. While there are elements of romance threaded throughout this novel, it didn't feel front-and-center, which I appreciated as well.
Very much a recommended read when "A Song to Drown Rivers" is published in October 2024!
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this novel!...more
"Bear" centers on the perspective of Sam, a 20-something woman living on San Juan Island with her older sister Elena and their terminally ill mother. "Bear" centers on the perspective of Sam, a 20-something woman living on San Juan Island with her older sister Elena and their terminally ill mother. The two siblings have the spent their recent years trying to care for their mother, ferrying her to doctor and hospital visits and paying for medication to lessen her physical pain, which has placed a strain on their finances and their relationship with each other. Sam works on the ferry, selling concessions to the many wealthy passengers who board each day, while her sister works as a server at the golf club. Sam holds onto the promise that her sister once made her that they'd sell their home and leave, using the proceeds to help make a new life for themselves.
Their days seem repetitive and depressing until Sam spots a bear swimming in the waters during one of her shifts. Her amazement is compounded when, in the following days, it makes an appearance right in front of her family's home - and quickly becomes an overnight sensation in their small town. It makes its way across several locations in their area, occasionally leaving disturbances in its wake, but continues to return to Sam and Elena's home. In the midst of this, Sam and Elena's relationship grows even more strained and distant, especially as their mother's physical condition worsens and her death looms closer.
I have a difficult time categorizing "Bear" and my own impressions of it. The novel is a slower paced built up that's much more character-driven than I expected, and frequently jumps back to earlier points in time to reveal more about the characters and their relationships with each other. On surface level, the sisters appear very close and aligned, but we see the splinters and differences between them appear; Sam is frustrated with their current situation and driven by her desire to leave it behind - while Elena struggles with the burden of being the new head of household, forced to be strong and responsible. Across the chapters, we watch as the tension builds and as the appearances from bear become more frequent, question what the creature actually represents. In the final few chapters, it has an abrupt and unexpected shift that transforms it into something far more eerie and haunting.
While I enjoyed the journey, I'm not sure this is a novel I'd readily recommend to anyone.
Thank you Hogarth Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!...more
"The Underground Library" takes place in the midst of WWII across the perspective of 3 women brought together by the Bethnal Green Library in London. "The Underground Library" takes place in the midst of WWII across the perspective of 3 women brought together by the Bethnal Green Library in London. Julia Lansdowne has taken on a new role as the deputy librarian and despite resistance from the current head librarian, is determined to transform it into something new. Her love for literature and ability to bring in the community around help propel her forward to starting the Underground Library, but she also does her best to avoid discussing her fiance, Victor, who disappeared in the midst of battle and was labeled a deserter by the government.
Julia meets Katie Upwood, a staff member at the library planning on attending university only a few months later. The two immediately bond, but Katie's dynamic with her image-centric parents is at odds with her relationship with Christopher, another man who signed up to join the war. She receives devastating news about him, but also is forced to confront the looming possibility of motherhood as a single, unmarried woman.
The third storyline is told from Sofie Baumann's perspective, a Jewish refugee from Germany forced to leave her family behind in order to utilize the working visa that the British government has given her. She serves as a maid for Mr. Wainwright, a wealthy but heartless individual who manipulates her situation to and overworks her cruelly. When she meets Katie and Julia, Sofie finds a brief respite from her grueling days, and a community of women who come to care for and help her try to find her remaining family members.
I'm a sucker for WWII historical fiction so immediately wanted to read this novel. There's a lot that I (and many other readers) would enjoy - a female-centric novel with protagonists breaking the norm, a community centered around the library and literature, and a look into an area that isn't as frequently written about during the war. I overall did enjoy the storylines, the evolution of the Underground Library as British citizens were forced to shelter in the underground stations for protections during raids, and the progression each of the characters made. However, the writing style felt clipped and lacked the complexity and depth I was hoping for, which might have also been because there were 3 POVs that the author needed to cover. I also really wished there wasn't as much emphasis placed on the romance aspect, as it seemed a minor component to the overall themes and focus of the novel.
Overall an enjoyable read, especially given the research and historical inspiration of the real Bethnal Green Library!
Thank you Ballantine Books for the advance copy of this novel!...more
In "The Other Valley", author Scott Alexander Howard sets up an eerily dystopian world where separate valleys are delineated by time, and the borders In "The Other Valley", author Scott Alexander Howard sets up an eerily dystopian world where separate valleys are delineated by time, and the borders are heavily guarded by the citizens who live there. Told from the perspective of Odile Ozanne, a 16 year-old resident in the central valley, we're pulled into this community where petitions are made to the Conseil, the juridiction that decides if citizens to cross over to the west (Ouest), which is 20 years behind them, or to the east (Est), which is 20 years ahead of them. Odile has been raised by her mother, constantly pushed towards taking future where she has a conveted seat on the Conseil. Her chances seem slim, however, until she unexpectedly encounters and recognizes a pair of visitors in central, the parents of classmate Edme Piras, and is given a spot in the vetting group.
From there, Odile participates in the training sessions all while getting closer to Edme and her classmates, sworn to secrecy on what she's seen, but is still unprepared for what follows. The second part of the book continues 20 years in the future when Odile is still dealing with the repercussions of what happened two decades prior - and is given a chance to change the course of events.
This was such a subtly crafted and immersive novel; from the first page, I was pulled in by the thoughtful and detailed world that Howard built up, and the different social and judicial structures set up to make such a setting possible. The world building is a unique take on the concept of time travel, the butterfly effect, etc. and also calls in larger philosophical and moral questions - How do you measure the magnitude of pain and grief? What qualifies someone as more deserving of the exceptions to time? The writing was well-developed and complex, and although some of the sections told from the perspective of 16 year-old Odile felt a little too advanced and self-aware, it was nonetheless helpful in building her up as a protagonist whose future actions and decisions readers could understand.
Thank you Atria Books for the advance copy of this novel!...more
I'd thoroughly enjoyed "The Wishing Game" so jumped at the chance to read Meg Shaffer's newest novel. "The Lost Story" incorporates elements of fantasI'd thoroughly enjoyed "The Wishing Game" so jumped at the chance to read Meg Shaffer's newest novel. "The Lost Story" incorporates elements of fantasy and magical realism that aren't present in her previous work, but preserves the signature love for storytelling and literature.
As high school students, Jeremy Cox and Rafe Howell disappeared for six months in the Red Crow Forest of West Virginia, only to be miraculously found by a pair of hikers; Rafe had no memory of that time and Jeremy only shared a limited recount of those months. Fifteen years later, Jeremy is a well-known missing persons investigator, able to find individuals (and items) that many had thought would never be found. When former vet tech Emilie Wendell comes to him for help, asking him to find her long-lost sister who disappeared in the same forest he did two decades earlier, Jeremy finally tries to reconnect with Rafe to join them in their search. Their reunion and eventual venture back into the Red Crow Forest takes them to a whole different realm - where Emilie, Jeremy, and Rafe come to find terms with what truly happened 15 years ago, and the way it connects to Emilie's sister Shannon Yates.
While I don't really read many books in this genre, I was immediately immersed in the storyline. Each of the main characters were compelling and complex, with their own backstories and motivations for returning to the forest, as well as their own scars from the past that they had to deal with. Even with the elements of magic and fairy tales woven in, there are some very real and difficult situations that are brought to light - grief and death, growing up with abusive and neglectful parents, etc. Shaffer handles these topics with care, however, and the journeys each of these characters make comes full circle to address (and not escape) their inner demons. I personally enjoyed the appearance of "The Storyteller" between chapters, serving as an omniscent and admittedly biased narrator that guided the reader along. The writing balances humor moments of humor and weighty emotions well, and I think many will appreciate how Shaffer refuses to neatly box up or delineate the relationships formed throughout the story as well.
While fairytales do have happy endings (and thus the ending of "The Lost Story" is perhaps already known), the path to get there is well worth it. Very much a recommended read for when it's published in July 2024!
Thank you Ballantine Books for the advance copy of this novel!...more
"My Side of the River" is a beautifully written memoir by debut author Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez, which details her life growing up as a first gen"My Side of the River" is a beautifully written memoir by debut author Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez, which details her life growing up as a first generation Mexican immigrant in the US, and her pursuit of the "American Dream".
Growing up in Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth has always had the awareness that she and her family were different; from the color of her skin to the financial struggles that she did her best to hide from others, she watched as her mother and father were forced to take under-the-table jobs like cleaning movie theaters at night or working in unsafe manufacturing conditions in order to make ends meet. Nonetheless, her parents' sacrifice meant that Elizabeth and her younger brother Fernando were born as US Citizens - a status that they would never have. Her mother also instilled in her the drive to the best, something that Elizabeth held onto as she grew older and excelled in academics, hoping to attend one of the country's prestigious universities. Her perseverance held strong even when her parents were unable to return from a routine trip to Mexico while she was in middle school, denied a visa that split their family apart. Despite the difficulties, she's able to graduate top of her class in high school and accepts a place to the University of Pennsylvania for college.
What I hit close to home for me (as a fellow UPenn / Wharton graduate) was the struggles she went through in college; the constant pressure to continue to achieve, despite being pit against some of the smartest and most privileged young adults in the nation and world, and the hyper-focus on landing an equally prestigious internship and job in the banking and consulting world after. And even after being able to do so, the disillusionment continues when she begins working in the corporate finance industry in NYC, facing underlying racism and sexism from her manager and peers. Nonetheless, she makes it through the other end with her happiness intact and is able to reunite with her family members.
I'm admittedly biased towards this memoir as much of Gutierrez's story mirrors my own; as a first generation Asian immigrant who was focused on my academics, attended Wharton, and started working in finance in NYC after a grueling OCR process - I understood much of the internalized pressure she placed on herself as a child and an adult, the assumption of happiness and success tied to certain milestones, and the ongoing obligation to our parents and families placed on immigrant children, especially the eldest. She peels back the layers of the complicated expectations of her life, how growing up in poverty continues to have repercussions in her present, and the struggle to prioritize herself against the rest of her family. It's a much-needed perspective in the typical story of chasing the "American Dream", and the unexpected costs it can have on families.
Very much a recommended read when this memoir is published February 13, 2024!
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the advance copy of this novel!...more
In this sharply vulnerable and vivid memoir, Nina St. Pierre takes readers through her life as she's tried to piece together and understand the woman In this sharply vulnerable and vivid memoir, Nina St. Pierre takes readers through her life as she's tried to piece together and understand the woman that was her mother. As a child, Nina grew up with her younger brother Chris in northern California, moved from home to home by their mother. A decade before Nina's birth, her mother and her friend chose to set themselves on fire - and in the aftermath of her recovery, became a devout believer of Transcendental Meditation. It would continue to embed itself in her daily life, causing unfathomable repercussions for her family's lives in the years to come.
I was engrossed in this story from the very first page; Nina St. Pierre's writing style is enthralling and immersive, and she paints such descriptive settings and people with her prose. Although this is a memoir, the book is equally an exploration and dedication for her a mother: a complicated and multifaceted individual. We get to see the moments of her paranoia and delusions, when she weaves stories and conversations that never happened, but also her moments of love and dedication to her children, simply doing her best as a single mother to raise her two children. It's only in the years after her mother's unexpected passing that Nina is able to try and piece together the whys of her mother's actions, and brings to light the gaps in recognizing and treating mental illness even in the present day.
This is a weighty, and at times dark, read that doesn't follow the typical chronological timeline, but I appreciated the depth of emotion and additional research Nina St. Pierre included in her work.
Thank you Dutton Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!...more
"Catalina" is told from the perspective of the eponymous protagonist Catalina Ituralde, an undocumented Hispanic student at Harvard. She's been raised"Catalina" is told from the perspective of the eponymous protagonist Catalina Ituralde, an undocumented Hispanic student at Harvard. She's been raised by her parental grandparents after her parents passed away in a car accident, and shares her firsthand account growing up in the US at the turn of the 21st century.
There's so much packed into this deceptively short novel, and references to a number of semi-recent events in time (9/11, Obama's presidential campaign and election, the repeal of the DREAM Act, etc.) made Catalina's story feel far more relevant. She approaches contradictory and nonsensical standards in society in politics with a tongue-in-cheek, dry humor - a way to lessen the blow of on some of the heavier and emotional topics that her story traverses. Personally though, the writing style and storyline progression felt a little too disorganized and chaotic and came off more as a stream of consciousness ramble and there were admittedly points where I grew frustrated with or disagreed with Catalina's perspective or actions.
Thank you One World Publishing for the advance copy of this novel!...more
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