Riku Onda, Alison Watts
[isbn]
The Aosawa Murders was listed by the NYT as one of the Notable Books of 2020. But even more notable is that my sister, who mostly reads political and economic tomes and who rarely reads any fiction, practically devoured this book — I felt quite heroic that I agreed to let her read the book even though I was halfway through it! The murders are recounted decades later through multiple points of view, and the author does a... (read more)
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Pankaj Mishra
[isbn]
In this collection of previously published, thought-provoking essays, Mishra looks at, amongst other things, the flawed relationship between the West and the Global South — and especially at the unsound and faulty assumptions that have led to harmful policies. Pankaj Mishra is a Marxist critic. His essays are acerbic and illuminating and a joy to read. A definite must-read for anyone interested in the impact and effects of colonialism,... (read more)
Recommended by Sheila N.
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John Keats, Paul Wright
[isbn]
February 23, 2021, marks the bicentenary of John Keats's death. Dusting off that old copy of Keats you have sitting on your bookshelf would be the perfect way to commemorate this anniversary and to appreciate all over again the beauty and brilliance of his poems. In these pandemic times, his thoughts on mortality and the transience of life seem especially relevant, and together with the sensuous imagery and delightful prose, make for poignant... (read more)
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Margaret Atwood
[isbn]
This is a collection to be savored. I'd recommend a poem a day so that you give yourself the time to enjoy each poem fully and to completely appreciate Atwood's vivid imagery as well as her graceful and lyrical use of language. A veritable treat.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Avni Doshi
[isbn]
Books about "bad" mothers — women who put their own needs and desires before that of their children — generally make for compelling reading. Avni Doshi's Burnt Sugar is a case in point. Set in the city of Pune, in west India, the novel explores the relationship between Antara and her mother, Tara. Scathing and disarmingly humorous in turns, Burnt Sugar is a tantalizing read, and shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Alka Joshi
[isbn]
Set in 1950s India, The Henna Artist is a compelling and sensitive novel about a woman's struggle for autonomy and fulfillment in a newly independent, but still strongly conservative and class conscious country. Lakshimi is a bewitching protagonist and easy to identify and empathize with, and Alka Joshi's prose is both lush and lyrical, making this a truly memorable book.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Valerie Martin
[isbn]
Would you betray a confidence because it had the germ of a good book? If you told a friend a few family anecdotes, do these stories become common fare? Set in the lovely Sienna countryside, I Give It to You raises these thorny questions, and in a very engaging way.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Maggie O'Farrell
[isbn]
This is a very engaging reimagining of the life of Shakespeare's wife, Agnes (in this version), who O'Farrell presents as a free-spirited and forthright young woman who entrances the future playwright. Filled with wonderfully rich details, O' Farrell also does a brilliant job of depicting village life in Renaissance England. Makes for poignant reading.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Amina Cain
[isbn]
Your attention will be captured from the very first sentence as you are introduced to our mysterious and engaging narrator, who longs to write. It's a book about choices and finding fulfillment. Written in hauntingly quiet and elegant prose, this deceptively slender book is my book find of the year to date!
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Edna OBrien
[isbn]
Completely gut-wrenching, Edna O'Brien's stark yet vivid prose detailing the horrors that our young narrator experiences will stay with you a very long time, as will the anger it inspires. Also well worth reading: Our Bodies, Their Battlefields: War Through the Lives of Women by Christina Lamb.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Felicity McLean
[isbn]
Warning: Felicity McLean's debut novel will ensnare you from the very beginning. Haunting, poignant, and darkly melancholic, you'll be compelled to finish this book in one sitting. I look forward to reading her next book.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Aysegul Savas
[isbn]
Walking on the Ceiling is a beguiling novel about memories — how tricky they are and how they can affect one's perception — and loss. It's also a book about the fragility of relationships. Aysegul Savas's haunting and powerful debut is a treat not to be missed.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Madeleine St John
[isbn]
I discovered this novel because of Hilary Mantel, and she's quite right to categorize Madeline St. John's delightful novel as a gift that cheers the reader up. It's a perfectly joyous book, written with wit and charm. Sadly, Madeline St. John only wrote four novels and they are not easy to track down, so hang on to them if you manage to find them!
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Pat Barker
[isbn]
Barker’s powerfully haunting and gut-wrenching retelling of The Iliad gives a voice to those made powerless by war. The Silence of the Girls will stand the test of time and custom and is a very grim reminder about what war and slavery entail. And it is more pertinent than ever!
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Bernardine Evaristo
[isbn]
Unexpectedly, this turned out to be a joyous book. The 12 characters, mostly black British women, confront racism, sexism and, in some cases, violence, and somehow transcend the limitations forced on them. I loved the way the book was crafted and layered and how it arced and connected all the characters. A very beguiling and graceful read.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Anna Burns
[isbn]
I enjoyed Milkman immensely, and it's one of my Top 5s for this year. It's such a fast-paced, vivid, and lyrical read — it grabs your attention from the very first sentence and just doesn't let go. But it's also a very menacing read. The tension builds and builds as you sit on pins and needles, eager to see how our narrator will cope with the unwanted attentions from the Milkman and the embarrassingly horrifying rumors swirling around... (read more)
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Leila Slimani
[isbn]
This is both one of the most chilling books I've read and the saddest. It's frightening to watch this murderous Mary Poppins-like character become more and more unhinged, and heartbreaking to read about how and why she became this warped character. Slimani's prose and deft plotting is flawless. A very compelling read.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Julian Barnes
[isbn]
I enjoy Julian Barnes's prose immensely. He has a wonderful and poetic way of phrasing things, and I find myself rereading sentences over and over again just for the pleasure. This makes for very slow reading! Ordered by Stalin to denounce Igor Stravinsky while on a propaganda tour in the U.S., Dmitri Shostakovich is torn: Should he obey, or follow his conscience and refuse?
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Sarah Perry
[isbn]
It feels as if I've been anticipating this U.S. release forever, but it was well worth the wait. Brilliantly crafted with interesting and well-developed characters, and with rich and vivid imagery, I was transported to this enchanting world that Perry has created. Reading The Essex Serpent was a very enriching experience and one that I will very probably repeat again and again over the years.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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Khaled Khalifa, Leri Price
[isbn]
Set in Aleppo, the novel follows one family through several generations of pain and tragedy. The plot may be a little convoluted and intricate, but the poetry and lyricism of the prose makes for an easy and compelling read. And although this is a work of fiction, the author gives us an encapsulated view of the region’s political and social history from the First World War to the American-led invasion and occupation of Iraq. A very timely read.
Recommended by Sheila N.
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