Two unique and discussable coming-of-age novels
Plus more summer reading lists and books about haunted motherhood
Hey, readers!
The last week of May was not a great one for my reading life. To be fair to myself, there was no school for Lou this week and we spent the week potty training, so time was an issue. But I think I also put too much pressure on myself to read more new release books before the end of the month, and instead I ended up abandoning everything I started and only finishing the books I needed to for my in person and Patreon book clubs. I really liked both of those books, but hopefully I can set myself up for a more holistically satisfying reading life in June.
This week in books.
This week I read…
Caucasia by Danzy Senna. This is a complicated family story told through the perspective of Birdie as she grows from a child into young adulthood. The cover copy gives away much of the plot, which is understandable because you kind of need to share what happens a third of the way into this story to convince other readers to pick it up. Still, it has the result of making the first bit of the book feel like a bit of a slog or a preamble to what you know will eventually happen. In an attempt to avoid that, I’ll simply share that Birdie and her sister Cole grow up incredibly close in a volatile household. Their white mother and Black father are Civil Rights activists, agitators, and intellectuals and while we never get the full picture, we see that these passions both bring them together and drive them apart. Meanwhile, Cole and Birdie’s deep bond is tested by the outside world that primarily sees their physical differences. As the story progresses, Senna gives us a rich and detailed coming-of-age story that also holds a microscope to race in America. I found this book extremely readable though not necessarily a page turner, and while I wanted to see more of the story than was possible from Birdie’s vantage point, I think she largely achieved her thematic aims and I really enjoyed the way the story concluded. Senna has a new book coming out in early September, so now is a great time to pick up her debut! Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. I liked but didn’t love this unique coming-of-age story. I think I had built it up too much in my mind after reading so many rave reviews and seeing it named one of the best books of the year so far by the New York Times. The story follows Adina who is born on the say day that the Voyager Space Probe is launched. Adina believes that she is an alien sent to Earth by her home planet to take notes and report back. I loved Adina as a character—she’s funny and smart and embraces her differences while longing for connection. Whether or not her alien heritage is factual is not really what the novel is concerned with. Instead, it’s an intriguing and effective way to explore the feelings of being an outsider growing up in a world you feel you don’t belong to. Occasionally, it’s also a convenient way for the author to insert some quips and cleverness—and it almost feels as though she’s been holding onto these gems for years waiting to share them. While some of Bertino’s “how would an alien describe [fill in the blank]” commentary is funny and poignant, it became a bit grating to me and I was glad that subsided a bit in the second half. I liked the book more and more as Adina got older and I felt like it really found its sense of urgency and purpose in that back half. So while I found myself occasionally irked, I liked this quite a bit in the end and think it’s a great read for anyone looking for something different that really cuts to the core of the human experience. Amazon | Bookshop | Libro.fm
Now I’m reading…
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner. Amazon | Bookshop
The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma. Amazon | Bookshop
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. Amazon | Join Our Novel Pairings Read Along
Links I love.
9 books about haunted motherhood—this list from author Clare Beams is excellent! (Electric Lit)
18 books to read this summer. (Lit Hub)
22 books we can’t wait to read this summer. (Vulture)
3 sultry summery new thrillers. (NYT)
10 best books to give a recent graduate. (Oprah Daily)
My favorite summer shoes are 20% off.
The best rosés for summer patio sessions. (Food and Wine)
End notes.
This week in views, listens, eats, and moments of joy.
I always love reading Natalie’s reading recaps. If you’re not subscribed to her Substack, you’re missing out!
We had so much fun BBQ hopping over Memorial Day weekend—Louise is entering her “I know how to charm” phase and it’s really fun to watch.
This summer I’ll be living in these tees and these tanks. Just ordered more colors of each!
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Happy reading!
Sara