Thank you Madeline! 2 excellent choices there - without sounding too strange whenever I’m writing my newsletter I always think about my readers and what books they would be interested in AND when I was writing this I thought that you’d be interested in ‘A Sunday in Ville-d’avary’ so I am so unsurprised you said that! I think you’d really like it. ‘Cantoras’ is excellent too! Thanks for the love 🩷
I finished reading All-night Pharmacy just in time for this roundup😅 Thank you for another excellent curated list introducing more international authors
Haha divine timing!!! What did you think of ‘All-Night Pharmacy??? I’ve been curious about it since it came out last year! And thank you for being a reader Jana - I appreciate you ❤️
It’s intense, raw and electrifying in all the right places: think young Isabelle Allende transported into present day LA rewriting the script for “L word” show while using “The body keeps the score” as handbook. Using your rating system I’d call it a borrow - great to read in one sitting, beautiful writing, somewhat patchy plot and if you have no interest in Eastern European culture it might get a bit boring.
Ooh I love that description Jana, and LOVE that you used my rating system to describe it!! I'm definitely interested in Eastern European culture so that sounds like something I might like to read - thank you for taking the time to describe it to me xx
Vagabonds has been looking at me from my shelf for a while and I definitely need to read! Cantoras sounds so good and I need to pick up the newts book,
it sounds so so good. as always, an interesting list!!
I’d be super interested to hear what you think of ‘Vagabonds!’ - in so many ways it was so good, some of the writing was exceptional. But idk I didn’t love the format and would be interested to know if you felt the same or differently! I expected more of a continuous plot line I guess and it doesn’t really deliver on that. Yesss to Cantoras you’d love & the newts book was such a surprise! I picked it up bc it sounded so strange and I was intrigued and it really surprised me in the best way. So funny and smart! I’m glad I’ve added some more to your TBR! And thank you, always xxx
I read Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez which is set against the Argentina military dictatorship of the 1960s and if you are open to branching out into a little horror it you might really like it. I would describe it as more literary than graphic.
Yesss 'Our Share of Night' has been on my 'I think I want to read this' list for a while but I have been put off by the length slightly. Maybe I'll sort it out for a October/Halloween reading vibe - it does sound so interesting. I am open to reading horror every now and then - plus we know anything literary and historical is right up my street!
Hooray for the read along baby! I'm looking forward to sending you every waking thought I have about East of Eden while I read it xox
Some People Need Killing has always been on my radar since its release but I don’t think I have the right mindset to read this yet. or rather to confront this. I live in the Philippines and a couple of years back it was always news after news about the “drug war”. I can’t face it yet but I’m so glad more people are reading about that time in our country 🥹
That is SO understandable Jam - it’s one thing to read about something like that but another to live through it! I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like to live amongst that ‘drug war’ campaign - whether you were directly affected by it or not. The book will always exist so perhaps many many years down the line it’ll be something you can read. Because you’re right - it would be, and is, so confronting.
I’m so glad I read it, I honestly don’t know much about the Philippines history or politics and I felt really grateful I was able to learn so much from it! I hope people continue to read it and learn about that period of time in the Philippines too 🫶
And I always love your comments Nic!!! Thank you 🥹 I would agree ‘Cantoras’ has to be an immediate purchase - it’s only right because it IS pride month!!!!
I've added SO many of these to my to-read list! I've been working on Mater 2-10 but haven't quite gotten into a groove with it yet.
I hope you love East of Eden! I thought it was a really gorgeous read, and I'm excited to follow along in the buddy read. Maybe it'll inspire me to put Grapes of Wrath higher up on my list.
Also, I've got a BANGER of a translated rec for you - I got my first ever ARC (#influencer??) and got ahold of this book called Season of the Swamp, which is a fictional retelling of Benito Juarez's time in New Orleans in the 1850s by a Mexican writer named Yuri Hererra, translated from Spanish - have you come across their work before? I hadn't heard of any of his other books but there are a few translated to English. It absolutely knocked my socks off. The translation was *chefs kiss* brilliant and playful, and the book was brief and punchy. 11/10. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6526514349
Yay! So glad to have added even more to your to-read list! I understand re Mater 2-10 - I found the same. At points I was really connected and into it and others I just couldn’t get invested. In many ways it is so good, but in many other ways it is a hard read. The author is renowned as one of the best South Korean authors of his generation and that is why I felt conflicted about calling it a bust. I might go back to it one day - when I wasn’t trying to finish it in time for the Booker prize winner deadline. I loved the history in it though - big time.
Thank you I hope I do too! So far I think it seems way more accessible than I expected - I’m only 60 pages in so I look forward to seeing where I goes. Maybe it will give Grapes of Wrath inspo!!
Omg!! Firstly SLAY on the ARC girl!!! Certified influencer. Secondly I HAVE REQUESTED this ARC!!??!! But I have unfortunately heard nothing back as of yet - I want the physical copy did you get digital? Anyway sooo pleased you loved it, it sounds amazing & makes me even more excited to get my hands on it (whether in ARC or I buy it myself). I have read Yuri Hererra before!!! I first read one of their books in December (so it’s reviewed in my December reads if you want a nosy) and while I didn’t love that particular book, I still enjoyed it and it made me really really want to read his other work bc I thought it was such a good writer - so I’m pleased to hear that that expectation holds up! I wanted to read ‘Signs Preceding the End of the World’ of his too.
Okay I am SO thrilled it's on your radar! I got a digital ARC (literally read it on my phone, lol, I am the worst reader) which is probably less competitive. I'm so happy to have him come into my awareness now and I'll check out your review for sure! Signs Preceding the End of the World will definitely come up as a read soon. Can't wait to follow along for East of Eden!
Phone reading is criminal McKenzie. Kindles exist!!! Yay maybe we will read Signs Preceding at similar times that would be fun! So far my Eden thoughts are - I like Adam Trusk. Not geling w the Hamiltons as much. I have no idea what the bible references are bc that’s a book and a concept I’ve never ever engaged with. Idk if I should familiarise myself w the bible parallels for the sake of reading or just wait until the end to find out what meant what? As someone who has read it what do you think?
I am SO thrilled to see your review of Cantoras, you put it into words so nicely. I can't stop recommending it lolol also sad to see Mater 2-10 was a bust ... I haven't really heard much buzz about it either way but I've been intrigued by it because one of my internet fixations is North Korea. I'm writing some of these down and also maybe I'll finally pick up Swimming in the Dark thanks to you 👀
Steph!!! Thank you!!! I loved Cantoras so much, I thought it was such a good book - I can see why you can’t stop recommending it! Mater 2-10 was interesting and at times quite compelling but based on the way I format this newsletter I just couldn’t in good conscience recommend it - but I am open to trying again. Like I said, it really read like a history book at times. I think I also struggled so much with the cover & size. So big and so ugly? That 100% impacts the experience of reading. I could absolutely redesign that and make it so much better. If you’re into South Korea I would recommend ‘Whale’ that I mentioned in the piece - that was good and very weird but I enjoyed it.
Omg North Korea being an internet fixation - firstly so understandable I think I have that phase a few times a year. Secondly - I might have a book rec for you! I’ve got my first, and only, translated book from NK called ‘Accusation’ by Bandi that I bought a few weeks back. Its tales from within North Korea published under a pseudonym. I’m hoping to read it in the next few months so I’ll be officially able to recommend (or not) to you then!
Also please read ‘Swimming in the Dark’ - perfect summer read, it’s short, gorgeous and gay xx what is there not to love 💝
I saved this until I actually had time to read it--I loved reading your thoughts on Cantoras! And I'm so glad you loved it so much. I have read (and loved) The President and The Frog. It's so, so different. It's also a really unique book and it moved me a lot, though I didn't love it as much as Cantoras (which isn't saying much, that one is an all-time fav for me). But the way they approach the meaning of a life lived in public, the personal/political, the power of storytelling and magic in The President and the Frog is so, so interesting.
Laura! Thank you so much for your comment and taking the time to read this (I deeply appreciate it). I did love Cantoras so much - I can't believe how long it has been sat, unread, on my shelf!!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts about 'The President and The Frog', it sounds really interesting and I think I am going to have to add it to the list! The way De Robertis approached the personal/political in Cantoras is one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much, so if that takes place in TPATF I am in! Honestly, I just really really want to be able to read her writing again soon. I am SO eager for more.
Thank you Madeline! 2 excellent choices there - without sounding too strange whenever I’m writing my newsletter I always think about my readers and what books they would be interested in AND when I was writing this I thought that you’d be interested in ‘A Sunday in Ville-d’avary’ so I am so unsurprised you said that! I think you’d really like it. ‘Cantoras’ is excellent too! Thanks for the love 🩷
I finished reading All-night Pharmacy just in time for this roundup😅 Thank you for another excellent curated list introducing more international authors
Haha divine timing!!! What did you think of ‘All-Night Pharmacy??? I’ve been curious about it since it came out last year! And thank you for being a reader Jana - I appreciate you ❤️
It’s intense, raw and electrifying in all the right places: think young Isabelle Allende transported into present day LA rewriting the script for “L word” show while using “The body keeps the score” as handbook. Using your rating system I’d call it a borrow - great to read in one sitting, beautiful writing, somewhat patchy plot and if you have no interest in Eastern European culture it might get a bit boring.
Ooh I love that description Jana, and LOVE that you used my rating system to describe it!! I'm definitely interested in Eastern European culture so that sounds like something I might like to read - thank you for taking the time to describe it to me xx
Glad I could reciprocate at least a bit for all the work you are putting into this publication ❤️
Thank you for another stupendous range of books to read!
Thank you for always reading Margo! I hope you found something you might like to read.
Vagabonds has been looking at me from my shelf for a while and I definitely need to read! Cantoras sounds so good and I need to pick up the newts book,
it sounds so so good. as always, an interesting list!!
I’d be super interested to hear what you think of ‘Vagabonds!’ - in so many ways it was so good, some of the writing was exceptional. But idk I didn’t love the format and would be interested to know if you felt the same or differently! I expected more of a continuous plot line I guess and it doesn’t really deliver on that. Yesss to Cantoras you’d love & the newts book was such a surprise! I picked it up bc it sounded so strange and I was intrigued and it really surprised me in the best way. So funny and smart! I’m glad I’ve added some more to your TBR! And thank you, always xxx
Brilliant as always, thanks for your generous reviews 🔥
🫶❤️🫶 thanks for the love!
Ah War With The Newts is a classic that’s been on my list for so so long too! This review has reaffirmed my need to read it <3
added Lakiriboto to my list!🫡 if it’s anything like Vagabonds! I’m sure I’ll love it thank you for the rec!
I think you will Hannah! - it is very good, I loved it a lot xx
I read Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez which is set against the Argentina military dictatorship of the 1960s and if you are open to branching out into a little horror it you might really like it. I would describe it as more literary than graphic.
Hooray for read alongs! 😃
Yesss 'Our Share of Night' has been on my 'I think I want to read this' list for a while but I have been put off by the length slightly. Maybe I'll sort it out for a October/Halloween reading vibe - it does sound so interesting. I am open to reading horror every now and then - plus we know anything literary and historical is right up my street!
Hooray for the read along baby! I'm looking forward to sending you every waking thought I have about East of Eden while I read it xox
Some People Need Killing has always been on my radar since its release but I don’t think I have the right mindset to read this yet. or rather to confront this. I live in the Philippines and a couple of years back it was always news after news about the “drug war”. I can’t face it yet but I’m so glad more people are reading about that time in our country 🥹
That is SO understandable Jam - it’s one thing to read about something like that but another to live through it! I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like to live amongst that ‘drug war’ campaign - whether you were directly affected by it or not. The book will always exist so perhaps many many years down the line it’ll be something you can read. Because you’re right - it would be, and is, so confronting.
I’m so glad I read it, I honestly don’t know much about the Philippines history or politics and I felt really grateful I was able to learn so much from it! I hope people continue to read it and learn about that period of time in the Philippines too 🫶
Always love to read your thoughts!!! Cantoras is going to have to be an immediate purchase!
And I always love your comments Nic!!! Thank you 🥹 I would agree ‘Cantoras’ has to be an immediate purchase - it’s only right because it IS pride month!!!!
I've added SO many of these to my to-read list! I've been working on Mater 2-10 but haven't quite gotten into a groove with it yet.
I hope you love East of Eden! I thought it was a really gorgeous read, and I'm excited to follow along in the buddy read. Maybe it'll inspire me to put Grapes of Wrath higher up on my list.
Also, I've got a BANGER of a translated rec for you - I got my first ever ARC (#influencer??) and got ahold of this book called Season of the Swamp, which is a fictional retelling of Benito Juarez's time in New Orleans in the 1850s by a Mexican writer named Yuri Hererra, translated from Spanish - have you come across their work before? I hadn't heard of any of his other books but there are a few translated to English. It absolutely knocked my socks off. The translation was *chefs kiss* brilliant and playful, and the book was brief and punchy. 11/10. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6526514349
Yay! So glad to have added even more to your to-read list! I understand re Mater 2-10 - I found the same. At points I was really connected and into it and others I just couldn’t get invested. In many ways it is so good, but in many other ways it is a hard read. The author is renowned as one of the best South Korean authors of his generation and that is why I felt conflicted about calling it a bust. I might go back to it one day - when I wasn’t trying to finish it in time for the Booker prize winner deadline. I loved the history in it though - big time.
Thank you I hope I do too! So far I think it seems way more accessible than I expected - I’m only 60 pages in so I look forward to seeing where I goes. Maybe it will give Grapes of Wrath inspo!!
Omg!! Firstly SLAY on the ARC girl!!! Certified influencer. Secondly I HAVE REQUESTED this ARC!!??!! But I have unfortunately heard nothing back as of yet - I want the physical copy did you get digital? Anyway sooo pleased you loved it, it sounds amazing & makes me even more excited to get my hands on it (whether in ARC or I buy it myself). I have read Yuri Hererra before!!! I first read one of their books in December (so it’s reviewed in my December reads if you want a nosy) and while I didn’t love that particular book, I still enjoyed it and it made me really really want to read his other work bc I thought it was such a good writer - so I’m pleased to hear that that expectation holds up! I wanted to read ‘Signs Preceding the End of the World’ of his too.
Looove the rave Goodreads review - 11/10.
Okay I am SO thrilled it's on your radar! I got a digital ARC (literally read it on my phone, lol, I am the worst reader) which is probably less competitive. I'm so happy to have him come into my awareness now and I'll check out your review for sure! Signs Preceding the End of the World will definitely come up as a read soon. Can't wait to follow along for East of Eden!
Phone reading is criminal McKenzie. Kindles exist!!! Yay maybe we will read Signs Preceding at similar times that would be fun! So far my Eden thoughts are - I like Adam Trusk. Not geling w the Hamiltons as much. I have no idea what the bible references are bc that’s a book and a concept I’ve never ever engaged with. Idk if I should familiarise myself w the bible parallels for the sake of reading or just wait until the end to find out what meant what? As someone who has read it what do you think?
I am SO thrilled to see your review of Cantoras, you put it into words so nicely. I can't stop recommending it lolol also sad to see Mater 2-10 was a bust ... I haven't really heard much buzz about it either way but I've been intrigued by it because one of my internet fixations is North Korea. I'm writing some of these down and also maybe I'll finally pick up Swimming in the Dark thanks to you 👀
Steph!!! Thank you!!! I loved Cantoras so much, I thought it was such a good book - I can see why you can’t stop recommending it! Mater 2-10 was interesting and at times quite compelling but based on the way I format this newsletter I just couldn’t in good conscience recommend it - but I am open to trying again. Like I said, it really read like a history book at times. I think I also struggled so much with the cover & size. So big and so ugly? That 100% impacts the experience of reading. I could absolutely redesign that and make it so much better. If you’re into South Korea I would recommend ‘Whale’ that I mentioned in the piece - that was good and very weird but I enjoyed it.
Omg North Korea being an internet fixation - firstly so understandable I think I have that phase a few times a year. Secondly - I might have a book rec for you! I’ve got my first, and only, translated book from NK called ‘Accusation’ by Bandi that I bought a few weeks back. Its tales from within North Korea published under a pseudonym. I’m hoping to read it in the next few months so I’ll be officially able to recommend (or not) to you then!
Also please read ‘Swimming in the Dark’ - perfect summer read, it’s short, gorgeous and gay xx what is there not to love 💝
I saved this until I actually had time to read it--I loved reading your thoughts on Cantoras! And I'm so glad you loved it so much. I have read (and loved) The President and The Frog. It's so, so different. It's also a really unique book and it moved me a lot, though I didn't love it as much as Cantoras (which isn't saying much, that one is an all-time fav for me). But the way they approach the meaning of a life lived in public, the personal/political, the power of storytelling and magic in The President and the Frog is so, so interesting.
Laura! Thank you so much for your comment and taking the time to read this (I deeply appreciate it). I did love Cantoras so much - I can't believe how long it has been sat, unread, on my shelf!!!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts about 'The President and The Frog', it sounds really interesting and I think I am going to have to add it to the list! The way De Robertis approached the personal/political in Cantoras is one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much, so if that takes place in TPATF I am in! Honestly, I just really really want to be able to read her writing again soon. I am SO eager for more.
I will be so interested to hear what you think of TPATF if/when you get to it!