2022 Reading Goals

This year I decided to set some specific reading prompts for myself instead more general goals like "read 10 classics". 

1. Follow the Barnes and Noble 2022 Book Challenge (pasted below) and fulfill it with the books I already own

2. Re-read a childhood favorite

3. Re-read a book assigned in high school

4. Read an English classic

5. Read a Russian classic

6. Read a French classic

7. Read 100 books total

My 2021 in Books

Every year around this time, I take a look at my reading stats for the year. 

In 2021, I read 125 books - fewer than last year, but more than my goal of 100. 

My most read genre was fantasy - 51 books. 

I read 44 books from the library, 16 ARCs and 65 books from my own library. 

In terms of medium: 45 were in paper, 36 e-books and 44 audiobooks. 

I also did meet my goals of reading at least 5 classics (read 9), and 10 non-fiction books (read 11).

One area where I did not do well was finishing some series. I only finished off 3, one of which was a re-read.

Looking ahead, I do want to keep up reading of classics and work on finishing some series. Finally, I think I am going to make a real effort not to buy books outside of the subscription boxes and ongoing series. I have a great local library and an audiobook subscription service so should be able to easily get pretty much anything I'd want to read.

"The Magician" by Colm Tóibín

Even though I manage to get through over 100 books each year, there is only a handful that usually stand above all else and are truly exceptional. The Magician is hands down such a novel. 

As any great piece of literature, it is multi-dimensional. On the surface, it is a fictional biography of Thomas Mann. We follow him from his childhood all the way to his 80th birthday. Tóibín masterfully gets into Mann's head and is able to show us his inner world with all its insecurities, idiosyncrasies, and brilliance. He does devote quite a bit of time to Mann's homosexuality. I think there is merit to that. Mann was a happily married man and a father of six. His entire life he was hiding his homosexuality, and its extent was truly revealed only in his diaries. One has to wonder: was he an unhappy man because he could never be truly himself. Or, perhaps he simply accepted who he was and the circumstances he lived in and found a way to be content. Happiness means different things to different people. Mann was a very private person, I would say, a true introvert of sorts. I also think his own homosexuality allowed him to be unconditionally accepting of sexual fluidity in his children. The frankness of some conversations he and his wife had with their adult kids was astonishing to me. Even though Mann was born in the conservative town of Lubeck, parts of his personality (and definitely his wife and kids) are truly Bohemian. 

This novel is also about writing and creativity. Tóibín spends quite a bit of time on the thinking that goes into developing Mann's three great novels. As I was reading this book, I kept hoping that this novel gets people interested in Mann's work. I think his books get the bad rep of being overly long and having obtuse philosophical passages. I personally think there is always something deeply satisfying in getting through a great classic. So I for one do intend to pick up Mann's books in the coming year.

Finally, this novel provides (from a point of view of the most famous German novelist at the time) the political and historic landscape of Germany during the periods surrounding the two World Wars. I loved the portrayal of the US politics in this novel. It is very nuanced and in tune with how the American role in WWII is perceived in Europe, and Eastern Europe especially. Roosevelt was very hesitant to enter the war with Germany. He was focused on Japan. Americans love to overestimate their role in "freeing" Europe. But let's face it, they finally showed up in Normandy only when it was clear that the Soviet Army was winning and the Nazis were retreating all along the eastern front. Clearly, Americans finally opened the long-awaited second front in Europe not so much to ensure the capitulation of Germany as to keep the Soviets out of Western Europe. I was glad this came through in the novel.

I also appreciated Mann's thoughts on what caused Germans to become supporters of Hitler. We should never forget he was voted into office. Something he was selling was deeply appealing to the German masses. I think Mann was soul searching for what that was. It is interesting that during the war while living in America, he is writing the book on Goethe, the poet who as no other represents the German culture. This is also the poet whose most famous work deals with selling one's soul to the devil. I think Mann's choice of subject was far from arbitrary. 

Finally. let's talk about East Germany for a minute. Tóibín in a few places seems to imply that East Germany somehow became the successor of Nazi Germany (or perhaps, this is the view that persisted in the West). At least he clearly says the Buchenwald that inspired Goethe became one of the biggest Nazi's concentration camps and then turned into a Soviet prison camp. This last bit is not entirely accurate. Yes, between 1945 and 1950, Buchenwald was a prison where former Nazis and anti-communist activists were held. However, in 1950 a year after Mann visits East Germany, the Buchenwald camp was completely razed and in its place a memorial was established. 

I don't think you can categorically state that East Germany was the result of Soviet occupation. Clearly the Soviet army controlled the territory, but there were in Germany unquestionably those who supported this transformation into a socialist republic. Mann's own brother was one of them and would have moved to East Germany had he not died. To me, the more interesting and complex subject to ponder is what was happening to the "German psyche" - German people - internally, the deep divisions that existed in the collective outlook on life and values, and what we can learn from that. In this, I think Tóibín's book is very timely for the American readers. Our society is deeply divided as well, and the lessons of WWII and what happened in Germany are a cautionary tale as well as the tragic past.

5 out of 5 stars. A great novel to read, think about and discuss, and a great way to close out my reading year.

This review is also on Goodreads - follow my reading progress and thoughts on other novels.

"Reckless Girls" by Rachel Hawkins

Reckless Girls is Rachel Hawkins' sophomore novel in the adult thriller genre. Earlier this year I read and enjoyed her The Wife Upstairs, which was a loose retelling of Jane Eyre. This new novel is not a retelling per se, but definitely a nod to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. Our main character Lux and her boyfriend end up taking a pair of vacationers to a remote Pacific island where they run into another couple enjoying this otherwise uninhabited tropical paradise. Just as in other closed circle mysteries, things start going south pretty quickly. We begin learning of unexpected connections between the various characters and their reasons for coming to this island. 

I must say I liked this novel even better than The Wife Upstairs, primarily because I really liked the main character Lux. Most of the novel is written from her point of view, and her character is very relatable and down to earth. As in the first novel, the main theme here also appears to be getting revenge on the rich and powerful, and taking from them what don't deserve. I do think if Hawkins continues to write thrillers, she should probably venture into some other themes as well. 

I received an audio ARC of this novel from Netgalley.com. The audiobook is excellent and I highly recommend this format. 4 out of 5 stars. 

"If We Were Villains" by M.L. Rio

When the weather gets colder, I like to reach for dark academia books. M.L. Rio's If We Were Villains definitely fits the bill. We follow seven Shakespearian theater students as they begin their senior year at an exclusive arts college in rural Illinois. Even though the seven seniors consider themselves to be friends, things are not as rosy as they seem to be, and after a particularly rowdy party, one of the seniors winds up dead. 

The novel follows a dual timeline. It begins with Oliver getting out of prison after serving a 10-year sentence and flashes back to the events on campus as he narrates what happened 10 years prior. The characters in this book might seem overly pretentious as they literally speak in Shakespearian quotes. But I believe it is quite possible for a group of people to be so absorbed in the thing they study and live that they naturally begin to speak in citations that they memorize. I was not bothered by the abundance of quotes. Another thing that fascinated me about the book was that I kept wondering if any of the characters were ever themselves or whether they just kept acting even off-stage.

This is the kind of book where you do not need to know much about the plot. Just expect a dark academic setting and a murder mystery. Everything else will be a bonus. I must say that the best part about this book is the ending. It is absolutely perfect. 5 out of 5 stars.

"The Genius Under the Table: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain" by Eugene Yelchin

I was skeptical going into this book. As someone who also grew up behind the iron curtain, I sometimes find that books catering to the western audience tend to be overly negative, sarcastic or just plain ridiculous. Some descriptions in this book do border on the absurd and many of the characters are caricatures of certain types rather than representations of real people. That being said, this is a great (and accurate) depiction of what life was like in late 1950s-early 1960s in the Soviet Union. 

My mother is only two years older than the author of this book, and her experiences were similar in some ways and very different in others. For one, she did not grow up in a big city. Eugene as a little boy had access to museums, art teachers, ballet, libraries etc. People in provinces did not enjoy the same privileges. So as you read and get horrified by the conditions his family lives in, just imagine that this is the lifestyle the majority of people in the USSR did not get to "enjoy". For example, the house my mother grew up in (and where I also spent the first three years of my life), had no central heat, plumbing, or running water. On the upside, my family had a small vegetable garden so at least we could grow potatoes. But dreams of trips to foreign countries or access to black market goods like blue jeans and records were definitely off the table for anyone living in the provinces. 

I also really appreciated that the Soviet state-sponsored anti-Semitism is such a big focus in this book. Viewed through the eyes of a six-year old boy, it is particularly horrifying and outrageous, and needs to be talked about. This book made me angry, outraged, sad. And even then, I kept thinking that this is a glimpse into the life of a Soviet family that was relatively successful (and was able to emigrate in the early 80s). For many people life was even harder. To sum up, I highly recommend this book. 5 out of 5 stars.

"Next Year in Havana" by Chanel Cleeton

I don't know why I waited so long to pick up this book. I've had it on my shelf at least for a couple of years. If you have Audible, it is included with your membership (you do not need to spend a credit to buy the book). So earlier this month, I decided to listen to it, and I was immediately sucked in by the story and beautiful storytelling. In the novel, we follow Marisol who travels to Cuba with her grandmothers ashes. While there, she starts unraveling family secrets and a love story that her grandmother had kept hidden for over 50 years. 

The book follows a dual timeline: we switch between Marisol's story in the present-day Havana, and that of Elisa, Marisol's grandmother in 1959, as Fidel Castro was about to take over Cuba. The book has two beautiful love stories and gorgeous descriptions of Havana and the Cuban culture. It also examines the violent events that took place in Cuba in 1959, their effects on Cubans, issues of immigration and one's identity; what it means to be a patriot of one's country and the best way to serve it. Ultimately, it is a love song to Cuba, or the idea of Cuba that those who left it and even those who have never set foot there cherish while living far from it. Fittingly, the phrase taken for the title of the book "Next Year in Havana" is the toast Cuban-Americans use on Christmas and New Year's Eve. It represent the yearning not just for the lost homeland but also for the way of life that is no more. I really enjoyed this book and will plan on reading more from this author soon. 5 out of 5 stars.

"All the Feels" by Olivia Dade

Last year I read Spoiler Alert by this author, and All the Feels is set in the same world but follows different characters who had only episodic appearances in book 1. I have to be frank and state up front that I did not like the first book. In fact, I DNF’ed about half way through. My main problem with it was the insta-love and I just hated all the sex scenes. Something about Dade’s writing just did not agree with me.

Now on to book two. In All the Feels, we follow Alex and Lauren’s story. Alex is an actor on the same TV show that we learned about in book one. Lauren was hired by the studio to be his minder and keep him out of trouble. I enjoyed this book much more than the first one. Largely, I would say it is because the romance between Alex and Lauren develops gradually over a span of several months. They get to know each other’s backgrounds and become friends before any romantic feelings emerge. 

That being said, I do still have some issues with Dade’s writing and I think I can now put my finger on what it is. As in book one, we have the heroine who has a larger body and does not fit what would be normally considered the standard notion of beauty. The hero on the other hand, is unbelievably fit and sexy. In addition, in both books the hero has a minor learning/medical disorder. Marcus had dyslexia and Alex has ADHD. What I find a bit uncomfortable is that on the one hand the author seems to want to challenge the established standards of beauty that in romance novels would be exemplified by a gorgeous, fit, slender heroine. On the other hand, her heroes tend to be unrealistically (think, literally movie star quality) beautiful and sexy. The narrative repeatedly emphasizes the hero’s “lean limbs” and “fit body”. So I am not sure why she literally applies this double standard to female and male characters. Also, I was not sure why she needed to endow both of them with learning/mental health disorders. Was that to balance out their gorgeous bodies? 

The other thing that grated on me was the fact the author repeatedly called the main heroine “ugly”. Now, Lauren might have irregular features, or be plain, or unremarkable looking. But ugly? I do think this author needs to tone down her descriptions a bit. 

Finally, I find some of the dialogue between friends incredibly jarring: lots of profanity and sass to the point of rudeness. Yes, I get it, they are close. It does not mean they should be constantly calling each other names. Maybe I live under a rock, but it reads very unrealistic and frankly, makes me cringe. 

Many romance novels have unrealistic plots and situations, but in Dade’s writing they seem especially contrived and over the top. I did like this book better than book 1. My rating is 2.5 out of 5 stars and I think I am done with this author.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

A Murder Mystery Set During the COVID-19 Lockdown

56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard is officially the first book I've read that features the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically it is set in the early days of the global pandemic in March-April 2020. The events take place in Dublin, Ireland. Ciara and Oliver meet right before the first lockdown. They are both new in town, they go on a few dates and since both of them are going to be working from home for the next two weeks, they decide to hunker down together in Oliver's apartment rather than spend this time in isolation. Now, 56 days later, there is a dead body in that apartment and the police are here to investigate.

I cannot say much more about the plot for fear of spoiling it. It is one of those mystery novels that you are much better of going into blind. I will however, comment on the writing. The author does a great job with character development. Even though the novel is only 300 pages, we really get to know Ciara and Oliver as well as the two detectives who are called to the crime scene. 

This book features multiple points of view and several different timelines. I think this worked very well in this novel and also allowed the author to drop several big reveals when least expected. Overall, I very much enjoyed this novel. 5 out of 5 stars. 

"The Wolf and the Woodsman" by Ava Reid

The Wolf and the Woodsman is a dark fantasy novel steeped in Jewish and Hungarian mythology. I have to agree with the description on Goodreads that those readers who liked Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden's novels will probably like this book as well. Our main character Evike is from a pagan tribe, where women wear wolf cloaks and wield magic. Evike, however, has no magic, and when the Woodsmen come to take their regular tribute of a girl, she is given to the Woodsmen instead of a seer. So begins the story set in a fascinating world that has equivalents of paganism, Christianity and Judaism, and each religion has its own distinct kind of magic. I for one did really like this world, the characters and the love story between Evike and the Woodsman. I would say this book is much darker than Novik's or Arden's novels, and would make a great October read for the spooky season. I rated it 4 out of 5 stars and hope the author will keep writing. This was her debut novel.

"A Deal with the Elf King" by Elise Kova

A Deal with the Elf King came out right after Holly Black's The Cruel Prince trilogy got wrapped up and the majority of fans longed to jump back into a similar world of wicked elves and epic romances. A Deal with the Elf King to me was a Hallmark version of a fantasy romance. It was fairly predictable and had very sweet main characters. It frankly read a lot like a cute fairy tale retelling. I guess it lacked the edginess of Holly Black's novels and overall, was not dark enough. I would say that I liked the way the book started and then it definitely went downhill. I especially disliked the Hallmark plotline of: they meet - dislike each other - slowly get to know each other - fall in love - miscommunication - they part - back together/happy end. There are more books in this series, but if I understand it correctly, each book is a standalone story. The first one definitely wrapped up nicely without a cliff hanger. I will not be continuing on. If you are looking for something sweet to read with romance, and a fairy tale setting, this could be a good choice. But definitely do not expect anything mind-blowing or super original. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

"Dangerous Women" by Hope Adams

Dangerous Women is based on a true historic event, the voyage of Rajah in 1841 from London to Van Diemen’s Land (present day Tasmania). The ship transported nearly 200 women convicted of non-violent crimes for settlement in the new colony. During the voyage, one of the women gets stabbed and now an investigation is underway to find the guilty party. What fascinated me about the book is not so much the mystery aspect of the plot, but the stories of the women. Most of them come from poor families, have endured lots of hardships and loss, and turned to theft or other petty crimes as the last resort in order to survive or feed their children. The book also examines the subservient position women had in society at that time. Largely dependent on men for their livelihoods, many of the women on board of Rajah had suffered abuse and unspeakable treatment from the men in their lives. I thought this was a very powerful novel and highly recommend it. 5 out of 5 stars.

"The Clergyman's Wife: A Pride & Prejudice Novel" by Molly Greeley

Earlier this year I read The Heiress by the same author, which focused on the story of Anne de Bourgh from Pride and Prejudice. In The Clergyman's Wife we follow Charlotte Lucas. This book is set after the events of Austen's novel. Charlotte's been married for a few years already, has suffered the loss of her firstborn and now has an infant daughter. The novel explores the nuances of Charlotte's choice to marry for comfort. Mr. Collins is a highly unlikeable character. Even though he appears to be harmless and is, in the words of Jane Bennett, "highly respectable", he is void of any tact or genuine compassion. His sole purpose in life seems to be pleasing his patroness Lady Katherine de Bourgh. It always baffles me that a clergyman can be so heartless, but that is what Mr. Collins truly is. 

In this novel, Greeley explores the possibility that later in life Charlotte might meet someone who she could genuinely fall in love with. Of course, she is married and being with this other person is entirely out of the question. It is never a choice for her really. Had she never married Mr. Collins, she would have been dependent on her family for the rest of her life. The novel got me thinking about those possible missed connections, unrealized opportunities, what ifs... We all do the best we can under the circumstances we are placed under. And we make decisions minute by minute based on what we know in the moment, not on what could be. 

Charlotte made the decision to get married because that was her only way not to be a burden to her family. I think she really wanted to please her mother and father and make a good match. Lizzy Bennett, on the contrary, would rather be an old maid than marry the likes of Mr. Collins. Her need to stay true to herself is a lot greater than her desire to have a comfortable home and a security of marriage. I think those choices are still there for many of us. Do we settle for the job, the place, the person, or do we keep reaching for more even if it means we might never get it? These are interesting ideas to ponder. It is also disheartening to know how very few choices women in the Regency era had. And these are noble women. Simple folks had it a lot worse than that.

Molly Greeley is a wonderful author and I admire her ability to write spin-offs based on minor characters in Pride and Prejudice. She really gives depth to them and both novels challenged me to think about the plight of women in the early 19th century. 5 out of 5 stars. I hope she will write more books.

2021 Mid-Year Reading Goals Check-in

Now that we are halfway through 2021, it is time to review how I am doing with my reading goals. Here is a brief summary.

Goals	Progress to date
1. Read 100 books.	On target. As of today, I read 70 books this year
2. Read fewer ARCs (I read 30 last year and it was too much), so maybe pick up 10 or 12	I am doing better in this area, so far I read 12 ARCs this year, and I have 3 or 4 remaining. I was also better at DNF’ing the ARCs I did not like.
3. Read mostly the books I already own	Doing well here. In the first half of 2021, I read 39 of my own books (not counting the 12 ARCs)
4. Read 10 non-fiction books	Very pleased with my progress here. I read 8 non-fiction books this year. I really find that I enjoy non-fiction better in an audio format.
5. Read 5 classics	A bit disappointed in this one. Even though I have read 6 classics, they were mostly short novellas. I was really hoping to pick up larger novels. This is one of the areas I need to focus on in the second half of the year.
6. Work on finishing off some series	Not doing great here at all. Have not finished any series this year and I have plenty to work through.

I will also answers the same questions I've answered last year when I did my mid-year check-in:

1. Best book you’ve read so far in 2021

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley. She is definitely one of my favorite authors. I've loved all of her books and this was no exception.

2. Best sequel you've read so far in 2020

The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty. I absolutely love this series and cannot wait to read the conclusion.

3. New release you haven't read yet, but want to

Beneath the Keep by Erika Johansen.

4. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year

Book Number 4 in the Bromance book club series is coming out this month. It is going to focus on the story of the Russian hockey player and I am really interested to see where it goes.

5. Biggest disappointment

This has to be Malibu Rising Taylor Jenkins Reid - her books are incredibly popular and universally lauded. I have not read any other of her works, but this newest release was a huge let down.

6. Biggest surprise

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. I read this for the book club and the novel is packed with so much meaning and is so thought provoking that it will definitely be on my top 10 list for the year.

7. Favorite new author. (Debut or new to you)

Kazuo Ishiguro. I think this year I am learning to appreciate literary sci-fi much more. I really want to read more of his books.

8. Newest fictional crush

Not sure I have one.

9. Newest favorite character

Anne de Bourgh from Heiress by Molly Greeley. I loved the happy ending this character from Pride and Prejudice received in this story.

10. Book that made you cry

Unexpectedly, Sword of Destiny (Witcher #2) by Andrzej Sapkowski.

11. Book that made you happy

A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen. I love this cozy mystery series. 

12. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

Definitely classics and perhaps a series or two.

"Census" by Jesse Ball

This was probably the most unusual book I've read this year. It was a pick for my sci-fi and fantasy book club and I expected a dystopian story. However, this book is much more literary in nature and even though the novel appears to be set in some sort of dystopian world, I think it is just a literary device that the author chose to convey his message.

The most fascinating part of this book is the author's note in the beginning. Jesse Ball dedicates the book to his deceased brother who had Down syndrome. In the book we follow a widowed father who becomes a census taker and travels from place to place with his son who (we can surmise) has Down syndrome even though it is not explicitly stated so. The entire story can be viewed as an allegory of life: we all travel from A to Z (the beginning and the end) and meet lots of various people along the way: some are wonderful and nice, and some are much less so. Our life is also a set of memories: some are more vivid than others. It is also a tangle of emotions, hopes, fears and disappointments. All of these can be found in this story.

I believe the book is also about coming to terms with the fact that one day we all must leave this world and leave our loved ones behind. In this case, the main character knows he is terminally ill, and he has to leave his son in the world of the living and hope that he will be ok. The novel is also about parenting. In our achievement-driven world, a lot of parenting is about bragging about your children's successes to others. However, when you have a special needs child, you celebrate quiet moments together, little victories that are in fact huge. It is a more humbling experience which is precious and filled with incredible love. 

This is not an easy book to follow. I almost gave up on it numerous times and really struggled to get through it even though it is very short. Only once I decided to view it as an allegory, I was able to appreciate it more. I wish the author wrote this as a series of essays rather than a dystopian novel. 3 out of 5 stars.

"The Witch's Heart" by Genevieve Gornichec

I am not going to lie, the first thing that got me interested in this book was the cover. There is just something so magnetically appealing about it - the way the woman's profile is sketched and the color scheme and of course the monsters in her hair. Then I read the description and I was sold. This is the story of the witch who marries Loki and gives birth to the three monsters who bring down the gods of Asgard during the Ragnarok. Loki is in my opinion, by far the most interesting character in Norse mythology. He always straddles the line between the good and the evil, and his duality and unpredictability is what makes him interesting and dynamic. 

Overall, this book will appeal to those who liked Circe by Madeline Miller and to fans of Norse myths. I recently read Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology and it was very helpful in understanding the events in The Witch's Heart. The author draws heavily on the various well-known stories of Loki and other Asgardians and some knowledge of the source material will definitely be beneficial if you decide to pick up this book.

Just like Circe this novel explores the role and plight of women in ancient cultures, which is reflected in the way women are portrayed in myths and folklore. Also, as in Circe the so called gods really do not have nay redeeming qualities - they are just as cruel and selfish as their Greek/Roman counterparts. Finally, just as Circe, The Witch's Heart is written entirely from the main female character's perspective and we get her take on the events.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I found that some parts, especially in the beginning, were a bit slow, but it also might have been my own distracted state of mind at the time. As we as society continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, reading and enjoying any kind of hobbies is becoming more difficult. 4 out of 5 stars. I definitely recommend this novel.

"A Dead Djinn in Cairo" by P. Djèlí Clark

A Dead Djinn in Cairo is the first novella in the Dead Djinn universe. It is a mystery story set in a fantasy version of Cairo in early 1900s. In this word, djinn, angels and all sorts of other magical creatures walk the earth. There are also all kinds of clockwork mechanisms. All of these elements are a recipe for what I like: a steampunky mystery inspired by Middle Eastern mythology and culture.  

Our main character is Fatma el-Sha’arawi, a special investigator with the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments and Supernatural Entities, who is looking into a mysterious death of a djinn. My only complaint about this story is that it is too short and thus the characters and the world are not fully fleshed out. However, there are more novellas and now a full length novel also, so I am definitely looking forward to spending more time in this world. 3 out of 5 stars.

"Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir

I never actually read Andy Weir's breakout novel The Martian. I did really like the movie. His second novel Artemis was a huge disappointment. So when the Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book club I am a member of picked his newest release as our next read, I was cautiously optimistic. I really hoped this new book would be more like The Martian and redeem the author. 

I was not disappointed. I think Andy Weir's strength is writing science-y Sci-Fi about loners. We spend a lot of time in Ryland Grace's (our main character's) head, who wakes up in a spaceship many lightyears away from earth and is apparently humanity's the only hope for survival. Ryland meets an alien in this story - also the only survivor on his spaceship - who is on a very similar mission to save his own species. The two have to work together to come up with a solution, or at the very least, die together trying.

Even though the book is filled with stereotypes and minor inaccuracies, it is a very enjoyable ride. The self-deprecating humor is excellent, the story is moving at a nice clip, and Weir comes up with really fascinating and realistic scenarios for the story. His explanations never seem far-fetched and for a layperson, the science reads very realistic and true. It is by no means great literature, but it is highly entertaining and interesting. My understanding is a movie based on the novel is already in the making, and I think it definitely could be as successful as The Martian was. 4 out of 5 stars. Definitely recommend.

"My Contrary Mary" by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

I must say this book was a bit of a disappointment. I listened to it on audio (received an audio ARC from NetGalley.com). The story overall is an enjoyable reimagining of what happened to Mary, Queen of Scots. When thinking of how to describe it the best word that comes to mind is "cute". I am not sure I would have finished it, had I read it rather than listened. 

The book just reads a bit too young. Even though it is marketed as YA, I would say it is better suited for 12 to 14 year olds. I do hope that this and similar retellings inspire young readers to look into the actual historical events the book is based on and get them interested in doing a bit of research or perhaps even further reading. I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. An enjoyable story for younger readers.

"The Maidens" by Alex Michaelides

I have not read Alex Michaelides' previous bestseller called The Silent Patient. But having finished The Maidens a few minutes ago, I must say I am a fan of his writing and will definitely read his previous novel. The Maidens will appeal to those who like dark academia settings in literature. Our main character Mariana is a psychotherapist who conducts group therapy sessions in London. One night she gets a call from her niece Zoe who is a student at Cambridge. Zoe's friend Tara has gone missing and now a body is found of a brutally murdered young girl. Zoe is sure it is Tara and is desperate for her aunt to come stay with her. 

I listened to this novel on audio, and it is a brilliant production. I am not sure what it is like to read this book on paper, but the audio narration was gripping. I found myself unable to stop listening and finished the audiobook in just a couple of sittings. The book is written as a mystery thriller. As more dead girls turn up, it becomes clear that there is a psychopath on the college campus. Mariana suspects an American professor who teaches Greek tragedy. Her suspicions are reinforced by the fact that all of the murdered girls had received a postcard with a verse in ancient Greek foretelling their deaths. Professor Fosca also has a select group of students, all female, whom he calls the maidens - and Mariana suspects that his relationship with those girls is not strictly that of a teacher. 

Overall, I highly enjoyed this novel, and definitely recommend it. It is a murder mystery but also an intense psychological thriller. The audiobook is a great way to read this for sure. 5 out of 5 stars.

An audio ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

"Malibu Rising" by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid is a book bloggers' darling, and I am a bit disappointed I did not like this book as much as I thought I would. I have not read anything else by her but saw rave reviews of her previous two novels. The main timeline in "Malibu Rising" is set in the early 80s and is focused on the four children of a mega popular singer from the 50s and 60s Mick Riva. This main plot takes time over a period of a single day, the day of the annual Riva party where everyone who is anyone going to be. In parallel, we get flashback chapters following the story of Mick's first wife June and Mick's rise to fame. We also get a glimpse into the issues each of the Riva children is dealing with.

Overall, I would say I really liked the arc of the eldest daughter Nina's character. In some ways it is mostly her story. I also enjoyed following all of the Riva siblings and learning more about each of them. What I did not like about this book is the overall setting among the rich and the famous of Hollywood. I guess it's just not my cup of tea. The story was hinting at all of the hot topics of the day: objectification of women, toxic masculinity, even racism and police brutality. However, all these topics were I would say token mentions rather than underlying themes. The story just somehow lacked depth. I guess for me it is not that interesting to read about the struggles of children who have a super rich and super famous parents without exploring the underlying privilege and how it affected their lives. I am probably not the target audience for this book. 3 out of 5 stars.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

"The Kingdoms" by Natasha Pulley

I love Natasha Pulley's writing. This is the fourth book that I've read by this author and she does not disappoint. I think her books will appeal to readers who like historical fiction and plots involving time-travel. Even though not all of her books involve time-travel per se, they all do include some aspect of time-bending in them. The Kingdoms specifically does have time-travel in it. The story is set in an alternative history London, and follows several timelines. We first meet our main character Joe Tournier in 1899. France had won the Napoleonic wars and England is under the French rule. Joe gets off the train in London and suddenly realizes that he cannot remember anything about himself. He is quickly taken to a hospital where he learns that it is a type of epilepsy that has affected large portions of the population. Three months later he receives a postcard in the mail which was held for him at the post office for 93 years...

It is really not necessary to know anything else about the book. We basically follow Joe as he is desperately trying to find out what happened to him. He has vague memories of a woman in green, a man waiting by the sea, he speaks several languages: he is utterly lost in time. As with her other novels, Natasha Pulley is amazing at describing the minute aspect of life in a certain time period - what technology was emerging at the time, how machinery worked, what it was like to be on a tall ship in the middle of a stormy sea... I absolutely love her writing. And of course, there is an epic love story. 5 out of 5 stars. Another favorite. I will definitely be re-reading this one soon.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

"Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke

This was another read that we selected for the book club I attend. In addition, this was one of the books I got through my Book of the Month subscription. One of my reading goals for the year is to read the books I get in the subscription boxes in a timely manner so this was a perfect choice for that reason.

Piranesi is a portal fantasy novel. It is written from the perspective of a person (called Piranesi) who lives in a vast building with a countless number of rooms. Each room (or hall as he calls them) contains statues of varying sizes depicting people, mythical creatures and other lifeforms. This building is also so large that it has an entire ocean within its walls. Piranesi is aware of only one other live human being whom he calls the Other and meets twice a week at a pre-determined time.

One thing I must say is that for such a short novel, it certainly has a lot packed into it. First of all, we have the mystery of what this world is, who Piranesi is, and how he got there. As I began reading the novel, I got a distinct sense of "wrongness" - there was something not right with this character and the world. Things were not lining up nicely and Piranesi sounded distinctly like an unreliable narrator. Secondly, as we begin unraveling the mystery and as Piranesi begins to learn more details about the past, I was struck by the idea of adaption: the things people can adapt to, the defense mechanisms and survival instincts that kick in, and overall the idea of how much the environment really shapes who we are. 

Without spoiling anything, I would say this is a great pick for book clubs. I love when an author does not spell everything out, but instead lets the reader connect the dots and figure out possibilities. One complaint that I do have about the book is that it is too short. I would have loved a bit more world building beyond what we see in this novel. Overall, I really liked this book. 4 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it.

"The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig

I have been curious about Matt Haig's books for a while now. In fact, I own three novels by this author. So I was really excited when the book club I am a member of picked this novel as our next read. 

This book was equal parts surprising and heart-wrenching. I'll explain. The main character Nora is struggling with depression and on a particularly bad night, she resolves to end her life. She ends up in a sort of coma as her mind travels to a place called the Midnight Library. There, a librarian explains to her that each book on the shelf is a version of Nora's life and she can pick and choose them in order to glimpse what a different life could feel/look like. So for most of this book we follow our main character as she explores different versions of herself/her life story. This part was a bit unsettling because in these alternate lives, Nora just sort of takes over the consciousness of her other ego and her other personality is just sort of dormant for that period of time that Nora overtakes the body.

As Nora travels from lifetime to lifetime, she does learn a lot about herself and the people who surround her. She also gets to see how minute decisions not only could alter the course of a single day but have a much bigger impact on the entire course of one's life. The ending of this book is ultimately filled with hope. In fact, the novel felt almost therapeutic and at times read like a self-help book. I definitely think that folks with depression might need to be aware of the subject matter before picking up the novel. The beginning of the story is pretty bleak. But in the end, I found it hopeful and charged with positive energy. 5 out of 5 stars.

"The Soulmate Equation" by Christina Lauren

This is my sixth novel from the writing duo that goes by the pen name of Christina Lauren. They mostly right in the romance genre, although granted, several of their books veer more heavily towards women's fiction. In fact, some romance readers feel that their books are not steamy enough. I think I am on the opposite end of this. I tend to like their more emotional, grounded in life stories better. Out of the 6 books I read, four were five star reads, and two I rated at 3 stars. The Soulmate Equation is by far my favorite from them. In fact, this is the book that kept me up reading till 3AM on a Monday morning. And yes, I had no regrets even though I only got 3 hours of sleep and had a pretty tough workday ahead of me.

The Soulmate Equation is about two people who unexpectedly get matched via a new dating app that uses DNA as the basis for matching applicants. Jess is a single mother struggling to keep up with the bills, and River is the founder of the company and the brains behind this new genetic matching app. As I mentioned, I found the story hard to put down. The characters in this book are amazing and so relatable. There is something very cozy and heartwarming about Jess's relationship with her grandparents and her daughter. Her relationship with River is super intense and is in equal part hate to love and instant attraction. I think this is a perfect book for getting out of a reading slump. And for readers who are like me and prefer more complex, grounded in life romance stories, this one will not disappoint. 5 out of 5 stars.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

"The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh" by Molly Greeley

This book will be of interest to Pride and Prejudice fans. The focus of this novel is Anne de Bourgh, the sickly daughter of Lady Catherine, and the intended betrothed (at least in Lady Catherine's mind) of Mr. Darcy. The book follows Anne through her entire life: from infancy to death, and provides a comprehensive take on her childhood, coming of age and adulthood. In Pride and Prejudice we see Anne through the eyes of Elizabeth Bennett. She gets very little description other than a sickly young woman, with no personality, conversation or any sort of participation in the outside world. 

Fans of Pride and Prejudice often wonder what disease Anne had. Austen assigns no name to her ailment; and given the state of medicine in the Regency era, it is fair to assume that she was ill due to whatever "treatments" might have been fashionable at the time. The author of The Heiress opines that Anne was a fussy child and was given daily doses of laudanum from infancy all the way into her late 20s. Laudanum kept her not only subdued and drowsy, but also had a negative impact on her appearance and health. Simply put, Anne de Bourgh was addicted to opium based on the recommendation of the family physician and with the full blessing of Lady Catherine. 

Anne de Bourgh throughout the book goes through an incredible transformation. At the age of 29, she makes the decision to stop taking laudanum and escapes the smothering care of her domineering mother by traveling alone to London. There, she stays with her cousin Col. Fitzwilliam and his wife. Col. Fitzwilliam has always been one of my favorite characters in the book and I was really happy to see him in this novel. In London, Anne also finds romance and eventually happiness. The highlight of the novel for me was Anne's taking place as the rightful owner of Rosings Park. To do that, she had to stand up to her own mother, whose unbending will and controlling nature have long acquired a legendary status. 

In addition, to a wonderful plot and well-developed and interesting characters, this book is beautifully written. If you were disappointed by some other P&P variations, give this one a chance. It is well worth your time. 4 out of 5 stars. I will definitely be reading the book about Charlotte Lucas by the same author.

"Hyperion" by Dan Simmons

Hyperion was a recent choice by the Sci-Fi and Fantasy book club that I am a member of. I was pretty excited to dive into such an iconic (and now probably classic) Sci-Fi novel. I would caution readers right of the bat: Hyperion is the first installment in a tetralogy, and book 1 ends on a major cliffhanger. So unless you are prepared to commit to the series, I would not read this book. 

The novel mirrors the structure of Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales - we have a group of pilgrims traveling to the time tombs, a mysterious place on a distant planet called Hyperion, and each chapter in the book represents a story of one of the pilgrims, and includes an account of their connection to Hyperion and the Shrike - a deadly creature inhabiting the area around the time tombs, and also the main figure worshipped by the Shrike cult.

Each story is different and I did enjoy most of them. Each story also reveals some new aspect about Hyperion and the Shrike. But overall, as I already mentioned, the book does not have a self-contained conclusion. This was a big disappointment for me. Even though I am glad I read this novel, it is far from being a favorite. It is too long and convoluted. The author just drops you in the middle of the story without proper explanation of any terminology. You basically learn about the world as you go along and sort of guess what various terms mean. I also think parts of it are quite dull and slow-moving. So overall, 3 out of 5 stars and now I need to decide whether I am curious enough to continue with book 2...

"Klara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Klara and the Sun is the latest work by the Nobel Prize winning author Kazuo Ishiguro. This is a Sci-Fi novel set in not such a distant future, where one can go to a store and purchase an Artificial Friend (AF) for one's child. In fact, the entire novel is written from the point of view of an AF called Klara. We first meet her in the store, where she, along with other AFs, is waiting to be chosen by someone's child. We then follow her, as she is taken into a home of a teenage girl named Josie, who lives with her mom and a housekeeper outside the city. 

Overall, I really liked this book. In many places, Ishiguro just hints at things. We might be guessing what is going on, but (a) we see the world through the eyes of an AF, and (b) nothing is truly spilled out. We do not know the specifics of the geopolitical/economic/social landscape. We get hints that come through bits of conversations heard by Klara. She does not read or listen to the news, and most of the information comes to us from interactions with and around her. Ishiguro leaves a lot of things to the reader's imagination. 

It's a great book to read with a book club or a group of friends and discuss. It touches upon things like: what makes us human, what is friendship, human attachment, how we deal with grief. One thing that struck me in this book was how socially awkward all the characters are (except for possibly Rick and Josie's father, who are by no means "the normal people" in this society). Gene editing is a reality already, and in this fictional society, majority of children get some sort of gene editing procedure - what are the moral/ethical issues that go along with that?

I did really enjoy this book and I am looking forward to discussing it with my book club. 5 out of 5 stars. 

"Circe" by Madeline Miller

Circe would appeal to anyone interested in Greek mythology and reimagining or giving a story to some of lesser known characters. Circe was the witch that turned Odysseus' crew into pigs and kept him on her island for a year. That is pretty much all we learn about her from Homer. Miller masterfully creates the story that is Circe' own. Not only does she give her a voice, she skillfully shows how stories written by men traditionally marginalize or vilify strong female characters. One thing that struck me in this book was how horrible all the gods (even minor ones) are. You sort of get that impression from reading myths, but in this book it was particularly jarring. I guess being immortal and having powers does terrible things to one's personality and erodes the ability to empathize or care about anything but oneself.

Even though I really liked the story, the writing style did not work very well for me. It took me longer than usual to read this book, and some portions were extremely slow. This might be just my personal impression as I know plenty of people who flew through this novel and had no issues with the pacing or the style. Overall, I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars, and will definitely read the author's other books.

Thoughts on Epic Fantasy and S.A. Chakraborty's Daevabad Trilogy

Last year, The City of Brass, book 1 in S.A. Chakraborty's Daevabad Trilogy was one of the best books I read in 2020. I just recently finished book 2 The Kingdom of Copper, and must say that this trilogy is quickly becoming my favorite epic fantasy.

I am usually not a huge fan of epic fantasy series and I definitely try to avoid reading chunky books as (1) I tend to lose interest, and (2) they take me a while to get through as I am not that fast of reader. This particular trilogy, however, has just the right mix of interesting characters, unpredictable plotlines and a fascinating world that manages to keep my interest. I have always liked Middle Eastern folklore and fairy tales, and Chakraborty draws heavily on that region's mythology. There are also very interesting political machinations and moral dilemmas. Daevabad is a diverse and highly complex jinn society where centuries of conflict between various ethnic groups have sown mutual distrust and volatility. It does not help that the ruling family does everything to keep that distrust simmering and closely adheres to the ancient wisdom of "divide and conquer". 

Since this is book 2, it is hard to talk about the plot. I will just say that this trilogy is a very good entry point into reading epic fantasy. Compared to some other famous series, the books are manageable in size (the first was just over 500 pages, and the second one - just over 600), There are no extensive battle scenes or any kind of military subplot. The story revolves largely around the political and societal conflicts and a struggle for power. I do highly recommend this trilogy, and will be picking up book 3 very soon.

"The Lost Apothecary" by Sarah Penner

The Lost Apothecary will appeal to the readers who like historical fiction and enjoy solving old mysteries. In this book we follow two different timelines. The first one follows Nella, a rogue apothecary who owns a hidden shop in London and dispenses poisons to women who wish to do away with their husbands, brothers, or other men in their lives. The second timeline is set in present-day London. Caroline travels to the UK from Ohio on what was supposed to be her tenth wedding anniversary trip with husband. However, just a few days before the trip, she discovered that her husband had had an affair and she thus boarded the plane alone.

While in London, Caroline goes on a mud-larking tour - looking for objects in the riverbed of Thames hoping to find something interesting from the bygone days. She discovers a small glass container that looks like it could have been an apothecary vial. And thus her journey to unraveling Nella's story begins.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Some aspects of the story I thought were a bit far-fetched. After all, piecing together a story that occurred 200 years prior is no easy fit. Yet, Caroline is able to find the shop and newspaper articles dated back to the time and mentioning the pertinent events in a matter of days.

However, if you can suspend your disbelief and just go with the story, you are in for a treat. At its core it's a story of self-discovery, of following your dreams and getting back to what you used to love, but somehow let life get in the way. As I get older, I too tend to think a lot about my career choices and sometimes wonder if a different choice would have led me somewhere else. 

4 out 5 stars. I hope Sarah Penner keeps writing more books. This was her debut novel and I would gladly pick up her next book.

An e-ARC was provide by NetGalley.com

"The Paris Library" by Janet Skeslien Charles

The Paris Library is focused on the American Library in Paris during WWII. The book is written from several points of view and follows two different timelines: one set during WWII in Paris and the other in mid-1980s in Froid, Montana. What I like the most about the book is the atmosphere of a library and the multitude of literary references and quotes. In a way, it is a book about and for readers and library lovers. I also really appreciated the nuanced way the novel talks about what people living in France during WWII knew and did not know about the Nazis and their activities, and how the Nazi occupation slowly permeated every facet of Parisians' lives. The book also does a great job examining how the war affects the characters whose life in one way or another revolved around the library: someone is forced to flee just because of their nationality, someone else is openly targeted by the new regime because of their religion, ethnicity or possible connections. Others - shockingly - use the new circumstances to channel their pent up hatred and jealousy into writing anonymous reports to the Gestapo.

The thing that did not work very well for me is the second timeline based in the 80s in Froid, MN. I was not sure why the author had that parallel story. Yes, we see Odile, the librarian who worked at the ALP during WWII, now as an old woman living in the US. However, that storyline was not really connected thematically with the overall message of the book, at least for me, and I kept wondering why we even needed it. 

In terms of characters, there are many of them in the book. We don't really get to know any of them very closely. Most of them are just sketches, we get the outlines of their stories. We learn the most about Odile, and I have to say, she is a very frustrating character. For someone who is a voracious reader, she is awfully naïve and impulsive.  She also unexpectedly freezes in some situations, but acts completely rashly in others. I can't say I liked her. 

Overall, it was an interesting, albeit slow at times, novel but I am not sure it presents anything unique about the time-period or perspective. I would say that as a reader, I enjoyed the setting and the literary references. Also, as someone who studied French, I appreciated the peppering of French phrases throughout. Overall, an ok read. 3 out of 5 stars.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

"The Project" by Courtney Summers

The Project is a contemporary novel set in upstate New York. The book is written from the perspective of two sisters: Lo (first person narration) and Bea (third person narration). Lo was in a horrendous car accident when she was 13. Her parents were killed and she ended up in an ICU. Bea (the older sister who was not in the car with them) is now desperate for her sister to survive. After doctors tell her that Lo might not make it, Bea in utter despair reaches out to God and pleads for help. At that time a strange man shows up at the hospital. It is Lev Warren, a self-proclaimed redeemer and founder of a religious community called the Unity Project. He talks to Bea, lays hands on Lo and she miraculously recovers. Now Bea, in awe of what she witnessed, follows Lev and joins the Unity Project. We then fast-forward a few years into the future. Lo is now a young adult living on her own and franticly trying to find her sister.

When I first began reading the book, I felt it was maybe a 3-star read at most. Lo’s anger was just too over the top for me. As the plot moved along, however, the story twisted in a way that made it hard to put the book down. In the end, I ended up giving it 4 stars. 

The narrative is structure in a way that the reader experiences the pull of Lev Warren’s charisma through the eyes of the two main protagonists. Bea is immediately taken with him. He brings her baby sister back to life so she wholeheartedly believes in him and abandons her life for the Unity Project. Lo on the other hand, has grown up hating Lev Warren and all that he stands for. As far as she is concerned, he and his cult have kept her sister away from her all these years, and she is on a mission to bring him down. The closer she gets to Lev though, the harder it is for her to figure out what is true. Is he a manipulative cult leader, or truly a holy man walking the earth doing good works? The reader is left wondering along with Lo.

Even though the Unity Project hits all of the bullets of being a cult, their good works (shelters, soup kitchens, etc) are too big of a presence in the community. All of the members are also tight lipped about the inner workings of the group and are fiercely loyal to Lev Warren. The author gives us just enough hints to keep wondering.

What I really liked about this novel is the way it examines psychological manipulation, group psychology, and vulnerability that leads to blind faith. It was a fascinating read. I would love to know more about the author’s research into the subject. I think this book would make a great read for book clubs and would spark some interesting discussions. 

One weakness in the novel is the relationship that Lo has with her boss Paul. It is just too unrealistic. As someone who has held jobs in various business settings for over 20 years, I have never seen a boss and a personal assistant speak to each other the way these two do. It is too informal and at times borders on familiarity largely unacceptable in today’s business world. In addition, their last phone call with Paul basically begging her to come back to work for him is simply unbelievable to me. No matter how good of an assistant Lo was, it is hard to imagine this would ever happen in real life. Finally, I wish the author would explain a bit better the final scene in the lake. We know Lo mysteriously ended up on shore, and I am not sure if there was supposed to be some sort of mystical element here. It did not come off as one and instead was just confusing.

Overall, I do recommend this book. 4 out 5 stars.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

"The Wife Upstairs" by Rachel Hawkins

I have read a couple of Rachel Hawkins' YA books and they were fun. This is her first foray into the adult thriller/mystery genre and I would say it was a success. Hawkins took the very familiar story of Jane Eyre and set it in modern-day Alabama. Fans of Jane Eyre will recognize many names and draw parallels in characters' backgrounds and intentions. 

The marketing for this book might have centered around it being a loose retelling of Jane Eyre, but the characters and the plot are quite original and have little to do with the Victorian classic. Since it is a mystery, it is difficult to describe the plot without giving anything away. I think knowing what it is based on is enough to pique someone's interest - it certainly piqued mine. 

If you don't like suspense, this book will appeal to you as well. The tension created by the author is not intense. In fact, at one point I was wondering when things would start unraveling. I did very much like the twist at the end and the conclusion itself. To me, it was worth the read. I would say the last 40 pages or so of the book changed my mind about this being a mediocre novel and I ended up giving it 4 out 5 stars. 

In conclusion, a modern, feminist take on a beloved classic. At the center of it is a character who is a true survivor, who does everything possible to climb out of the gutter and make something better of the hand she's been dealt.

"You Have a Match" by Emma Lord

You Have a Match was my first novel by this author. Emma Lord writes YA contemporaries and her debut novel Tweet Cute was immensely popular last year. You Have a Match is not strictly a romance, although there are a couple of romantic storylines in it. Our main character Abby takes a DNA test as part of her anthropology class project to learn about her ancestry. Unexpectedly, she gets a message through that website from someone who has been identified as her full-bloodied sister. The two girls meet and the story takes off from there.

First let me tell you what I liked about this book. I did like the plot line about the two sisters who never knew about each other and the surrounding mystery. The two girls do not immediately tell their parents that they are in touch, and try to dig through old documents and photographs to learn something on their own. The suspense of uncovering the past bit by bit kept me very interested and engaged. I liked the friendships in the book and I also liked the presence of parents on the page and how engaged they were in their children's lives. 

There were, however, a couple of things that I did not enjoy. First of all, a lot of the romantic plot is hinged on miscommunication or misunderstanding of the "I like him/her but he/she does not like me back" variety. Predictably, it takes the characters the entire length of the book to discover the misunderstanding and finally talk to each other. In addition, the ending of this novel is over-the-top happy. We are talking every single dream comes true, every relationship is mended, every past wrong is righted and forgiven. It was just too much. Finally, the way the teenagers speak/behave is sometimes unrealistic. I guess it is true of many YA novels. The characters are basically teenagers who sound and behave like someone in their twenties.

Overall, a very quick read, a great palate cleanser between heftier books. I would take this novel to the beach or on an airplane ride (I do hope travel is in our not-so-distant future). 3 out of 5 stars.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com

"Home Fire" by Kamila Shamsie

I listened to Home Fire on audio. It is a contemporary novel which explores the themes of what it is like to be a Muslim in a western country, how the war on terror has impacted traditionally Muslim communities and  whether assimilation means the loss of one's cultural identity or religion. I found this novel to be deeply moving and heartbreaking. At the center of it are three Pakistani-British siblings whose father died while being transported to Guantanamo. He was a jihadi who had fought in many hot spots in the Balkans, the Caucasus and the Middle East, and now his son is being approached by a man who paints a rosy picture of life in Syria. 

It is best to go into this book without knowing much more about the plot. It does focus on how such family history impacts the children this man left behind. Their mother also died and they are now adults trying to find their own way in the world. The book also does a great job showing how subtly radicalization can creep into someone's life. Ultimately, the novel is about the western society's myopic view of immigrant communities and their unwillingness to understand and embrace them. The story in the book is truly tragic and in some ways hopeless. 

I highly recommend this book. Audio format was fine, but sometimes transitions from one character to another were quite abrupt and not easy to follow. I do think it is because I listened to it on audio. 5 out of 5 stars.

"Lore" by Alexandra Bracken

Lore is a standalone YA urban fantasy novel rooted in Greek mythology. The setting is present-day New York, but our main characters are descendants of the famous Greek heroes (Perseus, Hercules, etc.) who have been sent by Zeus to hunt the Gods of Olympus who angered him around the time of the fall of Rome. Every seven years, the banished gods reside in mortal bodies and can be hunted and killed. Their power then is absorbed by the hunter who kills them. It is sort of an never-ending hunt for power and immortality. 

This book will appeal to the fans of the Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi. It is a similar set up with ancient secrets, a quest, dangerous powers and a desire to right past wrongs. A big chunk of the book is dedicated to explaining the Agon (Greek for contest, conflict or struggle), and I must say, Bracken did it brilliantly. The book never felt like an info-dump. In fact, I kept reading because I wanted to know more about the world and the mythology behind it.

Our main character Lore is a hunter from the house of Perseus whose entire family has been killed by a rival house. She was able to escape the slaughter and for the past seven years has lived with the "unblooded" (i.e., normal humans who are not part of this secret world). However, she is yanked back into the Agon when an injured goddess Athena shows up on her doorstep one day.

This book is non-stop action. So if you like quest stories with many twists and turns, this one is for you. I personally find that even though I enjoy them while reading them, I quickly forget the plot soon afterwards. The book is also not without its flaws. I felt that the whole transition of power and immortality from gods to hunters is not well explained. I kept wondering what happens to the essence of they slain gods - do they just disappear? I was also confused why Lore was being compared to the Gorgon. In Greek mythology, Perseus is the one who kills Medusa the Gorgon, so why would his descendent exhibit her traits? This was never explained. In addition, Zeus' overall intent behind the Agon is not clear. I kept looking for some larger purpose and did not see it.

Overall, an interesting action-packed story. 3 out of 5 stars.

An e-ARC was provided by NetGalley.com