WE NEED NEW NAMES – NOVIOLET BULAWAYO
This dazzling coming of age story follows Darling, from life as a ten-year old in a Zimbabwe shantytown called Paradise stealing guavas with her friends; through to life as a teenager in Detroit, Michigan as an illegal immigrant. A vibrant and incredible tale of innocence, sacrifice and displacement.
THE BOOK OF UNKNOWN AMERICANS – CRISTINA HENRIQUEZ
This heartbreaking story follows the lives of immigrant families in an apartment complex in Delaware, hailing from places such as México, Guatemala, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Centered around the Rivera family and woven with stories from varied perspectives, it paints a picture of a struggle for assimilation.
THE MARRIAGE PLOT – JEFFREY EUGENIDES
A love triangle, set at an American college in the 1980’s. Viewpoints shift between the three protagonists Madeleine, Leonard and Mitchell, flawed individuals who meet in a semiotics class at Brown. An exploration of contemporary relationships cleverly contrasted against the classical literary device of the marriage plot.
THE SOCIAL ANIMAL – DAVID BROOKS
A unique book that intertwines social science and research findings into a digestible format – told through the fictional lives of a couple named Harold and Erica. An exploration of decision making and the way we live, I loved this work for introducing me to an area of studies I was previously unfamiliar with.
Recent reads are a selection of books I’ve read lately and enjoyed. I’m generally drawn to books set in foreign countries and I love to spend hours on my kindle. Happy reading!
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