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Valentine: A Novel by Elizabeth Wetmore

April 6, 2020

five best

When you encounter a scene like the one that opens Elizabeth Wetmore’s novel, Valentine, and the words …she imagines him facedown in the dust, lips and cheeks scoured by sand, his thirst relieved by only the blood in his mouth. sear themselves on your brain you know you are in for high-intensity reading and immersion in a heartbreaking world. A world where a 14-year-old girl ... Read More...

8 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: book clubs, debut, Harper, literary

Darling Rose Gold

March 25, 2020

rose

I’m hearing from a lot of bloggers and friends that they’re having trouble focusing enough to enjoy reading. Not surprising given what we’re all facing. I’m struggling with it as well and finding that mindless TV is the only distraction that seems to work (more on that in another post). However, I have a recommendation today that might fit the bill for fiction that will grab on ... Read More...

2 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: Berkley, book clubs, debut, mystery, suspense

My Dark Vanessa

March 18, 2020

five best

Fiction has always been known for expanding on fact so it’s not surprising that the fiction of the last four years, with all the political and social upheaval, has gotten more and more outsized. Author Kate Russell joins the fray with, My Dark Vanessa, her debut novel about a young woman who has an ongoing relationship with a man that began when she was 15 and he was 42. Not ... Read More...

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: book clubs, contemporary life, debut, literary

When We Were Vikings: A Novel

February 3, 2020

vikings

Zelda has just turned 21 and life is good. She lives with her older brother Gert, has a boyfriend, goes to the Community Center for classes, and has a therapist who helps her understand things about people and life that don’t make much sense to her. What makes her happiest is Vikings and she loves everything having to do with their culture. Her favorite book at the library is ... Read More...

6 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: contemporary life, debut, family, Scout Press

Such a Fun Age: A Novel

January 24, 2020

fun age

Emira Tucker is struggling with adulthood. She’s not quite sure what she wants to do. The only job she enjoys is babysitting two-year-old Briar. So, when Briar’s mother calls on a Saturday night asking if Emira can come and get the little girl she says yes. From there things in Such a Fun Age get bad fast. A store security guard decides that Emira has kidnapped Briar, because ... Read More...

4 Comments
Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: contemporary life, debut, new adult, Putnam, racism

The Gimmicks: A Novel

January 22, 2020

gimmicks

I didn’t plan this, but I’m back today with another unusual book (Monday's review). The Gimmicks is about two teenage brothers in Armenia in the 1970s. One is a giant, standing over 6’6” tall, while the other is a competitive backgammon player. The novel moves between their lives and the life of a former pro-wrestling manager in 1980s America. When the book arrived I actually ... Read More...

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Filed Under: Book Reviews, Fiction Tagged: cultural, debut, Harper, historical fiction, literary

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