It is rare to come across a sequel that is so good it makes its predecessor better, but that is exactly what this book does. The Dark Star Trilogy is not a linear trilogy, but the same story told from a different character's perspective and James deftly manipulates the subtle shifts in the narrative, while crafting a stunning, heartbreaking backstory for Sogolon. It's difficult to put into words just how much I love and admire these books.
One of my favorite books in the last decade. This book is like nothing I've read before. Set in an Africa-like fantasy world, Tracker is called on to find a missing child. Unforgettable characters and richly imagined worlds and customs move this book into a category of its own. I loved it and can't wait for the next installment!
Lauren Groff's latest is an absolute masterpiece. Slice of life historical fiction, every sentence carefully crafted. The book follows the life of Marie in 1158 as she enters an abbey in crisis and transforms it into a thriving community.
Atmospheric and unsettling, this book was a bit of a throwback to "Never Let Me Go" by Ishiguro and I hope it gets just as much attention. I was obsessed with everything about it and could not put it down. One of my favorite reads of the year so far. This one deserves to be on all the award lists!
Set in Moscow in the late 1990's, the story follows 11-year-old Mitya as he navigates loss, a difficult family life, and his own gender identity. Mitya is such a loveable character and has taken his place among my favorite literary characters of all time. This book has so much heart and hope. Loved every second of it.
The follow-up to Batuman's 2017 novel, "The Idiot" - we meet Selin again, now in her sophomore year at Harvard. It's a year of discovery and experimentation. "Either/Or" brings the same humor, self-awareness, and philosophical musings that made "The Idiot" one of my all-time favorite novels. It was everything I was hoping for and more!
Loosely based on The Brothers Karamazov and utterly brilliant from beginning to end. Fantastic characters, riveting plot - but what grabbed me most was the creative way she rewove a classic into a modern immigrant story that is just as timeless as its source.
An absolutely intense wild ride. Set in an alternate version of New Orleans and full of music and haints and sky trolleys and magic. It's unlike anything I've ever read. A solid debut!
An incredibly powerful and timely book set in a small North Dakotan town that's in the middle of an oil boom. Yun turns this small town into a condensed version of America. It felt like a modern gold rush novel. Totally brilliant.
A hilarious and witty tale of love and loss. Completely surprising and unexpectedly poignant around every turn. I wanted to underline every other sentence and befriend the main character. There is nothing that I didn't love about this book. It was an absolute delight.
This book is like chocolate - it's so rich in language and character, the world is so colorful and the story one to be savored. It's hilarious and heartbreaking and unforgettable. I absolutely loved it.
Our two main characters, Swiv and her grandmother are an absolute riot, and unforgettable. There were so many moments in this that had me laughing out loud and the ending is an absolute punch in the gut. LOVED this book.
I loved this book from beginning to end. It's about a Japanese housewife who has a love affair, but also not about that at all. It's about motherhood and difficult choices and so spot-on and expertly handled. I wouldn't change a word of it.
A bit philosophical with ideas revolving around identity and language, but mostly this novel is light and hilarious; a ton of fun and a little bit weird. I'm very fond of this book.
Set in the arctic between the world wars - this historical fiction book is outstanding! I did not expect to love a book about a man living in isolation in the arctic as much as I did. It is a reflection on the importance and endurance of human relationships.
I loved this book so much. Though it's about the ending of a relationship, it is ultimately hopeful and uplifting. Beautifully written, with some extremely loveable, but flawed characters.
Less of a thriller and more of a character study, this book was absolutely brilliant. Both the setting and the characters are so richly imagined. I came away feeling like I had personally taken part in their story. My favorite read of the year so far.
I have so much respect for this book and this author. It's a book that everyone should read. A blend of history, memoir, essay, and poetry. It is such an important book.
A fast-paced, steampunk, police procedural - so basically, everything you could ask for from a good fantasy novel. Descriptive and visual with a memorable cast of badass characters, this is a solid fantasy. Loved it.
An absolutely gorgeous family drama set in Hawaii. A really solid debut - I am looking forward to reading more from Kawai Strong Washburn in the future!
This book is so different, so unlike any other novel I've read. It's laugh out loud funny and incredibly poignant. A satire about Hollywood and what it's like to be an Asian-American actor. This is a solid read, and an important one! I absolutely loved it.
Bridie Devine is a female detective in Victorian London. With the help of a dead man, she goes in search of a kidnapped child. This book is a ton of fun. I loved every second of it.
This book subverts expectations at every turn. I read it in one sitting! There is so much to unpack in such a short book. Nominated for the National Book Award for translated fiction.
This was such a strange and compelling read. Full of mystery, melancholy, and wonder. Truly unique. One of those books you'll be so glad you stumbled across.
A very light and uplifting novel. Set in a cafe in Tokyo where people have the chance to go back in time - with the caveat that they will never be able to change the future. It's a quiet, but beautiful little book. A comfort read, and one I'll come back to again and again.
More stories from your favorite time-traveling cafe in Tokyo! I loved this one as much, if not more than the first book. And my coworker Andrew agrees! These books are perfect comfort reading.
This book is so smart and witty and a total delight to read. Full of surprising and hilarious moments and our main character, Young, navigates life and love in the big city of Seoul.
