Friday Book Debrief Vol 12

Every week we’re sharing what our some of our writers are currently reading. Please join in the chorus and tell us what you’ve been enjoying or slogging through in the comments!

Las Violetas son flores del deseo by Ana Clavel - Karen

This is my first time reading a physical book in Spanish. It's been difficult because my Spanish is rudimentary despite it being my first language. I have an essay in the works about being in the mind of unlikable, perverted characters and I'll definitely have to include the narrator of Las Violetas son flores del deseo. I'm immersed in a world of justifications for his perversions but the writing is amazing. I can't wait to finish this book, it's a short one but I'm having to look at my dictionary a lot because of new Spanish words I'm adding to my arsenal.

Buy it here.

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Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Courtney

This novel is my book club pick for February. I am both so caught up in the lives of Ifemelu & Obzine and itching to get to the end to know if they will ever reconnect. I’ve had this on my shelf for a long time and I’m glad to be finally reading it.

Buy it here.

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Love Anthony by Lisa Genova - Melissa

Still Alice by Lisa Genova makes me cry every single time (the movie and book). So, I'm very invested in this story about two women—both with families pulling apart at the seams.

Buy it here.

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For the Love of Men by Liz Plank - Mel

Just started listening to the audiobook, and already I know this is going to be a great, enlightening/enraging read. She has already pointed out how emotions in women bring out the worst in men because men are so often suppressing their own emotions due to how society tells them to do so.

Buy it here.

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The Lesser Bohemians by Eimear McBride - Nikki

I can't believe I've waited so long to read this, especially given how much I loved McBride's A Girl Is a Half-formed Thing. Written in a sort of fluid combination of stream-of-consciousness, thought fragments, and 'normal' prose, The Lesser Bohemians tells the story of a love affair between an 18-year-old Irish girl and a much older English actor. It's so fucking good.

Buy it here.

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Boys & Sex by Peggy Orenstein - Alexandra

As a woman, this has been a very enlightening read to understand why and how the other half thinks, feels and behaves sexually in today's world.

Buy it here.

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See What You Made Me Do by Jess Hill - Cat

A compelling, thoroughly researched and well-written exploration of domestic abuse. I'm only a third of the way through, but I've already learnt so much. Really looking forward to hearing the author speak at Adelaide Writers' Week!

Buy it here.

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Vagina by Lynn Enright - Christina

Did you know the G-spot might not exist? Fascinating non-fiction that I'm lending to all my friends.

Buy it here.

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MEM by Bethany C. Morrow - Akilah

This short science fiction novel set in 1920s Montreal where "real persons" extract memories who take the form of humans and live in a place called The Vault. What happens when one of those extractions, unlike her peers, thinks, feels, and recalls the way humans do? It's excellent.

Buy it here.

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Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong - Marian

This book is so damn good—racial identity, gas lighting in grad school, POC in publishing, and other prescient topics are covered by Hong. I got major feels about Minor Feelings!

Buy it here.

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One True Way by Shannon Hitchcock - Lucy

I just started this book during my lunch break at work. I don't usually read middle-grade novels, but I made an exception for the sake of its representation of young lesbianhood, and I'm so glad I did!

Buy it here.

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Mary Toft; or, The Rabbit QueeN By Dexter Palmer - Jessica Maria

I just cracked this open yesterday unaware of what lay in wait beyond the slice of true history I remembered this is based on: a woman giving birth to dead rabbits in 1700s England. A medical curiosity then, and today a literary tale full of playful exchanges between its colorful characters. Just as I had to get back to work, Mary has appeared for the first time in its pages, calling for the town doctor, and in labor. Bring on the rabbits.

Buy it here.

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The Guest List by Lucy Foley - The Book Slut

I smashed through this in one—very dark and stormy—day. The wedding of a couple “celebrities” is being held on a remote island in Ireland, a place previously riddled in paranormal activity, folklore, death, and ancient murder/sacrifice (super cheery). A storm is imminent but the show must go on, queue floods of drama past and present. Told via seven protagonists, it is an incredibly captivating read, unlike The Hunting Party (which I also adored) it was impossible to guess who the murderer was until the very end. Pick a day in the not too distant future and devour it in one go. You won’t regret it.

Pre-order/buy it here.