BookBrowse Highlights
Hello Readers!
This week, our First Impressions reviewers give their thoughtful commentary on Minyoung Kang’s Plant Lady, a kind-of-cozy story of misogyny and revenge.
Our Editor’s Choice review covers Paul Yoon’s latest novel Etna, which follows a dog’s journey through the aftermath of an unnamed war.
In Sigrid Nunez’s collection It Will Come Back to You, one story references Kafka’s “Letter to His Father.” Was this piece meant to be literature or a real letter from the author to his parent? Read our “beyond the book” article to learn more.
Do you buy more books than you can read? If so, you may be interested in our community forum conversation about an article on the subject. And while you’re there, check out our recent Ask the Author interview with Claire Boyles and upcoming discussions!
Thanks for reading,
The BookBrowse Team
First Impressions
Each month, we share books with BookBrowse members to read and review. Here are their opinions on one recently released title.
Plant Lady by Minyoung Kang
“Plant Lady by Minyoung Kang (translated by Shanna Tan) is a dark-cozy story about the owner of a plant shop in Korea and the way she deals with men who mistreat her plants and the women in their lives. This short novel executes both the cozy and dark/suspense aspects perfectly…despite some pretty dark moments, the overall atmosphere remains cozy plant store—which itself adds to the feeling of darkness and unease.” —Jeffrey_B
“This book will appeal to readers who like a thriller and want to burn the midnight oil! Once you start, it's hard to stop until you've read the last page.” —Linda_Monaco
“The descriptive and fine storytelling skills of the author pulled me into this genre I wouldn't otherwise have ventured into. I think the often targeted or casual misogyny in cultures all over the world is a common experience that I (and no doubt others) certainly could relate to…I appreciate the tongue in cheek social commentary of this book and hope it leads to discussion among readers and families.” —Karen_K
Editor’s Choice
Etna by Paul Yoon
Etna, a mixed-breed shepherd dog, spends the first year of his life on an idyllic coastal farm with his mother, siblings, and myriad other animals. When their homeland is invaded and war breaks out, Etna is taken to be trained up and used as a frontline service dog. For four years, he carries out his duties with unwavering loyalty: sniffing out landmines, scouting battlefields, guarding outposts, and attacking enemy soldiers. Throughout this time, bonds are forged and lost with the dogs and humans in his unit. By the time the conflict comes to an end, with his closest allies dead, he is left with no sense of purpose or belonging. Thus, he's struck with the desire to return to the farm of his youth, sparking an odyssey across the ravaged landscape. … continued
Review by Callum McLaughlin
Beyond the Book
Kafka's "Letter to His Father"
In "Mother-Daughter Story" by Sigrid Nunez, appearing in her collection It Will Come Back to You, main character Mo recounts to her daughter having taken a class where she had to read Kafka's "Letter to His Father," which she referred to as "one long rant," and then write a letter to one of her parents herself—though not necessarily send it. Mo reflects that Kafka's "Letter" was itself of ambiguous purpose. He gave it to his mother to pass on to his father, perhaps knowing that she wouldn't. Some suspect it was intended not to be an actual letter but a story. "You mean like autofiction," Mo's daughter says. "Yes," says Mo. "Except that autofiction hadn't been invented yet."
Whether or not Kafka intended for his father to read the letter or whether he intended it as a literary or cathartic exercise, it seems clear that it is a personal piece of writing that speaks to the real painful experience of growing up with a domineering parent who behaved like a universe unto himself. … continued
Article by Elisabeth Cook
BookBrowse Community Forum
Recently in our community forum, members have been discussing an interesting Inc. article that delves into the science of why people continue to acquire books they won’t have time to read.
In the forum, you can also find recommendations and book club advice, updates on book awards announcements and other news, book club discussions, and much more.
Curated Guides
Want to read and discuss books with more confidence?
That’s where our curated guides and bundles come in, including The BookBrowse Anthology, the Reading Deeply collection, our Literary Almanac, coverage of WWII fiction featuring women, and our book club guide. Become a more confident and informed reader or book group participant, and enjoy stimulating overviews of contemporary fiction and nonfiction.
Our compilations and guides draw from over two decades of book club research and editorial content.
Discussions & Ask the Author Interviews
Discussions are open to all, so please join us! If you would like to receive a message when a particular discussion opens, you can sign up for a one-time notification. You can also find inspiration for your book club among our more than 200 past discussions.
Currently, we’re discussing The Vanishing Place by Zoë Rankin and Too Old for This by Samantha Downing, among other books.
Starting in early September, we feature The Magician of Tiger Castle by Louis Sachar.
BookBrowse regularly hosts Ask the Author sessions in our community forum. Stop by to post your own questions and follow along in any interviews that interest you.
Check out this week’s conversation with Claire Boyles, author of Appraisals, a BookBrowse First Impressions selection.
