Andrea's Reviews

Two very unlikely immigrants arrive in America at the turn of the century: Chava is a Polish golem, an anthropomorphic woman made of mud. Ahmad is a jinni from the deserts of Syria, trapped in human form. When the two wake to find themselves in New York City, they learn to pass for human while adjusting to a life that they never asked for. The charming story of their meeting, the trials they face in learning about their new lives, and the dark discoveries about their creation had me absolutely hooked—I read the second half of the book in one breathless, immensely satisfying sitting. Book groups will be sure to have lively discussions about the immigrant experience, culture shock, free will, and faith.

Don’t let the sentient malevolent car, the New England wormholes, or the supernatural kid killers fool you. This is not Stephen King, but his son Joe Hill, and he’s scary in a way that King has not been in 10 years (sorry, SK, but it’s true). As a kid, Vic McQueen discovers an ability to ride her bike from her backyard to faraway places. On one of her impossible trips, she encounters impossible-to-kill child abductor Charlie Manx. When Manx takes Vic’s own child, Vic follows him to the dreadful theme park he calls Christmasland. Drawing both on children’s fears and on the ways in which children can be terrifying, Hill makes this kidnapping tale unforgettably chilling.

I read an advanced copy of this back in October, and I've been counting down the days to March so that I can press this into the hands of everyone I know who loves unreliable narrators, love triangles, and books about books about books. This utterly absorbing debut follows our narrator through several identity changes, romantic trysts, and missions to bring his unstable best friend, a brilliant writer, back from the brink of fame-induced emotional breakdowns. It has the feel of equal parts Great Gatsby and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - dreamy and irresistible.

Time travel romance? Count me in! Ridgway has created an immersive world where a time travel guild helps accidental time-jumpers settle into the 21st century. Nick, formerly a 19th century aristocrat, is living comfortably in modern-day Vermont when the Guild recruits him to return to his past and do battle with their nemesis. Nick and his sweetheart Julia are drawn into an adventure with the future hanging in the balance.

When her sister Hannah cuts ties with the family, Janie is charged with bringing her home. Her search for Hannah leads her to learn about their parents' past and a dark secret in Hannah's childhood. The sisters' story is entwined with Korean folk tales, history, and scenes from their childhood. I was really drawn into this novel about familial duty, culture shock, and tradition.

Sisters Janie and Hannah confront xenophobia and culture shock when they move to the States as young girls, leading Hannah to later estrange herself from the family. When their father becomes terminally ill, Janie is charged with the task of bringing Hannah to Korea. The sisters' physical and emotional journey will teach them about the secrets that families keep from the rest of the world and from each other.

The New York Times called it "the best book you'll read all year," and I have to agree. Saunders' stories are completely unlike anything I've read before. At once profoundly disturbing, thought provoking, and enlightening, Saunders masterfully captures the odd, ragged edges of our life stories. This incendiary collection of mind-bending stories will tear you apart, then patch you back up with a kiss on the forehead.

It's dangerous to go alone! Take this. Hyrule Historia is a wealth of information for the Legend of Zelda franchise. It contains concept art, a history of Hyrule, and an exclusive manga. Any hardcore Zelda fan would be stoked to add it to their inventory!

Baking recipes from this book is like playing Pretty Pretty Princess, but tastier. Each classic indulgence is lovingly prepared and impeccably decorated. You'll be the most stylish baker on the block once you have these nostalgic recipes in hand. My personal favorite is the Coffee Crunch Spiral: sophisticated and delicious!

The Little Book of Heartbreak is, despite its name, a fun and informative read. It begins by chronicling the history of love from the Middle Ages through modern times, then dissects failed relationships, from real life to film and literature, and asks what we can learn from them. Meghan Laslocky's friendly, upbeat style makes the study of heartbreak a delight.