Dark Constellations is a very different book than what I usually read. I was excited to read outside my comfort zone and grateful for the opportunity to explore literature from Latin America. Pola Oloixarac hails from Argentina and the setting of the book is partially in Argentina (as well as the Canary Islands, Brazil, and Patagonia).

The writing style is reminiscent of Haruki Murakami -- surrealist, magical, and at times inelegant. The pace moves at breakneck speed in a narrative style that is more like vignettes than linear storytelling. Oloixarac's descriptions are vivid, which is beautiful for depictions of the jungle and even the jungles of technology covered in this story. However, her vivid descriptions of sexual content were less about romance and more about meeting carnal needs. I had trouble connecting to them.

Truthfully, it was difficult to connect with much of this story. I have a background in technology so I understood the technical components of the story, yet did not find the hacker character Cassio likable in the slightest. The book is split into three parts, following three characters whose stories intersect and influence one another over the course of nearly 150 years, but it mostly focuses on Cassio and his work. I would've loved more time with the third character introduced, Piera. Though the final section is ostensibly about her and her research, she acts more of an ancillary character to Cassio's mission.

Up until the final pages, the book felt well within the confines of reality and I imagine we'll be seeing biotechnology like the kinds described in this book in the next 30-50 years. However, the final few pages went off the deep end into solidly science fiction territory. I love scifi, but I simply don't think it fit or flowed with the rest of the story.

Overall, I'm glad I read this book but unless you're a Murakami fan, I wouldn't recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Soho Press for a copy in exchange for a review.

This was a hilarious, quick read good for a cathartic laugh. I imagine it would make a great gift for your progressive bestie. I don't recommend it as an ebook because that format didn't do the illustrations justice.

This was a fantastic read. It had me wishing that my flight was longer or delayed.

The book opens as Queenie receives news of a miscarriage, which later feels like the spark that lit the fire that burnt down her life as she knew it. What unfolds in the following pages is a heart-wrenching depiction of a mental breakdown, but we get to know Queenie well enough to cheer for her every step of the way, confident that she'll pick herself back up by the end. Even when she's making terrible choices, she's still loveable to the reader.

Carty-Williams' writing is sharp and every word delivers a punch to propel the story forward. She weaves in current events to create relatable characters. Darcy and Kyazike could easily exist in my sphere of friends. Her depiction of Queenie's Jamaican immigrant family is vivid, well-rounded, and clearly informed by experience but still accessible to readers who have little knowledge of Jamaican heritage. This book also tackles the stigma around mental health care, with the added layers of being a woman of color and having an immigrant family in the UK.

As a white American reader, this book was well outside my usual reading and a welcomed change. I am so grateful for the opportunity to read stories like these.

Thanks to NetGalley for a digital copy of this book.

I Am Yours is a wild ride from page 1. Zaman's experience growing up as an average-looking Bengali girl where she stood out no matter what in Oahu and Bangkok gave her the strength and tenacity to endure the chaos of becoming a working actor and model in New York while juggling difficult romantic relationships, anorexia, and a desire to make an impact on this wold. This book is that impact. It's clear the author draws inspiration from writers like Elizabeth Gilbert and Glennon Doyle and her memoir could easily stand amongst those ranks. Absolutely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amberjack Publishing for a reader's copy.