Many thanks to my friends at @aaknopf and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book.
Intriguing. Thought provoking. Though ambitious in scopeMany thanks to my friends at @aaknopf and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book.
Intriguing. Thought provoking. Though ambitious in scope, Khong delivers in her latest novel.
Real Americans is a sweeping family saga centered around three generations of Chinese Americans. It’s also an introspective look at what it means to be American, especially when the implicit connotations do not fit.
The storyline is told in 3 timelines with 3 different perspectives with the baton being handed from one generation of this family to another, though not in chronological order, as the tale progresses over more than sixty years.
For me (one who never reads a synopsis), this created a surprising dynamic that propelled the narrative. As the different timelines unfolded, new details were painted onto the broader family picture. Most clever, none of the characters became fully fleshed out until viewed from all perspectives. This layered unfolding allowed an intimate and genuine depiction of a complex family experiencing a broad range of emotions and concerns which kept me deeply engaged and constantly eager for more.
Khong boldly addresses some of life’s most challenging questions regarding identity and belonging. There’s also an exploration of science and ethics which is meted out as generational secrets are exposed. Even while the density of themes sometimes made me feel held at arm’s length, they also left me with much to contemplate.
Real Americans felt easy to read despite the complexity of the narrative. I was hooked almost immediately and found myself dedicated to the unfolding. The deft storytelling and rich characterization propelled the timely messaging, even as it stretched so broadly. This read fully entertained even as it challenged.
Many thanks to my friends at @avidreaderpress and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.
Hysterical. Unique. Genre bending.
What an orMany thanks to my friends at @avidreaderpress and @simon.audio for the free #gifted copies of this book.
Hysterical. Unique. Genre bending.
What an original concept! With engaging writing, I gave myself fully to this wholly unexpected storyline, and I was rewarded with a humorous and thought-provoking narrative that delighted.
My favorite part of the read was its motley group of quirky and diverse characters. Fastidiously crafted and brilliantly layered, there was a richness to each. They were so easy to love, and I was completely enthralled by them.
Beyond the characterization, the way the author mixed (embellished) historical figures with completely fictional ones from the current time created an interesting dynamic- often funny but always provocative. The number of times I laughed out loud! This unique dichotomy fascinated me, and I found it to greatly enhance the overall plot. It also made my heart swell as I watched them become an unlikely family unit.
At times, I felt as though I was missing vital information, particularly regarding the time travel, and wished for a bit more definition. But even when I didn’t quite understand what was happening, I remained entertained and dedicated to the unfolding.
Brimming with wit and altogether creative, this was a banger debut. I’ll be eager to see what Bradley produces next.
(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @marysuerucci and @simonelement books for the #gifted copy of this book.
Intriguing. Thought provoking. Disturbin(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @marysuerucci and @simonelement books for the #gifted copy of this book.
Intriguing. Thought provoking. Disturbing.
The hum of the refrigerator. The hum of a fan. Those background noises are a common albeit invasive part of existence. Sometimes annoying. Other times soothing. Most often, such an integral part of life we forget the quiet that came in the before.
Such is true in this not-so-distant envisioning of our future where nature only exists in Disneyworld-eque creations, jobs are taken over by machines, and families co-exist while lost within devices. The hum of technology is a pervasive part of May’s life.
It’s not often that a book surprises me the way this one did. Written as a futuristic society and yet not that far removed from our current reality, I found myself deeply invested in this look at technology’s invasiveness— with its ability to help and harm.
Maybe most disconcerting was the subtlety with which technology was embedded in this society. Necessary and inescapable yet also supportive and accommodating. A Jekyll and Hyde conundrum. And most certainly, a nightmare of our own creation.
With a tense atmosphere, the anxiety laden storyline left me unsettled. But I was so intrigued I couldn’t look away. There’s an urgency to the writing that made the sense of foreboding stretch beyond the pages and into my own life, rife with technology.
As Phillips hit on many timely themes— surveillance, AI, dependence on devices, and consumerism— I found this read to be both a stern warning and a storyline meant for deep ponderings. Compelling and visceral, this is a read I won’t soon forget.
This book is meant for discussion, and I was grateful to have @bookmarked.by.becky and @rachellelovesbooks to unpack this one with....more
(4.5⭐️) Thank you @williammorrowbooks for the #gifted free copy of this book.
Religion. Love. Murder. It’s not only the makings of a good country song.(4.5⭐️) Thank you @williammorrowbooks for the #gifted free copy of this book.
Religion. Love. Murder. It’s not only the makings of a good country song. It’s also the basis of a compelling story.
I can see Twyla now. Old guitar in hand. Stage lights shining bright. She’s not quite comfortable with a crowd, but the music is an old friend.
Once naïve and sheltered. Now, her dirty hands and even muddier conscience might be her best inspiration.
Twyla took hold of me from the first scenes. A young girl desperate to find her own voice. A love of Elvis. A need to escape. There was a rawness to her, a bit rough around the edges. I found myself cheering for her even when I wanted to shake some sense into her.
Frost’s writing first won me over in her debut, The Shadows of Pecan Hollow. Boy, can she turn a phrase! And here, with music as a backdrop, her prose has a rhythm that easily allures. It’s lyrical and poetic. It’s sharply observed and beautiful in form.
Though the writing is laden with tension in parts, this is much more a blend of character driven/coming of age and historical fiction. There’s a bit of mystery at play. But Twyla’s journey and the richly executed backdrop of 1970s Nashville take center stage.
I’m naturally drawn to contemplative themes. And here I found one of the most gripping explorations of prisons-- the ones thrust upon us and the ones we choose.
This is the kind of book that pushes boundaries. It’s gritty and full of complexity. Frost excels in the gray areas. The lines between right and wrong are meticulously blurred, creating an incisive look at morality, fairness, and justice.
Much like a legendary ballad from one of the greats- lonesome, mournful, redemptive- The Last Verse is deeply felt and hits all the right notes. ...more
Many thanks to my friends at @bookclubfriends @simon.books and @simon.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.
Wildly entertaining. An epic adventurMany thanks to my friends at @bookclubfriends @simon.books and @simon.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.
Wildly entertaining. An epic adventure and dazzling saga. This was my last read of 2023, and WHAT a way to send out the year!
Banditos and gunslingers. A train heist. A disfigured man seeking both revenge and redemption.
Ambitious in scope and rooted in her own family history, Gonzalez completely WOWed me with this genre-bending blend of action-packed Western, dramatic multigenerational narrative, and sprawling historical fiction.
This book was utterly captivating. Between the imaginative plot, the cinematic details, the evocative characterization, and the immersive storytelling, I found myself absorbed in the narrative and cheering for this anti-hero!
Beyond the adventure, Gonzalez deftly reflects on generational trauma and the legacy of colonialism and racism along with border politics. The questions posed are deeply meaningful and provocatively poignant.
This sprawling saga comes in at just under 300 pages, making it apparent that Gonzales’ writing is highly skilled and masterfully honed.
This is the kind of book I recommend with abandon. It’s propulsive. It’s addictive. It’s a flawless blend of entertaining and impactful. A must read, indeed.
Many thanks to my friends at @bookclubfavorites @scribner and @simon.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.
“The first weapon I ever held was myMany thanks to my friends at @bookclubfavorites @scribner and @simon.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.
“The first weapon I ever held was my mother’s hand.”
Raw. Visceral. Heart wrenching.
I closed the pages of this book and felt the need to sit with Annis. Ward’s portrayal here is searing and brutal. A young, enslaved girl fighting to exist. At times, it felt like too much. And yet, that is exactly what made it such an adept depiction.
Throughout Annis’ harrowing journey, she turned inward where the spirit world provided what her natural world could not… a sense of connection, a sense of freedom.
This juxtaposition where hope and remembrance were unconstrained amplified the barbarity of her day-to-day life. And yet, it didn’t always work. In some scenarios, it felt clunky and counterproductive.
Though maybe, ultimately, that’s the point? Life as a slave must have felt similarly. Complicated. Messy. Hard.
Ward’s poetic prose is not to be rushed. This is a slower paced read, no doubt. But it’s also eloquent and lyrical and striking, making this harrowing journey a richer experience for the reader.
This one begs for discussion, and I’m so glad I had @book_wine_and_thinker to unpack it with.
It should be easy for a daughter to welcome her dying mother into her home for those final days. But this daughter was torturedEerie and atmospheric.
It should be easy for a daughter to welcome her dying mother into her home for those final days. But this daughter was tortured and traumatized by her mother. And this mother, there’s more to her than meets the eyes.
What a chilling story! The juxtaposition of the profoundly sinister during the Christmas season made for a truly horrifying dynamic. Not many books leave me as unsettled as this one did. The atmosphere and tension had me nervous and eager at the same time.
My Darling Girl is a spine-tingling narrative, and that ending was the stuff of nightmares. ...more
This is my absolute favorite kind of read. I savored every word. I clung to the characters. I reveled in the magic. I founBreathtaking and immersive.
This is my absolute favorite kind of read. I savored every word. I clung to the characters. I reveled in the magic. I found myself totally swept away with June’s story… completely lost within the curse and the romance.
It’s the way Young spins a yarn. Her writing is exquisite, and the prose is lyrical, no doubt. But it’s more than that. It’s as though each word is enchanted to speak directly to the heart.
What starts as a mystery develops into an intergenerational tale of the pull of family and the importance of finding one’s place in the world.
The Farrow women are vividly depicted. Each is intricately crafted in complex detail. There’s a fierce thread of loyalty that runs through the generations which produces a bond that transcends time. It’s that connection that June harnesses in her determination to end the curse that’s plagued her lineage.
Set amongst the Blue Ridge Mountains, I was fully transported to this small North Carolina town. Walking amongst the flower fields. Watching the horse gallop in the side yard. The scenes unfolded with cinematic detail and the pages brimmed with atmosphere, making me feel as though I was right there in that time and place.
And beyond the mystery… beyond the journey of self-exploration, there is a love story for the ages. It’s the tenderness of first love combined with the maturity of love that withstands hardship. It was everything I was longing for.
The Unmaking of June Farrow is an all-around achingly beautiful tale. One that will stay with me.
(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @prhaudio for the #gifted copy of this audiobook.
Riveting. Powerful. Emotional.
Action packed with dynamic (4.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @prhaudio for the #gifted copy of this audiobook.
Riveting. Powerful. Emotional.
Action packed with dynamic themes and deep bonds of sisterhood. Lillie delivers a full bodied novel perfect for Native American Heritage Month.
Syd Walker, a Cherokee archeologist working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, returns to her hometown when a skull is found with her BIA badge in its jaw. With her job turning personal, Syd is forced to examine her identity and past trauma.
This propulsive plot is full of suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat as the twisty storyline unfolded. The well-drawn characters are full of complexity, and the backdrop is vividly depicted.
But where this book really shines is in the exploration of culture and history. The spotlight is adeptly placed on the Indigenous experience and the vast injustices faced, past and present. Drawn from research as well as the #ownvoices author’s experience, the content is authentic and heartfelt.
“Nearly 85% of American Indian and Alaskan Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime.”
Raw and impactful, this is a crime thriller that delivers.
Many thanks to my friends at @bookclubfavorites @scribnerbooks and @simon.audio
Wildly imaginative. Bizarre. Poignant.
How Broder managed to pack such Many thanks to my friends at @bookclubfavorites @scribnerbooks and @simon.audio
Wildly imaginative. Bizarre. Poignant.
How Broder managed to pack such a punch in a short 240 pages, I don’t know. It’s true talent for sure.
In trying to escape the emotional weight of a sickly husband and dying father, our unnamed protagonist flees to the California desert where she finds a nonnative cactus and a fight for survival.
Utterly bizarre but completely captivating. Broder penned a hallucinatory journey through emotion that felt both unmoored and relevant. This seemed personal, as though a journey of catharsis for the author. It’s rare to find a storyline that exposes the rawness of grief as this one does.
But this isn’t a bleak story. Dark humor abounds. Talking rocks, the love of the Best Western, apologies to bunnies…. these are just a few of the absurdities that kept me entertained.
Cleverly written with a unique, genre-bending premise unlike anything I’ve read before.
I went i(4.5⭐️) Disturbing. Captivating. Completely original.
Cleverly written with a unique, genre-bending premise unlike anything I’ve read before.
I went into this book knowing it was fiction. Yet I had to remind myself time and again that, while Chizmar is real, the meticulously plotted crimes are not.
More than anything, I think this speaks to the creativity and skill of the author… able to write himself into the storyline, mixing memoir-like detail within the fictitious. It added an eeriness to the plot that kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly questioning everything I read.
The format. The storyline. The blurring of lines between fact and fiction. This is a risky concept that could’ve gone all wrong. Yet it was brilliantly executed creating a perfect narrative and an all-around immersive read.
➡️ Of note: Don’t skip the author’s note at the end!
(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to @librofm for the #gifted audiobook.
Longing and fear. Fear and longing.
Within the first pages, I found myself completely immers(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to @librofm for the #gifted audiobook.
Longing and fear. Fear and longing.
Within the first pages, I found myself completely immersed. The seamless blend of historical fiction with gothic horror alongside swoon worthy romance created an engaging story that I flew through (busting me out of one of the worst reading slumps).
I loved following Nena & Nestor. There was so much complexity to their relationship, and I felt the pining between the two deep in my own soul.
I loved the vivid setting and the rich atmosphere. Between the historic backdrop and the inclusion of Mexican folklore, I was easily immersed into the time, place and culture.
But what I loved most? Those vampires! Monsters lurking in the dark creating a looming fear. Vaqueros on high alert. Prepared to protect their way of life. Yet… the vampires weren’t the only lurking monsters.
Canas delivers an incisive commentary on class, gender, and colonization. With vampires compared to Anglos, it is a vivid portrayal of monsters sucking the lifeblood (heritage, land) out of the Mexican people.
Beautifully written and compulsively readable, I was fully transported by Canas’ sophomore novel and can’t wait to see what she does next.
Many thanks to my friends at @forgereads and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.
Heartwarming and utterly enchanting.
Webber excels Many thanks to my friends at @forgereads and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.
Heartwarming and utterly enchanting.
Webber excels at creating the perfect small town atmosphere overflowing with charm. The front porch swings. The nosey neighbors. The coffee shop steeped in “well-meaning” gossip.
Add to that a few slow strolls in the sand, and I was almost ready to pack up my Ohio home to head to Driftwood.
This story follows Ava and Maggie, both bold characters wrestling with the past. With a depth of characterization, it was easy to feel for both and cheer along their personal growth journeys.
At its core, this is a story about grief and acceptance. It’s teeming with emotion and easily relatable with important reminders.
But it’s the strands of magical realism thread throughout the story, full of warmth and whimsy, that really make this story shine.
Once again, I was swept away by the magic in Webber’s writing. Her books always feel like a warm hug for my soul, and this one was just the comfort read I was needing.
(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @tornightfire and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.
Complex. Weird. The perfect mix of confus(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @tornightfire and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies of this book.
Complex. Weird. The perfect mix of confusion and satisfaction.
“It was me that was haunted, not the place.” -Ward in conversation at @politicsprose.
There’s a certain genius with which Ward writes horror. It’s never simplistic: mere violence and fear. Instead, it brims with a passionate intensity and steeps in perplexity, leaving the reader haunted by the writing itself.
And Ward’s newest may be her most haunting yet.
On the first summer holiday in the idyllic coastal town, Wilder is determined to find love. And he does. Those friendships of youth burgeon with a special intensity. But things change when the friends make a terrible discovery. And it will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
What opens as a coming-of-age tale swiftly shifts to a disturbing circular narrative. A story within a story within a story, blurring the lines between fact and fiction to create a horrifying sense of uncertainty.
This is a wildly ambitious plot, unpacking the traumatic effects of violence while pondering the authenticity of memory and storytelling. And on both accounts, Ward excelled.
While many felt the plot confusing and convoluted, that’s where I thought Ward’s narrative stood out. The meticulous layering (though necessarily befuddling at times) created an intimate and resounding portrait of trauma. It was a look within the mind of survivors, narrating the distortion and horror, unlike any I’ve read before.
The more I sit with this story, the more I appreciate it’s brilliance. I can’t wait to see what Ward does next!
Many thanks to my friends at @marysueruccibooks and @simon.audio for the #gifted free copies of this book.
“The main ingredient in transformation was Many thanks to my friends at @marysueruccibooks and @simon.audio for the #gifted free copies of this book.
“The main ingredient in transformation was not magic. It was pain.”
Wildly imaginative. Wholly unforgettable.
It’s a fully absurd idea… a genetic mutation that turns a husband into a shark. Unbelievable and ridiculous. And yet, Habeck completely convinced me.
THIS book. It was so much more than I expected. I bought into this WILD premise with abandon, completely immersed and utterly swept away.
Brimming with emotion and deeply contemplative, this is a love story in three parts: between romantic partners, between friends, between mother/child. The fragility and tenacity of love is on full display. It is vulnerable and tender. It’s a bittersweet ache. Even so, there is a hopefulness that permeates.
Habeck boldly experimented with the structure of the story, where she created a unique blend of prose that meandered between the poetic and simplistic and a format that was neither straightforward nor linear. Together, it added to the overall bizarreness in a weirdly wonderful (wonderfully weird?) way that kept me spellbound.
It’s the originality- both in premise and formatting- that makes this book stand out.
This is a special book, the likes of which don’t come around often. A book about a shark that brimmed with humanity. What an unforgettable debut!
(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @macmillan.audio for the #gifted audiobook.
Rival journalists, a war between the gods, and an enchanted typewrite(4.5⭐️) Many thanks to my friends at @macmillan.audio for the #gifted audiobook.
Rival journalists, a war between the gods, and an enchanted typewriter.
The makings of a perfectly ethereal read.
This book fully charmed me. I found myself lost in the nostalgia of bygone days. (Can it be historical if set in a fantasy world? I’m not sure, and yet the wistfulness I felt as I read indicated so.)
The usage of typewriters. Getting to know another person in an intimate manner through the exchange of written correspondence. And then, of course, I’m forever enchanted by wardrobes thanks to Mr. Lewis. This read was wholly sentimental and redolent of the past.
But the true magic is found in Ross’ subtle writing. It’s a quiet prose which permitted a coziness and drew me in. Lyrical and yet not over so. She pens the tale with an ease that made me feel lost within its margins.
Astonishingly, this book evoked such tender feelings, even set amongst the horrors of wartime battle. The atmosphere was meticulously depicted, and there were intense scenes showcasing the atrocities of conflict.
But in those darkest moments, light shone through maintaining the overarching themes of hope and love which endeared me to the plot time and again.
I confess to closing the book with a fierce hatred for the ending. Ross, HOW COULD YOU?!!! The next installment cannot come quickly enough.
It’s worth noting that I went into this book completely blind and was highly rewarded for doing so. The official synopsis provides many spoilers for things I enjoyed experiencing through the storyline’s unfolding.
This made for a great discussion with some of my favorite buddies: @bookmarked.by.becky and @thats.one.for.the.books. Between favorite scenes and predictions for of the future, our chat was ...more
Many thanks to my partner @simon.audio for the #gifted audiobook.
Clever, unique, and irreverently fun!
In the early days of Holmes’ singing/songwritiMany thanks to my partner @simon.audio for the #gifted audiobook.
Clever, unique, and irreverently fun!
In the early days of Holmes’ singing/songwriting career, he knew that to “make it” meant to create a spectacle. And from there, his hit song about cannibalism, Timothy, was born. (You’ve more likely heard his “Pina Colada” song named “Escape.”)
So it’s really not all that surprising that his current best seller is (shockingly!) based on a prestigious school that teaches its students the fine art of… murder.
To be honest, I was drawn to this story because Neil Patrick Harris, a forever favorite, is one of the narrators. But I quickly found myself immersed in this quirky education full of dry humor and nostalgic of the 1950s.
The first half of the book reads at a slower pace. But as the second half kicks off and the education of three students is put to the test, the speed picked up. And the ending… chef’s kiss.
Best paired with a pina colada, this book is imaginative and smart. A humorous read that is surprisingly full of heart. Throw this one in your bag for a fun escape.
I solely listened to this one on audio. The powerhouse narration by Neil Patrick Harris and Simon Vance was stellar. Vance’s pretentiousness and Harris’ multifaceted voices kept me hanging on each word. I highly suggest grabbing this on in audio format.
“When a man dies from a bullet entering his chest, it's a homicide. When a man dies from a meteorite landing on his head, it's a tragedy. Don't use bullets. Use meteorites. Don't commit a homicide. Commit a Tragedy.” ...more
(4.5⭐️) Thank you to my friends at @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook.
Raucous. Cheeky. Delicious. This was a total binge read, helluva good time!
Bor(4.5⭐️) Thank you to my friends at @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook.
Raucous. Cheeky. Delicious. This was a total binge read, helluva good time!
Born with various silver spoons, the Stocktons have never not known wealth. From over-the-top themed parties to prestigious antique (albeit itchy) décor previously owned by a governor, this is a family well established in the trappings of wealth.
But when (middle class) Sasha marries into this family, it sets in motion an insightful examination of class and wealth.
Jackson’s debut is hugely entertaining. It’s cleverly written and full of hilarious one liners. I binged this one in less than 24 hours and was sad to see the fun end. Jackson’s sharp and witty style completely took hold of me, allowing me to laugh while also examining truths about society and the upper echelon.
Many thanks to my partners @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies.
Laugh out loud hysterical. Over the top fun.
There aren’t many Many thanks to my partners @minotaur_books and @macmillan.audio for the #gifted copies.
Laugh out loud hysterical. Over the top fun.
There aren’t many things I look forward to in winter. Not the cold temps. Not the lack of sunshine. And definitely not the snow.
But the one thing I can count on in the midst of the bleakness… Finlay Donovan!
Each year, Cosimano delivers the exact serotonin punch I need in the form of outrageous hijinks and hysterical shenanigans as Finlay and Vero sleuth out another mystery.
This book picks up right where the last left off… Finlay and Vero need to unmask Easy Clean, a contract killer with possible ties to the police. With mob boss Feliks looming over their shoulders and demanding answers, they get up close and personal with all the possible suspects at… the citizens police academy.
Amy (amy_alwaysreading)
>
Books:
genre-bending
(19)
