Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

 

This was an interesting read, which I wanted to read as soon as I heard about it. Not sure why it did not captivate me the way I wanted it to.  

From GoodReads:

When Catalina is admitted to Harvard, it feels like the fulfillment of destiny: a miracle child escapes death in Latin America, moves to Queens to be raised by her undocumented grandparents, and becomes one of the chosen. But nothing is simple for Catalina, least of all her complicated, contradictory, ruthlessly probing mind. Now a senior, she faces graduation to a world with no place for the undocumented. Her sense of doom intensifies her curiosities and desires.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

I absolutely loved this book. The author is so clever and funny and the story is one that so many women will relate to, I am sure.  I listened to an interview with her on "The Book Case Podcast" and it was very enlightening. I love to hear authors talk about their books and she was especially insightful.

The book's title refers to three things:  the town of Sandwich on Cape Cod, where this family has been going for 20 years, the lunch food, and "the sandwich generation."

It's short and easy to read and I'd read it again in a minute!

The Women by Kristin Hannah

This book is everywhere! "Best book" lists, top of the Best Seller List, on everyone's WTR list.

I don't get it! I read it and found it to be very predictable and not very informative about women's experiences in Vietnam, which was the point of the book, I think. I could be missing something that everyone else found.

I guess I am just not a Kristin Hannah fan, except for the Nightengale. I'm the odd one out.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

 

I listened to this book on my walks and really enjoyed it.  At times, I thought it went too far into the whole "writer's world" conversation, but I did find that part enlightening.

Bear by Julia Phillips

Kirkus says, "A bold and brilliant modern fable of sisterhood, class, and our relationship to the natural world."

I loved this book, even though it was a little slow at times.  The climax was shocking and the message deep.  I love this author, now having read both of her books. She is deep, lyrical, and draws you into her stories with real connections to her characters and their feelings.

The Divorcees by Rowan Beaird

This was interesting but not as compelling as a review I had read.  I was not aware of these divorce ranches in Nevada in the 50's, where a woman could spend 6 weeks and get an "instant divorce" by establishing that residency in the state. Of course, this was frowned up and the reasons for the divorce were often very compelling (spousal abuse, cheating, impotence, etc.)

The main character, Lois, receives her father's permission (but not his sanction) to divorce her husband after an unhappy 4-year marriage.  The reader doesn't really learn much about the marriage, which to me was confusing, but I think it was the author's way to assert that it may not matter: a woman should not stay married if she is not happy.  Lawrence did not beat her; but Lois was not fulfilled in the marriage, and she really didn't want children either. He did.

Anyway, Lois meets an interesting and mysterious character at the ranch, Greer.  Everyone supposes she is famous or is married to someone famous.  She is somewhat of an enigma to them all.  Lois is drawn to her, and she to Lois.  But things are not what they seem.

The ending was rather flat to me.  Did I miss something here?

 

Martyr by Kaveh Akbar

It took me awhile to finish this book and at one point, I was not sure I would.  Thank God I stayed with it. I think this is the best book I read this year.  It's not an easy book to read - at least it was not for me - but it was so full of ideas and truths and things that stimulated my thinking. Those kinds of books stay with you for a long time.  This review from NPR resonated with me.  This is a book that I could read again and get even more from. But I know I won't because my TBR list is way too long.