My Current Reads
Books I’ve read and reviewed.
The Thirteenth Month by Elizabeth Hunter
Having been born into a powerful mage family, Narine has been committed to the order of Seba Segel since age 14, traveling back through time on assignments as she works to make a difference where — and when — she can. When it’s clear that someone has traveled back in time during the thirteenth month, breaking sacred laws, Narine and her friends must use their wits and their powers to set the timeline right again.
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
In a return out of the middling range in which I found the second book, House of Sky and Breath, Maas lands quite a punch in this fast-paced, action-packed rounding out (I dare not call it a conclusion...) of the story arc that began in House of Earth and Blood.
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
Maas’s storytelling is stellar. Maybe more so than in her other series, Throne of Glass displays a steady building of the world, the lore, and her characters that not only feels expertly executed and stands up to re-reads, but also allows the symphony of her overarching plot to build on top of what came before and transform the story for what will come after.
Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King
King’s collection of short stories in Five Tuesdays in Winter offers a variety of themes, characters, and story lengths. She seemed to effortlessly deliver whatever she desired, and easily can be slotted in as the rare Goldilocks collection.
Wellness by Nathan Hill
Following a deliciously drawn-out, meet-cute in early 1990s Chicago, Jack and Elizabeth eagerly immerse themselves in the underground art and growing hipster scene. Fast forward to 2015 and the pair, now married with a young son, struggle to navigate middle age, parenthood, and life in the Information Age.
My Policeman by Bethan Roberts
My Policeman is a tragic tale that plays with identity, understanding, society, and self-acknowledgement.
The Bullet Swallower by Elizabeth Gonzalez James
The Bullet Swallower is a beautifully compelling saga of identity, love, and the tangled interplay of fate and choice. Gonzalez James weaves the tales of Antonio Sonoro and his descendants across time, briefly spanning from the establishing generations, up through to Antonio, and later on to his grandson Jaime. It's an amazing genre mash-up with elements of magical realism, reflective of a Mexican, Western-style Homeric epic.
August Blue by Deborah Levy
Elsa M. Anderson, a renowned pianist, is intrigued by a woman she encounters at an Athens flea market as she purchases mechanical dancing horses Elsa also wants. The appearance of this woman, who strikingly resembles Elsa, raises questions about the possibility of them being doppelgängers.
Acid for the Children by Flea
Flea, iconic bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, shares the story of his life's beginnings in Acid for the Children, from his unstable upbringing in Australia and New York to his formative years in the gritty Los Angeles of the 70s and 80s.
Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn
Korn's Yours for the Taking grapples with contemporary themes, boldly questioning the role of LGBTQIA individuals in humanity's survival and challenging the norms of cisgender corporate feminism. Despite its potential, it falls a little short of a deeper exploration of humanity. Nonetheless, Korn's novel is a step in the right direction, edging towards necessary conversations and reflection.
One Woman Show by Christine Coulson
Told through the imaginative idea of using stylishly witty museum wall labels, One Woman Show, Coulson's follow up to her short story collection Metropolitan Stories is a unique approach to a life-and-times tale of one woman's 20th century life.
Day by Michael Cunningham
In a recent interview with Alexandra Alter of the New York Times, Michael Cunningham posed an intriguing question — "How does anybody write a contemporary novel about human beings that's not about the pandemic?" Indeed. And for that alone, I like the idea of authors tackling their own pandemic novels.
Baumgartner by Paul Auster
Baumgartner is a continuation of what is seemingly Paul Auster's life's work of playing with concepts, experimenting with ideas, and exploring the what-if moments, the in between pauses, and the split-second decisions that veer a path in a different direction.
Charlie Chaplin vs. America by Scott Eyman
While many biographers eagerly embrace scandalous secrets and craft narratives to suit their own agendas, Eyman treads a different path. He emerges as a dedicated truth-seeker, committed to offering a genuine and all-encompassing portrayal of his subjects.
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
Chaol Westfall, formerly known for his unwavering loyalty and strength as the Captain of the Guard, has experienced a life-altering event. The shattering of the glass castle, the loss of his men, and a near-fatal encounter with the former King of Adarlan left him both physically and emotionally damaged.
Checkout 19 by Claire-Louise Bennett
Checkout 19 a stream-of-consciousness novel about a writer and her deep connection to writing. It explores her encounters with books, both her own writing and the works of others, and how reading and writing transform her life.
West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman
McDorman indeed deals out an unconventional murder mystery. Setting this at a remote and isolated location, convening a large group where everyone is a potential suspect — even the unpredictable detective on the case, is only part of the callbacks to classic mysteries that have come before.
Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss
Moss's Ghost Wall explores the connection between past and present, urging us to question our own progress alongside the tangible misconstruing of a misused history.
Companion Piece by Ali Smith
Companion Piece continues her Smith's Seasonal Quartet project, which artfully explored contemporary issues through lyrical prose and interconnected stories. This novel stands separately from the Quartet but maintains its spirit, offering a hopeful glimpse while still analyzing our changing world.
Audience-ology by Kevin Goetz
Audience-ology reveals the behind-the-scenes world of Hollywood test screenings, where opinions from real people shape iconic movies. Goetz does not disappoint.