Fiction
This book received a tremendous amount of buzz last year, and I was a bit skeptical going in that it would be able to live up to all of the hype. I was pleasantly surprised by the breadth of topics this book covered, in addition to race and family. I loved learning about the Vignes twins and how their paths diverged into completely different lifestyles. The characters were complex and relatable, and I was eager to find out how their lives would turn out. The plot is well-paced, and Bennett is highly skilled at filling in gaps in the story at exactly the right time. This was a delightful and enlightening read!
5.0☆
This book centers around a mysterious mural that was painted in the 1940s and is now being restored in the present-day by a woman who has spent the last year in prison. Why was she chosen for this project? What is the significance of this mural? The story is told in alternating timelines between the original mural painter and the restorer, slowly revealing the truth. At times, the plot was slow and the ending was not as shocking as I would have liked, but I enjoyed the story overall. Many important topics were addressed, and the characters were quite likable.
3.5☆
Blythe comes from a line of mothers who have not embraced motherhood, rather seeing their daughters as an obstacle to their own freedom. Blythe is committed not to continue that cycle, but she has trouble connecting with her daughter. This disconnect is even more emphasized when she has a second child. This story is very disturbing yet not at all out of the realm of possibility. The short chapters and fast pace made for an extremely riveting story. I was captivated throughout the entire book and was not disappointed for a moment.
5.0☆
Non-Fiction
This compelling memoir reads like a novel, with great pacing, jumping between timelines, and a riveting story. William has been been made to feel ashamed of his sexuality ever since he can remember, and when he finally decides to come out, he disrupts the lives of his wife and two daughters tremendously. He tells his story with brutal honesty and vulnerability. His path to becoming his true self is a tumultuous one, with tremendous grief and loss involved. But ultimately, his story is one of hope, forgiveness, and learning to truly love yourself.
4.0☆
Have you ever wondered why you remember certain things and not others? What determines which memories stick in our minds and how do we use that to our advantage? This book (coming out Mar 2021) answers these questions and more by delving deep into the brain and dissecting how we remember and how we forget. Genova presents the material in an extremely readable format, including numerous anecdotes, examples, and tips to improve our memories in a tangible way.
4.5☆
This book is written in an extremely intellectual style. Cusk uses sophisticated vocabulary, references numerous well-known works, and correlates her own motherhood experience with those in literature. She has a remarkable sense of humor, and there were numerous charming anecdotes. Because of her writing style and philosophical approach, this book was denser than a typical motherhood memoir. However, the way Cusk is able to convey some of the difficult moments of becoming a mother is insightful and profound.
3.5☆
This is Emma’s second graphic novel, and she tackles many critical feminist issues, including benevolent sexism, emotional load, and the Me Too movement. Each chapter is essentially an essay, illustrated but with plenty of text. It’s easy to read but also contains a lot of important information that is pertinent to much of Western culture. I was able to relate to many of the stories, but there were two that seemed somewhat out of place.
3.5☆
Coming out in March 2021, this is the story of two women, Tung and Kathy, who met under tenuous circumstances and formed a beautiful friendship, an unconventional family, and a thriving business. Tung ends up at Kathy’s house as a refugee from Vietnam, and Kathy quickly recognizes Tung’s remarkable cooking talent. The two women endure hardships and celebrate successes together. Recipes for each dish mentioned are included in the book.
4.0☆
The transition from one child to two is not one that gets shared very often. This is a memoir of what happens before and after their second child, Birdy, is born. The author shares charming stories of her toddler son, her own hopes and fears, and the changes their family will face as their family grows. The writing style is witty and insightful and relatable for all mothers.
4.5☆
