Book Sketches

The Other Americans by Laila Lalami

Tue, 05/14/2019 - 3:55pm -- BHanley

The Other Americans masterfully examines the aftermath of a patriarch’s violent death and the effects it has on family, colleagues, and community members. Told from a myriad of perspectives, the story begins with the hit-and-run death of Driss, a Moroccan immigrant living in California who owns a restaurant business. Perspectives include Driss’ wife and daughters, the police and detectives, and the business owners next door.

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie

Wed, 05/01/2019 - 6:22pm -- BHanley

Home Fire is a riveting story about a tight-knit British-Pakistani family of three siblings whose life goals, secrets, and choices bind them together and drive them apart. Isma, the eldest daughter and pseudo-mother, moves to Massachusetts after being offered a professional opportunity. She leaves behind her twin siblings, Aneeka and Parvaiz. Aneeka has started college, while Parvaiz is ambling through life without a clear future.

Hell House by Richard Matheson

Mon, 04/15/2019 - 2:45pm -- JGranatino

Appropriately known as the Mount Everest of haunted houses, Hell House mentally and physically destroys all who enter. When offered a huge sum of money to research life after death, four people, a physicist, his wife, and two psychic mediums, agree to stay at the abandoned house for one week.  With its unique and terrifying history of sins and insanity, the Belasco house’s evil targets each of them individually.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Mon, 03/18/2019 - 3:45pm -- JGranatino

Famed artist Alicia Berenson has been convicted of her wealthy husband’s murder and sent to an institution for the criminally insane, remaining silent throughout her arrest, trial and incarceration. Psychotherapist Theo Faber is keenly interested in her case, especially when he sees her last painting entitled “Alcestis”, which he believes to be a key in finding out her possible motive for the crime.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Mon, 03/18/2019 - 9:57am -- BHanley

Bursting with raw intensity and dazzling brilliance similar to The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas delivers a surefire powerhouse follow-up in On the Come Up. Bri is a 16-year-old aspiring rapper looking to help her family out by making it big. Growing up in Garden Heights (Los Angeles) where many people struggle with bills, drugs, and gangs, Bri wants to be a beacon of hope for her community.

America for Beginners by Leah Franqui

Thu, 02/28/2019 - 1:32pm -- BHanley

America for Beginners by Leah Franqui is a poignant story, told with careful, respectful prose. A year after the death of her husband, an Indian woman, Pival Sengupta, decides to visit her gay and estranged son in the United States. Under the guise of a country tour, Pival travels with Satya, the tour guide, and Rebecca, a hired actress to be her traveling companion.

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