Still Life: Ten Crime Stories by Malin Persson Giolito

Thank you Other Press for gifting me a copy of Malin Persson Giolito's new book, Still Life: Ten Crime Stories. I'm a huge fan of her work - ever since I read Quicksand. Her writing is smart, thought-provoking, and unforgettable. I just know that Still Life will be even better. Short stories are my jam and I am stoked to read Malin's. 

So, what is the book about: (summary from Goodreads)

These 10 sharp yet deeply human stories show how people from all walks of life can end up on the wrong side of the law, regardless of their intentions.

A compelling portrait of modern Sweden that speaks to universal questions about crime and morality, from the internationally bestselling author of Quicksand.

A police officer fresh out of the academy becomes acutely aware of the deadly consequences of prejudice and how biases color our actions, leading us to justify faulty choices. A teenager has lost her voice and resorts to violence to get heard, even against those she loves. A university student breaks a law on a night of youthful revelry, which soon has fatal consequences that plunge those involved into an abyss of remorse. A mother commits the very same crime her son is being prosecuted for, in order to protect him. A man extends a helping hand in defiance of state restrictions, keeping a refugee safe from the harsh Swedish winter and deportation.

With her unique and prominent voice in Swedish literature, Malin Persson Giolito sheds light on the lives of people at all levels of the society through these ten thought-provoking and emotionally charged stories. She delivers a poignant portrayal of societal failure, vividly illustrating that actions driven by good intentions may still be considered criminal in the eyes of the law, underscoring that the legal system doesn’t always shield those who need protection the most.

How fascinating does that sound? Like a definite must-read, right? I just know that it's going to hook me right from the start and have me jotting down so many questions as I ponder these characters predicaments, their 'bad' choices, the law's version of justice, and the concept of morality. Talk about short stories at their finest. 

I would definitely recommend Still Life, or any of Malin Persson Giolito's books to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will fall in deep with her writing. Make sure to check out her books! 

From The Dust: A Novel by David Swinson

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

When a murder occurs in a small town in Upstate New York, retired police detective Graham Sanderson, is drawn back into a vortex of violence, deception, and a series of murders which get dangerously personal.

Graham Sanderson thought he’d left it all behind. His years as a Washington, DC, homicide detective, his tragically dead wife, pain, violence. Taking over his father’s house in the remote Finger Lakes region of rural New York, and looking after his shut-in brother, Tommy, seemed like a respite. That is, until the first body is found.

The chief of the town’s small police jurisdiction, who is also a family friend, asks for Graham’s assistance. Graham’s instincts immediately kick in and he soon discovers there’s more to the area – the people, its brutally quiet, sophisticated hierarchies – than he or his family ever knew.

David Swinson's latest novel is a soulful, rural noir story about the extremities to which it pushes a community, the fear it instills in the hearts of adherents and doubters alike, and need for it nevertheless. As Graham delves deeper into the strange and then stranger circumstances of the murders, his own beliefs become challenged. What do you finally stand for when you’ve got nothing left to lose?

my thoughts:

Love me a story set in a small town. From The Dust is a gripping mystery thriller by David Swinson. Chock full of suspense, this terrific tale will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow along with each clue picked up along the way. I enjoyed getting to know Graham and the small town he now calls home. He thought looking after his brother would be easier than his former life as a homicide detective, except this small town has a dark underbelly that is darker than even he could have imagined. Yep, there is a serial killer on the loose and finding out whodunit may be even more dangerous than Graham expected. Whoa! Talk about a small town lacking in charm. 

Swinson has written a must-read detective story that is engaging, thoughtful and unputdownable. It's giving noir vibes in all the best ways. There are compelling characters, a dangerous mystery, secrets and lies, and the pace of the story is slow-going until it's not. This is one book that you have to get your hands on ASAP. You are going to LOVE it to bits! I would happily recommend From The Dust to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - check it out!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Fortune Tellers Of Rue Daru: A Novel by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:(summary from Goodreads)

A fearless fortune teller in 1920s Paris must use her powers to divine who she can trust—and even more importantly, learn to trust herself—in the searing new gothic novel from the author of The Haunting of Moscow House .

Spirited twenty-something Zina and her secretive grandmother, Baba Valya, own a tearoom on rue Daru in Paris, where they have lived quietly since Zina’s mother’s untimely death. By day, the women serve tea, mostly to members of the bustling Russian émigré community, but when dusk falls, they divine fortunes and perform séances for their loyal clientele.

Then the charming Princess Olga and her brother arrive, searching for answers about the disappearance of their father, the Grand Duke and cousin to the murdered last Tsar of Russia. Zina, eager to learn more about the spirit world and her powers, performs the séance. She is able to summon the Grand Duke, but to her horror, he starts to haunt the shop, and he seems to know something sinister about her mother’s death.

As Zina delves into her family’s hidden past, dark secrets are unearthed, threatening Zina and her grandmother’s found family, home, and tearoom, not to mention their very lives.

my thoughts:

A story about fortune tellers in 1920s Paris - how could I not want to read this one? Plus, that summary makes it sounds unputdownable. I'm excited to fall in deep with Zina and her family. And, it's Paris - my favorite city to read about. I'm thrilled to travel the streets and city, learning all about divining fortunes and the Russian community in Paris at the time. Plus, I want to find out if the Grand Duke truly does know anything about Zina's mother. I'm sure that I'll be gobbling up this fantastical story in no time. I can't wait!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A beautiful, heartbreaking novel about ambition, love, and space from the award-winning author of the Women’s Prize longlisted Wandering Souls

January 28, 1986: Soon after launch, the Challenger shuttle falls out of the sky and into the sea. At the same time, Oliver Ines is born. Celestial Lights is his story.

Ollie spends his childhood in an English village where his bedroom is covered in glow-in-the-dark wallpaper bearing the planets and stars. Decades later, he has become one of the most renowned astronauts of his time. When an enterprising billionaire taps him to lead a landmark mission to the distant moon Europa, Ollie makes a choice that will send his whole world spinning.

As the mission advances deeper into unchartered territory, Ollie finds himself retreating into the past: his university days in London and years in the navy, relationships found and lost, becoming a husband and father. But will the world he remembers still be waiting for him when he returns?

Cecile Pin’s novel is a portrait of a complicated man whose unparalleled understanding of the universe doesn’t always translate into stellar relationships on Earth. A breathtaking tale of memory, personal choices, and the relationships that define us, Celestial Lights is an unforgettable story of fate, love, and sacrifice that questions what we owe ourselves and our loved ones when our ambitions and loyalties collide.

my thoughts:

Wow! What a beautiful story. I absolutely loved Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin. It was science fiction and family drama at its very best. I enjoyed getting to know Ollie and the people in his life, along with his space mission to Europa. It was fascinating. unputdownable, and unforgettable. This is a story that explores human relationships and dynamics. It's thought-provoking and emotional. Ollie is a renowned astronaut and gets the opportunity to travel to a distant moon. He will be gone for ten years. He agrees to the journey, which means he agrees to leave his family behind. Why? Especially when you know that there is no guarantee of a return home. Definitely makes you wonder about Ollie and the choices he's made in his life. And, that is all I will share about this wonderful story. Just know, it's a must-read and that you are going to fall in deep with it. So, make sure to grab a copy and dive right in. Happy reading!

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!

Light And Thread by Han Kang

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

I love Han Kang's writing, so I'm excited to read her latest book. It's a nonfiction collection of essays, poems, diaries, and photographs titled, Light And Thread.  I love that title, and I love the idea of getting to know her through these personal pieces of writings. How exciting!