Title: Swimming in the Dark
Author: Tomasz Jedrowski
Genre: Fiction, Coming-of-age story, LGBT literature
Jedrowski's debut novel follows Ludwik in communist-era Poland, as he falls in love with Janusz at a summer camp. While the novel's LGBT themes are subtly interwoven into the fabric of the story, they remain the driving force of the narrative. One reviewer commented that it was reminiscent of Aciman's "Call Me By Your Name" insofar as its historical context, European setting, and evocative, poetic prose. This description seems apt, as the author's writing is highly sensual and descriptive, like Aciman's, though the setting will immerse readers in Jedrowski's native Poland, giving them a broader political context of the time period, as well as the land and cityscapes throughout.
This book will be sure to please fans of Aciman's writing, as well as some historical fiction readers looking for a work from a contemporary and unique European voice. The story is tender and poignant, and also draws several parallels with James Baldwin's seminal "Giovanni's Room". At just shy of 200 pages, the novel is the perfect summer read for anyone looking for a story of substance which depicts and questions the ethics of Poland's restrictive communist regime, while also capturing the nostalgic beauty and resilience of its ancient culture and more secretive love affairs.
-Adam
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Title: Dear Girls
Author: Ali WongGenre: Memoir Humor
When most parents write their children letters, they are full of stories and truths they wish to pass down. When Ali Wong writes letters to her daughters, she leaves nothing out and published it so that we can all read about her life.
Dear Girls by Ali Wong is the letter she wished her father had written her before he passed away. Maybe not exactly, but the inspiration came from a letter her father wrote her before he died. It is full of the stories her girls might want to know when they are older, or when she is gone. From growing up, to her rise in the comedy world, to her relationships, everything her children could ever want to know, and then some, is covered in this book.
If you are familiar with the comedy of Ali Wong, I don’t have to tell you that the language is rated R, and that there are no topics she won’t discuss. All that aside, this is a loving and laugh out loud funny look at Ali’s life and how she rose to fame.
-Katie
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Title: Where the Crawdads Sing
Author: Delia OwensGenre: Fiction
Kya was abandoned by everyone she had loved, one by one they left her. It was the marsh that became her family. She knew every inch of the marsh and rarely bonded with anyone more than the gulls. She was labeled the "Marsh Girl" and outcast from society.
When a the local star quarterback is found dead with what looks like a murder cover-up the townsfolk immediately accuse Kya. Will their prejudice condemn her to life in jail or even death?
This book has vivid descriptions of the marsh and thoughtful portrayals of what it is like to be an outsider. I would recommend this book to anyone who hasn't read it yet.
- Gina
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Title: The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics' Top Score ―from Nadia to Now
Author: Dvora MeyersGenre: Non-fiction (sports)
A great book highlighting the difference in scores for international elite gymnastics competitions now that they have removed the 10.00 based scoring system. I have been searching out more books about the sports that I love as a way to lead up to my celebration of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan this July and August, and this book truly fit this goal!
A brief history of the sport at the top levels, the politics behind the scenes that helped to lead to the scoring changes, and some wonderful chances to relive some of the most amazing moments in Olympic gymnastics history, entwine to make for a wonderful read!
It's not perfect, and the book doesn't avoid dealing with some of the negative aspects of the sport as well, but as it was published just before the Rio Olympics, in July 2016, it does not touch the more recent scandals that the sport has faced.
- Katrina
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