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All in Literature
There were definitely parts of this novel that I enjoyed. However, taken as a whole, The Black Bird Oracle fell short of my expectations in some big ways. I couldn't shake the feeling that Harkness had allowed other people's expectations to disproportionately influence her writing like she was trying to fulfill some secret reader/viewer wishlist.
Set at the University of Arkansas in 2017, Come & Get It is an entertaining and thought-provoking novel that features a quirky, catty, and hilariously well-written cast of characters. Their relationships and all the drama that comes with them make for a delectably entertaining read.
Set in 1999, Attachments by Rainbow Rowell is mainly told from the perspective of the character Lincoln O’Neil, who takes a job as an internet security officer for a local newspaper after moving back home. Lincoln’s job is to monitor any interoffice emails flagged by The Courier’s content filtering software. It’s through this role that Lincoln comes to know Beth Fremont. Before he realizes it, Lincoln falls in love with Beth even though they’ve never formally met.
Night Wherever We Go is a satisfying and emotional debut novel by Tracey Rose Peyton. Set on a struggling, Navarro County, Texas plantation in 1852 this novel offers a new perspective on a tragic portion of American history.
An eloquently written debut novel spanning decades, Perish by LaToya Watkins tells the story of Helen Jean Turner and her descendants. Though heart-wrenching, Perish tells an important story of intergenerational trauma and complex familial relationships.
For 29 years, I largely ignored acknowledgments. But when I read Conjure Women by Afia Atakora, I figured out there’s actually a lot readers can learn from them. Here are three reasons that I think you should start reading acknowledgments too.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt tells the story of Tova Sullivan, who befriends a Giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus while she works the nighttime cleaning shift at the town aquarium. With his help, Tova is able to uncover new information about the disappearance of her son, Erik, who mysteriously went missing in 1989. This multi-generational mystery explores themes like grief, abandonment, and self-actualization while keeping readers on the edge of their seats!
In this ground-breaking novel, Sara Nović manages to create a rich and complex cast of characters, weave an exciting and engaging narrative, and educate readers about a number of challenges currently affecting members of the deaf community.
Isabel Allende’s The Soul of a Woman will give readers the same feeling as enjoying a warm cup of tea and a good conversation with an aunt or grandmother. Within its pages, Allende writes beautifully about motherhood, love, sensuality, aging, her career, and violence against girls and women, making this memoir an easy but worthwhile read for all.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead lives up to the hype and its title! Reading this book has transformed the way I think about life and approach relationships with the most important people in my life. I feel like this book should be required reading for all adults, and I plan on purchasing it as a gift for my relatives this holiday season.
