- “The Unsinkable Greta James” by Jennifer E. Smith
Think of a blend of “Where’d You Go Bernadette” and “Daisy Jones & The Six” in this heartfelt tale about grief, love, and connection. Greta James is an indie rock star, but following the loss of her mother and bad performance on stage, she withdraws from the spotlight and agrees to go on an Alaskan cruise with her estranged father. Will Greta be able to make amends with her father, her work, and perhaps even her love life during her week-long vacation?
Greta is a character you want to root for because she’s relatable, flawed, wounded, and misses her mother so deeply that you can’t help but cry for her. “The Unsinkable Greta James” is not only amusing but also heartwarming, and it appears to be destined for both book clubs and the big screen.
2. “All My Rage” by Sabaa Tahir
Dreams take a toll on the dreamer, and Misbah, Toufiq, and their adolescent son Salahudin are no exception. “All My Rage” jumps back and forth in time, beginning with a young Pakistani couple yearning for a new beginning who relocate to a small California town and own a motel.
Fast forward to now, and their son, Sal, is having a hard time keeping it all together. His parents’ lives are breaking at the seams as the hotel that once carried so much promise has become an albatross around their necks. Tahir’s characters are torn in many directions, caught up in relationships that are raging with love and rage, but still have room for forgiveness and redemption. This excellent novel is unstoppable, brutal, and authentic.
3. “Never Simple: A Memoir” by Liz Scheier
“Never Simple” is a book in the form of a puzzle box. There are still unanswered issues, such as who Liz Scheier’s mother was and what happened to her father. How will this tiny girl grow up to be a humorous, talented, healthy adult with children and a spouse of her own, despite her mother’s abuse? Scheier has a knack for setting the scene and bringing you along for the ride as she recounts the crucial and often heartbreaking events of her life. Even if your upbringing was significantly less dramatic and tragic, things happen in doorways, parks, and other people’s apartments, and you can see — and feel — it all occurring.
Even though I didn’t grow up in New York, I realized how wonderful a writer Liz Scheier was when I realized she was making me wistful for the New York of my childhood. This book was fantastic, and it ought to be read by a large number of people. It’s a fascinating lesson in empathy. It’s also a fantastic read.