The Books I'm Reading Now
I'm listening to Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, about an America in which those in the for-profit prison system fight to the death for others' entertainment--and for their freedom; I'm reading Yours Truly, Abby Jimenez's newest rom-com about two lonely ER doctors who forge a connection through writing each other letters; and I'm reading Matthew Norman's upcoming (to be published tomorrow) music-focused light fiction, Charm City Rocks.
What are you reading these days, bookworms?
01 Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's Chain-Gang All-Stars explores an America in which prisoners in the private prison industry take part in profitable, popular, and controversial gladiator death-match performances in which they fight for their freedom.
Loretta Thurwar and Hamara "Hurricane Staxxx" are lovers, teammates, and the stars of Chain-Gang All-Stars, a program at the heart of CAPE, or Criminal Action Penal Entertainment.
Loretta is poised to earn her freedom in just a few more matches. She's bracing herself to leave behind her beloved teammates and Staxxx--but the corporate owners of CAPE will do anything to protect their investment and secure their profits.
I'm listening to Chain-Gang All-Stars as an audiobook, courtesy of Libro.fm and Penguin Random House Audio.
02 Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
Briana Ortiz's divorce from her cheater husband is about to be finalized, her brother Benny's health is failing, and she's living in her childhood home, complete with its original flowered couches and shabby carpet.
At least she can pour energy into her work. She's busy as an ER doctor and is poised to become the next Chief.
But when a new doctor relocates to the hospital, Bri's promotion is in jeopardy. She's set to detest this interloper--but then he sends her a letter that changes everything.
Jimenez is also the author of Part of Your World, The Friend Zone, and The Happy-Ever-After Playlist.
03 Charm City Rocks: A Love Story by Matthew Norman
Billy Perkins is a happy music teacher living above a record store in Baltimore called Charm City Rocks with his beloved teen son Caleb.
Margot Hammer, on the other hand, is miserable. The former drummer of the band Burnt Flowers is now a recluse living in New York City.
When a documentary shines a light on Margot again, Billy's longtime crush on the musician is renewed. Caleb cooks up a scheme to get Margot to perform at Charm City Rocks so his dad, who Caleb thinks is lonely, can finally meet Margot and hopefully forge a connection.
I received a prepublication edition of this book courtesy of NetGalley and Dell.
If this book sounds intriguing, you might also be interested in the books on my Greedy Reading List, Six Rockin' Stories about Bands and Music.