Wait: A Novel by Gabriella Burnham: Sunday Salon

 Book Review

Wait by Gabriella Burnham

Published May 21, 2024; One World, NetGalley

Genre; literary fiction, contemporary fiction, adult fiction, immigrants

I enjoyed this novel about two American born sisters - Elise, a recent college graduate and Sophie, a high school student, whose mother, illegally in the U.S., was deported back to Brazil after being arrested for long overstaying her work visa. The girls' father, a visitor to the U.S. himself, left the family to return to Ireland a long time ago when Sophie was two years old. 

How the sisters, half-Irish, half-Brazilian American citizens, manage alone on Nantucket Island, their home, while waiting for their mother to acquire a green card from Brazil is the crux of this novel, a story of one illegal immigrant and her children.

Heart warming as well as revealing, the book looks at the children, especially the older child Elise, who is more affected by the change in their family situation than her younger sister. The story of the girls living their own lives on their own in the U.S. while they wait, and their mother adjusting to her own life back in her country, Brazil, leaves the reader both joyful and a little sadder.

A wonderfully written and executed book on a timely and relevant topic.

Currently reading

See: Loss. See Also: Love,  a novel by Yukiko Tominaga

Published May 7, 2024; Scribner, NetGalley

Genre: adult contemporary fiction, literary fiction, Japanese fiction

Description: A debut novel following a Japanese widow raising her son between worlds with the help of her Jewish mother-in-law as she wrestles with grief, loss, and—strangest of all—joy. 

Shortly after her husband Levi’s untimely death, Kyoko decides to raise their young son, Alex, in San Francisco, rather than return to Japan. Her nosy yet loving Jewish mother-in-law, Bubbe, encourages her to find new love and abandon frugality but her own mother wants Kyoko to celebrate her now husbandless life. Always beside her is Alex, who lives confidently, no matter the circumstance.

Four sections of vignettes. 

I'm intrigued by the mixing of cultures, people, and family in a novel about love and loss.

The Olympics

 

I found myself getting involved in more games than I thought I'd like, watching fencing and archery, as well as diving, track, cycling, soccer, volleyball, table tennis, gymnastics and more.

Thanks to my son who subscribed so we could enjoy watching the games on tv!  Did you watch any of the games? 

One of my favorites - the final men's soccer match between France and Spain. Spain won a hard fought game. 

What are you reading/watching this week? 

Memes:  The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a small commission on each purchase through my blog links. at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support.

The Wedding People by Alison Espach

 Book review

The Wedding People by Alison Espach
July 30, 2024; Henry Holt & Co.

Genre: literary fiction, adult fiction, contemporary


I totally loved this book, which I thought of as excellent literary fiction. It's the story of a woman, a nineteenth century English literature specialist who has lived a life fulfilling expectations of other people, namely of her dead mother - never making mistakes in her life, being quiet and obedient as a child so as not to inconvenience her father and as an adult. to be always calm and careful and to be perfect in her marriage.

Then one day, when all this becomes too much for her, her marriage failing after her husband Matt leaves her for Mia, another professor at their school, Phoebe walks out of her job and heads for the resort hotel in Newport she has always dreamed of visiting. Her intention of doing away with herself there is foiled by a bride Lila who had rented the entire hotel for her elaborate six day wedding, and who has to grudgingly accept that Phoebe is an unplanned visitor, an uninvited guest at her wedding.

The bride Lila begins to intrigue Phoebe, who slowly is drawn into her world and that of the wedding people at the hotel, enough to have Phoebe slowly change perspectives about people and her life. This story is told with humor, insight into personalities, and persuades Phoebe to "become part of the world again." The great thing is that the bride and her groom also change and find their true selves during this wedding week.

" ...becoming who you want to be is just like anything else. It takes practice. It requires belief that one day, you'll wake up and be a natural at it."

 The writing is superb, with references to Walt Whitman, Jane Eyre, and other 19th century literature that Phoebe refers to in her musings about her aims and her life. The characters are well drawn, unusual and distinct, and realistic at the same time.

Memes:  The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves

Empresses of Seventh Avenue by Nancy MacDonell: Historical Novel

 Fashion in Paris and New York City during WWII

 

Empresses of Seventh Avenue

World War II, New York City, and the Birth of American Fashion

by Nancy MacDonell, August 27, 2024, St. Martin's Press, NetGalley

Description

Fashion historian and journalist Nancy MacDonell chronicles the untold story of how the Nazi invasion of France gave rise to the American fashion industry.

The fall of Paris to the Nazis in WWII had a profound effect on the French Legend, the belief that all women in Europe and America wanted only French couture and fashion. With Paris shut down and shut off during the war, American designers came into their own. 

My comments:

When Paris was taken over by the Nazis in WWII, that famous capital of high fashion began a decline that was filled by American couturiers who had previously relied on the French to lead the way in fashion, no longer only copying their styles and looking to Paris for their inspiration, Starting September 1940, American designers began to shine on their own and by 1945 American fashion began to rival that of France, and New York began to challenge Paris as the capital of high fashion.

This amazing historical novel on the growth and emergence of American fashion shows the rise of "democratic" principles in the fashion world - American designers began creating couture for all types of women. Sportswear, ready-to-wear clothes, and mix and match outfits became the new styles for America and signaled a new era of fashion.

This book tells the story of how the Americans could move forward without Paris, for once disregarding the French Legend as the one and only source of haute couture. The first American designers of note are the "empresses of Seventh Avenue." These included Eleanor Lambert, first superstar fashion publicist; Claire McCardell, creator  of American sportswear; designer Elizabeth Hawes, among several others. 

An important book for fashion lovers and for those interested in this aspect of American history, the book details the lives and stories of little remembered designers and couturiers in America who were important to American fashion. A fascinating book that is well worth reading.

What are you reading/watching this week?

Memes: Paris in July 2024,  The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves

Sunday Salon: Short Stories and a Love Story

 I have read and liked many of Elly Griffiths' mystery novels set in the north of England, so NetGalley offered me this read. Looking forward to it. 

The Man in Black: Stories by Elly Griffiths

June 18, 2024; Mariner Books, NetGalley

Description:

An eclectic, thrilling collection of short stories, featuring many characters that readers have come to know and love from her mystery books featuring her main character, forensic archaeologist and university lecturer, Ruth Galloway.

I liked the clear lines of this book cover and the simple yet intriguing title, Lines, a novel by a young Asian American writer, Sung J. Woo, to be published October 29, 2024. The book is described as a "star-crossed" love story set in New York City. It promises to be tragic. I'm curious. 

Another of his books, Everything Asian is an earlier book about a 12-year-old Korean boy moving with his mother and teenage sister to the U.S. to join his father, and adapting to life in New Jersey. 

WHAT ARE YOU READING/WATCHING THIS WEEK?  

Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves 

Essays, Short Stories, and a Fantasy: Sunday Salon

 In my mailbox

I requested this book because of its use of Japanese mythology in its storytelling.

The Lost Souls of Benzaiten

by Kelly Murashige Pub Date Jul 23 2024

Soho Press, Soho Teen, Sci Fi and Fantasy, Teens and YA, OwnVoices

Description

This heartfelt and quirky young adult fantasy debut follows a young outcast on a journey of transformation . . . into a robot vacuum cleaner.

A fresh twist on Japanese mythology that doubles as a deep, honest dive into mental health.

“I wish to become one of those round vacuum cleaner robots.” That’s what Machi prays for at the altar of Japanese goddess Benzaiten. Ever since her two best friends decided they want nothing to do with her, Machi hasn’t been able to speak. After months of online school and a carousel of therapists, she can no longer see the point of being human. She doesn’t expect Benzaiten to hear her prayer, much less offer a different prayer on Machi’s behalf—that Machi  discover the beauty of humanity, ultimately restoring her to her previous self.

From an author to watch, The Lost Souls of Benzaiten is a highly original debut about the nature of happiness and the potential for healing.

Thanks to Soho Press for a review copy of this book.

Ebook Downloads

The cover and the title grabbed me. Besides, I wanted to read more short stories from a woman's point of view.

Miss Kim Knows

And Other Stories

by Cho Nam-joo, Jamie Chang (translator)

October 29, 2024; Liveright, NetGalley

Description

From the international best-selling author of Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982, a collection exploring the intimacies of contemporary Korean womanhood.

A woman is born. A woman is filmed in public without consent. A woman suffers domestic violence. A woman is gaslit. A woman is discriminated against at work. A woman grows old. A woman becomes famous. A woman is hated, and loved, and then hated again.

Miss Kim Knows follows eight women, ranging from preteens to octogenarians, as they confront how gender shapes and orders their lives. “Despite her characters’ hardship and disappointments, there is mischief and glee to be found in these pages” (Hephzibah Anderson, Observer), resulting in another riveting read from an essential voice in world literature.

Collection of Essays

Dancing on My Own

Essays on Art, Collectivity, and Joy

by Simon Wu

Published June 25, 2024; Harper

Description

An essay collection on the aesthetics of class aspiration, creating art and fashion, and the limits of identity politics by emerging art critic and curator Simon Wu

Some interesting and revealing quotes from the essays about being artistic, and being an immigrant:

"...we had chosen to follow our passions into precarious creative professions where few others looked like us and our parents could offer little help. Children of immigrants who pursue creative careers often contend with the perceived opportunity cost of endangering the economic foothold their parents carved out for them." (from "For Everyone")

Simon Wu is a curator and writer involved in collaborative art production and research, and is currently in the PhD program in history of art at Yale University. His family immigrated to the U.S. from Myanmar. 

 What are you reading/watching this week?  

Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also, It's Monday: What Are You Reading, Sunday Salon, and Stacking the Shelves 

Paris in July 2024: Four Books and a Recipe for a French Omelette

 

Paris in July 2024

During this month,
 various activities
like reading, watching, listening, observing, cooking,
and indulging in all things French!

Hosted by France Book Tours/ Words and Peace.

Click on Paris in July 2024: French Bingo to join in reading/watching/listening and other Paris/French activities in July, using the bingo card. 

 

Books/ARCs I have chosen for this challenge:

               August 20, 2024; William Morrow, NetGalley,                                                            French fashion

                     July 8, 2024; Boldwood Books, NetGalley

                                       Paris in the Title

 

                             July 21, 2020; Berkley, NetGalley

                                     Eiffel Tower on cover

                         August 8, 2024; Lake Union Publishing 

                                                    French history                                                          

I hope to finish these books in July! 

French Food

I am adding a French omelette for the challenge, but I have to watch how much butter I use in this dish! Doesn't it look creamy and delicious, though? I made this using a video of Julia Child's recipe and method, which is very similar.

                       Chef John's French Omelette

                                              Photo by Chef John

                                             

Ingredients

• 3 large fresh eggs

• ½ teaspoon cold water

• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 

• 1 pinch cayenne or white pepper to taste (Optional)

Directions

1. Whisk eggs, water, and salt together in a mixing bowl. Whisk until mixture is very liquid and whites are completely blended in, 1 or 2 minutes.

2. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons butter in a 9- or 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. As soon as butter melts and before it starts to sizzle, pour in whisked eggs. Stir in a circular pattern with a heat-proof spatula, lifting and scrambling eggs, shaking the pan to keep leveling out the mixture, and scraping down the sides. Continue stirring until shaking the pan no longer levels the eggs.

3. Reduce heat to low. Using the spatula, smooth the surface to move runny eggs to less runny spots, working toward an even thickness. As soon as the surface is wet but not runny, remove from heat.

4. Starting at the handle side of the pan, use the spatula to begin rolling omelette into a cylinder shape, about 3 rolls until omelette is about 2 inches from opposite side of the pan. Use the spatula to fold the last flap of egg over the top of the cylinder leaving the seam-side up. Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter to the pan. Gently push the butter as it melts under the omelette.

5. Slide omelette to edge of the pan. Flip onto a plate with the seam-side down. Even out the shape, if necessary. You can tuck in the ends, if you like. Brush surface with a bit more butter. Dust with cayenne pepper.                            

What are you planning to read/watch/make/eat for Paris in July?

A Love Letter to Paris by Rebecca Raisin: Paris in July 2024

 

 A Love Letter to Paris by Rebecca Raisin, July 8, 2024; Boldwood Books, NetGalley

Genre: romance, Paris, contemporary fiction

Reviewed for Paris in July 2024

 

My comments: Half-French Lilou has lived in Paris since her 20s, selling old letter and personal diaries and ephemera from the past at her stall at the San Ouen flea market. Inspired by her friend Emilienne, who wants to find the right boyfriend, and convinced that writing letters would better introduce two people to each other than sending pictures or having sudden impromptu dates, Lilou opens a letter writing matchmaking site online and calls herself the Paris Cupid.

Becoming a flourishing matchmaker, the Paris Cupid that advocates "slow-burn romance" through the written word, Lilou also finds herself the target of romance, wondering about the love talismans she finds among her things at her stall. There are three men who have stalls close by hers at the flea market who might be trying to convey their romantic feelings to Lilou, or court her in this way.

This cute romance novel tells a lot about Paris, its huge and famous flea markets, antique shops, the booksellers along the Seine, the parks and gardens and places to get the best views of Paris, sites for lovers, even the French love of cats as pets. Readers will want to see this aspect of Paris. I found the book an enjoyable and easy read that showed me other sides of this intriguing city.