The Applicant by Nazli Koca
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
