If you don't have Shelter by Jung Yun on your reading list yet, add it now because it's going to be big (plus she's a #30Authors contributor!). I'd like to say you heard it here first, but Sarah at Sarah's Bookshelves and the New York Times beat me to it. It's a harrowing novel that explores the difficulties in escaping a heartbreaking past, the hidden resentments … [Read more...]
‘Gilead’ – A Book to Make You Ponder Life
When I first read the synopsis for Gilead, I almost passed it over because it sounded so religious. I'm not one to shy away from religious books but they don't rank on my list of favorites. So, when I came across a review that said this is the perfect religious book for the non-religious, I was intrigued, if skeptical. It turns out the review was right. … [Read more...]
Sibling Relationships Are At the Core of the ‘The Nest’
After reading a few non-fiction books in a row, I was thrilled when The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney became available at the library. It's been getting rave reviews from people I trust (like Sarah's Bookshelves) and I had the sneaking suspicion I was going to love it, which I did. The Nest is the story of a four siblings who are banking on an inheritance, only to … [Read more...]
Beautiful and Intricate, Why We Came to the City Shines
I picked up Kristopher Jansma's latest novel for two reasons: it's getting rave reviews from readers I trust and he's a #30Authors contributor. It's hard to say which convinced me to pick it up sooner rather than later but I'm so glad that I did. Why We Came to the City is a stunning novel about a tightly knit group of friends, their relationships with each other, and how … [Read more...]
Social Commentaries Abound in Franzen’s ‘Purity’
When it comes to Jonathan Franzen, people tend to either love him or hate him. Part of this is because he has a reputation for being wordy, but more likely it's because a lot of people think he's a jerk. As for me, I don't pay too much attention to his public battles and love his books. Purity is my second Franzen novel and while I didn't quite know what I was getting … [Read more...]