Balcony on the Moon

Balcony on the Moon: Coming of Age in Palestine by Ibtisam Barakat is a memoir picking up where Tasting the Sky left off, although this is a stand alone book. It follows her through her adolescence in Palestine from 1972-1981 as she dreams of being a writer and helps her mother pursue her dream of graduating from high school.

This is a wonderful look into a culture not often represented in literature. Barakat is determined to follow her dreams despite all the adversity facing her and her family and all displaced Palestinians. A great read.

Elsewhere, Home

Elsewhere, Home is a collection of short stories by one of my favorite African authors, Leila Aboulela,  Aboulela writes with experience about Muslim immigrants from Sudan and Egypt living abroad in Scotland and London and the challenges that they face, the longing for home which never really goes away.

Beautifully realized, these are stories that will help bridge the gap between very different cultures. A great read that couldn't be more timely.

Light From Other Stars

Light From Other Stars by Erika Swyler is a wonderful novel about a young girl growing up in a small Florida town, watching Space Shuttles launch and determined to go into space herself one day. Both her parents are scientists and her father is working on an invention that will have ramifications for the whole town.

Traveling back in forth in time and space, Swyler has crafted a fantastic story about the relationship between parents and their children, the responsibility and accountability of science, the joy and wonder of the unknown, as well as an exploration of friendship, love, loss and grief.

An awe-filled adventure for those willing to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the ride.

Less

Less by Andrew Sean Greer is the story of Arthur Less, a failing writer about to turn fifty, whose boyfriend of nine years is getting married someone else. To avoid the humiliation of the wedding, Arthur pieces together a round the world book tour in order to be out of the country when it takes place.

Written with sharp wit, I found this book hilarious, wise and surprisingly moving. Even through all his mistakes and missteps, it was impossible not to root for Less. A great read.

Clever Girl

Clever Girl by Tessa Hadley tells the story of Stella, an ordinary Englishwoman whose life unfolds in snapshots in the novel, moving from the 60's to present day. Nothing extraordinary happens here, however it is Hadley's writing that elevates the ordinary to the extraordinary, deftly describing the ways in which Stella relates to the world and everyone around her.

A subtle, yet beautiful book.

Severance

Severance by Ling Ma is a post-apocalyptic novel set in NYC in the very near future. Candice Chen is so committed to the routine of her workday, she barely notices when Shen Fever sweeps the city and she is eventually left to survive alone.

Ma writes in a wonderfully satirical voice about the end of the world and her place in what is left of it. A funny, insightful and slightly eerie look at a path that is all too easily imaginable for our future. A great debut novel from a fresh new voice.

26a

26a is a semi-autobiographical novel by British author Diana Evans. In an attic room in London, two identical twins grow up together, sharing everything, and avoiding the unhappiness of their parents below. On a trip to Nigeria to visit their Mother's family, unexpected events lead to the first secrets between them, and their lives begin to slowly drift apart.

Beautifully written, Evans is a master of using language in new and creative ways. Poetic, full of humor, tragedy, and also hope. A stunning debut.