Trey's Reviews

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

This is a remarkable debut collection of five short stories and the title novella. The stories are brilliant, with themes of race, home, and family. The novella features Da’Naisha, a direct descendent of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. In a time when violent white supremacists are in ascendance, society disintegrates. Da’Naisha leads a band of refugees to a final stand at fabled Monticello, home of her ancestors. A moving, cautionary tale that speaks to the dangers of our present time. —Trey

Three stories are woven together in this masterful, wise, and empathetic novel. Mina, an Arab American trans woman doing medical work with refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos. A Syrian migrant family led by their dying matriarch Sumaiya. And the writer of the story, struggling to convey the depth of so many unanswerable questions. Alameddine writes with care and precision about existence in the midst of impossibility. This is a special, moving book. Don’t miss our event with Rabih Alameddine on December 1st. —Trey

Enticing scents and exotic perfumes permeate this evocative book. Timothy Schaffert transports you to the cabarets and brothels of WWII Nazi-occupied Paris. Clementine is a 72-year-old queer American ex-pat, a reformed thief. Her perfumery caters to the city's marginalized LGBTQ+ community. She runs a dangerous con game to protect her dearest friends. Espionage, deception, love, and betrayal are all a part of the story. This is a well-written, unique tale of historical fiction. —Trey

A fascinating, unusual novel inspired by Pepe Mujica, the ex-president of Uruguay. Political, personal, and philosophical, the narrative alternates between past and present. As a reporter interviews the retired ex-president, distant memories surface. Memories of solitary confinement. Memories of the woman he loved. Memories of his conversations with the frog that shared his cell.  Beautiful writing and a story of love, hope, and survival come together to make this a very special read.—Trey 

This is an epic tale of family and community set in a small logging town in the Pacific Northwest. A midwife seeks explanations for why so many pregnancies are ending in grief. Her high climbing husband courts danger every day he works far above the ground. Their town is facing the end of logging as a generational way of life. Beautiful immersive writing brings you deep into the old-growth redwood forest. Damnation Spring is a remarkable debut novel. —Trey 

A phenomenal collection of short stories packing a punch that left me breathless. These could only come from the experience of being Black and living in the heart and soul of New Orleans. Flash fiction that burns for a single page and leaves an indelible impression. Longer narratives that dive deep into the lives of the characters and the sights and sounds of the city. Maurice Carlos Ruffin is an extraordinary storyteller! —Trey

Set in Nigeria, this beautiful and heartbreaking exploration of sexuality and gender identity is a story of family secrets, love, and grief. Vivek Oji is dead, found wrapped in cloth on his mother's doorstep. How this came to be is a riveting tale that Emezi tells with simple, evocative, profound prose. A rich, emotionally rewarding read, I found this difficult to put down. - Trey

Josie Morrow is Girl One of the nine Homestead girls, all conceived without male DNA. An arson fire destroyed their experimental commune when they were still young children, and the girls and their mothers scattered far and wide. Now 23, Josie embarks on a desperate journey to find her missing mother. She connects with other Homestead girls, and together they discover their hidden powers. Secrets and lies unravel one after another as the truth finally emerges. An exciting sci-fi/mystery thriller! — Trey

I laughed out loud throughout this insightful, heartwarming coming-of-age story. Mary Jane is a sheltered 14-year-old girl living in 1975 suburban Baltimore. Her black-and-white life transforms into a riotous rainbow of color during a special summer. She becomes the nanny for 5-year-old Izzy in a family full of love and chaos completely unlike her own. Exposed to sex, drugs, and rock and roll, Mary Jane begins discovering who she wants to be. A great summer read! — Trey