The Immortal King Rao (2022) by Vauhini Vara was a finalist for several literary awards that year, and I can see why. It’s a fascinating story to listen to. Following King Rao, born a Dalit in India in the 1950s, on his family’s coconut farm, through his emigration to the United States and the techContinue reading “The Immortal King Rao”
Tag Archives: contemporary fiction
Body Language
Body Language (publication day September 1, 2026) by Meg Howrey is her fifth book, and the first of hers that I’ve read. I’m a sucker for stories with three sisters, and this one hit a little close to home for me, though we’re not quite in the same place as this family. Howrey uses severalContinue reading “Body Language”
But I Hate Him
But I Hate Him (publication day August 25, 2026) by Page Powars, is the story of Rory, a trans teenager who competes in the top echelons of science competitions in NYC, and is the face of his parents’ tutoring company, The Prince List, and Luca, the boy who always seems to win when they’re inContinue reading “But I Hate Him”
Hers For the Weekend
Hers For the Weekend (2024) by is the third installment in Helena Greer’s Carrigan’s Christmasland series. I previously reviewed and raved about Season of Love (Miriam and Noelle) and For Never and Always (Hannah and Levi), and I think it’s best to read those two first, or you might get bogged down when trying toContinue reading “Hers For the Weekend”
The Crossover
The Crossover (2014) by Kwame Alexander won both the Newbery and Coretta Scott King awards that year, along with many other awards. I am very late to this classic, but I was looking for a short, quick read by an author of color, and this one came up on Libby. I love a novel-in-verse andContinue reading “The Crossover”
How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House
How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House by Jenny L. Howe is a sweet, fat positive YA paranormal romance. I reviewed three of Howe’s previous books, all adult fat-positive contemporary romances (On the Plus Side; The Make-Up Test; and How to Get a Life in Ten Dates) and I enjoyed this one as well! AsContinue reading “How (Not) to Renovate a Haunted House”
How To Read a Book
How To Read a Book (2024) by Monica Wood was recommended by someone in my book group and I highly agree with her recommendation! The book follows three characters in and around Portland, Maine. Violet Powell is a 22-year old woman in jail because she was driving drunk, crossed the double-yellow line, and the accidentContinue reading “How To Read a Book”
The Twilight Garden
I was a big fan of Sara Nisha Adams’ The Reading List (2021) and so when I saw she had a new book, The Twilight Garden (2023), I knew that I had to read it, and I was glad that I did. Sometimes you just want a book that takes you somewhere else into someoneContinue reading “The Twilight Garden”
Sex On Murder Island
Sex On Murder Island (publication day June 30, 2026) is Jo Firestone’s second Luella van Horn mystery. Luella is the private investigator alter ego of former Staten Island social worker Marie Jones. PI jobs have been slow to come by. She can’t afford her rent, so she has to move in the middle of summer,Continue reading “Sex On Murder Island”
Long Island Girls
Long Island Girls (publication day June 23, 2026) is Gabrielle Korn’s first foray into historical / literary fiction from her previous two novels, The Shutouts and Yours for the Taking, which were speculative, near-future, fiction. The novel primarily follows 17-year old Susan, beginning in 2005, where she and her best friend Katie live on LongContinue reading “Long Island Girls”
Reading While Fat 