One of Our Kind

One of Our Kind (2024) is bestselling YA author Nicola Yoon’s adult fiction debut, so I was very much looking forward to it, and I was not disappointed. That being said, a quick scan of some of the Goodreads reviews told me my opinion was in no way universal–many people did not like it atContinue reading “One of Our Kind”

The Deep Sky

The Deep Sky (2023) is Yume Kitasei’s first novel, and a nominee for Best Science Fiction that year on Goodreads. It’s a fascinating blend of true science fiction, with the exploration of space, and locked-room mystery/thriller–I was completely hooked! Told from the perspective of Asuka, daughter of a Japanese woman and an American man, whoContinue reading “The Deep Sky”

West With Giraffes

West With Giraffes (2021) by Lynda Rutledge was a book club pick, and I’m so glad that it was. It’s based on the true story of two giraffes that arrived in New York City in 1939 after a hurricane, and were driven by truck across the United States, before interstate highways, to the San DiegoContinue reading “West With Giraffes”

We Could Be Rats

We Could Be Rats (publication date January 28, 2025) by Emily R. Austin (Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead) is a uniquely-told literary novel about two sisters, Sigrid and Margit, who still both have significant trauma and mental health issues from growing up in a conflict-ridden home. The title comes from a storyContinue reading “We Could Be Rats”

All the Water in the World

I absolutely loved All the Water in the World (pub. date January 7, 2024) by Eiren Caffall! This literary climate story is told from the perspective of Nonie, a 13-year old girl who has lived on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History for eight years, with her father, and older sister Bix,Continue reading “All the Water in the World”

The Last Bookstore on Earth

In The Last Bookstore on Earth (pub. date January 7, 2024), by Lily Braun-Arnold, the immaturity and poor choices made by the narrator indicated that it was clearly for a young adult audience. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this queer post-apocalyptic climate fiction, Narrated by Liz, a teenager who is living alone in the bookstore where sheContinue reading “The Last Bookstore on Earth”

The Great Transition

The Great Transition (2023) by Nick Fuller Googins is a completely engaging, hopeful climate fiction novel told from the perspective of Emi, a 15-year old living in Nuuk, a city in Greenland, and her father, Larch. Larch, and Emi’s mother, Kristina, were part of the Carbon Capture Corps and Great Transition, where young people wereContinue reading “The Great Transition”

The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School

The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School (2022) by Sonora Reyes is a deserving award-winning (Lambda, National Book Award finalist, Goodreads Choice, among others) young adult book centering on Yamilet Flores and her brother Cesar. They are transferring to Catholic school because Cesar kept getting jumped at their public school, but Yami will have to findContinue reading “The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School”

Death in the Spires

Death in the Spires (2024) by K.J. Charles is the third book of hers that I’ve read, and the first mystery. I really enjoyed it! Set primarily at Oxford in 1895/ 1905, the lead character is Jeremy “Jem” Kite, a clerk who never finished his course of study after one of his group of friendsContinue reading “Death in the Spires”

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store

I was thrilled to finally get to read The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store (2023) by James McBride, as I’ve loved his writing since reading his memoir The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother and the brilliant pre-civil war historical fiction The Good Lord Bird. In The Heaven and EarthContinue reading “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store”