In lieu of an actual “Editor’s Corner” column that I forgot to outline and write this week, I’d like to share a list of the books on my TBR list, also known as my “To-Be-Read” List, also known as “the books I borrow or buy but never actually start because I either fall asleep on my bed instead or get distracted by work/ house chores/my father watching Youtube videos at an absurdly high volume in the living room, angering me to high heaven.” (“Father Knows Best”...yeah right–and I’m Kate Middleton!).
You also may have seen that I covered a story featuring Richmond Hill’s new library, and although I may be too long in the tooth to be paraphrasing Harry Potter, I do solemnly swear that the newly-renovated library space on Ford Avenue is well worth “checking out,” lol.
It’s bright and spacious, with tons of neatly shelved books and other paraphernalia like computers, audiobooks, and DVDs (you remember those?). This neat little library on Ford Avenue is a perfect place for those looking for a chill place to read, work, or study–and I’ll make sure to visit as often as I can, even if it is just to escape the loud noises emanating from my office neighbor’s leaf blower which she just has to use everyday at approximately 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time otherwise our leaves might take over the world or something along those lines.
Your Editor’s TBR list: Love, Hate and Other Filters by Samira Ahmed
“American-born seventeen-year-old Maya Aziz is torn between worlds. There’s the proper one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter: attending a college close to their suburban Chicago home, and being paired off with an older Muslim boy her mom deems “suitable.” And then there is the world of her dreams: going to film school and living in New York City—and maybe (just maybe) pursuing a boy she’s known from afar since grade school, a boy who’s finally falling into her orbit at school.
There’s also the real world, beyond Maya’s control. In the aftermath of a horrific crime perpetrated hundreds of miles away, her life is turned upside down. The community she’s known since birth becomes unrecognizable; neighbors and classmates alike are consumed with fear, bigotry, and hatred. Ultimately, Maya must find the strength within to determine where she truly belongs.” (Description: Goodreads)
The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh
“It started with their ancestor Oanh who dared to leave her marriage for true love—so a fearsome Vietnamese witch cursed Oanh and her descendants so that they would never find love or happiness, and the Duong women would give birth to daughters, never sons.
Oanh’s current descendant Mai Nguyen knows this curse well. She’s divorced, and after an explosive disagreement a decade ago, she’s estranged from her younger sisters, Minh Pham (the middle and the mediator) and Khuyen Lam (the youngest who swears she just runs humble coffee shops and nail salons, not Little Saigon’s underground). Though Mai’s three adult daughters, Priscilla, Thuy, and Thao, are successful in their careers (one of them is John Cho’s dermatologist!), the same can’t be said for their love life. Mai is convinced they might drive her to an early grave.
Desperate for guidance, she consults Auntie Hua, her trusted psychic in Hawaii, who delivers an unexpected prediction: this year, her family will witness a marriage, a funeral, and the birth of a son. This prophecy will reunite estranged mothers, daughters, aunts, and cousins—for better or for worse.” (Description: Goodreads)
About A Boy by Nick Hornby
A novel that tells the story of a 36-year-old man named Will who lives a carefree and irresponsible life. His world is turned upside down when he meets Marcus, a 12-year-old boy who is struggling with his own problems. (Description: Blinkist.com)
One Day by David Nicholls
Okay, I already talked about the Netflix series, so this is me trying to read the book it is based off of. So far it’s pretty good–the chapters are well-written, and the characterization of Emma and Dexter is better than I imagined on the printed pages.
En Agosto Nos Vemos (We’ll Meet in August) by Gabriel Garcia Márquez
A posthumous work by the great Gabo, released earlier this month. I bought the Spanish version at Barnes & Noble, and I can’t wait to read it and annotate it like I’m some sort of comparative literature professor (maybe I was one in my past life, who knows?)
Andrea Gutierrez is the editor of the Bryan County News.