Washington Black by Esi Edugyan

Washington Black by Esi Edugyan
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Washington Black introduces us to Wash, an eleven-year-old slave on a sugar plantation in Barbados, right as a new master comes to take control of the farm. The master's scientist of a brother, Titch, arrives alongside him. Titch takes a liking to Wash and takes him under his wing as an assistant and apprentice. Through Titch, Wash learns how to read, write, and draw, the latter of which Wash seems to have a natural talent for. As their bond grows, there is a tragic event on the farm, causing Titch and Wash to go on the run. Washington Black chronicles these events as well as Wash's experiences of becoming a free man and finding the identity that was stolen from him the day he was born.

Washington Black is a subtle yet profound story that really left its mark on me. I can't express the pure genius of this story and the finesse with which it was written. Esi Edugyan not only gives us a heartbreaking and realistic tale of slavery, but she also gives us an intimate look into how difficult freedom was for the slaves who were able to escape captivity. Throughout the story, Wash questions his identity and existence, not knowing who he is or what his purpose is, having been taught his whole life that his is an unnatural existence and that he belongs in chains. 

The relationship between Wash and Titch was so impressively nuanced. Edugyan was able to portray Titch's clemency whilst shedding light on white saviorism and the very harm it does to the people you are wishing to help. To witness Wash go from putting Titch on a pedestal to coming to terms with Titch's egocentric ideology was emotional but also very thought provoking.  

Some people didn't like the science and mystical elements of the story, but I found them vital to the narrative as it was clear to me that Edugyan put an incredible amount of effort into the metaphors used throughout the book. Every moment has a purpose, and it was a great experience as a reader to discern the deeper meanings. The characterization was amazing and your opinions on the characters change as you watch Wash's opinions change at the same time. It was a wild and emotional rollercoaster of a ride, and this is one of those books I wish I could read again for the first time.

Overall, Washington Black is one of my favorite books I've read this year! I highly recommend it! Wash's journey was incredible to experience, and I think he will stay with me for a long time.

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hamnet is Maggie O’Farrell’s interpretation of the parts of Shakespeare’s life that the history books unfortunately cannot provide to us. Not only does this book take a deep dive into Shakespeare’s marriage and family life, but also the death of his son and how this loss inspired him to write one of his most famous plays, Hamlet. 

This is one of those books that is entirely characterization and not much plot, which I personally adore! With that being said, this narrative is incredible. I really loved that Shakespeare remains unnamed in the story; instead, it focuses more on his wife Agnes, how they met, the evolution of their marriage, and Agnes’ role in the family. 

Hamnet is an incredible dialogue on grief, and Maggie O’Farrell’s commitment to depicting the different forms of grief is so appreciated. Of course, the main grief discussed in Hamnet is child loss and how this affects parents and siblings as they try to pick up the pieces of their lives. In addition to this, the grief of the past, of the future, of hopes/dreams, and of motherhood are also chronicled in this story. Not only are these examples of grief realistic, but they are also heartbreaking. 

There were also mystical elements mixed into the story, which added a lot of depth and emotion that maybe would have lacked due to unknown historical facts surrounding Shakespeare’s life and relationships. Agnes’ abilities in particular were interesting and I really enjoyed those parts of her character. 

As the cover of this book mentions, Hamnet is a plague story, focusing on the Bubonic Plague in particular. Maggie O’Farrell was able to paint a very real and disturbing version of the Bubonic Plague without being gory or disrespectful to its victims. She was able to use the plague almost like an additional character, and the finesse with which she did it shows the talent she possesses. 

Overall, if you enjoy historical fiction, this isn’t just a recommendation - this is a must read for you! It very quickly became one of my favorite books this year! It really is incredible. As someone who has lost a sibling, this story really hit me. I loved it.

White Oleander by Janet Fitch

White Oleander by Janet Fitch
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have had this book for well over ten years and every time I tried to pick it up, I put it back down. It has been a book that I have longed to read but it never felt like the right time. I am so grateful that I waited. If I had read White Oleander at any time prior to this year, I don't think I would have understood it as deeply as I do now as a 26 year old woman. I believe everyone could read, enjoy, and carry this book in their heart, but I think it is especially important for every woman to experience Astrid's story. 

White Oleander follows the journey of Astrid before, during, and after her Mother Ingrid is sent to prison for committing murder. Being only 12 years old at the time of her mother's incarceration, Astrid is sent into the foster care system. 

This is a story that takes place over several years and in many different settings. We also meet a plethora of characters, each coming from polar opposite worlds and experiences. There are so many aspects to this book and I really don't know where to begin with my thoughts. That's how you know it's a favorite of mine. I loved this book. From the very first page, I knew this was going to be a forever favorite.

Not only is this a difficult coming of age story centered on surviving trauma, but it is also about how each and every person we encounter in life, whether a positive or negative influence, leaves a mark on us. We are covered in the bruises and scars from all the hands that have ever touched us. This is a story of finding mothers in strangers, and sometimes, even in ourselves. 

White Oleander is pain, hope, love, friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness all combined to create a mesmerizing and heartbreaking tale of survival. This entire book reads like one long poem and there were so many tabs and annotations by the end. If I could rate this more than 5 stars, I would. This comes extremely, passionately, and highly recommended by me! Please keep in mind that White Oleander contains many triggering topics, such as abuse, pedophilia, grooming, substance abuse, etc. so be prepared beforehand if you'd like to read this one!

Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie

Fifty Words for Rain
by Asha Lemmie  
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It is rare to find a book that haunts you - that completely envelops you in heartbreak and leaves a lasting impression. Fifty Words for Rain sucked me in from the very beginning. 

Set in Kyoto, Japan during the 1940's, this story deals a lot with the themes of misogyny, servitude, sexual assault, trauma, belonging, but most importantly - love, and how it can intertwine itself in all of your trauma and hatred. 

Nori was a special main character, a colorful girl in a bleak, gray world. When it comes down to it, one of the many reasons this novel has stuck with me is that Asha Lemmie was incredibly successful in her portraying how life is unapologetic in its choice of victims. Asha did an amazing job writing such a soft, wonderful character and then damaging her (or more like breaking her) beyond recognition. 

I will not get into spoilers, but I can say that there were a few moments throughout the story that left me wanting more. Certain moments shared between Nori and her older brother, her friends, her grandparents could have been focused on a bit more, as well as the coming and going of important supporting characters (who should've been involved for a longer amount of time in the story). And finally - what everyone can probably agree on - the ending. The ending is NOT satisfying in the least, but it IS realistic and that is something that I can appreciate.

This book is definitely on my list of recommendations, but I would avoid it if you are not prepared for the constant exposure to intense emotions, abuse, sexual assault, or grief. Fifty Words for Rain was wonderful, but genuinely in the most painful of ways.

Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour

Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour  
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Watch Over Me by Nina Lacour is a must read for everyone! It is simple, yet profound and beautiful in all of its sorrow, joy, and pain. 

In this story we meet eighteen year old Mila, who has recently aged out of the foster care system. She has no friends or family - only her dark past littered with trauma to keep her company. She finds a job at a farm run by Julia and Terry, two foster parents who have created a home for hurt, lost, and “unwanted” children who have not yet found their forever homes. Mila is hired as a teacher and a farmhand, but the farm is not all it seems at first glance. There are ghosts haunting the farm, just as the past haunts many of those who find themselves there. 

I found myself resonating with Mila a lot more than I thought I would initially. The best way I can describe this novel would be to say: it speaks volumes in whispers. It is a story of trauma, of healing, of love, of belonging, of survival. It is a lesson in healing your inner child - finding joy in pain.

Just like the farm, this story is haunting. It finds its way into you. As a trauma survivor myself, I feel that this story should become mandatory reading. I took so much away from Mila’s story. Nina Lacour is a brilliant and imaginative writer. I will definitely be picking up more of her work to enjoy!

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Angel's Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is a prelude of sorts to the first novel (The Shadow of the Wind), and follows David Martin, an aspiring author who writes penny dreadfuls for the newspaper that employs him. He has a dream of being a world-renowned novelist and when one day he gets fired from the newspaper, he devotes himself to writing the novel of his dreams. Shortly after he moves into a decrepit (and believed haunted) house, he finds himself slowly wasting away and is concurrently told of a tumor growing in his brain. David reluctantly accepts his oncoming death and gives up his dreams of authorship until one day he is approached by a supposedly famous French publisher. This publisher promises David that he will grant his wishes and give him an unimaginable sum of money if only he will complete one project over the course of one year's time - a religious text that will impact Barcelona's culture for the rest of time. There is a lot more to this synopsis, but I would spend the next three days explaining it! Set in 1920/30's Barcelona, The Angel's Game is a mixture of historical fiction, dark academia, fantasy, and love story. 

The Shadow of the Wind is one of my favorite books. It's enchanting, magical, and so beautiful in every way. The Angel's Game is just the same. From beginning to end, I was hooked to this story - I never wanted to put it down, and by the end, I was so emotionally attached to the world of David Martin that I really missed him after finishing this book. Martin's story is much darker than the story of Daniel Sempere in the first book, but still there were moments of love, warmth, and humor, although my heart was breaking all throughout this tale. Not only did I fall in love with David, but I fell in love all over again with the character of Sempere and his son Daniel. We also have an utterly amazing strong female supporting character in this novel and she is just wonderful and hilarious. 

As can be expected from Carlos Ruiz Zafon, the lyricism, prose, imagery, and atmosphere of this novel is breathtaking and unlike any other. I will always recommend this series. It is pure magic and one of my forever favorites!

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

 I don't know how or where to begin with this review so I'm going to try to keep it short and simple. 

Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wolf Hall follows Thomas Cromwell, arguably one of the most important people in the history of British Royalty. I'm going to paraphrase here. Essentially, King Henry VIII wants to divorce Queen Katharine, his wife of nearly 20 years, because she has failed to give birth to a male heir. Henry sets his sights on Anne Boleyn and thus begins a domino effect of chaos that changes the course of history forever. Thomas Cromwell is the man who works tirelessly for nearly seven years to make this annulment and remarriage valid in God's eyes. The story in Wolf Hall is everything that takes place within these seven years... but that's not the only story being told in this book. There is a story within and underneath Henry VIII - hidden but obvious at the same time.

Wolf Hall is more about the question of God's will and whether it is more important to live your life to the best of your ability, or live your life in constant preparation for what comes after. How firmly do you hold onto your principals - at what point is your life more valuable than your ideals? It's much more complicated than that, of course, but that's the gist of it. This novel is very philosophical in all regards and Hilary Mantel is a master of layering these little nuggets of theology, philosophy, humanity, and history together and the finished product is a book that is unlike any I've ever read

Hilary Mantel's version of Cromwell, Henry, and Anne's story is complicated for sure. There is an almost constant use of the pronoun "he," which honestly confused me at first. I had to reread the first 50 pages once I realized that "he" refers to Thomas Cromwell like, 95% of time. Once you pick up on that, reading goes much more smoothly. 

There is a lot in this book - incest, miscarriages, adultery, blasphemy, sexual assault, brutal executions, and (worst of all) royal tantrums - but Mantel has given us a version of Cromwell who, though masterfully manipulative, calculating, and often told that he looks like a murderer, is filled with love and family. Cromwell's ability to hold tightly onto the people he loves and feels loyal to despite his rise in the ranks of the hierarchy, is truly aspirational and impressive.

Cromwell as a character is hilarious. He is so funny that there were moments where I laughed out loud at his sarcasm in moments of extreme tension. This is such a great book. It's long and there are so many characters. We move forward in time constantly and new people jump into the fray all the time. Even though it is a more complicated example of historical fiction, Wolf Hall 100% lives up to its reputation. I loved it and I loved my time in Thomas' mind. I already miss him... maybe I should order the sequel real quick.....

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

 *TRIGGER WARNINGS* rape, death, racism, political injustice, abuse, cruelty

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Poppy War's synopsis is pretty convoluted and if I tried to explain exactly what the story is about, we'd be here all day! So instead, here is my paraphrased version - Rin, a war orphan, escapes her abusive foster family by being accepted into Sinegard, a military school made to turn children into cutthroat soldiers. What comes next is war, death, gods, special powers, friendship, fantasy, and devastation. I mean, the world, races, and story that R.F. Kuang built for this story is kind of mind blowing!

Rin's story contains so many important issues that are real in our world - political injustice, civil rights, genocide, war crimes, racism, and so much more. At surface level, this book is an amazing fantasy story, but if you look a little deeper, there is so much written into these pages - friendship, loyalty, love, humanity. There are parts of this book that are lighthearted and funny, and there are parts that are so devastatingly disturbing that they will probably stick with me for a while.

Please be aware - there are many trigger warnings needed for this story - it can be absolutely brutal at certain points. 

The Poppy War is currently in first place for my favorite book so far this year. It is simply brilliant. R.F. Kuang has not only invented her own world, races, society and culture, but she has also created her own unique mythology and history that adds an intricate depth to Rin's world. And the character development! The relationships in this story and how they evolve! This book burned its marks into me, pun totally intended. 

If I could rate this more than 5 stars, I would. Fast paced, haunting, beautiful, and unique - The Poppy War absolutely blew me away!