Review: "The Little Paris Bookshop," by Nina George

This book was originally published in the writer's native German in 2013 and translated into English in 2019.

The Little Paris Bookshop is a novel about a bookseller that has the gift of pairing books with readers. He is a literary apothecary giving readers precisely what they need to heal their souls even though he is hiding his own pain and story of lost love.  Twenty years before, he received a letter from his lover. Assuming it is a "Dear John" letter, he stashes it away, never to be read. When he finally reads the letter he sets off on a literal and metaphoric journey to heal his broken heart.

This is a story of lost love, finding yourself, and finding new love. Nina George's writing is lush, and I found myself underlining so many passages. One of my favorite passages resonated with me because it sums up why I love books and travel. "Reading-an endless journey; a long, indeed never-ending journey that made one more temperate as well as more loving and kind" -Nina George. Whether you are traveling through the passages of a novel or in the literal sense you should always come out a better person for getting to experience a world outside your own. 

I picked up this book to read on a trip to Paris and it left me longing for the South of France. If you need a book to lose yourself in, this is the book for you. 

Review: "Olga Dies Dreaming," by Xotchil Gonzalez

 

Olga Dies Dreaming is a debut novel by Xotchil Gonzalez. It is a character-driven novel with complex, well-developed characters. The book will be officially published on January 4th, but I was able to get an early release through my Book of the Month subscription.  

While there are many layers to the themes, at its core, it is a story about family, relationships, culture, and the effects of American Imperialism on its territories. The novel is written in multi-perspective voices. On one side is Olga, an event organizer that plans lavish weddings for the elite, and the other perspective is told from her brother, Prieto, a New York Congressman. Family ties their stories together. There is their ever-present family, Tias, Tios, Primos, and from afar, their estranged mother, manipulating and influencing them through letters. 

The first half of the novel takes you through the lives of the main characters and then takes a turn in its complexity with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico. The reader will learn about the nuances of what it means for territories like Puerto Rico to be a part of the United States. While they are citizens and serve our country in the military, they have no representation in the US government or autonomy for their own economy.  

The author handles serious issues in an approachable way. This is the kind of book you will want to discuss with others. If your book club likes deep discussions, definitely check this one out. 

Review: "The Last Thing He Told Me," by Laura Dave

The Last Thing He Told Me, by Laura Dave, is a gripping novel that you will have difficulty putting down. After the FBI raids his office, Hannah's husband, Owen, disappears. The last thing he does is to leave Hannah with a message to protect his teenage daughter. She is left with more questions than answers as she tries to figure out why Owen has fled. The biggest question is, is Owen really who she thinks he is?

As Hannah questions what she knows about Owen her stream of consciousness gives you their backstory. The novel starts off in Sausalito, California, and then the action-packed plot takes you to Austin. As someone who has lived in the Austin area for 20 years, I found these scenes a little distracting. I kept nitpicking the accuracy of small details of the city. However, the storytelling, the suspense, and the action held my attention. It has been a while since a book has kept me up past midnight. I found the resolution somewhat unrealistic, but I still enjoyed the overall story. If you like a fast-paced, suspenseful novel then check this one out. 

Review: "What's Mine and Yours," by Naima Coster

 

What's Mine and Yours, by Naima Coster, is a multiperspective novel that takes you back and forth from the past to the present. On one side, you have the Ventura sisters and their dysfunctional parents, and on the other side you have Gee and his overbearing mother. This character-driven novel is a contemporary perspective of racial tension in a small town.  Mothers will go through all lengths to do what they think is best for their children, even when sometimes those decisions ostracize their own children. I enjoyed the storytelling and discovering how everyone is connected in unexpected ways. 

Review: "The Neighbor's Secret," by L. Alison Heller

 

The Neighbor's Secret, by L. Allison Heller. How well do you really know your neighbors? In this idyllic suburban neighborhood, the neighbors host monthly book clubs complete with themed drinks. Some neighbors have lived there for decades and have seen families, tragedies, and neighborhood drama come and go. Everyone has their own secret, and neighbors are connected in ways they have yet to discover.  The story is slow at first because there are a lot of characters to meet, each with their own backstories and conflict.  However, as the narrative moves along and the secrets unravel, the book is hard to put down. 

30 Books For Hispanic Heritage Month

 

Click on the image above to click on each book cover for more information on each book.

It was so hard to choose which books to highlight this month. There are fortunately so many great books by Latinx authors or books that highlight inspiring Latino icons.  These 30 books are just a few of the many great titles available. Some authors like Margarita Engle, Monica Brown, Yuyu Morales, etc., are prolific writers and I could have chosen so many of their other books. I tried to highlight books for all ages, so I hope that these titles will lead you to other great Latinx writers. Check out some of my other blog posts for other Latinx novels that I had posted about before!    

Review: "Skye Falling", by Mia Mckenzie

 

Skye is a complicated woman. As an owner of a travel guide company, she has no need to establish any roots in her hometown of Philadelphia. That is until Vicky comes into her life. At 26 years old Skye was broke, and when an old childhood friend asks her to be an egg donor she jumps at the chance to make a quick buck. Now it is 12 years later her childhood friend has passed away from breast cancer and Vicky is looking for her egg donor. Meeting an angst-filled tween like Vicky changes Skye and gives her a reason to spend more time in Philadelphia. She is forced to face her demons and the parts of herself that she likes to keep hidden. 

This is a character-driven novel with the underlying theme of  family trauma and the issues that underly gentrification. You will find yourself rooting for Skye and hoping that she makes the right decisions when it comes to Vicky, family and love. 🕮🐛🐛🐛