Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
This story was intricate and uncomfortable. The author presented great questions to all of her readers: What is morality? And how do we manage all of the gray parts of life? The book unravels the secrets of the seemingly “perfect” Richardsons, a family of six, and their mysterious renters, Pearl and Mia Warren. With themes of motherhood, morality, and politics Little Fires Everywhere is a fair, modern read that pushes boundaries and questions our ideals as Americans. I can’t say I loved it, but it was certainly thought provoking and I do feel I learned from it.
Some disclaimers for sensitive readers: the book does include a few sex scenes as well as an abortion (not explicit).
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Ross gingerly sprinkled rom-com in with a fantasy backdrop in this cute and epic first novel of the duology. It’s predictable and unpredictable in the best ways. Also, kudos for creating one of my favorite book boyfriends:)
After her brother leaves for a War between two gods, Iris drops out of school to support herself and her alcoholic mother. She finds herself competing with the handsome Roman Kitt for a promotion to columnist, and exchanging letters via a magical typewriter to a mysterious cryptic. As the War rages, Iris navigates grief, loss, loneliness, burdening responsibility, and hope. I give this one a solid 10/10 for story elements, 8/10 for character development, and 7/10 for the writing.Lowish on the spice level, but one sex scene is included.
All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries Book 1)
A Star Wars feel kind of book, this science fiction novella grew on me. Murderbot, a robot with organic parts designed to kill, has hacked its own programming and become quite the feeling, rogue, empathetic killing robot as it works under its contracted employers, who are starting to feel more like friends than third party bosses. Murderbot is a complex character that felt familiar. I think we’ve all seen in ourselves a type of hateful programming that we learn to hack and rewrite with human experience. Murderbot was relatable and compelling. I can’t say the storyline was as compelling, but I’d stick with the series just to see what happens next to this endearing robot, who now feels like a friend.
