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The Three-Body Problem Book Review

Cixin Liu
This novel relies too heavily on exposition to really draw me in. The characters are somewhat flat and although it's a page-turner, this feels more like a thought experiment dressed up as a story. The interviews and techincal explanations put the brakes on the plot's momentum. I think the story would be better served by focusing just on Ye Wenjie's experience and letting the reader inhabit her world more deeply.

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The Golden Gate Book Review

Vikram Seth
With a taste of Tom Wolfe nihilism and romantic verse reminiscent of Byron, this novel-in-sonnets is a delight. It's a love story with a less-than-loveable main character, whose selfishness eats into his relationships (both romantic and platonic). Take your time with this slim novel: getting lost in wordplay and rhyme schemes is just as enjoyable as following the story.

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Station Eleven Book Review

Emily St. John Mandel
The post-apocalyptic genre is a tough one to get right. But this novel avoids clichés, envisioning a collapsed society where art is still, somehow, paramount to surviving. A satisfying twist near the end, plus deep dives into the characters’ hopes and regrets, make this story a stunner.

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Ru Book Review

Kim Thúy
Grounded in the smells, tastes, and sounds of Vietnam, this memoir bears witness to the upheaval experienced by generations of the author's family. Those who managed to find home in new nations find their experiences just as bewildering as those who stayed. The stories pass no judgment, infer no cosmic meaning. In the messiness and uncertainty of life, she captures these memories to have something to hold on to.

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