My Current Reads
Books I’ve read and reviewed.
Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi
Navola is a literary fantasy set in a city-state dominated by powerful merchant families. The story follows Davico di Regulai, a young member of one such powerful family, as he navigates the political struggles of Navola, and as he prepares to take over his family's [accounting] empire. Davico faces rebellion and intrigue, with his fate apparently intertwined with both a dragon relic and his adopted sister, Celia.
Long Island by Colm Tóibín
With Long Island, Tóibín brings back his quietly incredible character, Eilis Lacey from Brooklyn. Eilis has been married to Tony Fiorello for the past twenty years, and they have two children together. Tony and Eilis live in the planned cul-de-sac on Long Island with his Italian-American family filling out the street and residing in the neighboring houses.
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
The Book of Doors is a debut novel with potential, hindered by issues of characterization, plot coherence, and pacing. One can't help but wonder about the role of the editorial process in addressing these shortcomings. Despite its flaws, the book offers glimpses of creativity and imagination, perhaps suggesting promise for future works from the author.
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
In 2017, at the University of Arkansas, Millie Cousins, a senior resident assistant, seizes an unconventional (and potentially problematic) opportunity offered by visiting professor Agatha Paul, hoping to secure her future. However, her pursuit is complicated by her new friends, dormitory pranks, an oddball scandal, and an event that borders on hijinks.
The Empty House by Rosamunde Pilcher
Newly widowed Virginia Keile, 27, has to come to terms with her present circumstances following the death of her husband in a car accident. As a mother to two young children, Virginia must learn to stand up for herself and decide the direction she wants her life to take. After renting a house in Cornwall, she encounters her first love, which complicates her decisions about her identity and desires.
Lost Believers by Irina Zhorov
Lost Believers is a novel inspired by true events, unfolding in 1970s Soviet Russia, where two women's lives intersect and take unexpected turns. Galina, a young geologist from Moscow, falls in love with her pilot, Snow Crane, during a mineral exploration trip in Siberia. Their discovery….
Lamb by Christopher Moore
Perhaps a better understanding of the source material would have helped, but the predictability of the plot and the characters' predetermined destinies bored me….
They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie
In Agatha Christie's They Came to Baghdad, a secret summit in Baghdad brings together superpowers concerned about an unidentified and powerful secret weapon. British agent Carmichael holds….
Towards Zero by Agatha Christie
At Gull's Point, the seaside residence of an elderly widow, a houseparty unfolds, connecting a failed suicide attempt, a wrongful accusation of theft, and the complicated love life of a famous tennis player. As the past events converge ….
The Friday Night Club by Sofia Lundberg, Alyson Richmond, and M. J. Rose
The Friday Night Club sets the stage much like other dual timeline novels that have come before. While the authors' passion and knowledge shine through, their collective voices….
Matrix by Lauren Groff
An ambitious novel, Matrix is about an ambitious woman, Marie. Though Groff's Marie is highly fictionalized, she draws inspiration and intention from real historical figure, Marie de France, about whom we know very little….