The Books I'm Reading Now
I'm reading Kaikeyi, the upcoming debut (to be published tomorrow!) from Vaishnavi Patel; Going There, Katie Couric's memoir about love, loss, her career, and motherhood; and Beasts of a Little Land, Juhea Kim's debut novel of interconnected story lines that begins with an unexpected encounter in 1917 Korea.
What are you reading and enjoying these days, bookworms?
01 Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
“I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.”
In Vaishnavi Patel's debut novel, Kaikeyi, the author reimagines the life of a fabled queen from the Indian epic Ramayana. The retelling swirls with family drama, intrigue, bravery--and a young woman determined to make her mark in a world run by men, as the only daughter of a king whose lands are ruled by the gods' powerful and ruthless punishment.
I received a prepublication digital edition of this book (to be published April 26) courtesy of Redhook and NetGalley.
02 Going There by Katie Couric
I'm listening to Katie Couric's memoir Going There, in which she traces the beginnings of her media career, a few young dalliances with notable figures, and her determination.
She takes us through falling in love with Jay Molner, having their two daughters, and losing Jay to advanced colorectal cancer before they'd been married a decade.
Couric is candid about her emotional turmoil as well as pivotal career moments spanning decades, including key interviews and decisions, her work friendship with Matt Lauer, and her healthy professional competitiveness with Diane Sawyer and others.
03 Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim
In a snowy forest in 1917 Korea, an unlikely moment of kindness shared by a Korean hunter toward a Japanese officer creates a connection that binds the fates of the two men forever.
Meanwhile Jade, a young girl who has been sold to a courtesan, befriends JungHo, a young orphan boy in Seoul.
JungHo grows older and becomes involved in the fight for independence, while Jade finds an unlikely romantic interest in a noble-born man.
In Beasts of a Little Land, Juhea Kim explores friendship, enemies, trust, possibility, heroes, and beasts of all kinds.
Beasts of a Little Land is Juhea Kim's debut work.