In the fifth grade, Deming’s mother disappeared. An undocumented Chinese immigrant, she went to work one day and never came home. It’s easy for us, the readers, to speculate about what happened, but for Deming, the disappearance was as shocking as it was nonsensical. Soon, he was adopted by a white family in another city and taken away from the only home he knew. These events … [Read more...]
‘The Immortalists’: Balancing Life, Death, and the In-Between
What would you do if you knew the date of your death? Would you live life recklessly, knowing your actions would not have consequences because your future was set? Or would you live more cautiously, trying to create order out of chaos because you felt a lack of control? Or, does knowing result in a self-fulfilling prophecy, rather than the fulfillment of a destiny? These are … [Read more...]
‘The Last Romantics’ a Compelling Family-Driven Drama
I'm a sucker for family dramas. There's something about flawed characters with complex relationships that pulls me in every single time. The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin was no different and I raced through the book in three days. I found myself reaching for it when I couldn't sleep at 3 a.m., and again when I woke up in the morning.The Last Romantics is about the four … [Read more...]
‘Before We Were Yours’ a Story of History, Corruption, and Love
Avery Stafford was a woman who knew exactly who she was. The daughter of a congressman, her family's ties to southern wealth and power ran deep. From a young age, Avery had a sense of purpose; a sense that she would always achieve what she set out to do. So when a quick run-in with a strong-willed woman at a nursing home leaves her shaken and with questions about her own … [Read more...]
‘How to Walk Away’ a Touching Tale of Tragedy
Margaret Jacobson's life was nearly perfect. In her late 20's, she was set to start her dream job and enter into the next phase of her relationship with a man she adored. But despite her years of hard work and doing everything she was supposed to, it took only a few chaotic minutes to throw it all into disarray.How to Walk Away by Katherine Center tells the story of … [Read more...]