What Kingdom is Dutch poet Fine Gråbøl’s debut novel, translated by Martin Aitken. Our unnamed, young narrator is navigating her life in a psychiatric care facility. Through direct, uncomplicated prose, we meet the fellow residents, follow the drudgery of organizing group meals and grocery shopping, and watch as caregivers come and go. For a book … Continue reading Review: What Kingdom, by Fine Gråbøl, translated by Martin Aitken (Archipelago)
Review: Thirst, by Marina Yuszczuk, translated by Heather Cleary (Dutton)
A translated gothic vampire novel?! Gimme it! I foolishly used to think I didn’t like vampire stories. But over the last few years, there have been some wonderful examples; Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste, The Hacienda by Isabela Canas, recent TV adaptations of Interview with the Vampire and Dracula, and THAT episode of UK anthology … Continue reading Review: Thirst, by Marina Yuszczuk, translated by Heather Cleary (Dutton)
Review: The Haunting of Velkwood, by Gwendolyn Kiste (Saga Press)
The Haunting of Velkwood is compelling from the first page, and does not let go until the very end. The concept of this novel is so clever, yet so simple. Instead of a haunted house, we have a haunted block of homes, which no one can enter, except the three survivors. Our protagonist, Talitha, is … Continue reading Review: The Haunting of Velkwood, by Gwendolyn Kiste (Saga Press)
Review: I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home, by Lorrie Moore (Knopf)
It’s safe to say things are not going well for Finn. He has been suspended from his teaching job, his brother is dying in a hospice, and he is pining for his ex, Lily. While Finn is having what could be a final visit with his brother, he gets an urgent call regarding Lily, and … Continue reading Review: I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home, by Lorrie Moore (Knopf)
Review: Biography of X, by Catherine Lacey (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Catherine Lacey is on my auto-read list after I was blown away by her 2020 novel, Pew, an uncanny tale not too far removed from the The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas (Le Guin). Her latest, The Biography of X, is an incredibly impressive novel, in which a widow chronicles the life of her … Continue reading Review: Biography of X, by Catherine Lacey (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Review: Sea Change, by Gina Chung (Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor)
Sea Change is a surprising little gem of a book. I was drawn in by the promise of octopus friendship, but I stayed for the incredibly relatable (human) protagonist. Ro is floundering. Her boyfriend has left to embark on a literal mission to Mars, she is still mourning her missing-presumed-dead father, her mother is “difficult”, … Continue reading Review: Sea Change, by Gina Chung (Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor)
My Favorite Books of 2021
Alright lads?! Another year down the shitter, eh? Thankfully, we’ve got books to keep us from going completely mad. And hopefully you’ve read some incredible stories this year. In no particular order, here are my favorites from 2021, with links to my original reviews (if I wrote one). Chouette, by Claire Oshetsky (Virago/Ecco) Every so … Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2021
Review – Burntcoat, by Sarah Hall (Custom House)
To be honest, writing this review really intimidates me. I am absolutely in awe of Sarah Hall’s talent; I find her writing ethereal. Her short stories are beyond compare, evidenced by the fact she has been shortlisted for the annual BBC National Short Story Award four times, and is the only person to have won … Continue reading Review – Burntcoat, by Sarah Hall (Custom House)
Book Review – A Touch of Jen, by Beth Morgan (Little, Brown & Company)
I almost don’t want to give anything away about A Touch of Jen, the explosive debut novel from Beth Morgan. My advice to those who have not read it is to stop reading this review right now, avoid reading any plot descriptions, and just start reading the book. I’ve said this before, but I’m a … Continue reading Book Review – A Touch of Jen, by Beth Morgan (Little, Brown & Company)
Short Story Update
The Saddest Short Story Ever Written Yesterday, I read the saddest short story I've ever read in my life, so I need to share the details with you. I found this little gem in The Persephone Book of Short Stories, which features a wealth of gorgeous stories by well-known and little-known female writers. I urge … Continue reading Short Story Update
California Reading 