a fascinating look at the role of women in modern chinese society. each of these women has such an unique story, and i was particularly engrossed by leiya and siyue's stories. discusses a wide range of topics such as politics, feminism, workers' rights, and the relationships and community found between women

 a fast-paced thriller with crazy turns that i read in one sitting

killer potential follows evie gordon, a sat tutor who flees with a strange woman after she's spotted at the scene of a grisly murder. as evie and the woman's run grows crazier and crazier, the two of them start to get closer as they navigate the chaos of the world they're in.

this book is super fast-paced. from the start, we're dropped into this dizzying action, and i found myself holding on for the ride. the writing is short, crisp, and staccato, and there were times where i found the plot almost implausible. there were a lot of crazy turns in this icl like there was one big one where i was gagged as hell. i was sitting in my bathroom mouth dropped. nevertheless, i was deeply immersed in the world deitch had built. there's a lot of dark humor and commentary on social expectations. the relationship between the two women was romantic and captivating, and while it's a little rushed, i think being in their circumstance makes sense for the relationship to be so rushed.

the ending...pause i was so shocked. a funny, crisp, and smart thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat. a killer debut and a great thriller to read.

thanks to netgalley and william morrow for the arc! 

deeply personal, ruminative, and transcendent; a portrait of gifty, a young woman trying to find where her and her mother's relationship is amidst the backdrop of grief that haunts their relationship. 

a major theme in this book is religion, and while i'm not religious, it was moving to see gifty handle and discuss her relationship with god and christianity, especially against gifty's occupation as a neuro phd student.

a reflective, moving, and heartbreaking story that dealt with multigenerational and familial trauma carefully and kindly. one of the best books i've read for school. the scene where lydia imagines all the ways she'll change her life before she dies just kills me

i never read the og huckleberry finn so maybe some parts of this went over my head but i enjoyed reading it! a funny and sharp take on mark twain, with very straightforward writing by everett. jim/james is a witty and smart mc; watching him flip between the role of the self-educated man versus the "uneducated" slave was at first humorous but then scary and impactful. the ending did feel a bit abrupt to me 

forgot to review this oops but a short and sweet holiday romance novella

a charming and funny romcom with a likeable male love interest(very rare) as the love interest. a likeable protagonist; this book is easy to read and the type of book that makes you feel good after

a immersive and deft novel that takes so much care with its complicated and nuanced characters. some of the best literary fiction i've read recently. handles topics such as race, racism, colorism, and identity incredibly. some of the best character work i've read as well; desiree and stella and their journeys had me hooked. very poignant and reflective, but handles the generations of the vignes family women with such care. a highlight of the year

a fast light and humorous read with an sympathetic protagonist and a interesting cast of characters. i rooted for maddie to break free and discover what life has in store for her. her struggles with family and depression were neatly handled and her friendships were well developed 

this book is harrowing, tragic, and emotional, with some stunning prose by whitehead. it dives deeply into the tormented and horrific history of slavery in america, and does so very unflinchingly. the journey for freedom is presented in a literal sense; the underground railroad taking a physical manifestation as we follow cora's struggle for freedom. literary and historical fiction operating together at a high level. 

this is not an comfortable read, but it shouldn't be. a must-read