Category: Contemporary fiction

The Harpy – Megan Hunter

Chosen by Rachel A wife is permitted to hurt her husband three times after his affair is discovered. ⫸ “In Greek mythology a harpy is a half bird-half woman. As a bird of prey it has wide wings and sharp talons, yet the face… Continue Reading “The Harpy – Megan Hunter”

Bina: A Novel In Warnings – Anakana Schofield

READ FOR BOOKCLUBChosen by Jo A disillusioned woman in her 70s writes on the back of envelopes about her life, dedicating her story to all the women who have had enough. ⫸ “Anakana Schofield was quoted as saying literature does not exist only to… Continue Reading “Bina: A Novel In Warnings – Anakana Schofield”

Lost Children Archive – Valeria Luiselli

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Becks A family’s road trip across America collides with an immigration crisis at the southwestern border. ✚ “Lost Children Archive is not purely about immigrants crossing borders. More, it reflects on the histories of immigrants that have been lost… Continue Reading “Lost Children Archive – Valeria Luiselli”

Burnt Sugar – Avni Doshi

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A story of love and betrayal between a woman and her mother.  ✚ “Though dementia is the vehicle for the plot, the real story in Burnt Sugar is the toxic co-dependent relationship between Tara and her daughter Antara. Despite Antara’s sense… Continue Reading “Burnt Sugar – Avni Doshi”

Real Life – Brandon Taylor

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A biochemistry student’s experiences of life as a gay, black man captured over one weekend ✚ “What started off as a fairly innocuous read soon became anything but. Reading Real Life after Burnt Sugar and The Shadow King I was more… Continue Reading “Real Life – Brandon Taylor”

The Immortalists – Chloe Benjamin

READ FOR BOOKCLUB Chosen by Sonya Four siblings learn of the date they will die, and find their adulthoods shaped by the knowledge ⚑ “I chose this book based on the synopsis, a story around the idea of knowing ones day of death and… Continue Reading “The Immortalists – Chloe Benjamin”

2018 Bookerthon

The 2018 Man Booker shortlist was a surprise, with many followers declaring it an unusual list with glaring omissions. We, too, were shocked at who wasn’t present: Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward, Warlight by Michael Ondajtee, Crudo by Olivia Lang, Normal People by… Continue Reading “2018 Bookerthon”

The Overstory – Richard Powers

READ FOR BOOKERTHON An epic story of trees, ecological activism and US logging history. ➽ “It’s no exaggeration to say that they novel has genuinely changed my life. It’s a very solid work of fiction that has given me an awareness of our environment… Continue Reading “The Overstory – Richard Powers”

The Long Take – Robin Robertson

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A war veteran tries to assimilate back into every day American life post war. ➽ “I was completely consumed by The Long Take and while the storyline and themes were far from uplifting I felt captivated by the events that were occurring. “Initially… Continue Reading “The Long Take – Robin Robertson”

The Mars Room – Rachel Kushner

READ FOR BOOKERTHON A study on institutional living, via prison inmate Romy Hall who is serving two life sentences. ➽ “There has been a LOT of hype about The Mars Room so I went in with high expectations. Having just binge-watched the latest series… Continue Reading “The Mars Room – Rachel Kushner”