A Book A Week

How strong are the ties that bind us to another person? Are we shaped more by who we are at our core, or by the lives we’re forced to live? These are the questions at the heart of Tayari Jones’s Kin. Following the success of An American Marriage, Jones once again explores a relationship shaped by separation—this time shifting her focus from marriage to the enduring bond between two best friends. The result is another moving story that blends elements of historical fiction with a deeply layered portrait of friendship.

Vernice “Neicy” and Annie were, in many ways, cut from the same cloth. Neicy was orphaned at just six months old after her father murdered her mother. Annie never knew her father, and her mother abandoned her days after she was born, leaving her to be raised by her grandmother. In Honeysuckle, Louisiana, family isn’t always about blood—it’s about who shows up. And for these two girls, that shared understanding binds them together.

But as they grow older, their paths begin to diverge. Determined to give Neicy every opportunity, her aunt sends her off to Spelman College, where she finds herself among a circle of ambitious, well-connected women and eventually marries into wealth. Annie, meanwhile, is driven by a different need—the desire to find the mother who left her behind and finally make sense of that absence. As they move further into their separate lives, the question becomes not just who they will become, but whether the bond that once defined them can survive the distance between who they were and who they’re becoming.

Tayari Jones once again proves her ability to craft complex, deeply realized characters in Kin. We follow Neicy and Annie as they come of age during the Jim Crow era, though the historical backdrop serves more as atmosphere than the novel’s central focus. This is, first and foremost, a story about growth—about how these two girls evolve into very different women.

Through alternating perspectives, Jones allows us to feel the widening distance between them, each chapter deepening the divide shaped by their choices and circumstances. She resists offering clean, easy answers, instead inviting us to sit with the complexity of it all. What emerges is a thoughtful meditation on friendship—how it endures, how it fractures, and how much of who we become is shaped by the lives we’re given.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2026, 23)

It’s a misty December day when Laurie squeezes into the seat of a double-decker bus. Christmas is nearly here, and her mind is cluttered with lists and obligations. Then, through the fogged-over window, she sees him. He’s a stranger, of course, but something about him feels unmistakably right. Laurie has never believed in love at first sight—until that moment. When he looks back, and their eyes meet, she’s certain there’s a spark, a shared recognition that feels almost impossible to ignore. And then, just as suddenly, the bus lurches forward, the brakes release, and he’s gone, left standing behind in the haze.

Laurie knows it’s silly, but she can’t let the image of him go. For the next year, she searches for “bus boy” everywhere—every bar, every street, every shop. She becomes fixated, convinced he’s the one and that she’ll never feel that kind of connection again. But as days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and months into a year, hope begins to fade. Then, just as she’s finally ready to let the fantasy go, he reenters her life, hand in hand with her best friend and flatmate, Sarah. Jack, as she learns his name, is Sarah’s new boyfriend, the man she can’t stop talking about.

Laurie wants to scream the truth, to tell Sarah that Jack is the man she’s been searching for all along. But when she sees the happiness on her friend’s face and realizes Jack doesn’t seem to recognize her, she swallows her feelings and says nothing. Maybe it was all just a foolish dream. Except it wasn’t. Jack does remember her. And now he’s caught between loyalty to his girlfriend and the lingering pull of a moment that neither of them ever forgot.

One Day in December sees Josie Silver write a romance that stretches far beyond the familiar tropes of a typical holiday love story. The love triangle that unfolds between Laurie, Jack, and Sarah feels genuine, thanks to the patience and care with which Silver allows their relationships to develop. Yes, you can probably guess where the story is headed, but that predictability isn’t the point. This is a novel about the way life twists and turns, carrying us through the joys and heartbreaks of love and friendship.

Silver asks us to consider what true love really means and whether we’re willing to settle for something less than what we truly want. By writing from both Laurie’s and Jack’s perspectives, she lets us experience their longing, happiness, and regret across several years of their lives. The result is a novel that satisfies as a cozy holiday romance while offering deeper character exploration than the genre typically provides. That blend of romance, longing, and emotional honesty makes One Day in December a perfect holiday read, one that captures the magic of the season while lingering in your thoughts well into the new year.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 102)

Rock climbing is no small feat. It demands athleticism, skill, and unwavering focus. Finn knows this well. An experienced climber, she respects the risks that come with the sport she loves. As she prepares for her latest ascent into the Australian wilderness, Finn isn’t just checking the strength of her ropes and gear—she’s also bracing herself for a different kind of challenge.

For years, Finn and her best friend Daphne were inseparable, bonded by a heartbreaking connection. Both lost their sisters to suicide. That shared grief became the foundation of a deep friendship. Time marches on, though, and now Finn is in a new chapter of her life, building a relationship with her girlfriend, Magdu.

Hoping to bridge the gap between past and present, Finn invites both women on a celebratory climb. She’s triple-checked the gear and done her best to prepare emotionally. But nothing could prepare her for what happens next.

As the book’s title ominously suggests, Magdu's rope snaps. In an instant, a joyful adventure turns into a nightmare. Stunned and grieving, Finn must reckon with the possibility that this wasn’t just a tragic accident. As doubts creep in and secrets rise to the surface, she’s forced to question everything she thought she knew about the people she loves, the life she’s built, and what really happened on that cliff.

Girl Falling sees Hayley Scrivenor explore the fragile threads of friendship, family, and the trust we place in those closest to us. The tragic accident that opens the novel is merely the spark for a series of thrilling and deeply emotional revelations. Scrivenor masterfully weaves between past and present, giving readers glimpses into Finn’s relationships with both Daphne and Magdu, even as we watch her navigate the grief and uncertainty that follows Magdu’s death. This dual timeline adds a richness that pushes the story beyond a typical mystery.

There’s also a powerful commentary on the relationship between Finn and Magdu, particularly in the way Magdu’s parents struggle to accept their daughter’s sexuality. Scrivenor touches on this with nuance, offering an important reminder that LGBTQ+ rights aren’t just about love or marriage. They’re about the right to grieve, to be acknowledged, and to be treated with dignity in every corner of life.

Ultimately, Girl Falling delivers a suspenseful mystery with real emotional heft. While the twist at the end didn’t entirely land for me, it didn’t take away from the novel’s overall impact. It’s a solid, thoughtful read that I thoroughly enjoyed. 

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads. 

(2025, 29)

What makes a great book? I'm at that point in the year where I'm beginning to reflect on which of the many books I've read this year have been my favorite. Pondering the various titles I've consumed has left me considering what elements make up a great read. I think the essential pieces would be the same for most readers. In fact, in the ten years that I've reviewed every book that I've read, the key components of what makes a good read to me have remained unchanged. The best books have an intriguing plot, consistent pace, and most importantly strong characters. Bonus points go to any book that I can't shake thinking about when I finish it. With my reading year winding down, I didn't expect to have another book that would wow me to the point of considering it my top read of the year. But then my friends at Alfred A. Knopf sent me a copy of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. It might just be the best book I've read this year. 

Sam and Sadie were an unlikely pair when they first met at the children's hospital. Sam was there recovering from a debilitating foot injury resulting from a horrific car crash. He hadn't spoken a word since he arrived. Sadie was there visiting her sister who was fighting a battle with cancer. There's a lot of downtime in the hospital. Recovering from an injury takes time, and Sam had plenty of it. As the healthy child in the family, Sadie also had a ton of time to herself. She encountered Sam playing Super Mario Bros, and the two started a conversation. Over the coming weeks and months, the pair became best friends, bonding over their love of video games. 

Years later their time together became nothing more than a memory. A childhood spat left a rift between Sam and Sadie, and they didn't speak to each other for years. The pair didn't reconnect again until a chance encounter on a subway platform thrust them back into each other's life. It was as if no time had passed at all. Their friendship rekindled, and the two college students joined forces to build upon their childhood obsession. They agree to make a game together. 

There are times when a book seems to come out of the ether to infiltrate our lives. Zevin's novel is that kind of book. I have a quiet familiarity with video games, but I would never dare to call myself a gamer. In fact, my Nintendo Switch is turned off much more frequently than it is turned on. As such, I began reading with a hint of trepidation. Was this material going to resonate with me? As I let Zevin's words take hold of my imagination, I quickly realized that my worries were unwarranted. You see, Zevin has written a novel that, at its core, is about friendship. We follow these characters through three decades of life, feeling companionship, exhilaration, frustration, and heartbreak. By the end, Sam and Sadie are completely known to us, as real as the people we know in our own lives. Zevin shifts perspectives between the main characters, ensuring the plot moves in a way that is authentic and ever-compelling. I was glued to the pages, experiencing the emotions of each moment along with the characters. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a big book filled with big ideas, all grounded through some of the most brilliantly crafted characters that I've ever read. I don't often heap universal praise on a novel, especially one as hyped as this one has been. In this case, though, I feel the praise is warranted. This is a great book.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.  

(2022, 55)

Over the past several weeks, I've thought a lot about what summer reading means to me. Working from home gave me the luxury of expanding my reading habits and redefining the idea of a summer read. I read some fantastic literary fiction and thought-provoking non-fiction. I was truly becoming a more well-rounded reader. Then this week happened. I went back to work for the first time, and I began the process of readjusting my daily routine. I would get home at the end of the day and be completely exhausted. Add to that the tragic killing of George Floyd and the protesting that followed, and my mental and emotional capacity just couldn't take a heavy read. Enter Jennifer Weiner's latest novel, Big Summer. It is a quick and light read with just enough narrative intrigue and character development to draw your attention away from everything else for a while. In short, exactly the kind of book I needed to read.

Daphne is the kind of character you just can't help but fall in love with. She has struggled with her weight for her entire life. As a child, her grandmother tried to drill healthy eating habits into her, causing self-esteem issues and body dysmorphia that persists to this very day. Being overweight just wasn't acceptable. If you were overweight, you were seen as less than. This translated into all areas of her life, including her friendships. Daphne latched onto Drue Cavanaugh, a rich, skinny girl who used Daphne's loyalty to fit her own needs. Their friendship was never built on an equal fitting, but it served the two girls' needs. Until it didn't. The dissolution of their friendship was inevitable, and the two have not spoken since their falling out.

Six years later, Daphne is living a pretty different life. She still struggles with her weight, but she has embraced it. So much so, in fact, that she's built quite the social media following because of it. Daphne is a bonafide influencer for the plus-size community. Out of the blue, she comes into contact with Drue. Daphne is shocked to learn that Drue is marrying a reality TV star soon, and wants Daphne to be part of the wedding. Daphne is hesitant at first, but Drue promises that she's grown and changed since they last interacted. Finally, Daphne agrees to give their friendship a second chance. Plus a high-profile celebrity wedding can't be bad for the Instagram followers!

The less you know going into Big Summer, the better. Jennifer Weiner fills her book with plenty of twists and turns, each taking the story and characters into unexpected directions. In fact, a twist in the middle of the book turned it from an in-depth character study on friendship and body positivity into a more standard whodunnit. I found this shift to be a bit jarring at first, but the strength of the characters helped carry the change through. Weiner manages to let the book be light and fun while still imbuing it with more thought-provoking commentary on social media, friendship, and body image. I found the mystery aspect to distract from all of this a bit, but I couldn't help but keep reading. Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner is summer escapism reading at its finest. As our world continues to challenge us in new ways each day, it is nice to be able to escape into a good book, even if it is only for a few hours.

For more information visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2020, 24)