ambershelf's reviews
1295 reviews

So spicy

Recovering from unthinkable violence, Cornelia Brown is further pushed into darkness when she gets word of her mother, Eleanor's accident. After returning to her childhood home in Virginia to help her mom recover, Cornelia vows to "bring her the Northern Lights" while embarking on a mission to piece together the lost years of her mother's life.

SHINE is a lyrical book of lost and found family that covers my favorite topics, mother-daughter relationships and sibling dynamics. Alternating between two timelines—Cornelia's present-day story and Eleanor's narrative in the 1960s—we see how history repeats itself and the pervasiveness of humanity searching for belonging.

Santos' writing took me a while to get used to, and I could see the rhythmic styles in poems in her story. Nonetheless, once I got to 1/3 of the book, I was absorbed and invested in following Cornelia's & Eleanor's journey of finding themselves. I finished SHINE in two sittings and walked away bursting with love and gratitude from this heartfelt story.

Books that humanize parents always have a special place in my heart, and Santos explores this theme beautifully in SHINE. She asks the readers to proceed with care and compassion when excavating our parents' pasts, especially the history of grief and loss. It's often odd to think that my parents have a life before me, and there are pasts that they'd rather not talk about. It's a pleasure seeing this topic of how people process trauma & show love differently in SHINE.

For fans of BLACK CAKE (Charmaine Wilkerson), WATCH US SHINE is the perfect next read for you!

Thank you to BiblioLifestyle & William Morrow for the gifted copy

Cinnamon Haynes has achieved the impossible after a tough childhood—she has a husband, a stable job, and a cozy house. But when she finds an abandoned white baby with a note from her unlikely friend Daisy, asking her to raise the child, Cinnamon is faced with past ghosts and present problems, threatening to upend her seemingly perfect life.

MINE delves into the complex realm of motherhood, showcasing women's diverse perspectives and relationships with this role. This book also sheds light on foster care & adoption, and the pervasive influence of racism within the system that continues to uphold white supremacy.

My favorite part about MINE is the central theme that motherhood is a peculiar journey where everyone seems to have an opinion—even those who aren't/can't become mothers—vehemently believing that their view is the only correct one. I also adore Pride & Piazza's exploration of entrenched racism within the childcare system, drawing attention to the unfortunate tendency of placing BIPOC children with white parents while the reverse scenario is far less prevalent.

I want to mention that Cinnamon & Daisy had to make some pretty incredulous decisions for the plot to continue, requiring a suspension of disbelief, as several circumstances must align perfectly for such a situation to occur. And while the plot development verges on the happier side, the ending feels a bit rushed and the pacing off. The resolution arrives swiftly, tying up loose ends and bringing closer to the storyline.

I can see MINE being an excellent selection for book clubs in a professional setting, as it raises important questions about motherhood & racism. However, for those seeking a more profound examination of race & adoption, I recommend THE HOUSE OF EVE (Sedeqa Johnson), SOMEWHERE SISTERS (Erika Hayasaki), DUST CHILD (Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai), and MIKA IN REAL LIFE (Emiko Jean). I'd love some recs centering on Black children being adopted by white families too!

Thank you to Scribner Books & Book Club favorites for the gifted ARC

After breaking up with her fiance and dropping out of her graduate program, Kathleen Cheng's life is on hold. Now, she's back in her childhood home in Oakland, helping prepare for her mother Marissa's wedding. But Marissa is different. She's sporty, happy, and transformed by love. As Kathleen grasps for direction, she contemplates intimacy and connection—can Kathleen reinvent her relationship with her mother?

HOLDING PATTERN is a captivating novel that examines the century-long topic of complex mother-daughter relationships, reminiscent of CHEMISTRY (Weike Wang), SEA CHANGE (Gina Chung), and A QUITTER'S PARADISE (Elysha Chang). I particularly enjoy the focus on Marissa, not just on her cultural difference or family drama but also on how her new-found relationship has transformed her into a different person.

Xie deftly crafts complex and multilayered characters in both Kathleen and Marissa, allowing readers an intimate glimpse into their conflicting perspectives, desires, and approaches to life. Without delving into spoilers, I also adore how HOLDING PATTERN juxtaposes Kathleen vs. Marissa's relationships with men; Xie's unique take on women's power towards men is another refreshing and intriguing take.

HOLDING PATTERN is a memorable novel that explores complex mother-daughter dynamics with quiet yet contemplative prose for those seeking a captivating literary experience!

Thank you to Riverhead Books for the gifted ARC

A collection of interconnected stories of anxious people, STRESS explores the lives of (mostly) queer Latinx men living in NYC and the daily stress they face from hailing taxis, nannying, online dating, having an impromptu play date, getting therapy (or maybe being retraumatized) by white psychologists, etc.

STRESS encourages the readers to think about WHO the anxious people are and WHY they are more stressed. Each short story masterfully explores this theme and emphasizes why everything is political and about race—POC can't just "turn it off" when living in a world built by white supremacy.

As was in THE TOWN OF BABYLON, Varela leverages his background in public health and references statistics on the devastating health effects of systemic racism. I love this about Varela's work; since I often get confused by short stories, the public health commentaries help provide a focal point in all these stories.

Thank you to Astra House for the gifted ARC

AMERICANS follows a group of young queer artists/writers/dancers living in Iowa. With evocative prose, Taylor explores how these flawed individuals experience life and express their humanity across various socioeconomic statuses and careers.

At its core, AMERICANS is a testament to the beauty of the human experience. Through Taylor's masterful storytelling, the readers are immersed in the characters' lives, witnessing their joys, struggles, desires, and sometimes questionable decisions.

I adore Taylor's quiet and introspective writing, allowing readers to connect deeply with the characters. In particular, the portrayal of individuals from diverse classes/professions highlights the complex dynamics that arise from different backgrounds, adding depth to the narrative and presenting a nuanced exploration of identity, ambition, and the pursuit of artistic expression.

I listened to AMERICANS on audiobook but ended up purchasing a physical copy to better experience Taylor's exquisite writing

Set during the brink of civil war in Greece, best friends Katerina and Marco face the unthinkable: lost childhood and fractured families. As communists reach their village, the duo makes a promise to each other, vowing to find their way back home to their tiny town and one another.

WANDERING is a poignant novel that explores how we lose, build, and ultimately come home. With evocative prose, Corporon patins vivid pictures of the Greek landscape whilst discussing the impact of communism during the civil war. She sheds light on a lesser-known period of Greek history, offering insights into the devastating aftermath as families are ripped apart, and focuses on the challenges children face during this tumultuous time.

The theme of friendship is woven throughout the narrative, and Corporon beautifully explores different friendship duos through generations, showcasing the deep bonds that can withstand time and distance. In many ways, WANDERING reminds me of BEASTS OF A LITTLE LAND (Juhea Kim) and THE GREAT RECLAMATION (Rachel Heng), in its exploration of the lasting impacts of wars and the unbreakable bonds individuals form in the backdrop of unthinkable violence.

While the storytelling is generally engaging, there are instances where the book relies more on telling than chapters showing. Additionally, I wasn't super invested in the chapters about the Greek royal family. Corporon mentioned her reasons for including the royal family's narrative in the author's note; it's actually quite heartwarming

As Earth faces environmental collapse, 80 elite graduates of a competitive space program embark on a mission to save humanity. Each individual is selected to carry out specific functions as the ship travels into deep space and will give birth to a generation of children through an intricate artificial insemination program that will ensure genetic diversity. But when a lethal bomb kills three crews and knocks the ship off course, the only survivor, Asuka, is tasked with the unthinkable.

DEEP SKY is an exceptional debut novel that masterfully blends sci-fi elements with intricate explorations of identity & relationships. With its thought-provoking themes, compelling characters, and a touch of mystery, this book captivates readers from start to finish.

Imagine if PROJECT HAIL MARY (Andy Weir) had Asian representation. If THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM (Cixin Liu) wrote better female characters. If DUNE (Frank Herbert) didn't have that weird eugenics plotline where the women are literal childbearing witches (