Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim Juhea Kim’s debut novel, “Beasts of a Little Land,” is a historic epic about the Korean peninsula during the first half of the 20th century. Set during the Japanese occupation of Korea and its struggle for independence, this vast national story is conveyed primarily through the lives … Read more
Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead by Emily R. Austin “Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead,” by Emily R. Austin opens a window on a uniquely Millennial/Gen Z experience. Gilda, the story’s protagonist, is a 20-something neurodivergent queer atheist whose anxiety makes it hard for her to hold down a job … Read more
In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss by Amy Bloom “In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss” is author Amy Bloom’s recounting of her life with her husband, Brian, and how they faced his death together. After struggling with progressively declining mental acuity, Brian was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Confronted by this stark … Read more
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell “The Marriage Portrait” is an imaginative work of historical fiction set in Renaissance Italy. Author Maggie O’Farrell takes scant details about the life of Lucrezia di Cosimo de’Medici d’Este, Duchess of Ferrara, and her relationship with her husband, the Duke of Ferrara, to craft a harrowing tale about the … Read more
Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune Reading “Under the Whispering Door” by T.J. Klune is, as the name suggests, like curling up in a cozy chair with a hot cup of tea. Some books inform the reader with new knowledge, but Klune’s writing inspires the reader to live more fully. Wallace, a career-minded lawyer … Read more
Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah “Calling for a Blanket Dance” is a moving tale of the power of heritage and generational connections. Author Oscar Hokeah stitches together a series of distinct narrative vignettes to create a unified story; one deeply profound and heartbreaking, yet also uplifting and inspiring. The thread running throughout … Read more
The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World by Max Fisher Max Fisher, an international reporter and columnist, has written extensively on diplomacy, conflict and social change. In “The Chaos Machine,” Fisher turns his journalistic lens to the world of social media and its impact on society. … Read more
Sourdough: A Novel by Robin Sloan Like the joy of freshly baked bread, “Sourdough” is a warm and comforting read. Satire traditionally employs irony and exaggeration to humorously point out social and political failings. Consequently, satire tends to run blunt and stark. In “Sourdough,” Robin Sloan crafts something different: A subtly satirical look at the … Read more
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay Love & Saffron is a heartfelt epistolatory novel of long-distance friendship. Through beautifully crafted letter exchanges, Kim Fay develops a story of historical fiction in compelling and delightful ways, spanning an evolving 1960s America. The story begins when aspiring writer Joan sends a letter … Read more
How the Other Half Eats: The Untold Story of Food and Inequality in America by Priya Fielding-Singh “How the Other Half Eats” takes an in-depth look at the American family’s complicated relationship with food. Through extensive field research conducted at dinner tables across America, interviewing families spanning the range of socio-economic backgrounds, Priya Fielding-Singh paints a … Read more