Lisa Francine
Powerful, poignant, and bittersweet.
A stark reminder that for many immigrants the journey to their new home is an agonizing undertaking – they are often fleeing from their home country due to war, persecution, poverty, etc.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC copy of this graphic novel.
Quote from Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate & Holocaust Survivor
“You, who are so-called illegal aliens, must know that no human being is illegal. That is a contradiction in terms. Human beings can be beautiful or more beautiful, they can be fat or skinny, they can be right or wrong, but illegal? How can a human being be illegal?”
Helen Hoang's debut novel is full of vim, vigor, and vitality!
Stella's autism has gotten in the way of having a boyfriend - her solution, hire a male escort to help practice her social and sexual skills. Michael steps into this role for the money, but this intriguing relationship goes in directions neither of the participants originally intend.
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC copy.
PS: Many nights after work, I would pull into my driveway and sit captivated by Carly Robins audiobook performance.
Morris is an exemplary storyteller! Told in alternating time periods (1992 and the late 16th century) about the community of Entrada de la Luna (New Mexico) and the history of crypto-Jews. High schooler Miguel loves the stars, and science, but not much else about his life in Entrada. As the story unfolds we learn that his Jewish ancestors were forced to leave Spain during the Spanish Inquisition, and eventually settled in present day Entrada. Pick this book up if you enjoy stories about identity, community, faith, and family.
Another thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
In the hills of Kentucky after the Korean War, Tucker, a bootleg runner is trying to do right by his family, even if he has to break the law. I felt compassion for him and his wife, Rhonda, and their children. Offutt's ability to balance intense and lyrical descriptions of rural life kept me turning the pages, and hoping that things would somehow work out for Tucker's family.
Thanks to Grove Press for an ARC.
Jane Hawk is still fighting the bad guys and the bad gals, but book #3 was some what predictable, and seemed to be a set up for book #4. I will wait to read reviews before continuing onward with book #4 - disappointing given how strong the first two books are in this unusual fast paced, character driven series.
“Luke lied. You lied. Be at the funeral.”
And so begins a current day triple murder investigation for Aaron Falk in his hometown of twenty years ago; while simultaneously remembering the death (suicide? or murder?) of a childhood friend (Ellie) of both Aaron's and Luke's. Harper kept me guessing through the entire novel!
