A Book A Week

How do you typically find your next read? I've developed a range of techniques to discover the next book that will capture my interest. Whether it's browsing bookstore shelves, listening to book review podcasts, or relying on trusted recommendations from fellow readers, each method has led me to some of my favorite reads. Recently, I've added TikTok to my repertoire. It took longer than expected for book-related content to appear on my "For You" page amidst the flood of puppy videos and cooking tutorials. But finally, it's there. One of my favorite creators on the platform offers an insider's look into book cover design, showcasing how he brings publishers' visions to life. His captivating process, particularly evident in a video where he designs the cover for Mailan Doquang's debut thriller Blood Rubies, inspired me to pick up the book.

Rune Sarasin has always understood the risks of her chosen lifestyle as a thief, but nothing could prepare her for the whirlwind of trouble that ensues in just seven days. It all begins with a daring heist of rubies from the luxurious confines of a Bangkok hotel room owned by the affluent smuggler Charles Lemaire. With the help of her boyfriend Kit, Rune narrowly evades Lemaire's relentless pursuit. However, their triumph is short-lived when they receive distressing news: Kit's sister, Madee, has vanished without a trace. Tracking Madee's cell phone leads them to the perilous Khlong Toei slum, where Rune's own mishap compounds their troubles – she inadvertently loses the stolen rubies while searching for Madee.

Charles Lemaire has set his sights on recovering his prized rubies, and he won't hesitate to resort to violence to achieve his goal. He captures Kit, holding him hostage until Rune returns his stolen jewels. If she fails, Kit will be killed. Now, Rune is thrust into a race against time, torn between reclaiming the lost rubies and rescuing Kit from Lemaire's clutches. Yet, amidst the chaos, Rune cannot ignore the pressing need to uncover the truth behind Madee's disappearance. Delving deeper into the shadows of the Khlong Toei slum, Rune soon discovers a sinister underworld of crime, where the stakes are far higher than a mere collection of stolen jewels or the fate of one missing girl.

I judged Blood Rubies by its cover, and I'm happy to say that the story within was just as captivating as its visually striking exterior. Mailan Doquang immerses readers in a world rife with crime, deception, and high-stakes action, crafting a narrative that unfolds with relentless momentum. This thrilling, globe-spanning tale expertly balances the allure of a daring heist with a protagonist whose personal stakes add depth and resonance to the narrative. Despite some moments of exaggerated action as the plot unfolded, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story, enjoying every twist and turn it had to offer. Blood Rubies is a delightful, pulse-pounding heist adventure that is sure to satisfy any fan of the thriller genre.

For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2024, 36)

Many epic war novels echo the sentiment that war is hell. Despite my initial fascination with war-related fiction and nonfiction, I found many of these narratives blending together over time. I'm more discerning now, choosing to engage with titles that offer a unique angle. Alice Winn's debut novel, In Memoriam, which centers on a gay couple during WWI, does just that. The book conveys the grim realities of war while also providing a nuanced character study. Amid navigating external battlefields, its protagonists grapple with the internal turmoil they carry within themselves.

Set in the year 1914, during the tumultuous times of World War I, the story begins within the confines of a small English boarding school. As the violent chaos of war rages on, these young men find themselves immersed in the world of poetry and literature, far removed from the actual horrors of combat. This stark contrast in privilege isn't lost on them, and even as news of the valiant soldiers' deaths reaches their ears, the notion of joining the war becomes a tantalizing idea. It offers the prospect of the kind of honorable heroism they've only encountered within the pages of their schoolbooks.

For Gaunt, a student of mixed German descent, the actual battles unfold within. Struggling with his forbidden affection for his charismatic and intelligent friend Ellwood, Gaunt grapples not only with the societal hostility directed at his heritage but also the complexities of unrequited love in a world that won't accept it. Seeking to protect his family and find solace from his inner turmoil, Gaunt enlists in the army and is met with a shocking revelation. Driven by his own motivations, Ellwood has joined the front lines, too. Soon, the entire class is thrust onto the war's brutal stage, forcing them to confront the grim specter of death and the capriciousness of fate.

In Memoriam offers a stark portrayal of the harrowing reality of death and despair within war. Alice Winn's descriptive prose vividly captures the frontlines, evoking scenes that are sometimes emotionally challenging to read. The novel effectively conveys war's immense devastation and loss, painting a grim tableau rarely encountered in fiction. What sets this book apart, though, is its exploration of an additional, equally compelling turmoil. The journey towards self-acceptance, especially in an era hostile to non-conforming sexualities, becomes an absorbing undercurrent. Winn's characters may appear subdued compared to the vivid war scenes, but their growth, stemming from their reactions to external circumstances rather than mere personal agency, adds to their sophistication. The understated yet profound battle against love and shame propels the story forward. The book's emotional impact comes not only from the horrors of war but also from the poignant challenges these young men face. It underscores the idea that just as war presents its own form of hell, life itself can be an arduous journey. In the midst of such adversity, the complex relationships they build become a source of solace and redemption.

For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2023, 57)

It can take a long time to come by originality. Think about it for a moment. When was the last time you encountered a truly original work? Most of the best novels owe their existence to inspiration from something else. In a world filled with content of all kinds, finding something that feels fresh and new seems like an impossible task. Enter debut author Monica Brashears and her novel House of Cotton. On the surface, it is a continuation of the Southern Gothic literary tradition of countless works that have preceded it. Inside, however, lies something that defies classification. It is a searingly original tale that manages to draw great empathy from the reader while challenging the very conventions that inspired it. 

Magnolia is only nineteen years old, but she already feels as if she has reached her breaking point. It isn't as if young Black women like herself have ever had it easy, but life has been especially difficult for her. Magnolia's only parental figure, her grandmother Mama Brown recently passed away. In the wake of that death, she is left alone. Now the bills are all hers. Try as she might, she can't escape the predatory landlord who demands rent, the deadbeat job at a local gas station that will never earn her enough money to live off of, or the ghost of the woman who raised her, haunting and taunting her about the state of her life. And that's not all. Magnolia spent her last few dollars on the pregnancy test that has confirmed the latest misfortune to rock her life. No, life is not easy for Magnolia. 

Her salvation reveals itself in the unlikely form of a slickly dressed white man named Cotton. He waltzes into the very gas station where Magnolia works and seems smitten by her. When he offers her a modeling job on the spot, Magnolia is skeptical. The money, even if it is an unlikely reality, would be life-changing for her. Against her better judgment, she travels to the address that Cotton provided. The place isn't the studio that she expected. Instead, Magnolia finds herself at the front door of a funeral parlor. Could this place of death be the key to her life? With red flags abound Magnolia does what any desperate woman would do. She goes inside. The money, after all, is why she is here. This peculiar employment by an eccentric man could be the salvation Magnolia covets. The extraordinary things that await her behind that door, could also bring about her demise. 

Take any expectations or preconceived notions that you may hold about House of Cotton and toss them to the side. I can assure you that the story Monica Brashears has concocted is both better and worse than anything you could possibly imagine. Whether or not that is a positive thing will mostly depend upon your taste. There are elements of Southern Gothic fantasy permeating each passage of this novel. The story is unabashedly set in the present day yet it feels like a timeless fable from long ago. Brashears deftly melds timely contemplations of race, class, and gender into a mind-bending story that will have you questioning what is real and what is imagined. Humorous moments balance dark, graphic, sex-fueled flurries that are at times difficult to read but essential to deepening our understanding of the main character. Even as I've finished reading the book, I'm still unsure about how I feel about the work as a whole. The underlying sense I come away with is a profound empathy for the characters who inhabit the world of the story. Through the odd, uncomfortable, and offbeat moments that occur in this novel, it is these grounded characters who more than uphold the weight of each passage. I'm not certain that everything perfectly came together for me at the end, but I was in awe of the book's boldness. Brahsears debuts as a force of literary heft and imagination. She is a unique voice that had me hanging onto every last word. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2023, 40)

Do you remember the moment you lost your childhood innocence? For some people, that passage into adulthood is a vague series of events that slowly change them from childhood to adulthood. For others, there is a defining moment in their life when their childhood was irrevocably ripped away. In her debut novel Last Summer on State Street, author Toya Wolfe explores that coming-of-age journey through the lens of poverty in America. Her poignant exploration of girlhood within the projects of Chicago proved to be as moving as it is enthralling. 

The year is 1999. Young Fe Fe lives with her protective mother and older brother in one of the many Robert Taylor Homes in Chicago. There is no denying that this is a community stricken by poverty, but for Fe Fe, this is the only home she knows. That summer, she and her two best friends play in the streets, a blissful time filled with double-dutch and laughter. This innocence isn't to last. The new millennium is upon them, and Fe Fe's life is about to change forever. 

The change comes first with the introduction of a new friend Tonya. Fe Fe's mother scolds her for visiting Tonya's home, making the girl promise to never set foot in that building again. Fe Fe doesn't understand this new rule. She's visited her other friends' homes. What is so different about Tonya? One night, there is a commotion around the building. Police enter Fe Fe's home and arrest her older brother. He stays behind bars for only one night, but he is forever different. He is not the same brother he was before. Finally, Chicago's Housing Authority announces that Fe Fe's building is the next one set to be demolished and redeveloped. This will be her last summer in this place. With all the changes around her, this may be her last summer of childhood too. 

Last Summer on State Street is a dazzling coming-of-age story that reflects upon the impact of place, community, and family. Toya Wolfe writes the novel from the perspective of her young main character. By only describing the events that unfold from this child's perspective, we witness her transition from the innocence of youth to the harsh realizations that come with maturity. At just a hair over 200 pages, the novel unfolds at a brisk pace, moving from scene to scene with an urgency that builds with each turning page. The journey depicted here is constructed in layers, simultaneously illustrating the personal growth of the main character, the distortion of a family and friend group, and the radical alterations to the fabric of a community. The heavy subject matter stays grounded through deliberate prose and a perspective that I immediately empathized with. All told, Last Summer on State Street is a remarkable debut novel from a skilled new voice in literary fiction. 

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2023, 26)

"No one forgets that they were once captive, even if they are now free."

There are countless works of fiction that explore America's torrid past with slavery. Last year alone saw several works about the subject. Despite the plethora of study and writings (both fiction and non-fiction), there are inevitably pieces of the history that remain unexplored. To be fair, Americans seem to have a difficult time thinking about the despicable institution that flourished during the founding of our country. Still, no work that I've read thus far has truly captured the scope and lasting effects of slavery.

Enter Yaa Gyasi and her remarkable debut novel Homegoing. At just 26, Gyasi has written a novel that eloquently captures the horror and repercussions of slavery. The novel begins with the story of two half-sisters born in Ghana during the 1700's. Efia catches the eye of British governor James Collins who swiftly exchanges money with the family for her hand in marriage. He takes her to his castle where she lives a life of comfort and luxury.

At this same time, Efia's half-sister Esi is imprisoned in the dungeon of that very castle. She lives in the inhumanely cramped and dirty quarters among hundreds of others from her village who are awaiting transport to the New World. Once there, they will be sold to live the remainder of their lives as slaves. Immediately the juxtaposition of the two sisters is established. As the novel progresses, chapters alternate between the two sister's offspring in a chilling and enlightening portrait of concurrent lives spanning all the way to present day.

I was astounded by the depth and efficiency of Homegoing. The novel is only about 300 pages, but Gyasi manages to fill it with the emotional complexity and historical scope of a much larger work. Each chapter achieves the feat of introducing a new character who is instantly engaging. Mentions and appearances of previous characters help to put a focus on the large family tree that is established. Gyasi effortlessly adapts her style to adhere to each time period and character in a way that offers a fresh voice to the characters while still forming a cohesive whole. Simply put, this is a novel that you have to read for yourself. It defies an adequate description. Rather, you have to experience the work for yourself to truly grasp the brilliance that it contains.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.

(2017, 24)

If first impressions truly make or break your opinion, then you may be turned off by Jenny Milchman's debut novel, Cover of Snow. As I began reading, I was attracted to the main premise. The problem, however, lied in the writing itself. It seemed that Milchman felt it necessary to include detailed descriptions, similes and analogies in nearly every sentence. Details can be helpful, but too much of a good thing can be overkill. Add to this the cold, seemingly two-dimensional characters, and you can begin to understand why this novel opened with a bitter taste. To use one of the author's devices, reading the opening of the novel was like fining a bone in the first course of a meal.

Despite this, the premise of the story is very intriguing. Nora Hamilton wakes up to an empty bed and immediately knows that something is wrong. Her husband is a police officer in their small town, and always follows a morning routine. When she doesn't hear the shower running, and notices that she overslept, she is certain something terrible has happened. Her world comes crashing down when she discovers her husband hanging from a light fixture.

With no note left, and no actions that would have indicated her husband's willingness to take his own life, Nora struggles to find answers. As she begins to dig into the last weeks of her husbands life, she soon realizes how little she really knew of the man. Even worse, he seems to have been part of a larger conspiracy that dates back over twenty-five years. Nora soon finds herself in a race to reveal the truth behind her husband's death before those responsible silence her as well.

The opening of this novel just didn't work for me. Writing style aside, I felt zero sympathy for Nora, whose husband had just committed suicide. Instead of being the sensitive widow that I expected from the situation, Nora came off as a callous, unfeeling woman who, despite the efforts of the author to convince me otherwise, was emotionally unaffected by her husbands death. Therefore, when she decided to find reasoning behind the suicide, I didn't really care to know how it occurred.

Fortunately, there is a silver lining of promise to this novel. After the excruciating first third, Milchman begins to take a much more direct approach to her writing, giving this thriller, the pace that it desperately needs. As Nora digs deeper into her husband's death, we are given the suspense, thrills, and intrigue that the excellent premise warrants. The ending, while a bit preposterous, really satisfied, and I was pleased that I continued to read the entire novel. Of course, the latter half of the book still contained a few cringe worthy descriptions, but the action and suspense had picked up to a level that made me disregard the author's shortcomings. While Cover of Snow is no masterpiece, it does provide enough intrigue to serve as an entertaining afternoon read. Author Jenny Milchman still has some growing to do, but I'm interested in seeing what she comes up with next.

For more information, visit the authors website, Amazon, and GoodReads.

(2013: week 3, book 3)

Nick and her cousin, Helena, are two women searching for their place in the world. With the Second World War drawing two a close, both women find themselves ready to take on the rest of their lives. In author Liza Klaussmann's debut novel, "Tigers in Red Weather", readers are provided with the strong characterization of an intriguing family.

Nick and her husband Hughes are finding it difficult to adjust to domestic life after the end of the war. They live in a small, Florida cottage where the repetition of their daily routines is taking a toll on them. Hughes follows the role that most men of the era do, consistently attending work to provide for his family. Nick, never much of a cook, finds it difficult to complete her daily tasks, and longs for something more.

Meanwhile, her cousin Helena is starting her new life by marrying a Hollywood producer. After the unfortunate death of her first husband, who lost his life in the war, Helena finally seems to be on the path to her dream life. Unfortunately, the lights of her Hollywood marriage are not as bright as she thought. Her husband seems interested in only using her family's money to fund his ill-fated project.

Fast-forward ten years, and both Nick and Helena are mothers to Daisy and Ed respectively. The two women, along with their children and Hughes, are spending the summer at the family's coastal property, The Tiger House. Despite their age, both women still long for something more. When Daisy and Ed stumble upon the brutally murdered corpse of a maid, the facade of happiness that the entire family has built begins to come crashing down.

In this debut, reminiscent of "The Great Gatsby" in both style and substance, Klaussmann provides readers with a tale full of genuine characters and suspense, making this novel the perfect intellectual summer read. The story is broken into five sections, each narrated by a different main character, providing intimate insights into each person's thoughts, emotions, and motivations. Chronology became a bit muddied at times, especially when characters reminisce through flashbacks, but Klaussmann does a commendable job keeping the times labeled. There is a murder in the story, but the focus becomes more about the characters, the murder merely a means to explore the family dynamics. Overall, this novel has a great mix of historical setting, interesting characters, and narrative momentum. I definitely recommend this book as a strong summer read.

For more information, visit Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/review/R1L2THWW9QNFFO/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm,
and http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13528417-tigers-in-red-weather.

(week 29, book 33)

In The Lifeboat, author Charlotte Rogan explores the actions of a group of people who are forced to survive on a small lifeboat and the repercussions of this event. The premise seems simple enough, but in the dexterous hands of Rogan, the story takes on a larger life that invites readers to join in on this fascinating journey.

The year is 1914, and newly wed Grace is traveling with her husband, Henry, across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the luxurious ocean liner, The Empress Alexandra. After a sudden explosion, the passengers frantically evacuate the sinking ship, doing whatever it takes to secure a spot in a lifeboat. As Lifeboat 14 begins its descent into the ocean, it stops just long enough for Henry to put Grace and seaman John Hardie onto the boat. Hardie, who clearly has the most experience with all things nautical, takes lead of the small boat, navigating through the debris, and coldly passing other passengers who struggle to stay afloat in the sea. Hardie is the only one aboard the lifeboat who understands that the small vessel is already overcrowded and to take in even one more passenger would be suicide.

As the days pass, the passengers all follow the lead of Hardie, who has assigned tasks for each of the evacuees. They all seem to believe that despite their misfortune, help will arrive soon. After several days, the solitude of the sea begins to take its toll on the passengers. Hunger and thirst muddy their minds, a looming storm threatens to sink their boat, and different opinions threaten to tear apart the unified effort of the passengers.

The novel is told from the point of view of Grace who is writing a journal of her time on the lifeboat. We learn, through many flashbacks, that Grace is currently on trial for murder. As the novel progresses, we gain further insights into the events that took place on the boat, and are forced to face the question of how far a person should go to further their survival.

Being the debut novel from Rogan, I was very impressed with the strength and clarity of her story telling. The suspense of both the struggle to survive in the ocean and to clear her name in a murder trial kept the pages turning and my attention fully held. Rogan descriptions offer subtle glimpses into human nature and the desire to live. Despite the fantastic build up, I felt a bit let down by the ending. It seemed as if these philosophical ideas about survival were leading to some kind of revelation. Instead we get a resolution to the plot with no emotional punch. That being said, I think this novel is worth the read for that build up alone. Perhaps the lack of a real answer to the questions that come up, in this situation, perfectly captures the reality of the event. Either way, this novel forced me to conjure ideas about life, death, and the will to survive.

For more information, visit the author's website,
http://charlotterogan.com,
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12888599-the-lifeboat, and Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/review/RIX76M7RSLIO5/ref=cm_cr_pr_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0316185906&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=.

(week 21, book 23)

Gender equality has always been an important issue. Even with today's increased opportunities, the fact remains that women are not always afforded the same chances that men receive. This longstanding struggle was even more common in the 16th century, where author Regina O'Melveny sets her debut novel.