I read this back in January, but I still think about it regularly. Luiselli shares stories and reflections from her experience as a volunteer interviewing unaccompanied minors who have crossed the Mexico border into the United States. The 40 specific questions she must ask each child, the answers to which will be used to determine their fate, is also used to format her brief but powerful essay. She skillfully explores their reasons for coming, the process of their journey, and the reality that awaits them here in the United States. This is exactly the book I needed as a citizen, and it is one we desperately need as a country. It is an urgent, powerful read that I would highly recommend.

An immersive, whirlwind courtroom drama that makes the perfect summer read. There are a lot of complex layers in this book, but I personally loved the representation of modern motherhood, which I think was compelling, and nuanced, and spot on. It explored the expectations mothers place on themselves and others, how and why we make decisions for our children, the ways we seek and miss connections with them, and even how we fail. That part of the book really shone to me. I was disappointed by a couple things, but overall it was an excellently written, fascinating, unputdownable read with wide appeal and a lot of depth.

I am officially emotionally invested. Yes it has similarities to Harry Potter but the world and writing are so unique that those elements feel like loving tributes in an otherwise very original work. And also as first books go I think I may like this one more! Just delightful in every way.

I loved this book. Part memoir, part investigation into queer life in red states. Great writing, great narration by the author in the audio version, lots of personal stories along with facts and figures. I was impressed by the scope of her vision as an author, which included queer life among Mormons in Utah, along the US-Mexico border, in the heartland, in the Deep South, etc. and a true diversity of race, class, and queer identity. I will say that the author seems to have a deep and unapologetic hatred of the large coastal liberal cities that some may find off putting. As someone in a long-term love-hate relationship with my own red state, I didn’t mind it.