Synopsis

The award-winning, best-selling author of Station Eleven and The Glass Hotel returns with a novel of art, time, love, and plague that takes the reader from Vancouver Island in 1912 to a dark colony on the moon three hundred years later, unfurling a story of humanity across centuries and space.

Edwin St. Andrew is eighteen years old when he crosses the Atlantic by steamship, exiled from polite society following an ill-conceived diatribe at a dinner party. He enters the forest, spellbound by the beauty of the Canadian wilderness, and suddenly hears the notes of a violin echoing in an airship terminal–an experience that shocks him to his core.

Two centuries later a famous writer named Olive Llewellyn is on a book tour. She’s traveling all over Earth, but her home is the second moon colony, a place of white stone, spired towers, and artificial beauty. Within the text of Olive’s bestselling pandemic novel lies a strange passage: a man plays his violin for change in the echoing corridor of an airship terminal as the trees of a forest rise around him.

When Gaspery-Jacques Roberts, a detective in the Night City, is hired to investigate an anomaly in the North American wilderness, he uncovers a series of lives upended: The exiled son of an earl driven to madness, a writer trapped far from home as a pandemic ravages Earth, and a childhood friend from the Night City who, like Gaspery himself, has glimpsed the chance to do something extraordinary that will disrupt the timeline of the universe.

A virtuoso performance that is as human and tender as it is intellectually playful, Sea of Tranquility is a novel of time travel and metaphysics that precisely captures the reality of our current moment.

My Thoughts

I’m not an expert on the genre, but I feel like in my limited experience, Emily St. John Mandel must be one of the best speculative fiction writers out there. She’s just brilliant and I love the way her mind works.

I didn’t know anything about Sea of Tranquility* when I started it and wasn’t really clear on what was going on at first. When the pieces started to come together, it was so rewarding. This is about time travel, humanity, our existence, and the end of the world. Mandel will have you out here contemplating what you think you know about life.

I think the structure of this novel was perfect. And how are her characters just so good? I might have teared up a little bit while reading this. Her writing just strikes a chord. It resonates in my body.

Yes, there are pandemic references in here. Two years ago, I don’t think I would have been able to handle them, but now it seems that I can. As I was reading, I was struck again by the thought that we’ve been living through this life-altering event for the past 2+ years and we are not ok. We’re forever changed.

Is the world ending? The world as we knew it before the pandemic is not the same world we’re living in today. But even in the midst of this time, there have been big and small joys. Isn’t life just absolutely wild? Like I said, Mandel has me questioning everything.

As always, her writing is beautiful and poignant and haunting. Her words linger with me long after I turned the last page. Upon finishing this book, I think the main feeling I had is that there’s such beauty and wonder and randomness in humanity. We’re just out here living our lives, not knowing what the future will hold. Does that make us courageous? I think so.

Have you read this book or any of her previous work?

*Thank you to the publisher for giving me a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Disclosure: There are affiliate link(s) in this post, meaning that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through my links. Thank you for your support!

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So clearly I have some catching up to do! Let’s dive right into the books that I read in February and March.

THE PUSH BY ASHLEY AUDRAIN

This was an unsettling and chilling look at motherhood and a mother’s grief. It was pretty intense, so definitely check out the trigger warnings on this one.

DEAR MARTIN BY NIC STONE*

Wow, this book was so good and such a moving read. I definitely want to read more of Nic Stone’s work now.

THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN BY MARIE BENEDICT AND VICTORIA CHRISTOPHER MURRAY*

If you like historical fiction, definitely check this one out. It’s a fascinating tale about the little-known historical figure of Belle da Costa Greene, who was a Black woman passing as white in the early 1900s.

PET BY AKWAEKE EMEZI

I love Emezi’s writing so much and I will read anything they write. The writing is beautiful here and this book has a great message.

BLACK CAKE BY CHARMAINE WILKERSON*

It might be early to say this, but I think this is a contender for top reads of the year! I loved this absorbing and well-written family drama.

REDEMPTOR BY JORDAN IFUEKO

What an incredibly satisfying sequel! I was so happy to return to the incredible world that Ifueko created.

RISE TO THE SUN BY LEAH JOHNSON*

This book gave me such summer vibes. There’s a lot of heart in this book, but I didn’t love it as much as her previous novel, You Should See Me in a Crown.

IN A NEW YORK MINUTE BY KATE SPENCER*

Yes please to a rom-com set in NYC! I loved it from the first few pages and it gave me that lovely warm and fuzzy feeling.

HARLEM SHUFFLE BY COLSON WHITEHEAD

Unsurprisingly, this was very good. Colson Whitehead has the range, for sure.

THEY NEVER LEARN BY LAYNE FARGO*

I really enjoyed this dark and gripping tale of a woman seeking revenge and getting away with murder.

THE GOLDEN COUPLE BY GREER HENDRICKS AND SARAH PEKKANEN

I enjoyed this domestic thriller on audio, but it also felt a bit too long to me.

PACHINKO BY MIN JIN LEE

I’m so glad that I finally read this book because it was brilliant and I absolutely loved it. I was so invested in these characters and their lives.

THE TOBACCO WIVES BY ADELE MYERS*

I think there was a lot of potential in this book, but I wished the author had explored certain themes or topics more and been more consistent with the character development.

OLGA DIES DREAMING BY XOCHITL GONZALEZ

This was another great audiobook listen and the author packs so many themes into this novel, such as motherhood, gentrification in Brooklyn, and the government’s terrible treatment of Puerto Ricans.

Have you read any of these or are any of these on your TBR?

*Thank you to the publisher for giving me a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, meaning that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through my links. Thank you for your support!

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One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

A moving and unforgettable exploration of the powerful bond between mother and daughter set on the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.

I haven’t read anything by Rebecca Serle yet, but I’m very drawn to the cover of this book and I feel like it would transport me to Italy (yes, please).

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye

Following one girl’s journey of magic, injustice, power, and revenge, Deborah Falaye’s debut novel, inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, is a magnetic combination of Children of Blood and Bone and An Ember in the Ashes.

All I saw was the phrase “inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology” and I was immediately sold on this fantasy read.

Smile and Look Pretty by Amanda Pellegrino

What happens when four assistants risk everything to say enough is enough?

I actually read this book last year and really enjoyed it. I’m planning to post a review for this one on IG very soon!

Vagabonds! by Eloghosa Osunde

In the bustling streets and cloistered homes of Lagos, a cast of vivid characters–some haunted, some defiant–navigate danger, demons, and love in a quest to lead true lives.

I was immediately intrigued by the premise of this book set in Nigeria, particularly when I was able to attend a preview event hosted by Riverhead Books and hear the author speak about their work.

A Novel Obsession by Caitlin Barasch

A wry and bold debut novel, which is at once an irresistible catastrophe waiting to happen and an unflinching exploration of how we narrate the stories of our lives, as an aspiring novelist finds herself stalking–and writing about–her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend.

I feel like I’ve seen this cover popping up everywhere and I’m so curious about this book. Plus it’s set in the literary world of NYC, so it really sounds like it would be right up my alley.

Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell by Taj McCoy

A delicious debut rom-com about a plus-size sweetheart who gets a full-life makeover after a brutal breakup.

A rom-com featuring a plus-size main character and home renovations sounds so great. If you don’t know this about me, I’m a sucker for an HGTV home renovation show!

I usually try to keep this list to six books, but I couldn’t leave out these two authors. I read their previous books last year (Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron and Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto) and absolutely loved them, so I’m very excited that they have new work coming out this month.

Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron

Jane Austen’s Emma goes Bollywoood in this delightful retelling from the highly acclaimed author of Accidentally Engaged, perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and Jasmine Guillory.

A Bollywood retelling of Emma? Say no more, that sounds fantastic!

Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The aunties are back, fiercer than ever and ready to handle any catastrophe–even the mafia–in this delightful and hilarious sequel by Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of Dial A for Aunties.

Dial A for Aunties was such a wild, hilarious ride and I can’t wait for more shenanigans to go down with Meddy and her aunties!

Are any of these books on your TBR? Let me know down in the comments below!

Disclosure: There are affiliate link(s) in this post, meaning that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through my links. Thank you for your support!

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Looking at this stack, I realize that I read mostly romances last month! Maybe because I was traveling for a couple weeks, I was more in the mood for light, quick reads? I read some exciting debuts and also scratched the itch that I was feeling to read more fantasy. I enjoyed the majority of what I read last month, so let’s get into it!

THE GILDED ONES BY NAMINA FORNA | 4 STARS

I was craving some fantasy at the beginning of the year, so I picked up this book that had been on my TBR for a while. It’s about a young girl named Deka who has to flee her village after the blood ceremony, when her blood runs gold and it’s revealed that she’s a demon. The extremely patriarchal society in this book sounds awful for women- basically they’re not supposed to do anything other than serve men. I loved that this book was full of badass warrior women. I will say that it was a quite gory and violent, so be warned if that’s not your thing! I really enjoyed this one and I’m so glad that the sequel is coming out later this year. [Check out my full review here.]

WAHALA BY NIKKI MAY* | 3.5 STARS

Ok, so I definitely did not see the ending of this book coming! It’s about three biracial women living in London and what happens to their friend group when a fourth woman gets added to the mix. I mostly enjoyed this book, but there were also offhand comments about race, about Nigerian culture and people, and about body size that made me a bit uncomfortable. Aside from that, it was an entertaining read about friendships that are tested to their limit. [Check out my full review here.]

DAUGHTER OF THE MOON GODDESS BY SUE LYNN TAN* | 5 STARS

This book was such an adventure- I loved it so much! It follows Xingyin, the daughter of the Moon Goddess, who’s forced to flee her home to avoid being detected by the Celestial Emperor. She then goes on an epic journey which includes action, adventure, magic, romance, dragons- I mean, what more could you want?! I thought the writing was really beautiful- there was a lyricism/musicality to her style that I really enjoyed. I was so immersed in this story and I’m so glad that Xingyin’s tale doesn’t end here because there will be a sequel! [Check out my full review here.]

YINKA, WHERE IS YOUR HUZBAND? BY LIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN* | 3.5 STARS

I was excited to read another debut novel from a British-Nigerian author last month. Yinka is leading a pretty successful life in London, but to her mother and auntie’s chagrin, she does not have any marriage prospects. When her cousin gets engaged, Yinka is determined to find a date for the wedding to get her family off her back. I saw that this was classified as a romance on Goodreads, but I would say it’s more of a contemporary fiction read. I thought this was funny and relatable and I generally had a good time while reading it. [Check out my full review here.]

WEATHER GIRL BY RACHEL LYNN SOLOMON* | 3.5 STARS

This was the January Literary League pick and I was looking forward to reading it because I’d heard good things about her previous book, The Ex Talk. This novel follows Ari, a meteorologist, who teams up with her colleague, Russell to try and fix their bosses’ relationship, which is affecting the whole station. This was a sweet read and I now know a lot more about meteorologists than I did before! I loved the way the author wrote about mental health and Ari’s struggles with depression. But, something was holding me back from fully falling in love with the developing relationship between Ari and Russ. I think that was a me thing though, and overall, this was a really enjoyable read.

THE HATING GAME BY SALLY THORNE | 2.5 STARS

When I decided to buddy read this with some booksta friends (@bookswithtay and @lifebytheink), I was very curious to see what the hype was all about. And I very rarely DNF books, but the last book I tried to read by Sally Thorne, 99 Percent Mine, was a DNF for me. So I was maybe a little wary of picking up this book too! It’s about two colleagues who work at a publishing house and do not get along. And then they end up competing head to head when a new position opens up at work that they both want. I found this a lot more readable than 99 Percent Mine, but I still found her writing style a little jarring. A few things annoyed me about this book. And in general, I struggled with the characters in this book because they didn’t feel developed enough and I just wasn’t on board for the main relationship. But in the moment, it was an entertaining enough read.

THE LOVE HYPOTHESIS BY ALI HAZELWOOD | 4 STARS

I guess I was in the mood for checking out super popular books, since I then picked up The Love Hypothesis, which I’d seen all over bookstagram and booktok. The main character, Olive, starts fake dating a professor named Adam, in order to convince her best friend that she’s over her ex and that it’s ok that her best friend has developed feelings for her ex! This was just as delightful as I was hoping it would be and I loved the dynamic between Olive and Adam- the grumpy vs. sunshine trope. I thought the writing was funny as well. Were certain situations highly unbelievable? Yes, but I still enjoyed it! This was a great romance read and I definitely want to read her next book.

Have you read any of these books?

*Thank you to the publisher for giving me a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, meaning that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through my links. Thank you for your support!

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For Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be fun to put together a list of romance reads by Black women. These are all books that I’ve read and loved. If you’ve been curious about any of these, hopefully this post will inspire you to pick up one or more of these books! Also, this list has lots of ideas if you’re participating in Crystal’s challenge to read 20 books by Black women (more about that here).

• Love in Color by Bolu Babalola- I loved this collection of mythological retellings! I really enjoyed her writing and appreciated that she chose stories from a variety of places and cultures.
• The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams- This book was so warm, charming and sweet. In particular, I thought that Williams did such a good job writing about body image, wellness, and fitness.
• Rebel by Beverly Jenkins- This was the first book I read by Beverly Jenkins, the queen of Black historical romance, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I learned about what New Orleans would have been like at that time and I was very into the swoony love interest in this story.
• Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory- I’d recommend any of Jasmine Guillory’s books, they are so delightful! I chose Party of Two because it’s one of my favorite books of hers and sinking back into this world she’s created is such a comforting feeling.
• The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon- In case you don’t know this about me, I love a fake dating story. Even though I’m not a huge sports person, I enjoyed this book from start to finish. And I think if you are a football fan, or a sports fan in general, you’d enjoy it even more!
• Seven Days in June by Tia Williams- This book just had to be on the list. It was one of my favorite books of 2021 and every time I see this cover pop up on my feed, I just think about how much I loved this book.
• Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon- Nicola Yoon got me good with this one- I definitely cried! There is so much humor and warmth and emotion in this sweet YA romance, and I was swept along for the ride.
• A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole- I picked this up on a whim one day and enjoyed it so much. I loved that this book focused on a woman in STEM and Cole’s writing really drew me into the story.
• Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert- Dani and Zaf have to be one of my favorite literary couples of all time! I absolutely loved the dialogue and banter between these two characters. The whole Brown Sisters trilogy is great, but Dani was definitely my favorite.
• Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon- When I heard that all of these amazing YA authors were writing this book together, I was so hyped! This interlinked novel set in NYC did not disappoint- it was so cute.

Have you read any of these? If so, tell me what you thought down in the comments below!

Disclosure: There are affiliate link(s) in this post, meaning that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through my links. Thank you for your support!

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Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

In this moving debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past–a journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London to California and ends with her famous black cake.

I’ve been hearing great things about this one and I’m excited to read it later this month with Literary League (side note, if you’re in NYC and interested in joining our book club chapter, check out this link!).

Vladimir by Julia May Jonas

A provocative, razor-sharp, and timely debut novel about a beloved English professor facing a slew of accusations against her professor husband by former students–a situation that becomes more complicated when she herself develops an obsession of her own…

This cover is eye catching for sure! I heard Gabby and Megan talking about it on a recent episode of And Her Books pod. And also Michelle posted a rave review recently, and I 100% trust her book taste, so now I really feel like I need to read this book.

Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow

From bestselling author Bethany C. Morrow comes a new adult social horror novel in the vein of Get Out meets My Sister, the Serial Killer, about Farrah, a young, calculating Black girl who manipulates her way into the lives of her Black best friend’s white, wealthy, adoptive family but soon suspects she may not be the only one with ulterior motives. . . .

I’ve wanted to read some of Bethany C. Morrow’s work for a while. Her latest novel sounds so interesting and even though I don’t read a ton of horror, I’m very intrigued by this one.

Moon Witch, Spider King by Marlon James

In Black Leopard, Red Wolf, Sogolon the Moon Witch proved a worthy adversary to Tracker as they clashed across a mythical African landscape in search of a mysterious boy who disappeared. In Moon Witch, Spider King, Sogolon takes center stage and gives her own account of what happened to the boy, and how she plotted and fought, triumphed and failed as she looked for him.

I have not read anything by Marlon James yet, so I need to fix that! I remember hearing about this series when the first book came out and now the sequel will be published this month. It sounds like an epic fantasy series and this is my reminder to read the first book in the series.

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

A clever and steamy queer romantic comedy about taking chances and accepting love–with all its complications–by debut author Ashley Herring Blake.

Ok, so the cover of this book is so cute and that’s what initially drew me in! Then I read the premise and it sounds like such a fun book. I haven’t seen any reviews of this one yet, but that kind of makes me even more curious about it.

Fake by Erica Katz

From the author of The Boys’ Club, a gripping novel set in the high-stakes world of art forgery that moves across the globe, from the trendy art galleries of Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood to the high-flying international art fairs of Hong Kong.

I’ve heard great things about her previous novel, The Boy’s Club, so when I saw she had a new book coming out, it piqued my interest. Plus, I love a globetrotting novel and I’m curious to learn more about the art world.

If you’ve read any of these or are planning to, I’d love to hear down in the comments below!

Disclosure: There are affiliate link(s) in this post, meaning that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through my links. Thank you for your support!

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My reading was a little eclectic in December and I liked it! After reading several holidays books back to back to back in 2020 and burning out on them, I knew that this past holiday season I had balance the holiday reads with other books as well. So I read some holiday romances, I actually finished a series (can you believe it?!) and read a couple January 2022 releases.

THE HOLIDAY SWITCH BY TIF MARCELO* | 3.5 STARS

This was the first holiday book I read in December and it’s a cute one. It’s about a book blogger named Lila who works in the charming seasonal town of Holly, New York. She’s planning to work the holiday break to make some extra cash for college, but when she accidentally swaps phones with Teddy, the annoying nephew of her boss, it throws a wrench in her plans. I loved Lila’s family and how close they were, and the sweet relationship she had with her siblings. I’m not sure if the romance between Lila and Teddy made much sense to me, but overall, this was a cute read about family and finding your path. [Check out my full review here.]

THE HOLIDAY SWAP BY MAGGIE KNOX | 3.5 STARS

Another holiday read that sounded right up my alley! Twins Charlie and Cassie end up swapping places after Charlie has an accident at work. The question is, can they really pull off spending two weeks in the other person’s life? This book had me hooked from the start! I mean, we have twins swapping places, a reality baking show in the vein of The Great British Bake Off, and a snowy small town set in the mountains of California. Overall, this was a fun holiday read that explored the theme of reevaluating your life and living it the way that you want to. [Check out my full review here.]

A SEASON FOR SECOND CHANCES  BY JENNY BAYLISS | 4.5 STARS

The Twelve Dates of Christmas was my favorite holiday read in 2020 so I could not wait to pick up her next book. This one is about Annie, a forty something woman whose marriage unceremoniously comes to an end at the beginning of the book. Annie needs a fresh start, so she moves to the charming seaside town of Willow Bay to lick her wounds and figure out what’s next for her. This was just the most delightfully cozy read. I think Jenny Bayliss is a great writer and once again she’s making me want to move to a small town! This was such a great read for this season and it’s the perfect book to curl up under a blanket with. It’s heartwarming and fun and charming, and when I finished it, I was left with a contented smile on my face. [Check out my full review here.]

THE DUTCH HOUSE BY ANN PATCHETT | 3.5 STARS

This is my first Ann Patchett book and it’s one I’ve been meaning to read for a while. Let’s start with a random thought first- it felt a little strange reading a book narrated by a man! I realized that a majority of the books I read are centered on female characters, so I definitely took note of the male presence here. It’s a book about a brother and sister, Danny and Maeve, the house they grew up in, and their family dynamics. The house is such a looming character in this novel and I felt they were obsessed with it, both in the past and the present. I did struggle a little with this book. While Patchett does have that cleverly quiet writing style that I enjoy, this novel didn’t fully grab me the way I was hoping it would. 

MEET ME IN LONDON BY GEORGIA TOFFOLO* | 4 STARS

My final holiday read of December was a good one and I was pleasantly surprised! Our main character, Victoria, is a clothing designer and has dreams of one day opening up her own shop. When she first meets Oliver, the owner of the new department store down the road, she’s not impressed, but she ends up agreeing to a fake engagement with him to essentially get his parents off his back! As I was reading, I loved seeing Victoria and Oliver develop a really good emotional connection when they opened up to each other. I enjoyed both main characters in this story. Also, I thought the romance was a nice slow burn, but I like spice in my books, so I would have loved to see more details there! [Check out my full review here.]

TO PARADISE BY HANYA YANAGIHARA* | 3 STARS

Let’s just say that this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022! I wrote a whole dedicated post where I poured out all my thoughts on this one (short version, it wasn’t my fave!), so I’d love for you to check out that post if you’re interested [Check out my full review here.]

GREENWICH PARK BY KATHERINE FAULKNER* | 4 STARS (out 1/25)

It had been a while since I’d read a thriller and I was hearing good things about this 2022 release. When Helen meets Rachel at a prenatal class, it doesn’t seem like they’d hit it off because of their differences. Rachel smokes, drinks, is loud, and just generally sticks out from Helen’s usual social circle. Helen is lonely however and wants a new friend, so Rachel starts to become more and more involved in Helen’s life. But as Rachel starts to exhibity some strange behavior, Helen can’t help but wonder, what exactly does Rachel want with her? The short, brisk chapters in this novel really propelled the story forward and I couldn’t stop turning the pages! This is a story about the past coming back to haunt you and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

THE HAND ON THE WALL BY MAUREEN JOHNSON | 4 STARS

Y’all, I can’t believe I actually finished a series in 2021! This is the third book in the Truly Devious series. Technically, there’s a fourth book, but I believe it’s a completely separate story as the mystery gets wrapped up in this book. Since it’s part of a series, I won’t tell you what it’s about to avoid spoilers. This book was fast-paced and I was just itching to see how it all came together. I thought it was a satisfying ending to this series, which I had a lot of fun reading. I would definitely recommend the series if you enjoy YA and mysteries!

Are any of these books on your TBR?

*Thank you to the publisher for giving me a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, meaning that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through my links. Thank you for your support!

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I love looking back and picking out my favorite reads each year. Some years it feels like agony trying to narrow down the list (dramatic much? lol) and other times, it’s easy. This year, before I even sat down to make my list, I had a pretty good idea of which books would make it on there. If you follow me over on bookstagram, I bet you’d be able to guess some of my picks. Without further ado, let’s get into my list (books are in no particular order)!

Top 10

• Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters- I read this book back in February 2021 and I still think about it from time to time. The writing was so good and these characters were so flawed and nuanced and fascinating. (full review here)
• The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton- I’m still not over the fact that this book is not nonfiction! There is such a richness of detail in the story and these characters just jump off the page. (full review here)
• Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon- Yes, this book made me cry! Yoon just took my heart and smashed it to pieces in the best way possible. (full review here)
• Seven Days in June by Tia Williams- I loved this book so so much. So much. Just go read it, please! (full review here)
• The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang- This book was so emotional and heartfelt. I loved it the way Hoang treats her characters with such tenderness and care and allows them to be so vulnerable. (full review here)
• The Love Songs of W. E. B. Dubois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers- This was such an epic family saga and I thought the way that Jeffers wove this story together was masterful. (full review here)
• Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko- I am so here for YA fantasy where a Black girl gets to be the hero of the story and I just loved this book from start to finish. (full review here)
• Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray- This debut YA fantasy was one of my most highly anticipated 2021 releases and it truly delivered. Thank goodness the sequel is coming out this year because I need to know what happens next! (full review here)
• Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi- This is the first book that I’ve read by Choi and I thought her writing was beautiful. It was just so vivid, descriptive, and evocative, and I felt so much heartache while reading this book. (full review here)
• The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans- Evans can write, these stories are tight and sharp. I thoroughly enjoyed this collection that explored the topics of race, family, and relationships, among other things. (full review here)

Honorable Mentions

• Accidentally Engaged by Farah Heron- This was one of my favorite romances that I read last year. It was such an enjoyable read full of food, family, and love. (full review here)
• The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin- I’m amazed at how Jemisin was able to craft this world and this story. This book requires some focus and I had to flex my reading muscles to get a grip on what was going on, which was intellectually stimulating! (full review here)
• Infinite Country by Patricia Engel- I read this beautifully written novel about immigration and the fantasy of the “American Dream” in one day. For a great pairing, read this novel and then follow it up with The Undocumented Americans. (full review here)
• Love in Color by Bolu Babalola- I’m such a romantic at heart. I love stories about love and I loved this collection. (full review here)
• Passing by Nella Larsen- I finally read this classic that had been on my TBR for years and it was excellent.  I loved the writing and the drama of this story and that ending had me shook! (full review here)

Have you read any of these or any of them on your TBR?

Disclosure: There are affiliate link(s) in this post, meaning that I may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through my links. Thank you for your support!

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Synopsis

In an alternate version of 1893 America, New York is part of the Free States, where people may live and love whomever they please (or so it seems). The fragile young scion of a distinguished family resists betrothal to a worthy suitor, drawn to a charming music teacher of no means. In a 1993 Manhattan besieged by the AIDS epidemic, a young Hawaiian man lives with his much older, wealthier partner, hiding his troubled childhood and the fate of his father. And in 2093, in a world riven by plagues and governed by totalitarian rule, a powerful scientist’s damaged granddaughter tries to navigate life without him—and solve the mystery of her husband’s disappearances.

These three sections are joined in an enthralling and ingenious symphony, as recurring notes and themes deepen and enrich one another: A townhouse in Washington Square Park in Greenwich Village; illness, and treatments that come at a terrible cost; wealth and squalor; the weak and the strong; race; the definition of family, and of nationhood; the dangerous righteousness of the powerful, and of revolutionaries; the longing to find a place in an earthly paradise, and the gradual realization that it can’t exist. What unites not just the characters, but these Americas, are their reckonings with the qualities that make us human: Fear. Love. Shame. Need. Loneliness.

To Paradise is a fin de siècle novel of marvellous literary effect, but above all it is a work of emotional genius. The great power of this remarkable novel is driven by Yanagihara’s understanding of the aching desire to protect those we love – partners, lovers, children, friends, family and even our fellow citizens – and the pain that ensues when we cannot.

My Thoughts

Do you ever feel a little apprehension when you pick up an anticipated read? This was one of my most anticipated 2022 releases. A Little Life is one of my all-time favorite books. There was just no way that my expectations were not going to be extremely high for this book. I was a little hesitant and afraid to start it, due to fear of being disappointed. And I waited until I had a break and a chunk of time to read it, because I wanted to give this book my full attention. 

I didn’t know much about the story going in. I tried to stay away from reviews and other bookstagram posts before I started in order to avoid having my opinion influenced. But of course, I couldn’t help but see a few things. And I got the sense that other people who were also excited about this book had read it and realized that it wasn’t the book they were hoping it would be. As you can see, I’m trying to set the scene to provide context about my reading experience. This book made me think about expectations and other influences that affect how we experience a book. 

To Paradise* is an ambitious and sweeping novel that didn’t grasp me the way I was hoping it would. Yanagihara writes about the human condition, the desire to find a place and a purpose in this world. About yearning to love someone and be loved in return. About seeking utopia and what that means to different people. About the idea of America as a nation. Her writing continues to be beautiful, but the emotional connection I was hoping to develop to the story and characters never came.

In Book I, I didn’t understand the use of certain language, even though I suppose it’s in keeping with the time. I questioned the existence of slavery, even in an alternate reality. I thought the structure of this book was interesting and also confusing at times. I wondered if we were in some kind of multiverse, with a variety of realities existing at the same time. I felt that the Book III in particular was too long and that the overall novel could have been a couple hundred pages shorter. And I didn’t enjoy the discussion around pandemics in the final Book. For me personally, it’s just too close to home, too soon.

I felt there was an emphasis on the relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren. What happens when parents are disappointments to their children or children are disappointments to their parents? We see grandparents that become surrogate parents, and in some ways, have the ability to try again, to correct the mistakes of their past. We see how people make decisions that affect the rest of their lives. Or, how they fall into decisions, stumble onto paths, and then are carried along, unable or unwilling to set a different course.

Of course, I loved that the book was set in New York and centered around Washington Square. And I’m still appreciative of her writing style. I wouldn’t say that this was a disappointing read, because at some point along the way, I realized that I wasn’t going to love this book, and so I let my expectations go. I think after catching glimpses of negative rumblings about the book, I thought I would be disappointed, but I still wanted to read it and form my own opinion. I can’t help but have expectations about the books I pick up. Not every book will live up to my expectations, and that’s ok.

This was a sweeping and experimental tale, with Yanagihara’s observant and cutting prose, but perhaps it was too ambitious, and in doing so, became convoluted. Several of her stylistic choices were puzzling, such as creating an alternate history in Book I and then completely abandoning it, or choosing to use the same character names throughout each Book, even though they are different characters. All the elements of this book did not come together for me. I think I was afraid that reading her latest novel might diminish or reduce my experience of reading A Little Life. I loved that book and I did not love this book, but I will still continue to be interested in anything else that Yanagihara decides to write. And now I’m so curious to hear what other people think about To Paradise. If you’ve read this one, let’s chat in the comments down below!

Have you read any of Hanya Yanagihara’s books?

*Thank you to the publisher for giving me a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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It feels like 2022 is starting off strong! I could have easily picked 10 or 12 books for this list, but I decided to narrow it down to these 6 new releases that are on my radar.

1. Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

A blazing talent debuts with the tale of a status-driven wedding planner grappling with her social ambitions, absent mother, and Puerto Rican roots–all in the wake of Hurricane Maria.

I feel like I’ve been seeing this cover a lot and I’m definitely intrigued by the premise. Plus, I’m pretty sure it’s set in NYC, and you all know I love to read books set in NYC!

2. Wahala by Nikki May

An incisive and exhilarating debut novel following three Anglo-Nigerian best friends and the lethally glamorous fourth woman who infiltrates their group–the most unforgettable girls since Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha.

Ooooo, this sounds juicy and it’s getting compared to Sex and the City! Also, this is a debut novel by a British-Nigerian author, and I’m so here for that.

3. Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

A captivating debut fantasy inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess, Chang’e , in which a young woman’s quest to free her mother pits her against the most powerful immortal in the realm and sets her on a dangerous path–where choices come with deadly consequences, and she risks losing more than her heart.

I was following along as Simone read this one last month and her rave review made me even more excited to read it. I’ve been craving some fantasy recently, so I have a feeling I’m going to pick this one up very soon.

4. To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara

From the author of the classic “A Little Life”– a bold, brilliant novel spanning three centuries and three different versions of the American experiment, about lovers, family, loss and the elusive promise of utopia.

A Little Life is one of my all-time faves, so I was ecstatic when I heard Yanagihara had a new book coming out this year. And I’ve actually already read this one. I’m hoping to get my review up before pub day, so stay tuned!

5. Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

Meet Yinka: a thirty-something, Oxford-educated, British Nigerian woman with a well-paid job, good friends, and a mother whose constant refrain is “Yinka, where is your huzband?”

I am thrilled that there are two novels by British-Nigerian authors coming out this month- it feels like Christmas! And this one sounds laugh out loud funny. I can’t wait to read it!

6. Greenwich Park by Katherine Faulkner

A twisty, whip-smart debut thriller, as electrifying as the #1 New York Times bestseller “The Girl on the Train,” about impending motherhood, unreliable friendship, and the high price of keeping secrets.

I picked this one up because Grace read and recommended it and I was in the mood for a thriller. It didn’t disappoint and I couldn’t stop turning the pages!

What do you think? Are you adding any of these to your TBR and/or preordering?

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