I recommend this short but moving first novel by Rachel Khong about a woman caring for her father with Alzheimer’s. This is a prospect I find absolutely terrifying, whether for my parents and for myself. It seems to me that almost any physical ailment would be less scary than gradually losing one’s mind, knowing that … Continue reading
Like The Unquiet Dead, it’s hard to adequately review a book about a really serious historical subject like the massacres in Croatia. But I’ll do my best. What I appreciated most about this book was its readability, and how real it felt. I imagine that author Sara Novic experienced many of the things she wrote … Continue reading
This turned out to be a difficult book to review, because it was so amazing. I think it won’t be for everyone, but it’s one of my favorite books of the year, easy. Thanks first to Giraffe Days and publisher Hogarth, New York for giving away a copy of this book. The Panopticon is the … Continue reading
I don’t remember what made me pick up this book. For whatever reason, I requested a free copy on NetGalley and once I had one, I felt obligated to read it. And I’m glad I did. If you don’t know this about me, I don’t do “heartwarming” any more than I do “chick lit”. This … Continue reading
I wanted to hear from Katie O’Rourke about how she came to write her first novel, Monsoon Season. Her book is a really different, layered look at a young relationship, one that feels very emotionally “real”. Below is a brief interview. How did you come to write this novel? For me, it always starts with … Continue reading
Monsoon Season is O’Rourke’s first novel, and at times it feels that way. But she’s also done something pretty impressive in this portrayal of a young relationship with some serious problems. It’s a simple story, but thankfully this book is anything but simple. Monsoon Season tells the story of Riley and Ben, a couple in … Continue reading
There’s been a lot of hype around this book, considering it’s not even out until August 20. I’ve heard Shannon referred to as “the next J.K. Rowling” and the book as “the next Hunger Games.” I can’t say that either of those are even close. But I will say this: for a 21-year-old literature student’s … Continue reading
I read this book for Giraffe Days’ Around the World Challenge. For July, the challenge was to read a book set in Israel, a country I really should know more about, because my father grew up there. He has a passion for Israel that’s hard for me to understand, having never been there. I thought … Continue reading
I was interested in this book for two reasons. First, it’s sort of a historical/political novel about modern-day Poland. I’m a quarter Polish, and visited Poland for the first time two years ago, and loved it. We were fascinated by the country’s rich history and modern-day politics. But secondly, as I started reading the book, … Continue reading
C.H. Zhu’s first novel, Descent, is a story about a young man from China who struggles with his sexual identity and the weight of his parents’ expectations. While Dr. Wu Rong has built a successful career as a scientist, he cannot come to terms with the fact that he’s gay, and what that will mean … Continue reading
Redemption on the River is a first novel by author Loren DeShon. It’s got some weaknesses but overall I enjoyed it. It takes place along the Mississippi River from Missouri to New Orleans in 1848. This is one of those historical novels that really tries to expose you to details you might not have known … Continue reading
The Mine is a novel by first-time novelist John Heldt. It’s a time-travel story in the vein of Back to the Future – only this time the traveler lives in 2000 and goes back 60 years to 1941, just before Pearl Harbor and U.S. entry into World War 2. Joel Smith is graduating from college … Continue reading
