January is flying by – with some snow, lots of twinkle lights, and a sweet yoga teacher training graduation. Amid all that, here’s what I have been reading:
The Radiant Dark, Alexandra Oliva
Does intelligent life exist elsewhere? In Oliva’s narrative, a transmission from a distant planet known as Ross 128 b tips the answer toward yes – and powerfully shapes the lives of one family. New mother Carol believes the message has spiritual implications; later, her daughter Rosanna will grow up to become a scientist working on transport to other planets. This bittersweet novel has “first contact” as its framing, but it’s really about mothers and children, generational cycles, and the ways the past reverberates down the decades. To review for Shelf Awareness (out April 28).
Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls, Kaela Rivera
I snagged this middle-grade novel for $4 at the Booksmith and enjoyed the story of Cece, who tries to become a bruja (witch) to rescue her kidnapped sister from the dark criatura El Sombrerón. I loved watching Cece stay true to herself, even as she ventures into dangerous territory, and the Mexican/Indigenous/Southwestern mythology was fascinating.
The Fortune Flip, Lauren Kung Jessen
Hazel Yen is having a rough luck patch, even for her: divorced, laid off, struggling with her dad’s gambling habit. Logan Wells is used to things going his way. When they collide at a fortune-teller’s table, they get a joint fortune – or does their luck get switched? I loved this sweet, funny NYC rom-com with two leads who were both thoughtful and fun; I also adored Logan’s job as a Broadway-show carpenter and Hazel’s new gig at a candy store. Charming. To review for Shelf Awareness (out March 17).
From Cradle to Grave, Rhys Bowen
I’m a longtime fan of Bowen’s fun historical mystery series featuring Lady Georgiana O’Mara (nee Rannoch), cousin to the British royal family. This 19th (!) book finds Georgie digging for connections between four seemingly unrelated deaths of young aristocratic men. She’s also dealing with a tyrannical nanny, foisted upon her by her odious sister-in-law. I cheered as Georgie stood up to several bullies, and the mystery was great fun, as always.
Escape from Capitalism: An Intervention, Clara E. Mattei
Mattei, an Italian economist, lays out some of the amoral features of capitalism and argues that unemployment and poverty are actually features of the system. She also highlights capitalism’s ties to fascism, and the ways it is set up to make the rich richer (as we are seeing). Smart and thoughtful – if a bit dense at times. I wanted more from the final chapter about alternative systems. I received an ARC (out Jan. 27).
Last Dance Before Dawn, Katharine Schellman
I’ve loved Schellman’s sparkling, sharp-edged mystery series featuring the Nightingale, a speakeasy in Prohibition-era NYC. This fourth and final book follows waitress/dressmaker Vivian Kelly as she tracks down both her long-elusive family and some answers to a mystery that has a local gangster sniffing around the Nightingale. Surprises ensue, including a couple of twists I didn’t see coming. I’ve loved watching Vivian grow as a character and I like the ensemble cast, including Vivian’s bartender/brother-in-law Danny Chin and the Nightingale’s enigmatic owner, Honor Huxley.
Shut Up and Read: A Memoir from Harriett’s Bookshop, Jeannine A. Cook
Cook’s memoir delves into her journey as a bookseller, opening and running Harriett’s Bookshop in Philly (2020-present) while trying to find her voice as a writer. She writes about her work in community organizing, mentoring the shop’s Youth Conductors, her push-pull relationship with her father, and the women who have mentored and inspired her, including Lorene Cary and Harriett Tubman herself. To review for Shelf Awareness (out March 10).
Most links (not affiliate links) are to my local fave Brookline Booksmith. Shop indie!
What are you reading?
cakes, tea and dreams 