My Current Reads
Books I’ve read and reviewed.
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
The Blue sisters — Avery, Bonnie, Nicky, and Lucky — grew up in a household where the distance their mother created, largely due to their father’s alcoholism, forged a strong but complex bond between the four sisters. As adults, they spread out into their own unique approaches to life. Now, the three remaining sisters reluctantly convene in NYC following an email from their mother stating that she plans to sell the apartment where they grew up.
The Fortnight in September by R. C. Sherriff
The Fortnight in September follows the Stevens family as they head out for their annual vacation on the coast of England. With their three children in tow, the parents are feeling the effects of time on their little family and their carefully planned yearly trip. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens first honeymooned here, and ever since, they’ve returned to the same guest house as part of a proud tradition.
Parakeet by Marie-Helene Bertino
Parakeet started out strong with the bride when, on the week of her wedding, she receives a visit from a bird she feels is her dead grandmother. The parakeet-grandmother drills the bride about her life at present before telling her not to get married and to go find her brother, from whom the bride is estranged.
Shakespeare, The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench with Brendan O’Hea
I don’t think you need to be a Shakespeare enthusiast or well-versed in his works because Judi doesn’t hesitate to translate every nuance, understanding, and motivation of the characters. Grab this book for the storytelling soon-to-be nonagenarian and walk away with new and relatable insights into the works of 450+ year old bard and playwright.
The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
Franciscan friar William of Baskerville and his young assistant Adso of Melk travel to a Benedictine abbey in northern Italy to participate in a theological debate. The abbey, chosen as neutral ground amidst a conflict between Pope John XXII and the Franciscans over apostolic poverty, has been troubled by the recent mysterious death of one of its monks. The abbot, concerned about the incident, asks William, a former inquisitor, to investigate, and is especially anxious for this to be resolved before the arrival of the papal legation.
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers
When the local paper receives a letter from a woman claiming her daughter is the result of a virgin birth, Jean Swinney, a feature writer, navigates both the mystery and the threat of getting too close to the family involved.
The Rook by Daniel O’Malley
After hearing from several reasonably reliable sources, Myfanwy Thomas accepts the fact that she will soon awaken in a London park, surrounded by dead bodies, and with her memory gone. Knowing what's to come, she decides to leave instructions for her future blank-slate self in order to ensure her survival and to hopefully get the wheels started on figuring out who wants her dead, a threat that looks to become a full-blown mole hunt.
Bright Objects by Ruby Todd
Bright Objects follows Sylvia Knight, a young widow on a uniquely believable journey. Two years after her husband's unresolved hit-and-run death, Sylvia’s grief coincides with the arrival of a rare comet. Intrigued by the comet’s timing, she meets Theo St. John, its discoverer, and is drawn into the beliefs of local mystic Joseph Evans, who sees the comet as a divine message.
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.
The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre
The Spy and the Traitor is a wholly engrossing espionage-centered biography about Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB officer who spied for MI6 during the Cold War. Disillusioned with Soviet communism, he helped the West by exposing Russian spies and sabotaging Soviet plots. Macintyre details the intense spy games between the US, UK, and USSR, and culminates in Gordievsky's dramatic escape from Moscow in 1985. It's a thrilling tale of espionage, betrayal, and the impact one man had on history.
The Color of Everything by Cory Richards
The Color of Everything is a memoir of adventure, success, fame, and the struggle to overcome personal demons. Cory Richards grew up in Utah's mountains, learning outdoor skills from his father despite a troubled home life. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he found solace in photography and climbing. His successful adventure photography career was disrupted by a catastrophic avalanche, forcing him to confront past trauma and mental health.
Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder by Kerryn Mayne
Lenny Marks has mastered the art of forgetting. For the past twenty years, she has successfully avoided thinking about the day her mother abandoned her, though her stepfather's haunting words, "You did this," still linger. Now 37, Lenny clings to comfort and routine and order, steering clear of the messiness and chaos of happiness and relationships. But when an unexpected letter from the Adult Parole Board arrives, her carefully constructed world begins to crumble, forcing her to confront long-buried memories.
Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland
Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland traces the origin of a secret Vermeer painting (created by Vreeland, not a real-life missing Vermeer) told in vignettes, where each subsequent point-of-view switch sets up the previous storyline, as we follow the painting backwards through time.
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth
When Among Crows is a compelling novella that delves into Slavic folklore, exploring themes of redemption, empowerment, and self-actualization. Dymitr, part of a line of hunters who endure great pain in order to slay the world’s monsters, is on a perilous quest to find the legendary witch Baba Jaga. To succeed, he must form an uneasy alliance with Ala, a zmora (a Slavic night demon) cursed and near death. Promising her a cure in exchange for her help, they battle against time and the dangers of the Chicago underworld. However, Dymitr’s hidden secrets and true motives could ultimately lead to their downfall.
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
The Female Persuasion follows the journey of Greer Kadetsky, a shy college freshman inspired by Faith Frank, a prominent figure in the women's movement. Faith's influence ignites Greer's new interest in activism. Soon, Faith becomes not only an impactful influence but also a mentor and eventually Greer's boss. As Faith guides her, Greer embarks on a relatable coming-of-age journey, learning to balance ambition, personal relationships, and her place in the evolving roles of women today.
Time Squared by Lesley Krueger
Time Squared works to explore women's agency across different eras. Eleanor and Robin meet in 1811, but Eleanor begins experiencing memories of other lives, revealing a mental time-jumping she calls 'glimpses.' As Robin fights in various wars, Eleanor lives through different struggles of her own. The novel delves into the roles, power, and stresses women face throughout history and their impact on relationships.
The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Gray
The third book in the Jane Austen-verse mystery series, The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, featuring amateur gumshoes Jonathan Darcy (son of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam) and Juliet Tilney (daughter of Catherine and Henry), who are pulled together again to solve a string of murder attempts on one Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
Treacle Walker by Alan Garner
Treacle Walker is a multilayered folklorish tale that blends languages and words. Our young hero, Joseph Coppock, lives alone in an old house reading his comic books, collecting birds' eggs, and playing with marbles. The story opens with the titular character, a rag-and-bone man, passing by with his horse and cart. From there a strange and beguiling friendship blooms that is fantastical, imaginative, and delightfully odd.
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.
Fifteen by Beverly Cleary
Jane Purdy is fifteen and is sweetly longing to meet a boy. She's mature, level-headed most of the time, and her journey over the course of this slim early version of a YA novel is not an insignificant one.