The Books I'm Reading Now
I'm reading Kate Quinn and Jamie Chang's historical fiction novel about two disparate women in 1906 San Francisco, The Phoenix Crown; I'm listening to We Must Not Think of Ourselves, historical fiction about life the Warsaw Ghetto by Lauren Grodstein; and I'm listening to How to End a Love Story, a story by Yulin Kuang about two young adults whose paths cross years after being tied together by a tragic death.
What are you reading these days, bookworms?
01 The Phoenix Crown by Kate Quinn and Janie Chang
In 1906 San Francisco, two very different women seek new beginnings: Gemma is a gifted soprano whose career is in need of an overhaul, while Suling is an embroideress in Chinatown who is set against entering into the marriage that's been arranged for her.
Henry Thornton is a railroad magnate and owner of the mysterious Phoenix Crown, an artifact legendary because of its origins in Beijing's Summer Palace. Thornton draws both of the women into his world by offering to be their patron. But when San Francisco is devastated by an earthquake, Thornton disappears--and the Phoenix Crown with him.
Five years later, the crown reappears--spurring more mystery and questions than answers.
Kate Quinn is the author of the fantastic titles The Diamond Eye, The Huntress, The Rose Code, and The Alice Network.
02 We Must Not Think of Ourselves by Lauren Grodstein
My friend Suzanne recently suggested that I read this book despite my recent feelings that I'm maxed out on World War II-set novels, and I'm so glad she did! Of course she was right.
As Lauren Grodstein's We Must Not Think of Ourselves begins, it's November 1940, and Adam Paskow is one of the thousands of Jews newly imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto. He teaches English to children and adjusts to living in a flat with many other people. He is soon approached by secret archivists set on recording the incredible, horrifying events that are occurring--but also the everyday stories of the people trying to survive in captivity, danger, and uncertainty. Would Adam be willing to help them gather the stories that shape so many lives?
The heart of the story was inspired by the real-life project aimed at preserving the testimonies of Jews in the Ghetto, code named Oneg Shabbat. Stories of various characters are interwoven through the historical fiction novel and add depth to the story.
I'm listening to We Must Not Think of Ourselves as an audiobook. Grodstein is also the author of Our Short History, The Explanation for Everything, and A Friend of the Family.
03 How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
In high school, Helen Zheng's life was upended by the tragic, sudden death of her sister. Helen hasn't seen Grant Shepard in thirteen years--not since they were bound by the horrific events surrounding her sister's death...and since Helen demanded that Grant leave her sister's funeral as soon as he walks in.
Now a successful young-adult author, shy Helen is excited to be part of the adaptation of her work into a television series. She relocates to Los Angeles and is adjusting to the showy personas she's encountering and the process of shifting her words to their representation on the screen. But when she meets the key writers and staff members involved in working on the project, she is shocked and dismayed that Grant Shepard is front and center.
Initially horrified, Helen reluctantly builds a bond with Grant...and maybe something more.
I'm having a tough time with the premise of this one but am curious as to whether I'm missing something big that's about to be revealed about the circumstances surrounding Helen's sister's death.
Yulin Kuang is the adapting screenwriter of Emily Henry's People We Meet On Vacation, as well as the writer/director of the forthcoming movie based upon Emily Henry's Beach Read. (For my Bossy reviews of Emily Henry's books, click here.)