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1.23k reviews by:
nuhafariha
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!
Now available.
By turns bizarre and horrific, Mariana Enriquez's The Dangers of Smoking in Bed is certainly a one of a kind collection. Featuring perverted sex offenders, ghastly children and tales of wayward lives, Enriquez has a knack for capturing women whose lives are outside of what is expected. What I enjoyed the most about this collection is the deadpan delivery of these stories which made them all the more emotional somehow. Enriquez jumps from perspective to perspective keeping each ghost story lively, even when they rely on age old tropes. A great collection for entertainment, though maybe not in the middle of the night.
Now available.
By turns bizarre and horrific, Mariana Enriquez's The Dangers of Smoking in Bed is certainly a one of a kind collection. Featuring perverted sex offenders, ghastly children and tales of wayward lives, Enriquez has a knack for capturing women whose lives are outside of what is expected. What I enjoyed the most about this collection is the deadpan delivery of these stories which made them all the more emotional somehow. Enriquez jumps from perspective to perspective keeping each ghost story lively, even when they rely on age old tropes. A great collection for entertainment, though maybe not in the middle of the night.
Thank you to Catapult and NetGalley for the Reader's Copy!
Now available.
Jarring and honest, Love is an Ex Country is Randa Jarrar's exploration of identity - both physically and emotionally. Inspired by an Egyptian dancer, Jarrar decides to trace her journey throughout North America. Each location delves into Jarrar's life, both past and present. This book does go into some really heavy subjects including childhood abuse and trauma, domestic violence and racial trauma.
What I enjoyed was Jarrar's candid tone and her resolution. Yes she did experience horror and yes she did experience targeted racial violence. But she kept fighting and eventually found a moment of peace with her abuser, with her audience, within herself. Reading this book was almost like going to therapy myself & finally being seen and understood. I thank Jarrar for writing with such beautiful, sparse and touching prose.
Now available.
Jarring and honest, Love is an Ex Country is Randa Jarrar's exploration of identity - both physically and emotionally. Inspired by an Egyptian dancer, Jarrar decides to trace her journey throughout North America. Each location delves into Jarrar's life, both past and present. This book does go into some really heavy subjects including childhood abuse and trauma, domestic violence and racial trauma.
What I enjoyed was Jarrar's candid tone and her resolution. Yes she did experience horror and yes she did experience targeted racial violence. But she kept fighting and eventually found a moment of peace with her abuser, with her audience, within herself. Reading this book was almost like going to therapy myself & finally being seen and understood. I thank Jarrar for writing with such beautiful, sparse and touching prose.
Thank you to Doubleday and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available Sept 14 2021
"Harlem Shuffle", Colson Whitehead's seventh novel, focuses on the seedy underworld of 1940s to 1960s Harlem. It is a revel in Black entrepreneurship and Carney, son of notorious crook Big Mike, struggles to make a name for himself in the furniture world. Inevitably, Carney's past catches up to him as his cousin Freddie drags him into one caper and then another. Bound by a sense of family loyalty, Carney struggles to protect his cousin, his own family and his business.
What really draws me into this novel is the way Whitehead immerses his audience into the era he choses. I truly felt like I was in Black Harlem, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the era, from the decline of radio to the rise in space tech. It's a fun historical drama which also tackles some pretty serious issues of race relations, families and morality. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Available Sept 14 2021
"Harlem Shuffle", Colson Whitehead's seventh novel, focuses on the seedy underworld of 1940s to 1960s Harlem. It is a revel in Black entrepreneurship and Carney, son of notorious crook Big Mike, struggles to make a name for himself in the furniture world. Inevitably, Carney's past catches up to him as his cousin Freddie drags him into one caper and then another. Bound by a sense of family loyalty, Carney struggles to protect his cousin, his own family and his business.
What really draws me into this novel is the way Whitehead immerses his audience into the era he choses. I truly felt like I was in Black Harlem, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the era, from the decline of radio to the rise in space tech. It's a fun historical drama which also tackles some pretty serious issues of race relations, families and morality. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the reader's copy!
Now available.
Boisterous and chaotic, "Accidentally Engaged" is a hilarious romantic comedy set in the tight knit East African Muslim community in Toronto, CA. When introspective Reena Manji meets the handsome stranger next door, she can hardly predict the situation they will soon be entangled in. With more twists and turns than a challah and a love that's sure to rise to the occasion, Heron's novel explores the modern Muslim woman's life addressing taboo topics like drugs, romantic relationships and parents. I love how no one in this book is "perfect", that real life issues are explored in a light hearted manner. Though somewhat comically blown out of proportion, the Manjis are a 21st century family with 21st century issues. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Now available.
Boisterous and chaotic, "Accidentally Engaged" is a hilarious romantic comedy set in the tight knit East African Muslim community in Toronto, CA. When introspective Reena Manji meets the handsome stranger next door, she can hardly predict the situation they will soon be entangled in. With more twists and turns than a challah and a love that's sure to rise to the occasion, Heron's novel explores the modern Muslim woman's life addressing taboo topics like drugs, romantic relationships and parents. I love how no one in this book is "perfect", that real life issues are explored in a light hearted manner. Though somewhat comically blown out of proportion, the Manjis are a 21st century family with 21st century issues. A thoroughly enjoyable read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Press for the Reader's Copy!
Now available.
What motivates you? Eleven year old Neil Narayan struggles to answer this question as he navigates life in suburban Georgia. Straddled by his older, successful sister Prachi who dreams of becoming Ms. Teen India and the worries of his mother, "american-pherican," Neil looks to find himself among the white and Indian world of Harcourt County. When he discovers that his next door neighbor Anita Dayal has a surefire way of obtaining ambition, he jumps onboard. The adventures the two get into will leave your head spinning, and wishing for a little taste of the golden lemonade yourself.
What works about this story is the strong magical realism element and the author's poetic language. The concept of drinking liquid gold to steal other people's ambitions is very interesting and the author presents a very cool history of the gold trade in India and the US. What would have worked better for me as a reader is if the story had ended with adolescent Neil. The later half of the book focuses on adult Neil dealing with the very real repercussions of his adolescent actions, such as struggling with addiction, depression and commitment issues. The ending seems a little bit too happy in my opinion.
Now available.
What motivates you? Eleven year old Neil Narayan struggles to answer this question as he navigates life in suburban Georgia. Straddled by his older, successful sister Prachi who dreams of becoming Ms. Teen India and the worries of his mother, "american-pherican," Neil looks to find himself among the white and Indian world of Harcourt County. When he discovers that his next door neighbor Anita Dayal has a surefire way of obtaining ambition, he jumps onboard. The adventures the two get into will leave your head spinning, and wishing for a little taste of the golden lemonade yourself.
What works about this story is the strong magical realism element and the author's poetic language. The concept of drinking liquid gold to steal other people's ambitions is very interesting and the author presents a very cool history of the gold trade in India and the US. What would have worked better for me as a reader is if the story had ended with adolescent Neil. The later half of the book focuses on adult Neil dealing with the very real repercussions of his adolescent actions, such as struggling with addiction, depression and commitment issues. The ending seems a little bit too happy in my opinion.
Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Now available!
When I started reading America 2, I wasn't really sure what the concept was or who the audience was. After all, it seems like a kaleidoscope in reverse - French authors in America writing about America presumably for an American French audience? Regardless, I enjoyed delving into this diverse collection. From coast to coast, from the Evangelical Midwest to the Native American reservation to the Mexican-American borderlands, "America 2" offers slice of life pieces on life in modern day America under the Trump administration. Entertaining and thoughtful, it was almost anthropological in its benevolent gaze.An enjoyable read!
Now available!
When I started reading America 2, I wasn't really sure what the concept was or who the audience was. After all, it seems like a kaleidoscope in reverse - French authors in America writing about America presumably for an American French audience? Regardless, I enjoyed delving into this diverse collection. From coast to coast, from the Evangelical Midwest to the Native American reservation to the Mexican-American borderlands, "America 2" offers slice of life pieces on life in modern day America under the Trump administration. Entertaining and thoughtful, it was almost anthropological in its benevolent gaze.An enjoyable read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams for the #ReadersCopy !.
Now available.
Slow and searing, Avni Doshi's Burnt Sugar is a hypnotic breakdown of a mother daughter relationship. What happens when the layers of diplomacy are peeled back and we are left with just raw humanity? It smells and sounds a lot like the title of this piece, burnt sugar.
Parts of this book were especially difficult to read since they involved cruel child abuse, domestic violence and nonconsensual encounters. Despite being a relatively short book, it took me weeks to wade into Doshi's world. I finished and I am still not sure what to make of it all.
Now available.
Slow and searing, Avni Doshi's Burnt Sugar is a hypnotic breakdown of a mother daughter relationship. What happens when the layers of diplomacy are peeled back and we are left with just raw humanity? It smells and sounds a lot like the title of this piece, burnt sugar.
Parts of this book were especially difficult to read since they involved cruel child abuse, domestic violence and nonconsensual encounters. Despite being a relatively short book, it took me weeks to wade into Doshi's world. I finished and I am still not sure what to make of it all.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available Oct 12th
To say that the repeal of Section 377 had a major impact on modern day Indian society is an understatement. It changed the lives of many, including "The Other Man" main narrator Ved. Dadyburjor's first venture into fiction follows an upper middle class man as he struggles to navigate his sexuality in the midst of a changing society. It is heartwarming and tenderly written.
Overall, I found the pace of the book to be difficult. At times, it felt like we were speeding through Ved's daily interactions and at other times, we lingered for far too long on a single scene. This could also be that there are too many scenes.
Available Oct 12th
To say that the repeal of Section 377 had a major impact on modern day Indian society is an understatement. It changed the lives of many, including "The Other Man" main narrator Ved. Dadyburjor's first venture into fiction follows an upper middle class man as he struggles to navigate his sexuality in the midst of a changing society. It is heartwarming and tenderly written.
Overall, I found the pace of the book to be difficult. At times, it felt like we were speeding through Ved's daily interactions and at other times, we lingered for far too long on a single scene. This could also be that there are too many scenes.
Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams for the #ReadersCopy !.
Now available.
Slow and searing, Avni Doshi's Burnt Sugar is a hypnotic breakdown of a mother daughter relationship. What happens when the layers of diplomacy are peeled back and we are left with just raw humanity? It smells and sounds a lot like the title of this piece, burnt sugar.
Parts of this book were especially difficult to read since they involved cruel child abuse, domestic violence and nonconsensual encounters. Despite being a relatively short book, it took me weeks to wade into Doshi's world. I finished and I am still not sure what to make of it all.
Now available.
Slow and searing, Avni Doshi's Burnt Sugar is a hypnotic breakdown of a mother daughter relationship. What happens when the layers of diplomacy are peeled back and we are left with just raw humanity? It smells and sounds a lot like the title of this piece, burnt sugar.
Parts of this book were especially difficult to read since they involved cruel child abuse, domestic violence and nonconsensual encounters. Despite being a relatively short book, it took me weeks to wade into Doshi's world. I finished and I am still not sure what to make of it all.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Press for the Advanced Reader's Copy!
Available Sept 14th.
I have been a long time fan of Kei Miller, starting with The Last of the Warner Women and most recently, Augusttown. His lyrical and deliriously gorgeous description of Jamaica casts a mesmerizing spell. In "Things I Have Withheld," Miller lets us into his private ruminations. This collection of essays covers a wide range of subjects including racism, gender and sexuality, police brutality and mental health. From allegorical tales to travelouge, it has a little something for everyone. Along the way, Miller's keen insight and gorgeous prose leave the reader hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Available Sept 14th.
I have been a long time fan of Kei Miller, starting with The Last of the Warner Women and most recently, Augusttown. His lyrical and deliriously gorgeous description of Jamaica casts a mesmerizing spell. In "Things I Have Withheld," Miller lets us into his private ruminations. This collection of essays covers a wide range of subjects including racism, gender and sexuality, police brutality and mental health. From allegorical tales to travelouge, it has a little something for everyone. Along the way, Miller's keen insight and gorgeous prose leave the reader hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!