Contemporary Fiction

Never Never

by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

★★★

I typically love CoHo’s books, and Never Never had a several-month waitlist; I went into this read with high hopes. I will say that I found the twisted groundhog day trope interesting; I got frustrated alongside the characters when their daily lives just didn’t quite make sense to them. I thought the whole idea of soul mates and bonds that allowed forced them back together was weird though; I still question if the curse was more about Charlie having broken her “Never Never” promise. Overall, I was intrigued until the end. The epilogue ruined the whole thing for me; I honestly think the book would be 150% better if they had just cut the epilogue out and let the last chapter be the end. While I won’t say I regret reading it, I will say that this is by far my least favorite thing CoHo has written (or co-written).

The Poet X

by Elizabeth Acevedo

★★★★

I’m so glad I snagged this as an audiobook via @libby.app! While I could have read the ebook version like I did for With the Fire on High or for Clap When You Land, I feel like the print version would have lost the beauty Acevedo created through spoken-word style poetry. The flow of the story was beautiful and powerful. I have learned a little bit more about the experiences faced by Dominican American families with each of her books, and I find myself wanting to learn even more. Xiomara is strong, passionate, and compelling. Her conflicting portrayal of mamí is heartbreaking, as it speaks to the struggles of immigrant families and parenthood. I have heard many similar stories from family friends about their parents' high expectations placed on them; they had given up everything for their children to have the opportunity to get an education, so they fully expected that their children would succeed. It might have been harsh, and arguably toxic, but their households are full of love; Xiomara’s household is the same. As the story was enhanced by hearing Acevedo tell it orally in the way she intended for it to be heard, I will definitely be getting all future texts from her in audiobook format when possible.

Ms. Perfecty Fine

by Kate Callaghan

★★★.5

First, thank you Netgalley for my ARC of MPF. Second, I’d like to make it clear that this story is worth checking out for people who enjoy a quick-blooming romance. I found Autumn to be relatable quirky, strong, and a solid representation of invisible disabilities that often go unseen in the literary world. I thought Elijah was intriguing, considerate, and I liked that he is never portrayed as trying to downplay Autumn’s struggles or baby her for having them. However, I wasn’t a fan of how fast their relationship progressed within the enemies-to-lovers trope. I felt like their relationship felt like it almost sprung up out of nowhere; while this isn’t inherently bad, I’m just not big on the idea of fast love. That is the one thing keeping me from giving this story a 4-star rating. I will say that the twists within the story outside of the Autumn/Elijah romance kept me interested while I was reading though.

The Cat Who Saved Books

by Sosuke Natsukawa

★★★★

I read a beautiful English translation of this text that was originally written in Japanese. The story is just under 200 pages and reads quickly; a person could easily knock this one out in a day if they choose (I definitely wish time would have allowed me to). Rintaro was relatable in a few ways, although I wouldn’t say that I’m a shut-in or a loner. He was a great representation of what grief can do to a person, as well as the life lessons that loss can teach us. I loved Tiger the Tabby; he is smart, sassy, and mysterious. Who doesn’t love a mythical quest that is led by a talking cat? The story wouldn’t have been plausible without Rintaro or Tiger’s personalities. Overall, the story flowed well. This was an awesome read.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

by Gabrielle Zevin

★★★★★

I can’t say enough positive things about this book, so let me start by saying I loved it enough to actually mail my copy to one of my favorite college professors. It combines video games, Shakespeare, and other literature to create this multi-dimensional story that leaves readers hooked. I found myself cheering, getting angry, and feeling heartbroken along with each of the characters throughout the story. Sadie and Sam are amazingly complex characters, and Marx is given more depth than almost any other non-main character (or NPC as he is dubbed) I have encountered yet. This story follows multiple decades and describes the evolution of the video game industry; it honestly portrays most of the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can see why this one made it for the BOTY awards, and I’m glad I took the time to read it (even if I kept getting distracted so it took a while). If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favor and order a copy right now.

Clap When You Land

by Elizabeth Acevedo

★★★★

If you are looking for a book that is both beautiful and heartbreaking, Clap When You Land is the book for you. The story follows Yaharia and Camino in their respective homelands, and we see how they process their grief and work toward healing after the death of their father. Their story is written in prose, so the 400 or so pages just fly by. This would probably be a great audiobook, but the Kindle book was still aesthetically pleasing. Acevedo doesn’t shy away from the difficulties associated with poverty, split households, half-siblings, and grief. Acevedo shows the beauty of both New York and the Dominican Republic, and yet, she does not shy from some of the harsh realities of either place. This story shows just how much hardship and strength Acevedo has witnessed. 

Carrie Soto Is Back

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

★★★★★

Reid has done it again…. I loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and I enjoyed Daisy Jones & the Six- but I LOVED Carrie’s story. We always right off athletes once they cross 30, especially female athletes; I love that Soto’s character challenges the stereotypes and shows the beauty that can come with age. As an athlete, I could have only dreamed of having the career Soto had. I can also fully understand why she would want to protect her record so badly. Soto’s story shows the good and the bad of being a professional athlete, as well as the double standards that are held for women. Soto is complex and drastically contrasts against society’s ideal “lovable” woman. You don’t need to understand tennis either to understand Soto’s story, so I recommend checking this one out. 

As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow

by Zoulfa Katouh

★★★★★

My initial reaction: wow. I found that Katouh left me with more emotions than I could possibly process as I read the novel. Salama and Kenan’s story is heartbreaking yet inspiring; it follows their journey as they fight for life in revolution-torn Syria. While I had heard about the civil war occurring there in the press, Katouh is right that we needed to hear a more human than the statistical telling of what is occurring. We’ve spent our lives watching news of war (between nations, civil, etc.), and that has made it too easy for many people to look away because the casualties become another number in a never-ending list; As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow is a reminder that those numbers are real people with real lives. Katouh’s Salama is strong, smart, and loving; I found myself rooting for her from the start. Kenan is protective, loyal, and kind; I love that he shows people a prime example of how a person can love their country while still believing it needs to be rebuilt. The romance is light, the heartbreak is strong, but hope is alive. This novel would be a great way to begin forming empathy for the people experiencing the painful struggles of revolutions and lack of civil rights around the world; I would highly recommend this novel as something to read as one learns about the Syrian revolution and its people. 

Afterparties

by Anthony Veasna So

★★★
This one has been on my shelf forever it seems, so it was time to give it a read. I started this hyped to learn since I don’t normally hear much about Cambodian Americans, and I found myself researching often and learning quite a bit. Overall, I thought the stories were interesting. Each of the short stories depicts one person living their daily (and often connected) lives; this includes the good, the bad, and the ugly. This book did make me uncomfortable in a bad way though, and that ultimately made it a three-star read for me. I do not have an issue with smut or dirty scenes in themselves, however, I typically like my books to be upfront about there being sexual content. I was not prepared for the amount of detailed sexual content included, so it caught me very off guard. If there had been some indicator that there was sexual content in this one, I think I would have been cool with it. On the bright side, there was a lot of talk of yummy-sounding food; I’m now looking to see if I have Cambodian near me.

This book is beyond emotional. When 17-year-old Mia is in a car crash with her family during the Oregon winter, she is left to make the decision to fight to live or accept death. This is a story of life, death, and love. Forman gives us insight into Mia’s world through her ghost-like observations in real time, as well as flashbacks that allow us to get a glimpse of the life Mia lead before. Mia is an example of the complexities of individuals; she’s a musician, daughter, girlfriend, friend, and so much more. With a heavy emphasis on Mia and family’s love of music, her story will leave you both laughing and crying in intervals. This book does not have typical chapters though- the story is broken up by timestamps. I know this title isn’t new, but I reread it for the first time since I was in high school. I loved it then, and I love it now. I have the honor of teaching this book for my credential clinical practice hours this term. So here’s to making some high school seniors super emotional 

I was really excited about this one, but I felt like it didn't really sit right with me. I loved the idea of The Guncle, but I was underwhelmed in a few regards. I know, I'm in the minority here according to the Goodread's rating. While I loved Patrick's relationship with the kids, I felt like we mainly got to know the Patrick he thought he should be rather than who was hinted at really being. I also found the story to really emphasize stereotypes (of gay men, poly relationships, and more). While there is nothing wrong with gay men that are stereotypically flamboyant, I didn't care for the emphasis being placed on the more negatively viewed traits (selfishness, vanity, body image issues, etc.). At least half of the men I know consider themselves queer, and less than 10% of those men would be considered "flamboyant." I could have gotten past this if we could see some of the deeper parts of Patrick or JED, but we only basically get to have those depths touched on as minimally as possible. Grant and Maisie's characters are funny, and were quite reflective of many kids' grieving experiences; I just wish the whole story had the same authenticity.

This one is emotionally going to stick with me for quite a while. This is the ultimate story of breaking family cycles; Lily finds herself facing painful truths, falling in love, and trying to continue growing as a person. Ryle (a gorgeous neurosurgeon) has some serious problems of his own. The two are left to navigate their pasts and determine how it will affect their future. Hoover once again dished a story that is sexy, dangerous, and downright emotional. I loved every minute of this, although there were moments I thought Hoover was trying to rip my heart out. I wasn’t *as* invested as I was with Verity, but this is definitely a close second. This is a story for the people with childhood traumas and complicated relationships that need to remember that it’s okay to not be okay.

I could never determine if I wanted to kiss my husband or if I wanted to cry, so forewarn your partner when you choose to give this book a chance 

Felix Ever After

by Kacen Callender

★★★★

In honor of National Coming Out Day this week, I bring you a YA LGBTQ+ read that many readers can find themselves relating to. Felix's journey to be accepted as a guy is tough, especially with a father that is unable to let go of his pre-transition past and bullies that want to publically out him. In search of revenge, Felix is able to truly find himself. Callender will break your heart, but at least he takes the time to put it back together again.

Milk and Honey

by Rupi Kaur

★★★

This one kept being recommended in each of the book clubs I have joined- so of course I decided to check it out when I found it on Libby. Honestly, I found myself very underwhelmed after all of the praise I heard about it. I’m not a huge poetry person, but I decided to give this collection a shot since it emphasizes what it means to be a woman. She covers what it is like growing up a woman, being in love, and what it is like when you must find yourself after that love comes to an end. I will acknowledge that Kaur shows the good, the bad, and the seriously ugly parts of womanhood and femininity; I just found that I was not huge on the way she chose to address these topics. I found it difficult to tell where one poem ended and another began in the Kindle edition; that potentially altered how I felt about her poems in the end though. This collection would probably be enjoyable for poetry lovers, and it’s a solid choice for someone who is just looking for a quick read.

The Fashion Orphans

by Randy Susan Meyers & M.J. Rose

★★★★

Thank you to Netgalley for my advanced copy! This work of contemporary fiction provides some valuable life lessons as half-sisters Gabrielle and Lulu work together to navigate the instructions left in their mother's will. Their mother, Bette, a dedicated fashion enthusiast, had an unthankable love for Chanel.  However, the siblings find themselves at a loss when it's time to confront just how much she loved her- and the question of why- as it may finally answer some questions they have about Bette. As the sisters learn lessons in love, fashion, and their way of living, they have the opportunity to meet new people and try new things. The authors' writing will compel you to follow along from start to finish. The characters are believable, the fashion ins and outs that are referenced are understandable for fashion rookies and experts alike, and it is a smooth read in Kindle format.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

★★★★★

Chbosky was brutally honest and raw about being an outsider, a wallflower. I absolutely fell in love with Charlie. I loved his awkwardness, his sense of humor, and how he is always analyzing the world. Charlie reminds me of my fiance, in so many ways that it isn't even funny. Each of his friends brought so much realism into the story so well that I could almost picture myself at the parties with them. This story bleeds of youth, exploration of self, and the realities of working through trauma. This is one of the very few books that actually had the ability to make me laugh and cry all within the same chapter. Oh, what I would give to read the letters of Charming Charlie again for the first time!

An Elderly Lady Is Up To No Good 

★★★★★

An Elderly Lady Must Never Be Crossed

★★★.5

by Helen Tursten

These short stories tell of the adventures of Maud, an elderly woman from Sweden. However, Maud isn’t as nice as we typically expect little old ladies to be. We get to follow Maud as she “solves” problems at home, and we get to follow her on her trips abroad. The stories are funny, quick, and remind you why the elderly should not be underestimated. Check for copies on Libby.

We Are The Brennans

by Tracey Lange

★★★★

Sunday Brennan finds herself finally returning home to her smaller Irish town in New York after getting a DUI in Los Angelos.  Denny, Jackie, Shane, and Mickey Brennan welcome her home, but Sunday is still forced to confront everything (and everyone) she ran away from- including a fiance, Kale Collins. An old fiance would be easy to avoid if he wasn't your brother's best friend and essentially adopted into your family. Follow along as each of the Brennans and Collinses as they face their past and determine the best ways to correct their paths for the future.  If you come from a family that holds the tight-knit clan mentality of "family is always first and strongest together," then this is a book that will likely resonate with you. I know I found so much of my own family in the Brennans, even if we have not encountered the exact problems discussed. There is a certain respect to be owed to their loyalty and love for one another, and yet each character is still distinctly their own person.

With the Fire on High

by Elizabeth Acevedo

★★★★

This book will leave you feeling snackish, but it is a perfect read for foodies. As teen mom Emoni Santiago learns of a new culinary class at her high school, she finds herself struggling with the conflict between what she wants and what she thinks she can have. She doesn't know if she has time to cook, let alone learn to cook a whole different way than she did in Abuela's kitchen. Emoni can find time to play by the rules and master the fundamental dishes Chef has in mind- that are unsurprisingly white- or she can continue to try and make food her own way. As Emoni learns that there is more to the kitchen than being able to make decisions based on taste, she must learn what it means to start with the core lessons of the culinary world. Emoni faces the challenge of asserting her identity as a black Puerto Rican woman while caring for her daughter, and yet she is determined to take her cooking to the next level. Emoni is relatable, fiery, and beyond lovable if you get through her busy mom exterior.

My Evil Mother

by Margaret Atwood

★★★

I enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale, so I snagged this short story when it was an option from Prime First Reads. I was underwhelmed, but the story was alright, I found the mother and daughter’s dynamic to be somewhat interesting, I really don’t like ambiguous endings to stories. I like to know with pretty decent surety what is happening, and I was missing that with this one. There’s not a lot I can say without spoilers for this one.

The Heart's Invisible Furies

by John Boyne

★★★★★

Follow Cyril Avery, an adopted Irishman who is constantly reminded that he isn't really a part of their family. As he befriends the son of his father's powerful friends and clients, Julien becomes a fixture in Cyril's mind. Cyril finds himself struggling to understand who he is, including trying to "make" himself straight in homophobic Catholic Ireland. The novel takes place in the 1940s and ends in the modern day. Follow Cyril as he ages, as he evolves, as he moves from Ireland to mainland Europe, and finally, as he moves to the U.S. Cyril spends a lifetime essentially hating himself, and the novel covers his journey to eventually achieving self-acceptance. Cyril appears as both lovable and despicable, and yet, he is so relatable. I found I could not put this one down, as Boyne sucked me in to know if Cyril will ever find true happiness.

The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany

by Lori Nelson Spielman

★★★★

If you've always wanted to journey to the Italian countryside, take a trip along with quirky Emila, sassy Lucy, and lovable Aunt Poppy. Although Emila and Lucy set out with Poppy with the intent on breaking the curse that prevents second-born Fontana daughters from finding love, they find more answers than they knew they were looking for. The trip becomes about more than just breaking a multigenerational curse- it is an opportunity for self-discovery and learning their true family history. With secrets that have been hidden for multiple generations, it becomes apparent that there is more to the Fontana women than meets the eye. The story is full of love, heartbreak, and adventure. 

So I snagged this one as my Prime First Reads a few months ago... It was definitely the right choice. While I'm not a mom, I've witnessed my fair share of mom-shaming, and I've experienced it when people assumed my toddler siblings are mine. Harms addresses the harsh realities of motherhood beautifully, and she reminds us all that most parents are just doing the best they can. Celeste and Wendy are prime examples of mothers with polar opposite parenting styles, and there is so much we can learn from them about our internal assumptions and unfair criticisms. We can see how the SAHM is judged for being "too perfect" and the working mom is judged for not being perfect enough. The story is funny, honest, and maintains the classic body-swap trope that many of us have loved since Freaky Friday. If you're looking for a quick pick-me-up read, this is a good one!

This was the book that introduced me to Jodi Picoult when I was a junior in high school, as my teacher had this in her class library. I absolutely loved it. It completely crushed me emotionally, but I had never felt so compelled by a novel before. My Sister's Keeper follows Anna as she fights for her right to autonomy after her parents decide they want to perform another medical procedure on her to assist her sister, Kate. Kate has had leukemia longer than Anna has been alive, and Anna was genetically planned specifically with the plan for her to be Kate's donor. Essentially being left to feel like an organ farm with no voice or control, Anna decides to fight for herself. The sisters' love for one another and desire to be independent is beyond relatable, and the desperation of their parents is almost tangible. Picoult uses powerful language that would make an unemotional reader's heartbreak. I highly recommend keeping tissues handy if you choose to read this!