Trey's Reviews

The very first sentences of The Applicant hooked me and I was all in. A stellar debut, rough around the edges, bristling with fierce wit and insight. This is the diary of Leyla, a twenty-something Turkish immigrant in Berlin, living in limbo. Caught between two worlds, legal status uncertain. The writing is raw and tender, the social commentary is razor-sharp, and the questions raised are provocative. Being immersed in Leyla's view of the world was an eye-opening experience for me. —Trey

This is a wild whodunit. A locked room intergalactic murder. A sentient space station that’s having an identity crisis. Strange aliens including symbionts and hive minds. Our hero, Mallory, is an amateur sleuth by necessity. Death seems to follow her everywhere, including into space. This is a great start to a new series by the talented author Mur Lafferty. Once again, she hits the sweet spot between sci-fi and mystery.  
—TREY

Start with four badass women in their sixties, best of friends, who also happen to be top-notch assassins. Mix in a super-secret organization, a retirement cruise, and a nefarious plot to kill them all. Result: a fast-paced and exciting suspense thriller that’s full of laugh-out-loud moments. Our heroes are not willing, or capable, of going quietly into the night. Once you pick this up, it will be hard to put down. A super fun read!  
—TREY
   

This debut novel, filled with razor-sharp words that left an indelible impression on me, is a brilliant achievement that brings a vital perspective to understanding the social fabric we live in. The narrator is a Black British woman of Jamaican descent who appears to be living a success story, having reached the pinnacle of London’s financial world. But of course, appearances can be deceiving. This is a short, powerful read that I recommend with enthusiasm.

—TREY

This is a novel structured to be savored in small portions. A quiet, reflective story written in short strokes by a skilled author. Two events upend the life of Kristofer, a 75-year-old Icelandic restaurateur: his establishment closes and a message appears from a long-lost lover. Thus begins his unlikely journey to solve a 50-year-old mystery. First to London, the site of his youthful affair. And then to Japan for the answers to his questions. A touching exploration into the elusiveness of both love and memories. —Trey

Read by the author

Pure Color stretches the boundaries of what a novel can be. Lyrical, strange, and fascinating, this is a mediation on life, death, love, nature, and art. Author Sheila Heti’s narration of the audiobook creates a special listening experience. Her voice and her words captivated me from beginning to end. This is experimental literature at its very best and well worth a listen. —Trey

An immersive tale of the power of wealth and privilege to bend both reality and history. This is exceptional historical fiction about a Wall Street tycoon in the Roaring Twenties, a triumph of multilayered narration and storytelling. Four different, distinct versions of the story produce a remarkable reading experience. Each telling peels away another layer of mystery. Insights from a hundred years ago resonate today. An exhilarating novel, a pleasure to read!  —Trey

This book is part of our Spring Reading Challenge. Read more here.

Magical realism that works! Steeped in Trinidadian myth, this is a rich and alluring love story. The tale of Yejide, who is reluctant to inherit her destined role of balancer of life and death. The tale of Darwin, working in a cemetery, living outside the teachings of his Rastafari faith. Written in rhythmic colloquial island language, with threads of romance, crime, and mythology. This debut novel created a magical world that delighted and wowed me. —Trey

Julie Otsuka writes like no other author. Her words are melodic and mesmerizing. This exquisite, tender novel begins as a love letter to a group of swimmers, bound together by ritual. A mysterious crack appears in the pool they share, and their sanctuary is undone. The story then pivots to one of the swimmers, Alice, and the heartbreaking path of her dementia. This is a powerful, intimate, portrait of loss that touches deep inside. —Trey

Noor is a thought-provoking tale set in near-future Nigeria. Breakthrough wind-harvesting technology has created a society both prosperous and dystopian. AO was born with a broken body but has persevered with biotech modifications. After she is attacked for being less than human, she flees into the desert and meets up with DNA, a herdsman also on the run. The detailed world-building is unique and the story is full of twists, turns, and surprises. African futurist Nnedi Okorafor has written another gem! —Trey