Tag Archives: Fiction

You Should Pity Us Instead — Amy Gustine

“If you don’t belong where you’re born, you’ll never belong anywhere.”

Genre: Cultural Heritage Fiction, Essays and Collections
Actual Rating: 3 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses death, suicide, mental illness, and so many more things. This is a compilation of really dark stories, so if you’re not in the best headspace, then don’t grab this book.

“You Should Pity Us Instead” was Amy Gustine’s debut collection of short stories (but she’s published lots since then). All following different characters along different settings—from different cultures, cities, countries—these stories will drag you into an existential crisis for sure.

If you’re looking for a depressing compilation of stories, look no further. Amy Gustine found a way to write about really heavy topics and very distinct characters and narrators in these entertaining short stories. Usually I feel like short stories leave us with more questions than answer—due to their short nature—but I am happy to say this was not the case with (most of) this compilation. (And why were they so many cat-related stories? I love cats, why make them into sad sad sad stories?)

Have you read “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara? Well, if you’ve read that and liked it, then this book is for you. The stories are so heavy and depressing, that I’m not sure I would ever be able to give this book as a gift, but it was still a good read.

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ARC — Must Love Books — Shauna Robinson

“There’s more to you than just your book.”

Genre: Fiction, Women’s Fiction
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses racism, suicide, and suicidal ideation.

You know the feeling when all the things that could go wrong, actually go wrong? Well, that’s exactly how Nora Hughes is feeling after she finds herself stuck in a job that’s underpaying her and that’s in her dream field, but not even remotely close to her dream job—she’s an assistant editor at a publisher…..that only publishes business books written by middle-aged white men for middle-aged white men. She dreamed of editing the next big American novel, but that couldn’t be further from her reality. So when they cut her salary even further, making it so she can’t even afford rent anymore, she will have to resort to some slightly unethical practices to survive.

Don’t let the cover misguide you. The publisher does not classify this as a romance book, and they’re right at that. “Must Love Books” is not a romance per se, even though there are some romantic scenes and sexual tension here and there. It, in fact, does not bang (like, they do bang but we don’t get to see any of that).

On another note, I found it a bit off-putting how the narrator went about addressing race. I feel like she put so much focus on people being white, judging them instantly at times. And I get it, I’m latinx and I’ve been underestimated by the way I look, but in Nora’s case, it was mentioned too much, especially in the beginning of the book.

Putting those things aside, this was a great book. I mean, what reader doesn’t love a book about books? The characters were charming and the story engaging at all times.

I would recommend this book to readers who’ve enjoyed books by Sally Thorne and Emily Henry. I mean, to be honest, I will probably be recommending this book all year round. It’s that good.

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: January 18, 2022

ARC — This World Does Not Belong to Us — Natalia García Freire, translated by Victor Meadowcroft

“Don’t you think that, after our deaths, after everything, it is they who are the stronger ones? And that, all things considered, perhaps this world does not belong to us, but to those miniscule beings, so numerous that they could bury us completely if they ever came together.”

Genre: Fiction
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses death. Also, insects and dead animals are prominent topics, if you have a phobia related to any insect, don’t read this book.

“This World Does Not Belong to Us” follows Lucas as he visits his childhood home after he was sent off and sold into slavery. Since then, his father has died and his mother has been labeled a madwoman—oh, and two strangers they had invited into their home years back are now permanently living it.

This book is deeply troubled and yet somehow beautifully poetic. It feels like it’s Lucas’s way of grieving not only his father’s death but all he lost when he was sent away. Between a series of flashbacks, Lucas relives the days he spent in the home that is no longer his.

I would recommend this book to people who like magical realism. So, people who have enjoyed books by authors like Gabriel García Márquez, Carlos Fuentes, and Isabel Allende. These books are filled with absurd circumstances that are portrayed as if they’re not absurd at all. I can see why this debut novel is so highly acclaimed in its original language, congratulations to Natalia García Freire and thanks to Victor Meadowcroft for this beautiful translation.

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: May 03, 2022

ARC — Long Story Short — Serena Kaylor

“What must it be like to feel so confident in your own skin that wearing another person’s seemed like nothing at all?”

Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

“Long Story Short” follows Beatrice as she embarks on a Shakespearian summer camp adventure in order to show her parents she’s mature enough to move to another continent in order to attend the university of her dreams. Branching out from a to-do list, she makes friends, breaks rules, and, surprisingly, has some fun in the process.

I found Bea’s inner voice to be very engaging and I absolutely loved the friendships she built as she broke out of her shell. Mia and Nolan were the perfect summer camp friends, and they kind of made me reminisce all the friends I made in summer camps when I was younger. Slow-burn crushes usually aren’t my favorite, but I must say I enjoyed this one very much.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes nerdy YA novels, because oh- does this book get down and nerdy about Shakespeare. But really, you don’t have to know much about Shakespeare to enjoy this book (take it from me, I’ve only really read Twelfth Night and I still thoroughly enjoyed this book). Do not hesitate to pre-order this book, so you’ll get it as soon as it’s published. You will not regret it.

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ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: July 26, 2022

p.s. Nik is essentially Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and I was there for it.

Yes No Maybe So — Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

“I would freeze history if I could. Right here, this exact moment, this is my favorite point on the timeline.”

Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings: Touches the subjects of racism and discrimination.

“Yes No Maybe So” follows Maya and Jamie as they rekindle their childhood friendship, become active in their local government issues, and maybe, just maybe, fall in love. Directly showcasing the reality of racism and discrimination, and how we’re able to fight them with even the smallest of actions, this book could be a great resource for teachers and librarians who’d like to empower young readers.

This was my first time reading Aisha Saeed’s writing, but I can’t wait to read some more of her books. I assume her chapters were the Maya chapters, and I must say these were some of my favorites. Then there’s Becky Albertalli, who is easily one of my favorite authors. I know her books aren’t aimed to my age group, but I still thoroughly enjoy them.

“Yes No Maybe So” is a perfect example of why teenage advocacy is both valid and necessary. Because, yes, even if they can’t vote, their opinions matter.

But you want to know what “Yes No Maybe So” was not? It was not a fair representation of any of the religions and cultural backgrounds (and sexual identities) that were supposed to be included. It felt like these backgrounds were written in just for the sake of being inclusive.

I would recommend this book to high schoolers (and some middle schoolers) who are interested in making a change. And really, I would recommend it to just about anyone who likes YA fiction too. It’s a good book. It’s witty, funny, well-paced, and entertaining. It’s just not as representative as it pans out to be.

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Inconvenient Daughter: A Novel — Lauren J. Sharkey

Genre: Coming-of-age, Fiction
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Trigger Warnings: Dating/domestic violence, r*pe

I really liked the writing but didn’t fully get into the story. This book follows Rowan, a girl who was adopted from South Korea by white parents. We see her struggle with her identity, make dubious life choices, and then finally come back to herself.

I loved Rowan’s inner voice. Absolutely loved her as a character. I just couldn’t empathize with how she managed the situations she was in. I feel bad for all she went through by the end of the book, but I’m sorry, her mom still didn’t deserve that.

Overall, it’s a good book and I can’t wait to read more from Lauren J. Sharkey. I would recommend this book to people who liked “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara.

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A Woman Is No Man — Etaf Rum

“To want what you can’t have in this life is the greatest pain of all.”

Genre: Cultural heritage fiction
Actual Rating: 5+ stars
Trigger Warnings: Death, domestic violence, r*pe

It took me a long time to finish this book, but only because it carried such a heavy message. It has absolutely no reflection on the masterpiece of a debut this book was.

“A Woman Is No Man” follows three generations of Palestinian women; all in different stages of their lives, all trying to do their best within their possibilities, all linked by the tragedy of being alive in a society that wants to silence them.

Every time the title of the book was mentioned within its chapters it just absolutely tore me apart. My heart broke for Deya, Isra, Fareeda, Sarah, and every woman that’s ever felt like they have no voice and no choice.

This book is an absolute must-read. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s so well written and it shares a story that isn’t showcased enough in mainstream writing. If you’re able to get a hold of this book, do it. I tried listening to an audiobook but it wasn’t the same. Reading the words to this book is absolutely necessary.

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