This book scratched an itch in my brain that I didn’t know was there. Big Swiss is unhinged, kooky, and surprisingly sexy. It explores how we process trauma and find our way in life through dark prose and witty dialogue that had me giggling and kicking my feet. Definitely not without its flaws, but I’ve never read anything like it!
This is a masterpiece! Zevin weaves together the past and present to completely immerse readers in this story of love, loss, and friendship. I found myself caring about the characters and the depths of their relationships as if they were my own friends. An instant classic of brilliant storytelling.
A delightful tale of a retired barbarian orc who decides to settle down and open a coffee shop. With a hint of sapphic romance and a lovable dire cat, this charming slice-of-life fantasy is the perfect comfort novel for when you’re having a bad day.
Recommended for fans of House in the Cerulean Sea!
Set against the backdrop of foggy 1950’s San Francisco, Last Night at the Telegraph Club is a coming of age story about Lily Wu and what it means to be both Chinese-American and a lesbian. The attention to historical accuracy was impeccable, as well as the author’s ability to pull readers in to the vibrant community of Chinatown. Read this for an untold corner of queer history!
cw: racism, homophobia
This whimsical fantasy feels like drinking tea next to a fire. While the plot may at first appear heavy, this story surprised me with its comforting characters & touching messages - including found family and the importance of loving one another. My favorite book of 2021.
A story of love, magic, grief, and imagination. Follow the mystical citizens of Popisho, a wonderous archipelago with roots in Ross's Jamaican culture. This story swept me up like a wave and carried me to Popisho - a place so beautiful I wish I could stay. Bonus - social commentary on political corruption.
A cozy mystery surrounding quirky characters in a retirement home. Not as intense as other mysteries, yet incredibly captivating and surprising. A testament to the capbility and wisdom that comes with age. I fell in love with the Thursday Murder Club!
Read for beautiful Black, queer joy. This book holds so much depth to capture in a single review - astrology, spirituality, queer love, intertwining cultures, and the Black experience. Each page held simultaneous joy and trauma for BIPOC living in Minneapolis, while seamlessly proving the endless capabilities that life, and the stars, can hold. The mystical realism will fill you with hope and love. Bonus - written by a local author!