Konfidenz: A Novel by Ariel Dorfman

(Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

The political and the personal become blurred in a series of tense, tantalizing conversations about resistance.

A pared-back yet gripping psychological novel from the acclaimed author of Death and the Maiden and Allegro.

A woman travels to Paris to meet her lover. When she arrives at her hotel, however, she receives a call from a mysterious stranger claiming to be his friend, who somehow possesses intimate knowledge of their lives and why she fled her homeland. Over the course of nine hours, this man will draw her in, revealing details about her lover’s work, which could put him in grave danger, and the growing conflict that has ensnared them all.

A brilliant, mind-bending story told almost entirely through dialogue, Konfidenz upends what we think we know, painting an insightful portrait of manipulation and divided loyalties. Taking inspiration from his own experiences of political turmoil and exile after the 1973 coup that overthrew Chilean president Salvador Allende, Ariel Dorfman infuses this novel with a remarkable urgency and authenticity.

my thoughts:

Whoa! Konfidenz by Ariel Dorfman is an intriguing and unputdownable story. I found myself carrying this slim book with me everywhere I went, so that I could dip in and out of it whenever I had a spare moment. I was hooked by the dialogue-heavy story and the author's clever exploration of trust and loyalty. Plus, the simplicity of the set up was compelling - a man and a woman on a telephone call. Oh, the danger and truth of a tense political climate made the conversation somber, secretive, and unreliable. It was fascinating and unforgettable- I loved it!

I would recommend Konfidenz to fans of Dorfman and to anyone looking for their next great read. You won't want to miss out on this one!

Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Leyla's House: A Novel by Zülfü Livaneli

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

Love, love, love the cover of this wonderful book. You can see the history and beauty of such a grand home - the way it must have looked once upon a time. Of course, you can see how loss and neglect have left the home forgotten and uncared for. And yet, an elderly woman named Leyla resided in the space - a connection to her aristocratic heritage - until she was thrown out of it and made homeless. So, what happens next?

Well...

"Evicted from her Istanbul mansion, an elderly aristocrat forms surprising new connections across class and culture.

A colorful, nuanced novel about old and new money, the Ottoman Empire and modern Turkey, from the internationally bestselling author of Disquiet.

The last living member of a great Ottoman family, the refined yet sheltered Leyla finds herself homeless and vulnerable when her house is sold by the bank to a business tycoon and his ambitious wife. Forced out of this historic mansion on the bank of the Bosphorus, Leyla is rescued and taken in by Yusuf, the son of her family’s former gardener who has become a journalist. She follows him to a modern, cosmopolitan district of Istanbul where she discovers a world of artists and outcasts alongside Yusuf’s partner, Roxy, real name Rukiye, a hip-hop singer. Despite initial hostility, a real friendship gradually develops between these two very different women.

When Leyla’s former home is emptied of its furniture, a hidden family history resurfaces thanks to the discovery of a photo revealing the old lady’s uncanny resemblance to a British officer. Could Leyla be the product of an illegitimate union between an Ottoman woman and an Englishman?

With a marked sense of romance, this vibrant novel displays all the layers of a society where social classes as diverse as the former Ottoman aristocracy, the nouveau riche, and the Turks who returned after immigrating to Europe coexist." (summary from Goodreads)

How fascinating does that sound? Exploring what home truly means, along with the history and romance that houses can foster and carry. This book sounds like a definite must-read for fans of historical literary fiction. Plus, reading about Turkey and its history - talk about armchair travel at its best! I'm excited to dive in deep with Leyla's House and lose myself in her story.  And, I'm happy to recommend you do the same - grab a copy and read it up. I just know you'll fall in deep with this book - I'm looking forward to doing the same. Happy reading!

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Iliaria, Or The Consequence Of Disobedience: A Novel by Gabriella Zalapi, Translated by Adriana Hunter

(Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Kidnapped by her troubled father, a young girl navigates life on a road trip across 1980s Italy in this stunning, cinematic English-language debut.

One day in May 1980, 8-year-old Ilaria gets into her father’s car after school. As they stop at a series of highway hotels, traversing the north of Italy, the child thinks of her mother and promises herself not to cry anymore. She learns to drive and to lie, discovers Trieste, Bologna, a boarding school in Rome, a sunny rural life in Sicily.

Thanks to the games they play, the hit songs they sing at the tops of their voices on the road, and the kind people Ilaria meets along the way, the kidnapping almost seems like a normal childhood. But her father drinks too much, nervous in a cloud of cigarette smoke. If he takes her by the hand, she thinks it’s better not to pull it away. Ilaria observes and feels everything.

In gripping, precise prose, this poignant novel takes us inside the mind of a little girl who must grow up on her own.

my thoughts:

A captivating story that sweeps you away, Ilaria by Gabriella Zalapi, is an unputdownable story. I gobbled it up one go and could not stop thinking about it long after. 

A little girl is waiting after school when she gets kidnapped by her father. He takes her from city to city, calling her mom from phone booths, and behaving erratically. All the while, Ilaria isn't sure what exactly is happening, except that the longer she is away from home the less she remembers her mom and sister. Talk about a bad road trip. I don't what to share much else, because the story is short and packs quite the punch. Plus, you'll want to experience all the family drama and lost childhood years for yourself - it's riveting. Zalapi has written an emotional and mesmerizing book - you are going to LOVE it! Make sure to grab a copy. 

Thank you Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Sleeping In The Sun: A Novel by Joanne Howard

(Thank you to She Writes Press for my copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

When two visitors arrive to the boarding house in India where an American boy is coming of age during the British Raj, truths unravel, disrupting his life and challenging the family’s sense of home. A unique historical angle ideal for fans of The Poisonwood Bible and The Inheritance of Loss.

In the last years of the British Raj, an American missionary family stays on in Midnapore, India. Though the Hintons enjoy white privileges, they have never been accepted by British society and instead run a boarding house on the outskirts of town where wayward native Indians come to find relief.

Young Gene Hinton can’t get out from under the thumb of his three older brothers, and the only person he can really relate to is Arthur, his family’s Indian servant. But when Uncle Ellis, a high-ranking British judge, suddenly arrives and announces he’ll be staying indefinitely in their humble house, far from his prestigious post in Himalayan foothills, life as Gene knows it is interrupted. While his brothers are excited at the judge’s arrival, he is skeptical as to why this important man is hiding out with them in the backwaters of Bengal.

Also skeptical is Arthur. Then an Indian woman appears on their doorstep—and, after growing close to her, he learns the sinister truth about the judge. Torn between a family that has provided him shelter, work, and purpose his whole life and the escalating outrage of his countrymen, Arthur must decide where his loyalties lie—and the Hintons must decide if they can still call India home.

Praise for Sleeping in the Sun:

“Sleeping in the Sun is a stunning novel that grabs your emotions and doesn’t let go.” — Ginny Kubitz Moyer, author of A Golden Life

“Set against the backdrop of India in the 1930s, Sleeping in the Sun tells the story of the Hintons, a family of American missionaries sent to bring Christianity to the city of Midnapore. Told from the point of view of Gene, the Hintons’ youngest son, and Arthur, their Indian servant, this sweeping historical novel flawlessly transports readers to another time and place. Political, racial, and interpersonal conflicts ensure you won’t be able to put it down. I know I couldn’t.” — Susen Edwards, author of What a Trip and Lookin’ for Love

“Exquisitely rendered and highly nuanced ... Sumptuously written and detailed, this novel is destined to become a classic. A triumph!” — Ashley E. Sweeney, author of Eliza Waite

my thoughts:

Wow! Sleeping In The Sun by Joanne Howard is an excellent read. I absolutely LOVED it! Talk about a must-read story.

If you are looking for a literary historical fiction novel, then look no further than Sleeping In The Sun. This book has it all - history, family, drama, scandal, secrets, and so much more. It is truly a terrific story that will have you reading non-stop, because you just have to know what is going to happen next. It's a fantastic reading experience. I loved every minute I spent with this book - it was riveting, unputdownable, and unforgettable. Loved it!

So, what is this amazing story about? Well, it's about the Hinton family living in India. They're missionaries and they are determined to espouse the values of Christianity to the local people. Except, suddenly, Uncle Ellis arrives out of nowhere and suddenly life in the house is thrown for a loop. Hmm...why would a high-ranking official decide to stay in a humble abode in the middle of nowhere? Hmm...someone is keeping a secret. What could it be? Will Gene figure it out; or will his friend, Arthur, the family's Indian servant, figure it out first? And, will this secret create even more chaos in the Hinton household? Whoa! Talk about a riveting read!

Howard's writing is fantastic! Her prose is vivid and emotional. The strength of her storytelling power is exhibited in the ways in which she brings her characters to life and shares their stories so clearly and beautifully with us. She sweeps you away to 1930s India and you are in deep with this family, the country, the culture, all of it - and it is awesome.  Howard is a brilliant writer and Sleeping In The Sun showcases her talent loudly. I can't wait to read more of her work.  And, I would recommend that you grab a copy of this book ASAP - you are going to fall in love with Gene and Arthur, along with Howard's excellent storytelling. Make sure to check it out! 

Thank you to She Writes Press for my copy of this book!

The Wildcat Behind Glass by Alki Wei

(Thank you to Restless Books for providing with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

For Melia and her sister Myrto, summer means a break from Grandfather’s history lessons and weeks of running free at the seaside with their ragtag group of friends. Best of all, cousin Nikos will visit and tell his fabulous stories about the taxidermied wildcat, which opens its blue glass eye when it wants to do good deeds and its black one when it makes trouble. The black eye must be open lately because all the adults have been acting strangely, arguing about politics and fearful of the police. Soon even the children are divided—who can Melia trust? And can the wildcat help keep her family safe?

Set in Greece during the 1930s, when the nation was torn apart by fascism, The Wildcat Behind Glass is an unforgettable tale of family, humanity, and what it means to be free. From its 1963 release to the dozens of international editions and honors that followed including a Mildred L. Batchelder Award, the novel has enchanted generations of young readers. Now, a fresh English translation—the first in over 50 years—breathes new life into the timeless story.

my thoughts:

A marvelous and unforgettable story that I can't wait to read again and again. The Wildcat Behind Glass by Alki Wei is a wonderful children's book that I would wholeheartedly recommend to everyone. It's a definite must-read!

I loved the story, the characters, the setting, and the writing - it was all superb! I found myself easily engaged right from the start and would not put the book down for anything. I enjoyed every second I spent with Melia, Myrto, Nikos, and the wildcat with a blue glass eye. Their summer adventures made for fun and wondrous storytelling.  And, that is all I will share about the book, because you must experience it for yourself. It's such a special treat to read - you will LOVE it!!

Make sure to get your hands on a copy ASAP - you won't regret it! And, make sure to tell your friends about this story, too - they are going to fall in deep, too. 

Thank you to Restless Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Book Censor's Library: A Novel by Bothayna Al-Essa

(Thank you to Restless Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

A perilous and fantastical satire of banned books, secret libraries, and the looming eye of an all-powerful government. 

The new book censor hasn’t slept soundly in weeks. By day he combs through manuscripts at a government office, looking for anything that would make a book unfit to publish―allusions to queerness, unapproved religions, any mention of life before the Revolution. By night the characters of literary classics crowd his dreams, and pilfered novels pile up in the house he shares with his wife and daughter. As the siren song of forbidden reading continues to beckon, he descends into a netherworld of resistance fighters, undercover booksellers, and outlaw librarians trying to save their history and culture. 

Reckoning with the global threat to free speech and the bleak future it all but guarantees, Bothayna Al-Essa marries the steely dystopia of Orwell’s 1984 with the madcap absurdity of Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland , resulting in a dreadful twist worthy of Kafka. The Book Censor’s Library is a warning call and a love letter to stories and the delicious act of losing oneself in them.

my thoughts:

A magnificent story about books, which I just loved. There are so many literary references, I kept a notebook nearby to jot them all down - talk about an enriching reading experience! The Book Censor's Library by Bothayna Al-Essa is one of my favorite reads of 2024 and I strong urge you to pick up a copy ASAP! You won't want to miss out on this terrific story about books, censorship (think Big Brother), secret libraries, and so much more! 

So, why did I love this book so much? 

1. All the bookishness made my day. 

2. Big Brotherishness is always scary, intriguing, and thought-provoking.

3. Al-Essa's writing was excellent! Truly reminded me of why I love to read. 

4. The story was unputdownable - you can't help but get caught up in it. 

5. Translated fiction is truly the best! Makes me want to read more of it. 

Overall, this is one story that I don't want to share any details about, because you MUST read it for yourself and experiment the beauty of it. You are going to LOVE it to bits!!

Thank you to Restless Books for providing me with a copy of this book!

The Devil's Grip: A Novel by Lina Wolff

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Wickedly dark with a mystical edge, this story of an Italian love affair gone bad captures the irresistible pull of toxic relationships—from the acclaimed author of Carnality.

A woman arrives in Florence, overwhelmed by the strange, warm city so different from her home. Amidst the Renaissance architecture and amorous couples, she finds an unexpected love of her own. With his dark, ugly looks, people might stop and stare, wondering what someone like her was doing with someone like him. But he’s the Mickey to her Minnie, and she can fix him—they can fix each other. She feels bound to him, body and soul.

It’s not long before the lying starts. Other women have begun to notice him, and she spirals into paranoia. Soon they’re both cheating and lashing out, and she becomes more and more convinced he’s not merely a violent man: there’s a demon inside him, and inside her too. Their grip on each other is so strong, it might be impossible to break, even after she puts an ocean between them, following another man to New Orleans.

Heady, unsettling, and shockingly funny with its dead-on descriptions of codependent and abusive relationships, The Devil’s Grip takes us on a breathless journey with the shadow selves we can’t escape.

my thoughts:

Whoa! What a dark and disturbing read! I LOVED it! The Devil's Grip by Lina Wolff is addictive, riveting, and unputdownable. I found myself settling in with this story and not getting up until I had turned the very last page - I just couldn't stop reading, it was so damn good! 

Florence, Italy. A beautiful setting for a love story, right? Except, this is no ordinary love story. Attraction begets love, which begets paranoia and leads to a TOXIC relationship in every which way. It is brutal and hypnotic. Even when she flees to New Orleans their connection remains stronger than ever. It continues to be oppressive and unhinged. Talk about a bad romance.  And that is all I will share about this unique story - you need to read it for yourself! I would definitely recommend grabbing a copy ASAP to find out what happens when a love story turns into a horror story. Wowza!

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

IG Book Recommendation

I was scrolling through IG the other day when I came across a post by an old book blogger I used to read - he no longer blogs and instead does vlogs. Anyhow, he was sharing a post by Sarah Jessica Parker. She's always posting about books and has a publishing imprint ( SJP Lit/Zando ), which I love. And the book she was posting about was:

Here's the summary (via Goodreads):

A gripping literary puzzle that unwinds the private lives of ten women as they confront tragedy in a small Massachusetts town.

Nashquitten, MA, is a decaying coastal enclave that not even tourist season can revive, full of locals who have run the town’s industries for generations. When a young woman dies at a house party, the circumstances around her death suspiciously unclear, the tight-knit community is shaken. As a mother grieves her daughter, a teacher her student, a best friend her confidante, the events around the tragedy become a lightning rod: blame is cast, secrets are buried deeper. Some are left to pick up the pieces, while others turn their backs, and all the while, a truth about that dreadful night begins to emerge.

Told through the eyes of ten local women, Grabowski’s Women and Children First is an exquisite portrait of grief and a powerful reminder of life’s interconnectedness. Touching on womanhood, class, and sexuality, ambition, disappointment, and tragedy, this novel is a stunning rendering of love and loss, and a bracing lesson from a phenomenal new literary talent that no one walks this earth alone.

Suffice it to say, the book sounded terrific to me, so I had to find a way to get my hands on copy of it. The title will be released May 7th, but I could not wait! Luckily, I was able to receive an ARC via NetGalley - woo hoo! I've already started to read it and let me just say - Wow! I am LOVING this book! The writing and the storytelling - excellent! I definitely recommend that you get your hands on a copy, because this book is a MUST-READ! 

And now, I'm off to continue adding more books to my TBR list. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Happy reading!

Thank you to Zando, SJP Lit and NetGalley for my copy of this book!

Perpetual West: A Novel by Mesha Maren

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

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

​“Stunning . . . A forceful addition to the literature of the U.S.-Mexican border and its ongoing history of tragedy and joy.”
—Jennifer Clement, The New York Times Book Review 

“Suspenseful, seductive . . . A thrill ride from cover to cover.”
—Oprah Daily, “The 50 Most Anticipated Books of 2022” 

The riveting new novel by the acclaimed author of Sugar Run, Perpetual West is a brilliant and evocative story of borders—between countries, between lovers, and between facets of the self.

When Alex and Elana move from smalltown Virginia to El Paso, they are just a young married couple, intent on a new beginning. Mexican by birth but adopted by white American Pentecostal parents, Alex is hungry to learn about the place where he was born. He spends every free moment across the border in Juárez—perfecting his Spanish, hanging with a collective of young activists, and studying lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) for his graduate work in sociology. Meanwhile Elana, busy fighting her own demons, feels disillusioned by academia and has stopped going to class. And though they are best friends, Elana has no idea that Alex has fallen in love with Mateo, a lucha libre fighter.

When Alex goes missing and Elana can’t determine whether he left of his own accord or was kidnapped, it’s clear that neither of them has been honest about who they are. Spanning their journey from Virginia to Texas to Mexico, Mesha Maren’s thrilling follow-up to Sugar Run takes us from missionaries to wrestling matches to a luxurious cartel compound, and deep into the psychic choices that shape our identities. A sweeping novel that tells us as much about our perceptions of the United States and Mexico as it does about our own natures and desires, Perpetual West is a fiercely intelligent and engaging look at the false divide between high and low culture, and a suspenseful story of how harrowing events can bring our true selves to the surface.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a terrific book! I LOVED Perpetual West by Mesha Maren. A gripping story about borders - physical and emotional, this is a read that will grab you by the heart and shake you awake. Eye-opening and thought-provoking, this is one unputdownable book. A definite must-read. 

Elana and Alex are a young married couple who decide to relocate to El Paso where Alex is attending grad school. Elana is an undergrad who waits tables. The two are best friends, but seem to be disconnected. Alex is obsessed with discovering his roots in Mexico where he was born - he was adopted by a family in Virginia as a baby. So, he immerses himself in the world of lucha libre (Mexican wrestlers) in Juarez, which is just across the border. He meets Mateo, a Mexican wrestler. The two fall in love. Meanwhile, Elana is trying to figure out her life when she gets called away for a family matter. She has no idea what is transpiring between her husband and Mateo. In fact, when she returns home to El Paso she finds Alex gone. Convinced that something bad happened to her husband she goes to the police for help, but they dismiss her worries. And so, Elana sets out to figure out where her husband is and what happened to him. Along the way, she discovers the secrets he's been keeping from her. And, that is all I will write about this awesome story - you need to read it for yourself to find out what happens to both Elana and Alex. 

Maren has written a compelling story about identity, politics, family, and love. She's created characters that are unlikeable and unreliable - the perfect kind to love/hate. Her story unfolds in a tense and slow-burn manner that is addictive. I couldn't stop reading! And, her writing is top notch. All in all, she has created an unforgettable story. 

I would definitely recommend Perpetual West to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - make sure to check it out!

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

The Archer: A Novel by Shruti Swamy

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

about book:

Shruti Swamy’s “rich, mesmeric” (Buzzfeed) story collection, A House is a Body, was one of last year’s most heralded debuts, a finalist for both the Los Angeles Times Art Seidenbaum Award for First Fiction and the PEN/Robert Bingham Prize, and longlisted for the Story Prize. Now this young Indian-American talent has written her first novel, THE ARCHER (Publication Date: September 7, 2021; $26.95), a captivating, exquisitely-wrought coming-of-age story that explores a woman’s intricate relationship to art, culture, and tradition. “This is a singular work,” says Meng Jin, author of Little Gods, “a story of a dancer, and of a hungry self seated at the table of womanness and desire and art, told with unparalleled originality and elegance. Swamy writes with a thrilling clarity of vision that wakes the sleepwalker right into joyful consciousness.”

 

In 1970s Bombay, Vidya discovers a sense of self and ecstatic connection through Kathak, a precise form of classical dance that requires discipline and focus. Kathak becomes the defining force of Vidya’s life, even as she grapples with societal restrictions and the shadow of her brilliant, troubled mother, whose absence haunts her. Even when she leaves home for college, falls in love with her best friend, and tries to imagine a future that fits her defiant ambition, Vidya continues to find herself by dedicating herself to—and seeking the meaning of life from—this sensual art form with its transformative powers. 

 

“In the 1970s, Time Life did a coffee table book series of the great cities of the world,” Swamy recalls. “In the Bombay volume, which I looked at often as a child, there is a picture of the chaali during a festival, and you can see my grandparents, young, on the fourth floor. THE ARCHER takes place in the city in which my parents were young: a mythical place I have never visited, because it has entirely vanished under the sprawling metropolis that is now Mumbai. The mythic Bombay is of my invention, fed by the images from the Time Life book, the pictures of my parents in their youth, from the background of Hindi movies, and from all the stories I heard from my parents and relatives about their lives as children and young adults.”

 

Swamy, who counts two O. Henry Awards among her early honors, adapts to the novel form with grace and the assured hand of a master storyteller. She is “a writer to celebrate,” says Magha Majumdar, New York Times bestselling author of A Burning. “Her fiction is provocative, precise, and gorgeously inventive.” C Pam Zhang, author of How Much of These Hills is Gold, adds, “This novel swallowed me whole: lush and sensual, tasted and felt, with striking images that play out like film behind the eyes. THE ARCHER is timeless yet utterly modern as it asks what it means for a woman to make a life of art."

my thoughts:

Love, love, love. The Archer by Shruti Swamy is a beautiful story that uses language in such a smart and lyrical manner - I absolutely LOVED it!

Vidya discovers dance at an early age and falls in love with the rhythm, intimacy, and emotion of it. As she grows up and experiences societal pressures, her family's expectations, love, loss, and her own ambitions dance manages to find its way into her heart and schedule. She just can't abandon a discipline that makes her feel more alive and more herself. It's amazing to read about this strong and determined woman. 

Swamy has written a terrific story that will pull you in slowly and leave you wanting more. Her writing it top notch, her characters are unforgettable, and her story is unputdownable. The Archer is a must-read for anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you won't want to miss out on it! Check it out ASAP!

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

Four Treasures Of The Sky: A Novel by Jenny Tinghui Zhang

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

about book:

A propulsive and dazzling debut novel set against the backdrop of the Chinese Exclusion Act, about a Chinese girl fighting to claim her place in the 1880s American West

Daiyu never wanted to be like the tragic heroine for whom she was named, revered for her beauty and cursed with heartbreak. But when she is kidnapped and smuggled across an ocean from China to America, Daiyu must relinquish the home and future she imagined for herself. Over the years that follow, she is forced to keep reinventing herself to survive. From a calligraphy school, to a San Francisco brothel, to a shop tucked into the Idaho mountains, we follow Daiyu on a desperate quest to outrun the tragedy that chases her. As anti-Chinese sentiment sweeps across the country in a wave of unimaginable violence, Daiyu must draw on each of the selves she has been—including the ones she most wants to leave behind—in order to finally claim her own name and story.

At once a literary tour de force and a groundbreaking work of historical fiction, Four Treasures of the Sky announces Jenny Tinghui Zhang as an indelible new voice. Steeped in untold history and Chinese folklore, this novel is a spellbinding feat.

my thoughts:

Wow. Just, wow. Four Treasures Of The Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang is an amazing novel. It truly is. The writing is superb and the story is unputdownable. This is one book you most definitely do not want to miss out on. 

To be honest, I'm not even sure what to write about this book. It was just so damn good.  It's the type of story that you need to experience for yourself. The kind of the story that will sweep you away and keep you turning pages all night long. It's magical, heartbreaking, and beautiful. 

Four Treasures Of The Sky is chock full of historical fiction, Chinese folklore, magical realism, and powerful storytelling. The characters will haunt you.  Their stories will wreck you.  And the descriptions in the book are so vivid, you'll be able to smell and taste the air that the characters breathe in. This book is just the best in every which way. You will fall in deep as soon as you start to read. I absolutely LOVED it!

Do yourself a favor and check out Jenny Tinghui Zhang's debut novel, Four Treasures Of The Sky - it is a must-read for anyone and everyone looking for their next read. Check it out ASAP!

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

School Days: A Novel by Jonathan Galassi

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

The new novel from the acclaimed poet and publisher asks fundamental questions about love and sex, friendship and rivalry, desire and power, and the age-old dance of benevolence and attraction between teacher and student.

Sam Brandt is a long-term denizen of Connecticut’s renowned Leverett School. As an English teacher he has dedicated his life to providing his students with the same challenges, encouragement, and sense of possibility that helped him and his friends become themselves here half a lifetime ago.

Then Leverett’s headmaster asks Sam to help investigate a charge brought by one of his classmates that he was abused by a teacher. Sam is flooded with memories, above all of his overwhelming love for his friend Eddie and the support of his most inspiring mentor, Theodore Gibson.

Sam’s search for the truth becomes a quest to get at the heart of Leverett, then and now. The school has changed enormously over the years, but at its core lie assumptions about privilege and responsibility untested for more than a century. And Sam’s assumptions about his own life are shaken, too, as he struggles to understand what really happened all those years ago.

my thoughts:

Out today is the excellent novel by Jonathan Galassi titled, School Days. A must-read book for anyone and everyone looking for their next great read. This is one story you won't want to miss out on - so, make sure to check it out!

School Days is a fascinating story that will reel you in right from the start and keep you turning pages all night long. The writing is top notch! I just loved diving in deep and getting caught up in the lives of the teachers and students from this prestigious boarding school.  I found myself mesmerized by their stories and experiences, in the past and present. The secrets people kept and the ways in which we interpreted their behaviors all make way for so many truths to be discovered. It's shocking, sad, thought-provoking, and bittersweet. So many emotions and so many illusions that get shattered (like, heroes falling from their pedestal) make for such a moving read. What a terrific read! School Days by Jonathan Galassi is in my top ten for the year! 

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Libertie: A Novel by Kaitlyn Greenidge

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

 

about book:

The critically acclaimed and Whiting Award–winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman returns with an unforgettable story about the meaning of freedom.
 
Coming of age as a free-born Black girl in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson was all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, had a vision for their future together: Libertie would go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother’s choices and is hungry for something else—is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her mother, who can pass, Libertie has skin that is too dark.

When a young man from Haiti proposes to Libertie and promises she will be his equal on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is still subordinate to him and all men. As she tries to parse what freedom actually means for a Black woman, Libertie struggles with where she might find it—for herself and for generations to come.
 
Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States and rich with historical detail, Kaitlyn Greenidge’s new novel resonates in our times and is perfect for readers of Brit Bennett, Min Jin Lee, and Yaa Gyasi.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a book! I absolutely fell in love with Kaitlyn Greenidge's latest novel, Libertie. First off, that book cover - beautiful! Secondly, the description of the story - sounds like a must-read to me. And, finally, the story itself - terrific! Yep, I truly enjoyed sitting down with a huge cuppa and reading all about Libertie Sampson.

So, what's the story about? Well, its' about race, feminism, history, the mother-daughter relationship, and so much more. This is one book that will draw you in and keep you reading all day and night. It's riveting, fascinating, and thought-provoking. You can't help but befriend the characters and root for them. You want the very best for them, especially Libertie, a young woman who is just trying to figure out what she really wants from the world that seems to be changing all the time.  Her mom is a physician and wants Libertie to follow in her footsteps. Libertie loves music and doesn't see "doctor" in her future. What's she to do? Well, fall in love and head to Haiti.  Unfortunately, once there, she finds unhappiness instead of happily every after.  Her husband's family does not liker her, religion controls everything, women are not treated equally, and her husband seems to support everyone but her. Once again, Libertie must figure out what she wants and what she needs to do for herself and her future. And, that is all I will write about this wonderful story. You must read it for yourself to experience the vivid descriptions, rich historical details, and intriguing storylines. It's most definitely a must-read!

I would happily recommend Libertie to fans of Greenidge's writing and to anyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book!

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

Ulysses: An Illustrated Edition by James Joyce, and Illustrated by Eduardo Arroyo

Out today:

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

Other Press has released a beautiful and unique edition of James Joyce's beloved classic, Ulysses: An Illustrated Edition. Chock full of marvelous artwork by the talented Eduardo Arroyo, this gorgeous book will captivate you right from the start. You won't be able to stop yourself from purchasing a copy of this book for yourself and for a friend (or three).  It is just too lovely a book to miss out on. You must get your hands on a copy of it ASAP! And once you do, savor the experience - reading Joyce's magnificent writing and Arroyo's brilliant artwork at your leisure. Trust me, this is one book you will truly enjoy and never forget.

Check out some of the fantastic illustrations in the book:

I mean seriously, how amazing, right? I'm so excited to reread Joyce and check out all of Arroyo's incredible art - talk about literature at its very best! 

Definitely make sure to check out this new edition and enjoy this unique literary collaboration. It's a must-read for all fans of literature!

The Absolutist: A Novel by John Boyne

(Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

A new edition of the beloved novel most similar thematically to the author’s mega-bestseller The Heart’s Invisible Furies

It is September 1919, and twenty-one-year-old Tristan Sadler takes a train from London to Norwich to deliver a package of letters to the sister of Will Bancroft, the man he fought alongside during the Great War.

But the letters are not the real reason for Tristan’s visit. He can no longer keep a secret and has finally found the courage to unburden himself of it. As he recounts the horrific details of what to him became a senseless war, he also speaks of his friendship with Will–from their first meeting on the training grounds at Aldershot to their farewell in the trenches of northern France. The intensity of their bond brought Tristan happiness and self-discovery as well as confusion and unbearable pain.

The Absolutist is a masterful, unforgettable tale of passion, jealousy, heroism, and betrayal set in one of the most gruesome trenches of France during World War I.

my thoughts:

Love, love, love. What a beautiful story by John Boyne. The Absolutist was excellent. The writing was superb and the characters were truly unforgettable. I found myself unable to put this book down for anything - it tugged so hard on my heart and had me savoring every word. I just loved it.

Tristan is on a train headed to deliver letters to the sister of a man he fought alongside with during WWI.  A man named Will.  Tristan also plans on revealing a secret.  He's decided to finally share the truth about a secret he's kept for quite some time. Through his story we learn about the ugly, brutal truth of war; training camp and life in the trenches in France. We also learn about Will and Tristan's friendship - they develop an immediate connection and soon find themselves fighting side by side in the war. Tristan falls for Will, and although it appears that Will feels the same, we are always left wondering about Will. As for the war itself, well, it becomes apparent that Will no longer wishes to fight in the war. In fact, he lays down his weapons, which leads to disastrous results. All I will say is that this story was tender, heartbreaking, and beautiful.  

Boyne has created a story that explores war and love in such a realistic and honest way, that you can't help but fall in deep with it. I found myself captivated and feeling so many emotions as I read this book. It is such a powerful story and I know it will stay with me for a very long time. The Absolutist is literature at its finest. This is one book you won't want to miss out on. Check it out!

Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!

Libertie: A Novel by Kaitlyn Greenidge

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

about book:

The critically acclaimed and Whiting Award–winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman returns with an unforgettable story about the meaning of freedom.
 
Coming of age as a free-born Black girl in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson was all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, had a vision for their future together: Libertie would go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother’s choices and is hungry for something else—is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her mother, who can pass, Libertie has skin that is too dark.

When a young man from Haiti proposes to Libertie and promises she will be his equal on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is still subordinate to him and all men. As she tries to parse what freedom actually means for a Black woman, Libertie struggles with where she might find it—for herself and for generations to come.
 
Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States and rich with historical detail, Kaitlyn Greenidge’s new novel resonates in our times and is perfect for readers of Brit Bennett, Min Jin Lee, and Yaa Gyasi.

my thoughts:

Wow. What a book! I absolutely fell in love with Kaitlyn Greenidge's latest novel, Libertie. First off, that book cover - beautiful! Secondly, the description of the story - sounds like a must-read to me. And, finally, the story itself - terrific! Yep, I truly enjoyed sitting down with a huge cuppa and reading all about Libertie Sampson.

So, what's the story about? Well, its' about race, feminism, history, the mother-daughter relationship, and so much more. This is one book that will draw you in and keep you reading all day and night. It's riveting, fascinating, and thought-provoking. You can't help but befriend the characters and root for them. You want the very best for them, especially Libertie, a young woman who is just trying to figure out what she really wants from the world that seems to be changing all the time.  Her mom is a physician and wants Libertie to follow in her footsteps. Libertie loves music and doesn't see "doctor" in her future. What's she to do? Well, fall in love and head to Haiti.  Unfortunately, once there, she finds unhappiness instead of happily every after.  Her husband's family does not liker her, religion controls everything, women are not treated equally, and her husband seems to support everyone but her. Once again, Libertie must figure out what she wants and what she needs to do for herself and her future. And, that is all I will write about this wonderful story. You must read it for yourself to experience the vivid descriptions, rich historical details, and intriguing storylines. It's most definitely a must-read!

I would happily recommend Libertie to fans of Greenidge's writing and to anyone looking for their next great read - you will LOVE this book!

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