The End of the Ocean by Maja Lunde (book review) – before and after the water crisis hits the Earth

More than one year ago I read my first climate fiction book - The History of Bees by Maja Lunde. Ever since I've been (not so) patiently waiting for the release of the second book of the series - The End of the Ocean. Read it, loved it, ready to share my thoughts with you!

MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood (book review) – what happens after wiping out humanity

There's something bittersweet about finishing a series of books. The bitter part is that the story ended (for good) and there's no "next book" to get to. However, the sweet part is the closure, the conclusion of the journey, and the "freedom" to get to the next stories that await. That's what I felt during … Continue reading MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood (book review) – what happens after wiping out humanity

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (book review) – sisterhood and the struggle to pass for white

The Vanishing Half is a story about secrets and transformation, family and identity, roots and new beginnings. It offers a lot of food for thoughts and it's an immersive journey - beware, starting this book will definitely lead to a reading spree! πŸ™‚

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (book review) – the guardian of words who was ahead of her time

The Dictionary of Lost Words is definitely one my favourite books of 2021 so far! It is a touching and inspiring story of a woman who was born ahead of her time, a woman whose determination and courage represent the stories of real women who contributed to the first Oxford English Dictionary.

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi DarΓ© (book review) – a girl’s fight for education in Nigeria

The Girl with the Louding Voice tells an incredibly inspiring story of a young girl from Nigeria. It presents the realities of girls born in poor families in rural Nigeria and how domestic slavery is the beaten path for many of them. A story I recommend reading with all my heart!

Red Island House by Andrea Lee (book review) – heritage of Madagascar seen through the eyes of foreigners:

There is something magical about islands, and this book about Madagascar's heritage proves once again this point. "Red Island House" tells captivating stories of marriage and identity, love and loyalty, destiny and freedom. If you love discovering new cultures or you're interested in African heritage, this book is definitely a great option!

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi (book review) – torn between science and faith

Transcendent Kingdom is a touching story that covers difficult topics such as addiction, mental health, and immigration. The story of Gifty and her family is heartbreaking, and illustrates not only the hardships of Black immigrants in the USA, but also how mental health issues take a toll on the whole family. Definitely one of those books that I'll recommend to all my friends!

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (book review) – Dystopia on genetically engineered humans and animals

Oryx and Crake is a cautionary tale about genetic engineering that touches on very contemporary topics. There's even a pandemic in the story, and some quotes seem taken from today's newspapers. Quite impressive, taking into account the story was written 20+ years ago.

The Truants by Kate Weinberg (book review) – people disappear when they most want to be seen

A modern whodunnit, a story about friendship and betrayal, transition (or not) to adulthood, "The Truants" is a story I recommend if you're interested in reading murder mysteries and / or stories with a strong literature flavour. For a great experience, try playing truant while reading the book! πŸ™‚