The holidays are a wrap and while the time with family was hopefully enjoyable or at least not painful, I thought it might be fun to spice things up with a murder mystery about one extended family that finds itself stranded at a ski resort. Even better, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone just released in paperback so it’s easy to find at the library—or purchase with ... Read More...
Banyan Moon: A Novel
The complex and delicate relationships between mothers and daughters is at the center of Thao Thai’s debut novel, Banyan Moon. Towards the end of the Vietnam War, Minh and her daughter, Huong, left Vietnam for America to settle in Florida. Huong’s daughter, Ann, is born there and the three live together in a decrepit mansion called Banyan House until Ann leaves home. Now, Minh ... Read More...
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
I don’t generally have themes for my reviews, but it just so happens that I’ve got two reviews this week with book titles that make them jump out at potential readers. Today, I’m enthusiastically endorsing Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. Great title, right?! Luckily, it’s backed up by well-crafted story about an Australian family’s reunion at a ski resort. It's the ... Read More...
An Unlasting Home
When Sara’s mother was 8 months pregnant, she lied to the airlines and flew from Missouri back to Kuwait, determined that her daughter be born in the country of her ancestors. This is just the first of many miles and countries crossed by the indomitable women in Mai Al-Nakib’s sweeping novel, An Unlasting Home. A fitting title for a book populated by women whose lives span ... Read More...
June Reading Wrap-Up
Quick disclaimer: it never got anywhere near warm enough in Seattle in June for outdoor swimming so this photo is fake news. There was no lounging and reading by the pool—I was wearing socks the last week of the month, but that’s all right for me. I spent three days in the 90° heat with 80% humidity that was Cleveland and it was more than enough to remind me why I love ... Read More...
The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee
Alexander Chee’s new novel, The Queen of the Night works well as the chilly fall nights begin because you will need to settle in to really enjoy this massive piece of entertainment. This is not a book to skim through, like any grand diva, attention must be paid. And this Chee does by creating a world overflowing with the sumptuous and the over-the-top for ... Read More...
