Elif Shafak has outdone herself with this enchanting epic, pulling me in with her beautiful prose. The story intricately weaves together the lives of Elif Shafak has outdone herself with this enchanting epic, pulling me in with her beautiful prose. The story intricately weaves together the lives of three distinct characters, each living along the banks of two rivers, all connected by a single drop of water. It's rare that I become fully invested in all the main characters, but here, I felt deeply drawn to their lives and fates.
In Victorian London, we meet Arthur, a boy born on the banks of the Thames. Gifted with an extraordinary memory, Arthur can recall events from any given day. At fourteen, his brilliance earns him a job at a publishing company, where he becomes captivated by the lost civilization of Nineveh. This obsession leads him to Constantinople, where he travels the Tigris in search for lost tablets containing an ancient poem, Epic of Gilgamesh.
Fast forward to 2014, where Narin, a nine-year-old Yazidi girl, travels with her grandmother and other Yazidis along the Tigris from Turkey to the holy site of Lalish for her baptism. The Yazidis were historically persecuted and labeled as devil worshipers by the Muslims and Christians.
In 2018, Zaleekah, struggling with the recent separation from her husband and the loss of her parents, rents a houseboat on the Thames with plans to end her life. A hydrologist by profession, Zaleekah is determined to prove that water has memory. Her friendship with Nen, a cuneiform tattoo artist who rents out her houseboat, reignites Zaleekah’s interest in her Nineveh heritage.
Shafak's story spans a thousand years, masterfully intertwining ancient history, mythology, and the lives of these characters. The narrative explores the idea that a single drop of water never forgets—it precipitates and evaporates, cycling through time. The novel offers a compelling blend of history lessons, from the Epic of Gilgamesh to the genocide of the Yazidis, all while illustrating how these characters' fates are inextricably linked. I highly recommend this book for those who love history, beautiful storytelling, and stand-out characters. ...more
Catherine Newman’s Sandwich is a delightful blend of wit and tenderness, family and change. This story follows Rocky on an annual Cape Cod vacation wiCatherine Newman’s Sandwich is a delightful blend of wit and tenderness, family and change. This story follows Rocky on an annual Cape Cod vacation with her husband Nick and their adult kids, Willa and Jaime. In a witty tone, Rocky takes us through their daily itinerary of their beach outings, tram rides, septic tank mishaps, open conversations, and sandwich making. Her narrative is filled with humor, particularly in her commentary on menopause. Rocky's perspective is a refreshing take on the middle years of life, with witty insights and relatable struggles of raising children. Her dynamic with Nick, even when they bicker, is filled with flirtatious banter.
Newman’s writing reminds me of Nora Ephron’s humor, especially in I Feel Bad About My Neck, with some chapters similar to the reflective tone of Ann Patchett's Tom Lake. The humor is spot on, with moments that had me laughing out loud, particularly during Rocky’s rants about the injustices of menopause. One memorable quote that stood out was Rocky’s outburst about the pressures women face:
"Women have to do all the hard things and take care of everybody and pay attention to everything all the time and be soft and open and f*ckable! It’s so infuriating!”
Nick’s calm and collected responses are a perfect counterbalance to Rocky’s fiery and neurotic nature. Willa also has a wonderful sense of humor, and Rocky’s parents who join later are funny without even trying. Grandpa goes for a dip, and says “do not take photographs of me and put them on google.”
The novel has tender moments too, from heartfelt conversations with “woke” Willa, unexpected events, including secrets being discovered and health scares. Rocky often reflects to the earlier years when their children were young and mourns the loss of time, grateful for the time she spends with them now.
Sandwich is a small book with a big heart, and I found it incredibly relatable as a new empty nester in my middle adult years. Newman is a new author for me and commend her ability to blend humor with genuine emotion and sentimentality in a fantastic setting. This is a great summer read and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a heartfelt, funny, and relatable novel....more
Long Island by Colm Toibin is a captivating continuation of his novel Brooklyn. We rejoin Eilis, now married to Tony for twenty years with two teenageLong Island by Colm Toibin is a captivating continuation of his novel Brooklyn. We rejoin Eilis, now married to Tony for twenty years with two teenage kids, as she faces an unexpected challenge that threaten her marriage and family when a stranger with an Irish brogue delivers life- altering news. She lives in a cul-de-sac in Long Island where her neighbors are Tony’s family. She can barely go for a walk by herself. As her mother is nearing her 80th birthday, Eilis returns to Ireland to think things through, with her kids joining later. The strong connection she has to her homeland is evident throughout the narrative. She may never go back.
Toibin brings back familiar characters like Nancy and Jim, weaving their stories into a compelling love triangle. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, the dynamics between the characters become increasingly complex. The novel had a gripping start and kept a relatively steady pace throughout. It's a must-read if you enjoyed Brooklyn or for anyone who enjoys deeply layered, fictional stories. I believe this book stands on its own but would be a more enriching experience if you read the first in the series. The ending will definitely leave you wanting more of Eilis....more
In Hunger, Roxane Gay bravely confronts her demons, takes us to the trauma of her sexual assault as a young girl and the coping mechanism she found inIn Hunger, Roxane Gay bravely confronts her demons, takes us to the trauma of her sexual assault as a young girl and the coping mechanism she found in food. Gay expresses the deep emotional wounds caused by this experience, and the struggle with weight, loneliness, and self-worth that plagued her for years. Her narrative powerfully captures the vicious cycle of using food to numb emotional pain, and the societal pressure that equates thinness with worth.
Throughout the book, Gay shares her experiences, from her college years to her aspirations as a writer, shedding light on the influence of weight stigma and the belief that thinness equals happiness. Her accounts of craving love and acceptance, even in toxic relationships, reflect the profound impact of societal expectations on personal relationships.
What stands out in Gay's writing is her determination to not be defined solely by her body or her trauma. Her honesty and vulnerability invite empathy rather than pity, as she navigates the complexities of self-acceptance and resilience. This is a book about my body, about my hunger, and ultimately, this is a book about disappearing and being lost and wanting so very much, wanting to be seen and understood.
I am learning that the measure of my happiness is not weight loss but, rather, feeling more comfortable in my body.
Gay’s journey towards self-acceptance serves as a powerful reminder of the strength it takes to defy societal norms and embrace one's true identity....more
James by Percival Everett is a remarkable retelling of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," but from Jim's perspective. The narrative follows Jim, a James by Percival Everett is a remarkable retelling of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," but from Jim's perspective. The narrative follows Jim, a slave fleeing from the threat of being sold, and his journey alongside Huck Finn. Everett's portrayal of Jim is captivating, weaving together adventures, dangers, and moments of self-discovery. I enjoyed Everett’s previous novel Erasure for his humor and satire about race and publishing. This novel also has a witty tone, which adds moments of joy amidst the somber backdrop of slavery. In this novel, Jim is an astute observer writing his thoughts and observations into his journal. The people and encounters Jim and Huck experience along the Mississippi River towards the free states, such as the scam artists calling themselves the Duke and dauphin evoke memories of “Adventures.”
I appreciated the dynamic and intimacy between these two characters and the unexpected twists as they strategize their journey back to Jim’s wife and daughter. Everett’s writing truly deserves all the accolades for this skillfully reimagined classic by Mark Twain. Everyone should read this....more
This novel is a poignant exploration of grief, love, and resilience, told through the perspectives of Anna's husband Bill, their daughter Ali, and AnnThis novel is a poignant exploration of grief, love, and resilience, told through the perspectives of Anna's husband Bill, their daughter Ali, and Annie's best friend Ann-Marie. These voices were honest and moving, and I felt truly immersed in each of these characters' experiences. Annie dies of an aneurysm early on in the story and her backstory is well told through the eyes of Bill and Ann Marie. I was especially moved by Ali’s story- as a thirteen year old, took on so many responsibilities. Quindlen writes in a way in which we are active participants in the character’s struggles and is a compelling portrayal of the human spirit's capacity for healing and hope....more
Amazing domestic crime thriller! Top tier plotting and characters. This has become the gold standard for me in future thriller books. After I finishedAmazing domestic crime thriller! Top tier plotting and characters. This has become the gold standard for me in future thriller books. After I finished I reread the first three chapters again. I loved the ease and intimacy between Evie and Ryan, and the way she handles herself with Ryan’s circle of friends knowing she is not of this world. Then you get hints of a mysterious past and know there’s so much to her character. I highly suggest reading this without knowing the plot. It was a fun ride from beginning to end!...more
I adore a cleverly written British whodunnit, especially with a style reminiscent of Agatha Christie. What makes this unique and fun to read 4.5 stars
I adore a cleverly written British whodunnit, especially with a style reminiscent of Agatha Christie. What makes this unique and fun to read is it’s meta structure. We get two mysteries in one book.
The Magpie Murders is the ninth book in the Detective Atticus series written by Alan Conway. In the manuscript, Atticus is called upon to investigate the suspicious death of Mary Blakiston who fell down the stairs. He initially turns it down due to a recently diagnosed terminal illness. Then when another resident of this small village is found murdered and also at Pye Hall, he takes his assistant James Fraser to investigate. This takes place in the ‘50s so there was no DNA testing and there is a pool of suspects with motive. Just as Atticus declares he knows who did it, the book ends.
The first part of this book is Susan Ryeland reading the manuscript, she is perplexed when the last chapter is missing. Before she gets a chance to locate the missing chapter, Alan is found dead from an apparent suicide. Susan has suspicions through speaking to Alan’s sister and lawyer that perhaps Alan was murdered. So she takes it upon herself to be a sleuth and discretely investigate the death and find the missing chapter. There are certain parallels between the mystery in the manuscript and the mystery of Alan Conway’s life. Many of his characters are based on people he knows and he also sends puzzles and codes throughout his novels. Alan too has received news of a terminal illness.
This book within a book is cleverly plotted with a satisfying conclusion. “As far as I’m concerned, you can’t beat a good whodunnit: the twists and turns, the clues and the red herrings and then, finally, the satisfaction of having everything explained to you in a way that makes you kick yourself because you hadn’t seen it from the start.”...more
My favorite Abby Jimenez romcom so far. She gets better and better with each new release.
This book is like a summer breeze—fun, flirty, but with4.5⭐️
My favorite Abby Jimenez romcom so far. She gets better and better with each new release.
This book is like a summer breeze—fun, flirty, but with some serious heartstring tugs. Justin and Emma, who actually met through Reddit of all places, decide to take the plunge and date in order to break a dating curse. Talk about modern romance! This is such a fresh spin, and I couldn’t get enough of how Emma and Justin play it out.
Their banter is off-the-charts adorable, their humor effortless, and their chemistry is undeniable. But beneath the charm lies a poignant exploration of mental health, handled with the care and nuance that Jimenez is known for.
Emma and Justin's discussions about their mothers' mental illness hit close to home, but Jimenez navigates these heavy topics with grace, allowing moments of humor to shine through. I was in stitches with a side trip involving saving raccoons and the legendary Uber ban, and the toilet king references never got old.
It's impossible not to root for Emma and Justin, but as with any romcom duo, they're not immune to life's curveballs. With a cameo of supporting characters from her previous books, this is sure to be a big summer hit....more
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown offers a captivating exploration of portals to other worlds and the power of magical books, weaving together a tapesThe Book of Doors by Gareth Brown offers a captivating exploration of portals to other worlds and the power of magical books, weaving together a tapestry of unique characters and enchanting settings. As someone who isn't typically drawn to fantasy, I was intrigued by the comparisons to "The Midnight Library" and "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue," two books I thoroughly enjoyed.
The story follows Cassie Andrews, who inherits the Book of Doors from a customer at the bookstore where she works. The first page reads, “This is the book of doors. Hold it in your hand, and any door is every door.” She first uses the book to explore Venice, a memorable place for her. Cassie discovers the true extent of the book's powers with the help of librarian Mr. Drummond Fox. Brown masterfully introduces a host of magical books, each with its own allure and danger, adding depth and complexity to the plot.
I was particularly drawn to the suspenseful elements as Cassie and her friend Izzy find themselves pursued by collectors seeking to harness the power of the elusive Book of Doors for nefarious purposes. The tension builds as the story progresses, culminating in a gripping rare book auction that kept me on the edge of my seat.
While the novel delves into themes of friendship, loss, and the consequences of power, it also offers moments of warmth and endearment, such as Cassie's ability to time travel to visit a departed loved one. However, it's worth noting that the story also contains elements of violence.
Overall, this is a highly enchanting and gripping fantasy novel that will appeal to fans of immersive storytelling and magical realism. Brown's intricate world-building and compelling characters make for an unforgettable reading experience....more
Never Let Me Go is a poignant exploration of humanity and morality, told through the eyes of Kathy H. as she reflects on her time at the boarding scho
Never Let Me Go is a poignant exploration of humanity and morality, told through the eyes of Kathy H. as she reflects on her time at the boarding school, Hailsham. Ishiguro is a master at storytelling, as he delicately reveals the fate of Kathy and her friends, Ruth and Tommy, while exploring the values instilled in them by their school. Through Kathy's recollections, we are drawn into the intricate web of their friendships and the unsettling truths they must confront about their own existence. The gradual revelation of their destiny is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking, leaving readers with a profound sense of empathy and introspection. Despite knowing the central premise of the story, Ishiguro's skillful storytelling captivated me from start to finish. This book has been on my bookshelf for the longest time- unread, simply because the plot was revealed to me, but since it survived many book “unhauls,” I decided it was time to give it a go. And I’m so glad I did. I know these characters will stay with me for a very long time....more
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