There Are Rivers in the Sky is a gift to historical fiction fans. The focus is the Thames and the Tigris rivers and how the water in those two disparaThere Are Rivers in the Sky is a gift to historical fiction fans. The focus is the Thames and the Tigris rivers and how the water in those two disparate waterways meet and meld and wrap around time. I loved each protagonist - their stories were nuanced and complex, with meaningful growth arcs. What absolutely blew me away, though, was all the Mesopotamian history, especially that of the Yazidi people. Few books have driven me down Google rabbit holes like this book did. It's always a plus when historical fiction pushes me to dive deeper. I did not want this book to end.
Many thanks to the author for sharing this extraordinary story. And thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an eBook version in exchange for a review....more
I thoroughly enjoyed this time travel novel. The first 2/3 or so is slower paced as it explores in detail the “expats’” adaptation to being pulled intI thoroughly enjoyed this time travel novel. The first 2/3 or so is slower paced as it explores in detail the “expats’” adaptation to being pulled into the future. Some readers thought there wasn’t enough action here, but I enjoyed the descriptions of all the little things that would arise in this situation. There is a rather abrupt transition to more action as an espionage plot gets going in the last 1/3 of the book. Some of the details were hard to follow here and I did multiple rewinds of my audiobook to figure out the plot elements. But even with that frustration, I enjoyed the ending....more
Prairie Edge is a deeply emotional novel that delves into the legacy of multigenerational trauma and colonialism on two young Métis protagonists and tPrairie Edge is a deeply emotional novel that delves into the legacy of multigenerational trauma and colonialism on two young Métis protagonists and the extended circle of people around them. At the core of the story is an act of activism - bison are relocated to city parks. However, bison are not always predictable, nor are people, leading to unintended consequences that resonate with the reader. The characters are nuanced and complex, each having a notable growth arc during the novel. Chapters alternate between Ezzie's and Grey's perspectives; each has a distinct voice and unique challenges, which help the reader understand the conflicting interests of the narrow and broader communities in and around Edmonton. The concluding chapters had multiple large time jumps, which left me wondering what impressions the author wanted to impart. The ending left many unanswered questions, but mostly in a good way, as it left space for me to sit and reflect on what might come.
PS - I'm working my way through books centered in each Canadian province, and this was an exceptional pick for Alberta.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review....more
I just took this book in - absorbed the author’s message. This novel reads like a memoir. The protagonist is a very large 40 year old black woman and I just took this book in - absorbed the author’s message. This novel reads like a memoir. The protagonist is a very large 40 year old black woman and noted Portland, Oregon librarian telling the reader about her life as a Black woman, fat person, mother, daughter, friend, and lover. All the aspects of her life mostly over the course of a year with digressions into her back story. This is why I read. To learn about other perspectives. I’ll be thinking about her words and story for some time. ...more
How have I missed this novel until now? A woman Buffalo Soldier. While there wasn’t much of an historical record available to flesh out her story , SaHow have I missed this novel until now? A woman Buffalo Soldier. While there wasn’t much of an historical record available to flesh out her story , Sarah Bird did a superb job. Sure the romance element was pure fantasy, but the historical details of post Civil War Texas, the Indian Wars, the Black Seminoles, Comanches, and all the minutes of everyday life were well constructed.
I’m surprised this book hasn’t gotten more traction among historical fiction readers. It focuses on little known history - filling in pivotal history that’s been white washed out of our history books. The first known woman to enlist as a peacetime soldier. FYI the real Cathay Williams was in the infantry and the author changed her to Calvary so that’s one departure from reality - but even knowing most of her life details are not recoverable, the story is remarkable and Bird’s rendition respectful as well as riveting.
The author notes and interview at the end of the book are important to listen to. No spoilers are given so I’d recommend reading the those sections before the novel.
I listened to the audiobook and Bahni Turpin narrates - she is one of my favorite voices....more
I thought this was a brilliant exploration of modern womanhood in the Middle East. Although it is set in a fictitious country, readers can picture wheI thought this was a brilliant exploration of modern womanhood in the Middle East. Although it is set in a fictitious country, readers can picture where it is. The author is a Palestinian-Jordani woman, and I'm assigning the novel to Jordan in my around-the-world reading journey.
It is a challenging read. The topic and situations are pretty dark, and the writing style requires a lot of focus as points of view change without always making it obvious to the reader. I found this frustrating, but I also think it is consistent with the literary styles of this region. I read it in one afternoon. I am glad I had a print copy as I did have to reread passages to sort out who was talking to or about whom.
The transition through five chapters and five "seasons" of the protagonist worked well. I loved seeing Nadia's growth....more
I find satire often doesn't translate across diverse cultures, but still, I decided to read this farcical set of stories for my Oceanic reading journeI find satire often doesn't translate across diverse cultures, but still, I decided to read this farcical set of stories for my Oceanic reading journey. I enjoyed them - I can't say I laughed and I'm sure some of the inuendoes went right past my head, but I felt I grasped the underlying (and scathing) message. But I struggle with where to assign this book. The author was born in Tonga, but now lives in Fiji. I decided to assign the book to Tonga....more
This book is a very special book to me. I picked it for my literary journey to Eritrea, but I also picked it because it is a memoir by an Eritrean adoThis book is a very special book to me. I picked it for my literary journey to Eritrea, but I also picked it because it is a memoir by an Eritrean adoptee on her first homeland visit to her birth country. The world wide diaspora of peoples from the Horn of Africa is personal to me. My children are part of that diaspora - two by birth with an Ethiopian father, and 4 adopted as young children from Ethiopia. My two youngest have a Tigrinyan mother and Eritrean father. The other two are Amhara, from Addis Ababa. I’ve taken my children back to Ethiopia to reconnect with surviving birth family and, while every experience is unique, this book captures the complexity of the Ethiopian/Eritrean adoption-related diaspora. It is so complicated. These homeland trips are amazing, devastating, surreal - so many adjectives to pick from - and always life changing.
Thank you to Hannah Pool for sharing her incredibly personal journey. If you are touched in some way by this diaspora, this is a book where you can feel part of a larger experience. So many times I paused and wept as a memory crept back in....more
Is Dominoes a romance or contemporary fiction? Which shelf does it belong on? This is my conundrum when reviewing this debut novel. On the one hand, iIs Dominoes a romance or contemporary fiction? Which shelf does it belong on? This is my conundrum when reviewing this debut novel. On the one hand, it is a countdown-to-the-wedding story, complete with dress fittings, upset bridesmaids, and in-law-to-be drama. On the other hand, it's a more profound tale of slavery's legacy, Britain's treatment of Caribbean immigrants, and the buried family histories. When all of these themes are melded together, the reading becomes discordant. I read both genres, but romances and race-themed contemporary fiction take up different head space for me, and I pick one or the other based on very different moods. So, I don't know who to recommend this book to.
In addition to the discordant themes, three characters struggle for prominence throughout the book. Layla, for sure, is the main character. But is Andy or Sera her nemesis? Both are, but that leads to neither character being fully fleshed out. Sera is mostly just awful, and Andy is given so little development that it's hard to know who he is.
The grandfather is, by far, my favorite character, and I enjoyed the travel back to Jamaica and the genealogy discussions (almost like having an episode of Finding Your Roots hiding inside the novel). The dialogue is well-written but spread out between very long narrative descriptions; I found myself skimming after a while.
Ultimately, I was intrigued by the premise of descendants of slavers and the enslaved unraveling their legacies, but I would not combine this story with traditional romance novel tropes.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in return for a review....more
Toni Morrison’s only short story and it is superb. Don’t read Zadie Smith’s introduction until after you read the story. Book clubs will have a lot toToni Morrison’s only short story and it is superb. Don’t read Zadie Smith’s introduction until after you read the story. Book clubs will have a lot to discuss here - and it’s a short story so everyone should finish it. ...more
Shelterwood is one of the best dual-timeline historical fiction novels I've read in a long time. Wingate's storytelling hooked me from the start, and Shelterwood is one of the best dual-timeline historical fiction novels I've read in a long time. Wingate's storytelling hooked me from the start, and I became heavily invested in the little girls' plight in the historical timeline. I also loved the modern (1990s) National Park Service Ranger storyline. So, who will enjoy this novel? -If Killers of the Flower Moon absorbed you, Shelterwood will take you back to that horrific period in Oklahoma history. -If you love National Parks and the rangers who support them, you'll enjoy the modern storyline. For a short while, I was trying to figure out if I missed the designation of a new park. Nope, it's fictitious—but just as impressive as our real-life parks. -If you enjoy historical fiction and you're seeking stories from underrepresented eras, you'll enjoy this book. -If you are looking for good book club discussion fodder, you'll find it in this book. -If you are already a fan of Lisa Wingate (Before We Were Yours), you will surely like this book - I predict even more.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.
Trigger warnings: child neglect and abuse - pervasive....more
I’m an iffy romance fan, but I trusted Modern Mrs. Darcy’s recommendation of this novel - and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You might too if you, - enjoy hiI’m an iffy romance fan, but I trusted Modern Mrs. Darcy’s recommendation of this novel - and I thoroughly enjoyed it. You might too if you, - enjoy historical fiction/romance hybrids. - dual timelines appeal to you (this one is Harlem Renaissance and 2024) - like messy family stories with the youngest bullied and bruised by the older sibs. - are good with a fair amount of sexual tension and closed door scenes. - are intrigued by a bit of fantasy (some call this book magical realism, but I think it’s more fantasy as in magic, curses, immortality, than weird dream scenes). - don’t mind some predictability (I mean, romances are always a bit predictable, isn’t that the deal?)
I wanted a bit of an escape read and this fit the bill. I loved the flower shop setting and all the ancillary characters. There was also more humor than I expected - and it worked. I listened to the audiobook and the narration was good, except for a mispronounced Kewpie as Kew Pie (like the food). It must be a generational thing - and the makers of the audio are too young to remember and didn’t think to check)....more
I listened to about 1/3 of the book and it had to be returned to the library - and I'm not interested in rechecking it out. Loads of characters, some I listened to about 1/3 of the book and it had to be returned to the library - and I'm not interested in rechecking it out. Loads of characters, some interesting, but where is the story?
PS - I rarely give star ratings to books I DNF. ...more
The Real Americans explores multigenerational trauma through the lens of a mother, daughter, and grandson. The book is revealed in three sections, eacThe Real Americans explores multigenerational trauma through the lens of a mother, daughter, and grandson. The book is revealed in three sections, each with a different point of view. Interestingly, the POVs don't move in historical order but start with the middle generation, the daughter, move on to the grandson and end with the grandmother's perspective as an octogenarian. This worked as the grandmother was the more reliable witness and cleared up a lot of unanswered questions. I found all the characters likable, each in their own brokenness. In other words, even though there is plenty of dysfunction, and the main characters had their flaws, each was in their own way redeemable.
Khong's novel is a masterful blend of historical and contemporary fiction, with a sprinkle of fantasy/magical realism. While magical realism can be a tricky genre to navigate, 'The Real Americans' strikes a perfect balance, never straying too far from the realm of reality (for me). Some characters possess a unique relationship with time, capable of entering a state where time slows or even halts momentarily. This fusion of literary styles is a treat for readers, although those who prefer more traditional narratives might find this aspect of the book a tad perplexing.
Some science is described in the book (primarily molecular biology as it relates to gene regulation). It is an essential part of the story but at a high level. I'm a scientist and cringed at some of the descriptions - they weren't wrong, per se, but stretched what is feasible. Also, self-experimentation is pretty out there - it happens in novels but not IRL. It's needed for the story, but I don't enjoy storylines that defy things like research ethics committees and such. The book covers a mainstream family-owned research facility, but at times, it's a little too "mad scientist" for me. If you are picky about how science is portrayed in books, consider this before you pick up this book. I enjoyed it despite some reservations about the science because I see the story as more about the family dynamics and legacy than I see it as hard-core science fiction.
Other aspects of the book I enjoyed: The part of the story set during the Cultural Revolution in China was interesting and matches the personal stories my Chinese friends have told me.
Part of the story is set on a remote Puget Sound island, rarely used in literature. I enjoy original settings. This book covers 1960s China, Puget Sound, NYC, and San Francisco.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.
My literary travels to Côte d’Ivoire are completed. Nine Hills is a memoir written by a Peace Corp volunteer who was stationed in a small northern vilMy literary travels to Côte d’Ivoire are completed. Nine Hills is a memoir written by a Peace Corp volunteer who was stationed in a small northern village for two years just prior to the recent civil war. The book took me deep into daily life of the local people and I appreciated vicariously experiencing the community. There is no riveting plot, but if you are curious about how others live or if you are also journeying around the world in books, this is a good pick for Côte d’Ivoire.
A few words on how I pick books for each country: my first preference for books as I tour the world, is a novel written by a regional author. This isn’t always possible as some smaller countries don’t have many or any options available in English (the only language I’m comfortable reading books in) or available from my library. When that is the case, I can sometimes find used or new books to buy, but I’m also left with picking books from non-native authors. Usually it’s then someone with strong cultural or family roots to a region, but I also occasionally pick books written by visitors to a country, or expats who’ve had extended residencies. Some books are historical nonfiction written by journalists or academics. So sometimes I’m getting an insider’s view of the country, and sometime an outsider’s view. I’ve found this mix to help me understand this world all the better. I’m now down to less than 50 books to complete my journey - every single country I’ve now ‘toured’ is now a real place, with real people and the world is getting smaller and smaller.
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