Carey recommends: China Room, Sunjeev Sahota
The heroin-addicted narrator of Sahota's third novel hopes "reading about life might be a way to overcome it." The most notable aspect of the novel is the story of his great-grandmother Mehar, a teen bride in India in 1929. She lives in a rural structure called a "china room" with two other brides and waits to be summoned to a dark bedroom, where her husband waits, in the hopes of becoming pregnant with a son. The three women married the three men, all brothers, on a single day, but in the darkness, the young women cannot be certain that the man is their husband. The struggle for self-determination haunts both generations in this well-written book.
My Love for You Is Always, Gillian Sze
Reviewed By The Author:
One of my favourite neighbourhood gems is Bibliophile, which has the coziest children’s section! I am so delighted to share the fun news that they are now carrying my latest picture book, My Love For You Is Always (Philomel Books) – a story that brings together a mother's love and Asian cuisine. This book is gorgeously illustrated by Michelle Lee. If you pop into Bibliophile, be sure to also pick up a one-of-a-kind screen-printed bookmark, lovingly made by Michelle! Happy reading!
David recommends: Here, Right Matters: An American Story, Alexander S. Vindman
You are probably aware of Vindman, the American whistleblower who brought the previous president's 2019 phone call with the Ukrainian president to light. This terrific autobiography recalls Vindman's life as the child of a Russian immigrant who fled the Soviet Union in search of a better life for his family. He learned about the importance of truth throughout his education and military service and saw it as his duty to report the infamous phone call. Vindman is a courageous patriot, and I recommend his candid book.