Category: Diverse Reads
Reading Around the World in 2020
Every year I try to read as many books as possible that are set in other countries. I keep track of each new country read as part of the five-year Reading Around the World challenge. And I joined a book club that reads books… Continue Reading “Reading Around the World in 2020”
Review: Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko
I love reading about Australia, ever since I traveled there in 2013. I was struck by the similarities in the history of Australia and the United States, though I felt Australia was much more open about its troubling treatment of Aboriginal populations. Too Much… Continue Reading “Review: Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko”
Review: Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham
If you’re like me, the first time you knew anything about the 1921 Tulsa race riots – or race massacre – was this summer, when Trump scheduled a rally in Tulsa on June 19 (Juneteenth). Before that I was mostly unaware of this history. What… Continue Reading “Review: Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham”
My Year of Reading Romance
Romance novels are my comfort reads. Typically, I don’t read many of them. While fun to read, they rarely stick with me. A lot of romances follow predictable patterns and rarely surprise – although I could argue that’s exactly why they are comforting. But… Continue Reading “My Year of Reading Romance”
Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
If you’re a fan of gothic horror, you will love this book. I’m not a huge fan of the gothic novel, although I did enjoy Rebecca and I like seeing how other authors take on this genre. I read it mainly because it’s by… Continue Reading “Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia”
Reading the Women’s Prize 2020 Nominees
Every year I put a lot of Women’s Prize nominees on my TBR list. Early in the calendar year, the Women’s Prize announces its longlist of 16 books. These are books written by women and published in the previous year. They must be written… Continue Reading “Reading the Women’s Prize 2020 Nominees”
Mini-reviews: The Night Watchman, The Glass Hotel, and The Lost Man
You may know I’m not a huge fan of mini-reviews. All three of these books deserve a full review. But given limited time, all three were really great reads so I wanted to share my thoughts. The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich I loved… Continue Reading “Mini-reviews: The Night Watchman, The Glass Hotel, and The Lost Man”
Review: The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah
This book about a Palestinian family in Chicago, Illinois begins with a school shooting. Afaf, the principal of a school for Muslim girls, is praying when the gunman opens fire. Then the book goes back to Afaf’s childhood. Afaf is raised in Chicago in… Continue Reading “Review: The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah”
Review: Amnesty by Aravind Adiga
I found this a really interesting read about what it’s like to be an undocumented immigrant in Australia. Adiga tells the story through the eyes of Danny, who has fled his native Sri Lanka after torture. He comes to Australia through a school program,… Continue Reading “Review: Amnesty by Aravind Adiga”
Review: Know My Name by Chanel Miller
This is a book I think most of us should read, though it’s definitely not an easy read. In 2015, Chanel Miller went to a party at Stanford. Two guys found her unconscious on the ground near a dumpster, with a guy on top… Continue Reading “Review: Know My Name by Chanel Miller”
Review: Popular by Maya Van Wagenen
I’ve been recommending this book a lot lately, especially to my friends with daughters. There aren’t that many books out there that feel fresh and original, and this one did. First, a major disclaimer: I am NOT the target audience for this book. It’s… Continue Reading “Review: Popular by Maya Van Wagenen”
Review: Pride by Ibi Zoboi
I have a list of recent Austen adaptations I want to read, like Ayesha at Last, Unmarriageable, and Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors. I’d seen great reviews of Pride by Idi Zoboi and was happy to find the audiobook narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo. I thought her… Continue Reading “Review: Pride by Ibi Zoboi”
