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anabel_unker
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Content warnings: past suicide, parental death, murder, reference to martial rape, animal death, violence
A sapphic retelling of the Gaelic folktale The Selkie Wife, A SWEET STING OF SALT is the absolutely breathtaking story of Jean and Muirin. Despite several years (and difficult births) as the local midwife, Jean still remains a partial pariah after the scandal between her and a local man's daughter in her small Nova Scotia town. After working hard to recover her social standing, all Jean wants to do is live a quiet life and live in relative isolation on her family's land.
However, after coming home during a great storm, she discovers an obviously laboring woman trying to wade out into the choppy, and deadly, Atlantic ocean. After helping Muirin give birth, Jean begins to suspect things aren't exactly what they seem between the new mother and her husband, Tobias. Fearful for the first friend she's had in years, Jean begins to discover the murky truth hiding behind the pretty story Tobias has created.
A SWEET STING OF SALT is a beautiful and atmospheric story of love, betrayal, and community. Sutherland's debut has easily become one of my favorite reads of 2023 and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoy history, slow burn romances and enchanting story telling!
Content warnings: past suicide, parental death, murder, reference to martial rape, animal death, violence
A sapphic retelling of the Gaelic folktale The Selkie Wife, A SWEET STING OF SALT is the absolutely breathtaking story of Jean and Muirin. Despite several years (and difficult births) as the local midwife, Jean still remains a partial pariah after the scandal between her and a local man's daughter in her small Nova Scotia town. After working hard to recover her social standing, all Jean wants to do is live a quiet life and live in relative isolation on her family's land.
However, after coming home during a great storm, she discovers an obviously laboring woman trying to wade out into the choppy, and deadly, Atlantic ocean. After helping Muirin give birth, Jean begins to suspect things aren't exactly what they seem between the new mother and her husband, Tobias. Fearful for the first friend she's had in years, Jean begins to discover the murky truth hiding behind the pretty story Tobias has created.
A SWEET STING OF SALT is a beautiful and atmospheric story of love, betrayal, and community. Sutherland's debut has easily become one of my favorite reads of 2023 and I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoy history, slow burn romances and enchanting story telling!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
THE PARIS NOVEL is quite simply a love letter to life and all the beauty that can be found in the ordinary– food, clothing, architecture, art, and, perhaps the most importantly, company.
Following the timid Stella St. Vincent as she blossoms into her full potential, we are taken on a journey through 1980s Paris with a colorful and endearing cast of characters that each offer their own perspective. There’s mystery, there’s food (by god, the food), there’s fashion and love and so much soul.
THE PARIS NOVEL is quite simply a love letter to life and all the beauty that can be found in the ordinary– food, clothing, architecture, art, and, perhaps the most importantly, company.
Following the timid Stella St. Vincent as she blossoms into her full potential, we are taken on a journey through 1980s Paris with a colorful and endearing cast of characters that each offer their own perspective. There’s mystery, there’s food (by god, the food), there’s fashion and love and so much soul.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Jodi Picoult has never missed for me. Her books are consistantly amazing-- the characters, the perspectives (typically dual), the plot, and the activism. BY ANY OTHER NAME tackles sexism and racism in the modern day, as well as treatment of women during the 16th and 17th century. Picoult seamlessly blends together the stories of Melina "Mel" Green and Emilia Bassano, descendent and ancestor respectively.
Melina, a struggling playwright in modern-day New York, discovers her ancestor Emilia Bassano-- the first published female poet in England. After researching Emilia intriguing life, Melina decides to write a play based on the idea that Emilia wrote some of Shakespeare's most renowned plays-- but was unable to publish her work under her own name due to her sex.
Emilia's life story is one of hardship, heartache, and longing-- but also of grit, determination, and passion. Raised and educated as a lady above her family's life station as court musicians, Emilia is sold at the age of thirteen to Lord Chamberlain to be his mistresses. Forced to hide her true life's passion, writing poetry and plays, Emilia struggles to find her place in the gilded cage of high society. When given the opportunity to sell her work to the opportunistic William Shakespeare, Emilia takes the chance to see her work on London's stage.
BY ANY OTHER NAME is, at its core, a story about defying societal norms and having the courage to chase what brings you joy. I truly enjoyed this departure into historical fiction from Picoult, and am incredibly impressed by the amount of research for this novel. This book, perfect for fans of historical fiction, shed light on a questions many literature fans shy away from-- what if what we know about Shakespeare isn't true?
Jodi Picoult has never missed for me. Her books are consistantly amazing-- the characters, the perspectives (typically dual), the plot, and the activism. BY ANY OTHER NAME tackles sexism and racism in the modern day, as well as treatment of women during the 16th and 17th century. Picoult seamlessly blends together the stories of Melina "Mel" Green and Emilia Bassano, descendent and ancestor respectively.
Melina, a struggling playwright in modern-day New York, discovers her ancestor Emilia Bassano-- the first published female poet in England. After researching Emilia intriguing life, Melina decides to write a play based on the idea that Emilia wrote some of Shakespeare's most renowned plays-- but was unable to publish her work under her own name due to her sex.
Emilia's life story is one of hardship, heartache, and longing-- but also of grit, determination, and passion. Raised and educated as a lady above her family's life station as court musicians, Emilia is sold at the age of thirteen to Lord Chamberlain to be his mistresses. Forced to hide her true life's passion, writing poetry and plays, Emilia struggles to find her place in the gilded cage of high society. When given the opportunity to sell her work to the opportunistic William Shakespeare, Emilia takes the chance to see her work on London's stage.
BY ANY OTHER NAME is, at its core, a story about defying societal norms and having the courage to chase what brings you joy. I truly enjoyed this departure into historical fiction from Picoult, and am incredibly impressed by the amount of research for this novel. This book, perfect for fans of historical fiction, shed light on a questions many literature fans shy away from-- what if what we know about Shakespeare isn't true?
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
She is, as she will insist in every interview, just an ordinary girl. But America has a way of making its own gods. It revels in it. It lights the bonfire and watches the flames lick the sacrifice.
Amber Young, is another pretty face from another small town. She isn't exceptional at dancing, or making people laugh-- she's known in her hometown for her singing voice and her boobs. However, the opportunity of a lifetime strikes when she's given the chance to join Cloud9, a girl-group band based in LA; and from there, Amber drives her career faster and further than she ever imagined possible. Branded a sex-symbol by her record label, Amber grapples with her budding sexuality on display for all of America to feast upon and struggles to connect with the revolving door of people in her life.
Brassy and sassy, HONEY by Isabel Banta sheds light on the music industry in the late 90s/early 2000s-- specifically its treatment and exploitation of young pop stars. HONEY also explores mysongny, America's ironic treatment of famous women (be sexy and risky on camera but HOW DARE YOU be caught actually having sex in a consensual relationship), the corrupt and often stalkerish behavior of paparazzi and the consumption/judgement of unconsensual photographs. This book tackles a lot-- but it never felt overwhelming or preachy. This is Amber's story, told through Amber's eyes and mind and heart.
Amber is young, ("so, so young" as she calls herself) and is forced to grow up on display; but her naivety is never really lost throughout the course of the story-- something I think is incredibly realistic for stars that shoot into fame at a young age, but could be off putting for some readers because her decisions aren't "mature". However, her journey from teenager pop star to something more was moving. HONEY was a book I picked up and couldn't put back down.
She is, as she will insist in every interview, just an ordinary girl. But America has a way of making its own gods. It revels in it. It lights the bonfire and watches the flames lick the sacrifice.
Amber Young, is another pretty face from another small town. She isn't exceptional at dancing, or making people laugh-- she's known in her hometown for her singing voice and her boobs. However, the opportunity of a lifetime strikes when she's given the chance to join Cloud9, a girl-group band based in LA; and from there, Amber drives her career faster and further than she ever imagined possible. Branded a sex-symbol by her record label, Amber grapples with her budding sexuality on display for all of America to feast upon and struggles to connect with the revolving door of people in her life.
Brassy and sassy, HONEY by Isabel Banta sheds light on the music industry in the late 90s/early 2000s-- specifically its treatment and exploitation of young pop stars. HONEY also explores mysongny, America's ironic treatment of famous women (be sexy and risky on camera but HOW DARE YOU be caught actually having sex in a consensual relationship), the corrupt and often stalkerish behavior of paparazzi and the consumption/judgement of unconsensual photographs. This book tackles a lot-- but it never felt overwhelming or preachy. This is Amber's story, told through Amber's eyes and mind and heart.
Amber is young, ("so, so young" as she calls herself) and is forced to grow up on display; but her naivety is never really lost throughout the course of the story-- something I think is incredibly realistic for stars that shoot into fame at a young age, but could be off putting for some readers because her decisions aren't "mature". However, her journey from teenager pop star to something more was moving. HONEY was a book I picked up and couldn't put back down.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Triggers warnings for this book include: cannibalism, starvation, physical abuse, emotional abuse, homophobia, attempted abortion, miscarriage, trichotillomania, death by starvation, death by black plague, mental illness, racial slurs, and murder
Ellis has been given the chance of a lifetime to join Master Henry Collins and his wife on their journey to James Fort. There, she will work as an indentured servant-- cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, and serving-- with the hopes of one day owning her own part of the New World. However, as winter draws closer, even her newfound love for Jane Eddowes (a much beloved daughter of a local family) cannot keep the realities of her new life from settling in around her. Dwindling food supplies, the cruelty of Master Collins, the atrocities her fellow settlers have committed against the Country Men (Native Americans), as well as her own sins concerning her budding sexuality, all give Ellis a deep sense that she'll be lucky to survive her first year in James Fort.
This is not a book for the faint of heart. It's heartbreaking and visceral and haunting. Ellis, uneducated and poor with no prospects besides trying to find her Papa in the New World, takes a chance and the readers have to watch fate's cruelty to her and those she loves. This book, even in the moments of pure joy and love, has such a gripping tension and pervasive sense of foreboding. Ellis’ narration is simple and straightforward, which lends itself well to her character and how she would perceive the world. Bruzas did a wonderful job of humanizing one of America's dark moments, and revealing some of the real horrors that occurred during the Starving Time.
Triggers warnings for this book include: cannibalism, starvation, physical abuse, emotional abuse, homophobia, attempted abortion, miscarriage, trichotillomania, death by starvation, death by black plague, mental illness, racial slurs, and murder
Ellis has been given the chance of a lifetime to join Master Henry Collins and his wife on their journey to James Fort. There, she will work as an indentured servant-- cleaning, doing laundry, cooking, and serving-- with the hopes of one day owning her own part of the New World. However, as winter draws closer, even her newfound love for Jane Eddowes (a much beloved daughter of a local family) cannot keep the realities of her new life from settling in around her. Dwindling food supplies, the cruelty of Master Collins, the atrocities her fellow settlers have committed against the Country Men (Native Americans), as well as her own sins concerning her budding sexuality, all give Ellis a deep sense that she'll be lucky to survive her first year in James Fort.
This is not a book for the faint of heart. It's heartbreaking and visceral and haunting. Ellis, uneducated and poor with no prospects besides trying to find her Papa in the New World, takes a chance and the readers have to watch fate's cruelty to her and those she loves. This book, even in the moments of pure joy and love, has such a gripping tension and pervasive sense of foreboding. Ellis’ narration is simple and straightforward, which lends itself well to her character and how she would perceive the world. Bruzas did a wonderful job of humanizing one of America's dark moments, and revealing some of the real horrors that occurred during the Starving Time.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Books aren't just stories, you know. They are lessons. About life. About ourselves.
Told in alternating viewpoints, THE OYSTER DIVER'S SECRET is a book focused on finding life's happiness and the puzzle pieces that make you complete. Slow and thoughtful, Säfstrand built a beautiful story set in a town so vivid I could practically taste the brine of the ocean and characters with complex interpersonal relations. This is a story for reflection and thought, not fast-paced plots and twist endings-- it should be savored, like a good wine or good friend.
Books aren't just stories, you know. They are lessons. About life. About ourselves.
Told in alternating viewpoints, THE OYSTER DIVER'S SECRET is a book focused on finding life's happiness and the puzzle pieces that make you complete. Slow and thoughtful, Säfstrand built a beautiful story set in a town so vivid I could practically taste the brine of the ocean and characters with complex interpersonal relations. This is a story for reflection and thought, not fast-paced plots and twist endings-- it should be savored, like a good wine or good friend.
3.5 stars rounded down.
This was a gory take on The Little Mermaid, broken down and beaten into something twisted. THE SALT GROWS HEAVY was beautifully written, but (as countless people have mentioned) it’s bogged down by the author’s use of SAT vocab words. Every once in a while, sure– but if I have to keep the dictionary website open on my phone while reading a short story it’s way too much.
This was a gory take on The Little Mermaid, broken down and beaten into something twisted. THE SALT GROWS HEAVY was beautifully written, but (as countless people have mentioned) it’s bogged down by the author’s use of SAT vocab words. Every once in a while, sure– but if I have to keep the dictionary website open on my phone while reading a short story it’s way too much.
