Writers & Lovers

Crossroads. Casey Peabody, the thirty-one year old protagonist of Lily King’s novel titled, Writers & Lovers, feels all the confusion and vulnerability of being adrift. Casey’s mother died suddenly. A romantic relationship fell apart. The novel she’s been working on for six years still isn’t finished. She lives in a hovel. At age thirty-one she works as a waitress to survive. Thanks to King’s fine writing, readers care deeply about Casey, and root for her as she forges ahead. She falls in love with Oscar and Silas at the same time, both writers and very different personalities. Will she choose one or the other? Can she continue to pursue her dream of writing? Will she ever get out from under her debt? Fans of literary fiction are those readers most likely to enjoy this finely written novel. Rating: Five-star (I love it) Click here to purchase Writers & Lovers from amazon.com.

How Much of These Hills Is Gold

Belonging. The debut novel by C. Pam Zhang titled, How Much of These Hills Is Gold, describes the struggles of two Chinese American orphans, Lucy and Sam, in the American West during the 19th century. Zhang’s prose is finely written, and she creates appealing characters that will lead readers to care what happens to them. Memory, family and finding the place where one belongs in the world are all themes that are explored with great skill. Fans of historical fiction and good writing are those most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase How Much of These Hills Is Gold from amazon.com.

If It Bleeds

Novellas. The four novellas in the collection by Stephen King titled, If It Bleeds, will appeal to all readers who enjoy his imaginative storytelling. I especially enjoyed the return of Holly Gibney from the Bill Hodges trilogy in the title story. I found each novella satisfying and read them too quickly, as I usually do with King’s work. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase If It Bleeds from amazon.com.

The City We Became

Avatars. The first installment in N.K. Jemison’s planned Great Cities Trilogy is a novel titled, The City We Became. Anyone who has lived in a great city knows that the place seems alive and has a certain set personality. I don’t read a lot of fantasy fiction, but there are times we need to escape our world and Jemison offers that with her writing skills. In the novel, she reveals avatars for New York’s five boroughs and pits them against an alien from the multiverse. Each borough’s personality shines in these characters. Avatars for São Paulo and Hong Kong show up to help New York out. For a great escape that also captures contemporary life, consider reading this novel and the others in the series when they are released. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The City We Became from amazon.com.

The Cactus League

Ensemble. Whether you love baseball or not, you’re likely to enjoy the interesting ensemble of characters in Emily Nemens’ debut novel titled, The Cactus League. Nemens gives us an overview of all kinds of people drawn to spring training including an aging batting coach and his wife, a star player, a rookie player, an agent, and a woman looking for a fling. The observations about each character entertained me and Nemens reveals human behavior in all its quirky wonder. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Cactus League from amazon.com.

Mr. Nobody

Memory. Catherine Steadman teases out the plot of her novel titled, Mr. Nobody. A man is found on a beach in Norfolk and neither he nor anyone else remembers who he is. Neuropsychiatrist Emma Lewis has been asked to examine the man, since his condition seems to line up perfectly with her expertise. Despite her professional interest in the case, Emma is reluctant to return to Norfolk because something happened there years ago that caused her and her family to leave and change their identities. Steadman leaves readers waiting a long time to find out about Emma’s past, and to reveal what’s up with the man found on the beach. Readers who enjoy psychological suspense novels are those most likely to appreciate this book. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase Mr Nobody from amazon.com.

The Book of Longings

Ana. In her novel titled, The Book of Longings, Sue Monk Kidd introduces readers to a strong female protagonist named Ana who led a remarkable life in the middle east during the Roman occupation. Also, Ana’s husband was Jesus who was crucified by the Romans. The novel helps readers reimagine a familiar story in the context of how a woman navigated a society in which all women are undervalued. Some readers will enjoy the “what if” element of the plot, while others may be uncomfortable with the notion that Jesus had a wife. I found the story compelling, saw Ana as a fascinating and complex character, and came away from the novel with all my beliefs intact. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Book of Longings from amazon.com.