The New Wilderness

Here we are. A couple months later, a little behind schedule of my goal of finishing before the shortlist was announced, but nevertheless better late than never: my final Aspen Words 2021 longlist read/review! I won't lie, this is the longlist book I was least interested in reading, so I saved it for last. I almost decided…

If I Had Two Wings

Here I am with my second-to-last Aspen Words Literary Prize 2021 longlist review. This is also one of the 5 finalists for the prize, which I didn’t get to read until after that shortlist was announced. But better late than never! Also, I had no idea that the author lived in the same town in…

A Girl Is a Body of Water

My 11th Aspen Words Literary Prize 2021 longlist read! I actually have had an earlier novel by Makumbi, Kintu, on my TBR for years. Having read this one first, due to my personal longlist challenge, I have to say that I am blown away by Makumbi’s work and am now planning to pick that one…

Against the Loveless World

This is the 8th book from the Aspen Words Literary Prize 2021 longlist that I have read (halfway through the list!)…and I am pretty sure it’s going to make it onto my shortlist prediction. Because holy *deep breath* this is a powerhouse of a novel. Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa “I indulge an…

The Night Watchman

My 6th Aspen Words 2021 longlist read! I feel like it’s gonna be cutting it close to get this whole longlist read, but I am doing my best. This is my third novel by Erdrich. I read The Round House before joining starting this blog, years ago now, so I don’t have an official review…

Disability Visibility

I cut it really close, but this is the final book I needed to finish out the Reading Women Challenge 2020 (this is for prompt #8 “An Anthology by Multiple Authors”). Of note, I’ll post a full compilation of all the books I read for the Challenge, and likely list some favorites of the bunch…

Transcendent Kingdom

Like many other people, I absolutely loved Homegoing. I read it a few years ago and was truly blown away. It’s actually one of the very first books I ever reviewed on my blog. (Also, looking back at the post to link it here, I had totally forgotten that I included recommendations for similar books…

Delicious!

The August (I know, I know, but I somehow overlooked it, so it's getting a very last review post) book theme for my long-distance book club was food. I have no idea where we came up with that, but it was a fun theme that prompted a lot of super awesome book suggestions! Plus, convenient,…

Hamnet

This book was not really on my TBR, to be honest. I had it on my radar, but just didn't think I was going to be feeling it...really ever. But a few things happened in conjunction that basically made me feel like I was going to have to give it a try. First, and mostly the…

Emma

Although I was one of those awesome nerds in high school that loved Jane Austen and truly read all the books by her we were assigned, I am not sure that I have actually picked up an original from her since then. I have both read and watched many adaptations and retellings (some repeatedly…2005 Pride…